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







Lichen the taste – Black Stone Flower delivers a punch in Chettinad Chicken
Dream dining at the Pentonbridge Inn (and a curious Cumbrian trail there)
Pickled Onion Monster Munch Beurre Blanc, Mr Springsteen?
Capreolus – distilling the ethereal essence of the mighty quince
In their own words: why female head chefs are flourishing around Manchester…
Secret SAMPA offers cutting edge Brazilian fusion and grape revelations
Viva Louis Vegas! American-Italian comfort food it’d be a crime to miss
Harissa stains on my pristine new tome? Blame the genius of Gurdeep Loyal