Archive for July, 2007

Covent Garden Stages the Capitals First Ever Night Market

by Andrew on July 31, 2007 in Farm Shops and Markets, Tasting Events/Shows with 3 Comments

Covent Garden will return to its roots as the original larder of London this August when the iconic location hosts the first ever night market in the city. Londoners can stop for an alfresco bite in the atmospheric surroundings of hops and hay bails or pick up some quality fare on their way home for the weekend.

Bringing together the best of London’s food markets – traders from Borough to Broadway, Exmouth to Islington will set their stalls out alongside premium food producers never before available in the Capital.

This is the ultimate foodie experience, visitors to the market can choose delicacies from over 35 different stalls each evening of the Night Markets; from the much loved Neal’s Yard, Spore Boys, Chocstar, Gourmet Candy Company and Simply Ice Cream to Skye Gyngell’s favourite – The Ginger Pig, Violet Cakes and Brindisa and newcomers who have never traded before in London Duchy Oysters – Covent Garden is still the only place in London where 1000 people can dine alfresco style.

The revival of London’s most famous food market has attracted the best purveyors in the UK. Bev Churchill, Brand Director of Covent Garden sums up the inspiration behind the idea “Covent Garden Market was the original home of quality and variety of produce. To bring a food market of this calibre back to Covent Garden feels natural for the environment and location. Hosting London’s first ever night market means that we get to make history at the same time”

An innovative programme of contemporary live performance will bring each evening to life. The hottest Hoe Down group this side of Texas – “Cut A Shine” promise roaring, thigh-slapping, pavement-stomping fun and high tempo, gusty performances of live music from other lively acts.

Covent Garden Night Markets run from 5.00pm to 10.00pm every Thursday night in August beginning on 2 August 2007 and all retail outlets in Covent Garden Market will be open until 10.00pm to be part of this great event.

Covent Garden Market remains one of the world’s most famous. Visitors and locals will have the opportunity to unwind in the historic surroundings and savour the flavours of freshly prepared dishes in premium picnic style. Alternatively customers can pick up quality items such as hearty Spanish hams, ‘just caught’ fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers or freshly made breads from the local bakers to enjoy at home.

Trading dates are:
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th August 2007
Location: Covent Garden, WC2


Oil and More

by Andrew on July 30, 2007 in Online Retailers with 2 Comments

Oil and MoreI’m not sure where you start when choosing olive oils – the supermarkets have various brands, the delis have dozens of estate bottled and generally expensive oils too. Several wine merchants offer olive oils made by wine producers whose wines they list (see Surf4wine for an example).

There is one olive oil specialist on-line, Oil & More, that offers a nice little range. There are extra virgin oils from South Africa, Spain, Italy, Lebanon and Provence; not a huge list but interesting.

There are also infused oils, those made from nuts and seeds such as pumpkin, organ, walnut etc and a range of vinegars.

Oil and More also list such delights as Zaatar, Pomegranate Molasses and some gift ideas. A great little site.

Oil & More,
Nutrition Gateway Ltd,
PO Box 34,
Wrexham,
LL14 5YG

British Sausage Week

by Andrew on July 26, 2007 in Tasting Events/Shows with 3 Comments

British Sausage WeekA while to go yet until British Sausage Week; but many thanks to Eating Leeds for the discovery of the accompanying website.

It is the 10th Anniversary of British Sausage Week and to mark the occasion, which runs from the 15th to the 21st October, The British Sausage Week roadshow will be touring the country – fronted by a TV celebrity.

Details of events are sketchy at the moment but other events are likely to be occurring; so don’t leave the country!

UK Blog Watch: Ambrosia and Nectar

by Andrew on July 24, 2007 in On The Web with No comments

Ambrosia and Nectar screenshotAnnemarie requested that her Ambrosia and Nectar blog was added to the UK Food and Wine Blog list; a delight to do so, Annemarie.

Based in London Annemarie writes

Ambrosia and Nectar is a food blog written by a dedicated food obsessive who plans her next meal before finishing the current one. Thinking about, cooking, and particularly eating food are some of my greatest pleasures. Travel is based around what countries I want to eat the food of, and I paw through cookbooks whenever the day at home is dull. I might not have the time to cook grand meals every night, but I always appreciate delicious and interesting foodie things.

Recent posts cover a perfect looking Summer Pudding, the 24 hour no-kneed bread and A Summer Salad with Fruit.

Annemarie has been writing since June this year.

Aztecs Chillies

by Andrew on July 23, 2007 in In the Press with No comments

Aztec ChilliPre-conquest those Aztecs, down Mexico way, had a diet pretty much like that of today.

Archiologists have discovered ten different varieties of chillies in caves in the Valley of Oaxaca. Inhabited from 500AD through to 1500 the different varieties show that they were integral to the diet. Arid conditions through the centuries prevented decay of the crop remains, which include corn, squash, beans, avocados and chili peppers.

It is unknown whether the cultivars found in the cave correspond to modern varieties, or if they were types that died out after the arrival of Europeans in Mexico. One looks like a Tabasco pepper and another like a cayenne pepper, but it is difficult to know how closely related they are to modern varieties without a genetic analysis.

“What was interesting to me was that we were able to determine that they were using the peppers both dried and fresh,”

Perry said. (Chilies broken while fresh had a recognizable breakage pattern.)

“It shows us that ancient Mexican food was very much like today. They would have used fresh peppers in salsas or in immediate preparation, and they would have used the dried peppers to toss into stews or to grind up into sauces like moles.”

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