I roam, grow my own, brave the kitchen heat and know my woozy way around a wine list. Welcome to my (very personal) world of food and drink…
After years of journalistic hyper-activity, lockdowns made me reassess the food and drink I really care about. Refreshed and unrestrained, I started this. Call it a blog if you must, it’s certainly a change of direction. Less about me, more the discoveries I want to share. Read more…

In Seef hands again – the working class Antwerp beer that simply evaporated
What could be more authentically working class than an entire neighbourhood named after a beer? Seefhoek has kept its gritty character against the forces of gentrification decades after Seef, its iconic foaming raison d’etre, was consigned…

Celebrating Mexican Independence Day with Santiago Lastra’s goosegog salsa
Gooseberries replace tomatillos in the classic Mexican salsa, according to the gospel of Santiago Lastra. I pair it with oxtail

Northumbrian spirit – Ad Gefrin matches pioneering whisky with ancient treasures
Whisky tasting and Anglo-Saxon culture combine in the must-visit Northumbrian attraction Ad Gefrin

How fragrant Malvani lamb took the spice route from Bombay to Leeds
Dishoom has opened in Leeds to great acclaim. Neil Sowerby tracks down the lamb dish it has chosen especially for the new restaurant







It’s a Dhokla shock as Bundobust casts off its menu shackles
Why I’m still yapping – homage to a great French wine pioneer
How Jayasekara’s The Cocochine has brought a unique magic to Mayfair
Celebrating 20 years of El Gato Negro – cool city prime and brave Pennine gestation
My Italian food trail – the ancient Umbrian ‘pea’ Roveja
It’s a Zin! But what version of this enigmatic Californian red will turn up?
All the winners from the MFDF Awards 2025 on a night celebrating community
A slice of my sweet, sweet sausage? You’ll be tasting a very Catalan dish