Jellied Eel - My first published piece!

Today is the first day of publication of Issue 27 of The Jellied Eel. A favourite magazine of mine for many a while and not just bacause they have published 3 articles of mine. All in one issue!
A proud day - celebrated with a large glass of something special in the Duke of Cambridge. Apt.

Click here to download a copy.

Even better join up as a member of Sustain; worth every penny if only to get an invite to one of the Seasonal Networking & Drinks Events. The last one in november had plenty of great food and far too many interesting people to mention or indeed remember.

Foxcroft and ginger

Next time you go to the third wave coffee institution that is flat white keep walking . Why suggest such foodie heresy ? Because a few dilapidated doors down is foxcroft and ginger and its just as special but without the anzac and adman crowds. Open for just three months this place could become the next fernandez and wells. Visit Foxcroft & Ginger now, then sit back and relax safe in the knowledge that you beat the sheep. Maybe have the lamb sandwich with a rye smile!

Yalla yalla - Soho

Couldn't get into this street food purveyors - it was too busy and indoors. Loved my photo though. Yalla Yalla Tbc . . . .

Photographers gallery - Soho

I know its got nothing to do with food retail but my good god was I happy to find the photographers gallery again. From childhood
I've loved shopping in the west end. At age twelve I'd take the train alone to london to browse and daydream; As a chubby kid with glasses Id spend hours plucking up courage to even step across the boundary of certain trendy boutiques, but I would always end my day by spending a pound of my pocket money on coffee and cake in my own personal refuge - the old photographers gallery ( near the bottom end of floral street) Recently I passed and it was gone. I put a few memories to bed and walked on a little saddened. Today, by chance, I found the new one. Its bigger better and still the same. The coffee tasted just as warming. Welcome back. Please let's not loose each other again.

Window Shopping - Columbia Road

Santa Monica maying be building a reputation for the innovation of it's street food scene but where else in the world but London could you window shop for lunch. Columbia road has a small sprinkling of open windows where chefs sell wares straight from the kitchen, others trade coffee from a hallway. It's a small trend but I'm in love already. A window full of smiling & flirting customers may be the traditional way of letting passers by know what wonderful food a cafe serves but a queue on the pavement outside is surely a way forward. Columbia Road - not just for the flowers.

ben the baker @ e5food - Shoreditch

Leila's shop is shoreditch is always worth a visit and todays was better than ever. Outside on the pavement avoiding the rain and shuffling his feet under the awning stood ben; at first I though he was a crazy and walked straight on. Ben is not a crazy but a man mad for bread. The sourdough he proffered was as good as it gets, soft and light inside and a little crisp on the outside. Having worked with some of the best bakers in the business I was surprised to find such a talent in such young hands. Next time he's outside I'll buy everything.

Dennis of Bexley - Kent

Growing up nearby I ignored this very local butchers; surely the train to London was a surefire way for a kid from the suburbs to find quality meat. Evidently not.

Dennis is suburban and it's suburban location shields it from comparison with the urban big boys. But it shouldn't.

Now I live in Islington I often find myself driving all the way back to Kent just to visit Dennis.

They sell thousnads of stunning pies every week - they even let customers bring in a favourite ceramic dish and bake with it, perfect for a faking it at home! - but what they really do well are the simple things that should be standard but now seem simply memories. They give great service, offer advice and know the job. They care about meat and love talking about it. Most of all they enjoy the art of butchery.... and pie making!