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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…

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Unveiled: the terrific 2026 MFDF Awards shortlist – cast your votes now

Check out who is up for a gong in the 2026 MFDF Awards. The shortlists have been announced and there's so much to get your teeth into
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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…
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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
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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

Join the morel crusade as Mike Shaw gives the Freemasons new belief

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The Freemasons is a country gastropub that is in resurgent form

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It’s a Dhokla shock as Bundobust casts off its menu shackles

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The Indian street food meets craft beer pioneer has revamped its food offering triumphantly

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Why I’m still yapping – homage to a great French wine pioneer

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Yapp Brothers have been part of my wine loving life for decades. Great to see they are still going strong

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How Jayasekara’s The Cocochine has brought a unique magic to Mayfair

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The Cocochine is one of London’s finest restaurants with a great sustainable ethos. Why then does Michelin ignore it?

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Celebrating 20 years of El Gato Negro – cool city prime and brave Pennine gestation

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Simon Shaw’s homage to Spanish cuisine was born in a Pennine village and now has spent 10 years in central Manchester. What is El Gato Negro’s secret?

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My Italian food trail – the ancient Umbrian ‘pea’ Roveja

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Roveja is the ancient legume that came back from near extinction, but is the taste as good as the story?

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It’s a Zin! But what version of this enigmatic Californian red will turn up?

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Zinfandel is the ‘official’ red grape of California, with an intriguing back story, so why does it play second fiddle to Cabernet and Pinot?

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All the winners from the MFDF Awards 2025 on a night celebrating community 

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The only hospitality awards that really count in Manchester continue to delight and surprise. Now in their 28th year the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards returned to New Century Hall for a celebration of the resilience of the city and region in testing times. 18 winners were announced from food and drink establishments with […]

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