A new patisserie has opened in Oxford and has been receiving some wonderful reviews.

“Welcome to Gatineau, Summertown’s new Patisserie. Our family run business offers an eclectic range of traditional and contemporary pâtisserie, viennoiserie (croissants, etc.), savouries, breads, sandwiches and chocolate. The products we make reflect our passion for quality and flair, and are all based on the best of traditional French baking methods. We cater for weddings, parties and also supply local businesses. Also, new for summer – we now offer delicious handmade sorbets.”

Hervé and Mary Gatineau brought their shop in January, although the shop had been a patisserie for the last 12 years, the new owners have given it a fresh look. Hervé trained as a patisserie chef in Toulose and uses only seasonal, local products. Rhubarb for example in a ‘Tarte Rhubarbe Fraise’.

Everything is baked on the premises – a range of cakes, quiches, savoury pastires and breads. A full catering service is also offered for weddings and the like.

Gatineau
209 Banbury Road
Summertown
Oxford OX2 7HQ

And talking of Henley and the Regatta…

The Three Tuns is one of Henley’s oldest drinking houses, situated in the middle of the market square. They have launched a picnic basket service (although the website, Henley Hampers, doesn’t seem to be operational) where you select from a list of products. They need just 24 hours notice to create the basket which comes complete with cool bag. There is a small refundable deposit to pay and they are happy to recycle any empties when it is returned to the Three Tuns.

“The products include salmon, dressed lobster, a choice of meats from Henley’s premier butchers Machin’s, cheeses, homemade quiches, Victoria Sponges, an assortment of wines and Champagnes and strawberries and cream.”

From 25 June, Waitrose customers will be able to buy a re-usable milk jug with their choice of Calon Wen organic milk, which will be available in strong film eco paks.

The new jug – launching in 21 branches with plans to extend nationally – fits one eco pak at a time, which is easily replaced as and when required. Using 75 per cent less plastic packaging than an equivalent polybottle, the eco paks will provide relief for environmentally-conscious shoppers who are already struggling with bi-weekly rubbish collections.

As one of the most common items in people’s shopping baskets, milk packaging consequently makes up a high percentage of waste in the UK. Waitrose is pioneering this scheme which could transform the nation’s wastage figures. If the milk jug were to replace polybottles entirely, close to 100,000 tonnes of plastic would be saved every year.

Dairy buyer Jane Hills said

“A litre polybottle can hold 75 empty eco paks so we believe our customers will appreciate help with their personal environmental and recycling endeavours. We are always looking for ways to reduce packaging and the milk jug is a perfectly simple replacement for the existing polybottles. Waitrose is delighted to work with the progressive Calon Wen co-operative of farmers to offer our customers the choice of the most revolutionary green packaging seen in the UK.”

Calon Wen is a co-operative of family-run organic dairy farms in Wales. They are the first organic dairy to receive the Soil Association Ethical Trade symbol.

The jug, along with eco packs of skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk will be available in 17 London branches, 3 branches in Wales and Waitrose Bath, with future plans to roll out the scheme to more branches.

Henley Regatta approaches – the annual food bloggers picnic on the banks of the Thames. There is some rowing going on too.

Just behind where the bloggers usually spread is Remenham Farm. This year a gourmet food hall is to be erected in the farm. The hall is to offer a range of products from olive oil to traditional confectionery. Run by the famous Copas company the hall will be open throughout the Regatta (4th-8th July). The picnic is on the Saturday.

“We are launching a Gourmet Food Hall during the Henley Royal Regatta for the first time this year. The Food Hall will be located on the riverside in close proximity to our Trade Stand Village, the Barn Bar, and the Redgrave Bar. The focus of the Food Hall will be on the provision of goods to purchase for future use, or to order for delivery, eg. olive oil, biscuits, hampers, etc. rather than the supply of takeaway food to eat on site, as this is an area already covered by or incumbent caterers..”

Originally published in the River Cottage Meat Book, three poster sized versions of ‘cow’, ‘lamb’ and ‘pig’ prints are now available. Each gives a comprehensive guide to the various cuts your can get from cows, pigs and sheep.

They are sure to find a welcome home on many a kitchen wall.

Priced at £15 for A1 or £12 for A2 or at the generous special offer price of 3 (same size) for the price of 2. From The River Cottage.