IN the UK, we go crazy for blue cheese at Christmas. There’s something about the spiciness and sense of indulgence that we get from a rich, creamy blue cheese that helps lift mid-winter blues (sorry) and provides a fitting end to the feast, particularly when perfectly matched with port. Sales of Stilton spike to such…
BEFORE heading down to Dorset to cook for her sister Helen’s Dorset Corset Theatre Company, who will be performing A Christmas Carol at the Shelley Theatre, Boscombe, Philippa Davis was cooking for clients in Holland Park, and had a chance to sample the amazing variety of first class food available in the heart of London….
HISTORICALLY, the Brits have been brilliant at producing ham and bacon but rubbish at charcuterie – which is why most of the best-known examples of classic charcuterie have French or Italian or Spanish names, saucisson, confit, salami, guanciale, lardo, pancetta, jamon iberico, chorizo et al. But there is a quiet revolution going on in farms…
WE love Scotland and are green with envy of the amount of time our favourite travelling chef, Philippa Davis from Shaftesbury, spends cooking for clients in the Highlands. On her latest assignment north of the border she found a new best friend … I only have pies for you … I knew this was going…
SUPERMARKETS are losing their power over us all; dodgy accounting on their part and changes in our habits as shoppers are conspiring to make the behemoths nervous. As a result there’s a vicious price war going on – no-one can fail to notice that, and of course we are all going to take advantage of…
SUMMER Lodge at Evershot is the epitome of the country house hotel – a beautiful old house, set in gorgeous gardens, overflowing with flowers, vegetables and fruit, with a mouthwatering menu of mainly locally sourced food, an internationally famous wine list and stunning West Dorset scenery for walks and drives. What Summer Lodge is NOT is…
A QUICK glance at the long list of awards won by the Eastbury Hotel at Sherborne leads the visitor to expect a memorable experience – particularly in the Conservatory Restaurant – and you won’t be disappointed. The hotel, in an 18th century former town house, is a lovely old brick and stone building with a…
TRAVELLING chef Philippa Davis is nothing if not adventurous – but driving a Land Rover miles across rutted Highland tracks, including a nerve-shredding bridge, proved quite a challenge, as she describes in her latest Postcard Recipe. “I AM looking for someone to share an adventure” … that’s what she should have said, but instead she…
IT is just over six weeks to Christmas (scary thought) so it’s time to start gathering some inspiring but affordable presents. Delicious and attractive, a new range of pestos from Pink’s could be the ideal thing for foodie friends. The range includes Watercress and Wasabi, Smoked Tomato, Rocket and Lemon (delicious with grilled chicken or…
TRAVELLING chef Philippa Davis from Shaftesbury has been cooking for a shooting party in West Sussex, before heading back to Scotland. The Sussex trip started with the usual treasure hunt to the bottom of the client’s freezer … The shooting party in West Sussex was indeed jolly. Although the day started a little overcast, after…