Did you know that if you crack an egg into a 50/50 split solution of water and white wine vinegar, the raw egg re-forms into a perfect egg shape?  Neither did I, until today.  Why might that be useful?  Well then you can spoon the raw egg out and poach to get the perfect ‘boiled egg’ shape with a runny yolk!

My step-mother loves cooking (as do I!) and today she treated us both to a Cookery Demonstration and Lunch at the Crooked Billet.  Paul Clerehugh and his very able assistant, Gordon were like whirling dervishes demonstrated how to prepare the perfect confit duck salad; make your own goats curd; salt code scotch eggs (with perfectly runny quail egg centre); salt beef; stuffed lamb; pomegranate molasses; lemon sole; flat bread; chocolate banana bread pudding; blackberry tart and a whole heap more.

Watching and taking notes as new tips and tricks were divulged.  Both my step-mother and I were often to be heard with a ‘aaah’ or ‘oh that’s how it’s done’.

After seeing all the delights being prepared we were then able to enjoy tastings of the dishes and full sizes of some dishes for our lunch.  Each dish was washed down with some matching wines – equally well chosen and delicious.

The Crooked Billet is in a lovely secluded country location serving incredible fresh and delicious food.  Well worth a visit (if you can get a table).  Paul runs cookery demonstrations regularly – a wonderful way to spend a day or perhaps a gift for a foodie friend?

Hmmm… Now to put what I’ve learnt into practice.  I have the recipes from the day… who’s popping round to taste for me?

I can’t believe that it’s finally here.  A long time ago I was thinking about how I could combine a couple of my passions into something creative.  Food and writing came to mind so I sought a food writing course.  Not easy to come by and certainly not cheap!

Eventually I found an evening course which was being hosted by Lulu Grimes at Leiths Cookery School in West London.  I booked and paid for it months and months ago so it’s sort of come as a nice surprise when it popped up in my calendar.  Below is  a description of the course and I hope it’s going to be fun as well as instructive:

This 8 week course is for all those wanting to explore the world of food journalism or to learn to write clear, professional recipes.

The course is run by Lulu Grimes, former Leiths Diploma student, Deputy editor of olive and BBC Good Food Magazine and author of numerous cookbooks.

Along with her special guest lecturers, Lulu will guide you through the language of recipe writing, writing restaurant reviews and food and travel journalism. You will also cover how to approach an editor and tips on how to get your work published.

Every week you will write alone or in groups while you learn how to bring your writing to a professional standard.

Lulu adds: “Food writing is increasingly popular, and these days the chance to write about something you love is open to all (though not necessarily for financial gain!). I’ve always thought that there are plenty of good writers who know about food, but that what they fail to do is understand who their reader is, and where their market lies. Whether you want to write a personal blog, a book or recipes or features for magazines, papers and websites it is vital to understand your audience. This is what I love to teach, how to best use your talents.”

A mixed group of participants.  Ranging in age, ability and why they are doing the course.  There are some who are keen to pursue a career in food journalism.  There are others who have food blogs and want to improve them.  There are more who have commissions for recipe books and also some who run cookery schools or a winery.

Let’s see if my writing improves.  Here goes…

I love it when the seasons turn from Summer to Autumn. I love the changes in the colours, the crunchiness of leaves underfoot and the crispness in the air.

So where better way to spend an Autumnal Sunday but in the country.

We met in Petworth, a beautiful historic town in Sussex. There were narrow cobbled streets, walled gardens, chichi shops and incredible antique stores. But before I could explore I first needed coffee and stumbled across a uniquely beautiful and quaint coffee and sweetshop (Coco Cafe & Sugar Lounge).  Not only did they appear to stock every possible sweet, chocolate and naughtiness but they also served fabulous coffee (I get a little narky if my coffee isn’t good!)

A quick wander around the town and of course we couldn’t resist popping into a couple of antique stores and fell in love with a few stunning pieces…. hmmm one day we’ll have the big country estate that will house these little beauties and dreams!  (ahem)

Perhaps a blessing for our wallets, we had lunch booked in The Foresters Arms in Graffham and had to leave the delights of the antique stores and history of Petworth.

Following a quick drink in Autumnal sunshine of the Foresters Arms garden we headed inside.  Burning log fires, low beamed ceilings, warmth of the rich dark wood and a very welcome aroma of lunch cooking.

Delicious lunch.  Beautiful presentation.  Fabulous taste combinations, cooked to perfection and reasonable honest prices.  A definite return… oooh and I see they do Jazz nights and have some wonderfully priced deals on accommodation including dinner and breakfast…

After lunch we figured that we should really work off a little of the orange and ginger  brioche bread and butter pudding (ahem) with a walk.  As I said at the beginning of this post there is something magical as the seasons change, nature takes over, the colours change and we’re on the lookout for new life in Spring.

Despite Al having a map I was determined to go ‘off-piste’ and we found ourselves deep in woodland beside a little babbling brook.  Hey, we made it home eventually!

Shhhhh I’m going to let you in on a little secret… Spuntino in Rupert Street, Soho.

I was introduced to it today for brunch.  I have feeling that one of the 28 stools will be occupied regularly by me!!

OK so apparently it turns into a trendy bar in the evenings buzzing with people, cocktails and noise… but I’ve fallen in love with it for a fabulous little weekend brunch haunt.

The outside is unassuming and, if I’m honest, barely visible amongst the colourful and lairy neighbourhood Soho “establishments”.  The interior (once you’ve found it and been a little brave to enter) reminds me of an American diner.  White tiles floor to ceiling on the walls (apparently the original tiles from when the property was once a butcher-shop), a stainless steel topped wide bar at which the bar stools are lined up and a smell of popcorn in the air.

The bar staff are friendly and quite obviously enjoy their work.  We take up bar stools at the corner of the bar so that the three of us can gossip AND enjoy the food and drink.  Mimosas are ordered together with a selection of dishes that we will all sample.  My favourite, of course is their Mac & Cheese, although I’m rather taken with the aubergine fingers, the soft shelled crab, oh and the boiled egg, oh, and… oh you get the picture.

A truly top brunch spot in town.  Affordable, fun and serving deliciously fabulous food and coffee (or bubbles!).

From The Canterbury Tales:

There lived a ‘prentice, once, in our city,
And of the craft of victuallers was he;
Happy he was as goldfinch in the glade,
Brown as a berry, short, and thickly made,
With black hair that he combed right prettily.
He could dance well, and that so jollily,
That he was nicknamed Perkin Reveller.

Or (my preferred choice):

At the Perkin Reveller, we love to celebrate life’s simple pleasures, over a platter of seasonal British food and a jug of locally brewed beer, a glass of exceptional wine or a cup of the finest tea in England!

Why?

I was invited to have lunch today at a new restaurant, Perkin Reveller, in the arches of Tower Wharf.  The restaurant is due to open any moment and they wanted some people to critique the restaurant, menu, food, service and ambiance.

Pic of our starters and one of the puds… I forgot to take pics of our main courses!

Of course there were a few teething problems but hey that’s why they asked us to come in and critique.  But it wasn’t with the food, which was all absolutely scrumptious!  And the small issues I’m sure will be ironed out quickly.

The Perkin Reveller joins new with old, the restaurant area being in a new building with a great deal of glass and then cuts neatly in to the bar area which is within the walls of Tower Bridge.  A great location with fabulous views of both Tower Bridge and also down the River Thames.

The menu is varied and has a wonderful choice of meat, fish and vegetarian options throughout together with a rounded choice of puds and starters.  I love that you can order Welsh rarebit as a savoury ‘ending’ to your meal!  The wine list is comprehensive and they serve locally brewed beer too.  I also adored the lime and soda that we had when we first arrived, a little flustered and hot.  Not your usual lime and soda, I might add.  But one with freshly squeezed lime juice and sugar syrup to sweeten, poured and served over lashings of ice… totally refreshing and delicious.

Not outrageously expensive but they did that annoying thing of charging extra for every vegetable, so watch out on the ‘sides’ ordering – grrr why do they do that?

Review by Big Hospitality – The mention long banqueting-style tables…. think they may need to revisit…

Review by Design my night

Definitely one to return to and sample some more from their diverse menu.

I can also totally see the bar being one of those little known hideaway secrets for a little late night drinkypoo!

I mentioned a new fave place in London, Champagne & Fromage, in my posting “When colleagues become friends” but what I’ve neglected to tell you is that the 6 degrees of separation rule applies here too.  Although with the advent of Twitter and Facebook, I’m convinced that it really is about 4 degrees of separation.

Anyway, I tweeted about my visit to Champagne & Fromage on twitter and was quickly replied to by Abi at Media Wisdom to say that they were working with French Bubbles (the company who owns Champagne & Fromage) for their photographic portfolio.  Giles and Abi took some headshot photos of me for use with the Living Beyond Diagnosis website, press releases and other media.  If you need pictures of yourself, your business, products etc etc, give Abi and Giles a call at Media Wisdom.

Yesterday however I spotted a tweet from Abi mentioning that they were shooting some pics for a champagne and cheese client… well there could only be one, surely!  So I replied quickly to ask if it was in fact to one my new fave place and also how envious I was – most cheeky but it’s true!  Anyway this evening I received a message from Abi:

“@mediawisdom We certainly were at your favourite place, and a little something for you… ow.ly/i/Ltm9“

Awww isn’t that just gorgeous???  You just have to visit Champagne & Fromage.  Maybe I’ll see you there?

Ooooh but another exciting piece of news about my fave place is that the photos that were being taken was for a new service.

“@Frenchbubbles Photo shooting for our new business: chilled #champagne + Fromage delivered in 1hr max in all London with scooters!! pic.twitter.com/LARrBPTy“

I’m sure many of you in London could think of someone who deserves a treat like this… yes??