
Rhubarb and Custard Pie Pudding
I can draw inspiration from anywhere. I think it’s perhaps my strongest quality and truly beneficial to my career as a chef. It does not matter to whom I speak…

I can draw inspiration from anywhere. I think it’s perhaps my strongest quality and truly beneficial to my career as a chef. It does not matter to whom I speak…

I absolutely loved the movie Slumdog Millionaire.I not only appreciated the mechanics on how the movie was made but also how it highlighted the way we allow children and other…

I have always loved the combination of cauliflower and cheese. However I do have a rather sad memory of a cauliflower cheese incident. Dad was accustomed to having his food…

This luxurious and velvety lemon curd recipe is very close to my heart. I have had this recipe for nearly 15 years and it’s been used in many of the…

I have not been this excited about mastering a recipe in years! Reading the news paper and Delicious magazines predictions on what’s ”hot” this year in the line…

It’s incredible how certain foods have certain meanings for different people. For example I like tapioca, it reminds me of my Mum, Sundays and happy family time spent together, whereas …

I cannot believe its already December and we are heading for Christmas full steam ahead. I get great satisfaction when my colleagues start asking for ideas and hints on how…

I have a special affection for marzipan and almonds,so at every opportunity to create something containing either one of these will be grabbed with both hands. With Christmas just a…

Well what can I say, Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnuts, the height of food fashion in the 60’s and 70’s. I deliberately pushed myself (or alternatively tried to antagonise myself) …

I have a special affection for Spain, I feel truly at home when I’m there. They have exceptional food, brilliantly jaw dropping innovative chefs, fantastic architecture, art, produce and wine.…

This dish is different and rather unusual. Combining pears with mackerel might not sound like an obvious pairing but it works remarkably well.
I made a broth using British conference…

This recipe is dedicated to UK Thermomix as featured in the Yes Chef Magazine October 2009.
I have had the privilege to use the previous models…

When Abigail Lawson joined our chef’s team I was sceptical at first as she had just recently graduated from Leiths. I have old fashioned views on how a cook should…

The recipe for this chocolate and amaretti torte with a divine chocolate frosting could not have come at a better time than during the national Chocolate Week 2009.…

Credit goes to Valentine Warner for inspiring me to make these fabulous orange and cardamom soaked brioche buns. I was watching Val on telly a few months ago making something…

This recipe is a bit of fun and yummy at the same time! The perfect Saturday afternoon recipe when you have time on your hands, the weather is uninspiring and…

I feel incredibly privileged to live in Britain, especially close to London as we are the “food capital” of the world, well that’s my opinion. You can buy nearly anything…

I’m known as the Queen of Tart Tatins….even if I have to say so myself!
I’m looking for perfection when it comes to this classic dish and these are the…

The signs of autumn are in the air. The mornings are crisp and the sun is reluctant to show it’s face. I definitely feel the change in the season as…

I’m really excited about this recipe. I planned baking this bread in my dream. You might find that seriously bizarre but then I’m thinking of food all the time, even…

The ultimate courgette supper is on the table and and it looks absolutely divine. Chilled courgette soup with goat’s yoghurt, courgette and garden herb pesto bread and finally…

My borlotti beans have finally produced a few pods which can now be harvested. Last year I was very impatient and picked them too early and ended up with only…

The sticky sweet but strong distinctive flavour of stem ginger is a taste that you either love or loathe.
How amazing is it that your taste, likes and dislikes change…

The plum season is about to start and it’s amazing how many different varieties of plums are available. I like each for different reasons, some are sweeter than others, some juicier…

A trip to London is not complete without stopping at Borough market. I set off with the cool box and ice packs in the back of the car knowing that…

All the credit for creating this outstanding recipe goes to Ross my brilliant other half. Our annual summer holiday for this year was only for one week . Nevertheless I…

Apricots are one of my favourite summer fruits. I love the round bright orange yellow colours that shout sunshine, holidays and happy thoughts. It reminds me of my uncles farm…

The season for peas is short and preserving the flavour and colour is very important when creating a dish like this. My top tip is to work as fast as…

As you have most probably gathered, we are pea fanatics, especially fresh new season garden peas from our own garden. Here is another pea delight that is delicious and perfect…

With the summer predicted to be a scorcher it’s best to be prepared. It’s time to sift through the recipes, select the winners and be ready to move when the…

Last week we went to Cammas Hall Farm to pick strawberries and gooseberries. Once we got home it was all systems go and we were fired up to…

Congratulations to Maria Elia for writing The Modern Vegetarian cookbook. It’s beautiful and truly outstanding. A few weeks ago I went to a cooking demonstration hosted by Maria…

It’s Saturday morning and the high street is buzzing with lots of people going about their normal Saturday business. I was dashing about to complete all the tasks on my…

When I received loquats in the box of wonderful inspirational goodies last week I could hardly contain my excitement. Loquats ,also known as nispero fruits, are medium size oval-round milky…

Friday was a joyful day for us as we received our Christmas present -a Rocket Garden.
Last year was the first year that we had planted fruits and vegetables. It…

These marshmallow, cardamom and bitter chocolate naughty dunkers are a bit of fun! It’s very simple and easy to make, but the guilty pleasure it provides is irresistible.
I dunk…

Wow did I have fun making this dish today!
Thanks to Great British Menu last week featuring the Welsh heat with Stephen Terry and James Sommerin. Both their desserts reminded…

It’s just a little bit of fun!
There is no raw meat and no baking involved. It’s a fairly simple recipe and I’m sure you would have tried something similar…

The inspiration for this dish came from Stephen Williams,the chef at the Harwood Arms. We went there last week to take photos of the pub and Stephen served…

I was horrified to hear the negative comments from the general public on tapioca pudding.
Last week I was doing a cooking demonstration to a group of ladies who all…

Sticky toffee pudding is as British as British could be.
I have eaten many sticky toffee puddings in my lifetime and have found that more than once the texture is…

The best kitchen gadget and the number one must have for 2009 is the phenomenal Thermomix. There is very little that this machine wonder cannot do in the…

“Sugar and spice and all things nice. That’s what little girls are made of”. You might think that I have now completely lost the plot!? Perhaps I have, but this…

Making Gnocchi like an Italian mama is an art in itself. I have gone one step further and used celeriac instead of traditional potatoes. I guess that the Italian Mamas…

The vibrant bright yellow colour of this silky butternut squash and Parmesan soup is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face, especially on a cold and grey winters day.…

Coq-au-vin is an old classic and one of my favourites. The beauty about this dish is that it can be cooked in so many ways and presented in various styles…

For years it has always been a hassle and a half to make a successful and vibrant green Garden Pea Soup. It does not matter if you use fresh or…

This delightful Celeriac Espuma with Ras-el-Hanout Steamed Tiger Prawns makes a perfect amuse bouche or canapé to tickle your taste buds and keep your guests very happy. I love every…

I had been asked to help out with a canapé function a couple of weeks ago. I got all excited, as I wanted to make Catharine’s ultimate very…

Chocolaty, gooey, deliciously rich is the only way to describe Catherine’s ultimate very chocolaty brownies. A few months ago the whole support team at work took part in a cooking…

Quinces are one of those rather romantic fruits, it’s speculated that these fruits were used as an aphrodisiac in the early days and with its appearance one could see why.…

Russet apples are a naturally highly scented apple with a leathery skin. The scent of the russet reminds me of toasted hazelnuts. The Victorians liked to use the russets in…

The fragrant but subtle tones of the spices and herbs make this soup incredibly moreish. I love the natural vibrant orange red colour which is bright enough to make a…

Every time I make pastry cream or as it is better known – Crème Patissiere, it takes me back in time. As a young chef in Paris, I use to…

Yum, yum I love this recipe!! It’s brilliant, no additives or preservatives. This chocolate fudge spread recipe takes pride of place amongst my recipe collection. Mum gave it to me,…