Browse Category

Food and Drink

I love nothing better than finding a lovely restaurant or cafe to enjoy great company, delicious food and fine service. Read my reviews below.

Vegetarian Cookery Course at Foodworks

Red lentils with coconut cauliflower on the vegetarian cookery course

Do you like the idea of eating less meat in your diet? Whilst I am not a vegetarian, I have definitely been cutting down on my meat intake over the last few months, so I was keen to learn some new recipes. Read on to find out about the Vegetarian Cookery Course offered by The Foodworks Cookery School, near Cheltenham.

Read more

Best Breakfast Cheltenham Race Week

The Cosy Club, breakfast Cheltenham Race Week

Going out for breakfast on race day has become a tradition. It’s something I look forward to every year. While I like to think of myself as being spontaneous, I actually like to do my research. Using my local knowledge, I’ve put together my Top 7 list of where to eat breakfast Cheltenham Race Week, for all tastes and budgets.

Read more

Best Bars Cheltenham Race Week

The Cosy Club, best bars Cheltenham Race Week

Like putting on your lipstick and donning a pair of heels, the town of Cheltenham dramatically changes its image from day to night during Cheltenham Gold Cup week. Whilst this usually sedate town empties during the day, the tide of racegoers floods back in late afternoon, to celebrate or commiserate their day at Prestbury Park. To help you decide where to go, I’ve used my local knowledge to put together my list of best bars Cheltenham Race Week.

Read more

The Howard Arms in Ilmington

The Howard Arms

Rescued by two local families, who took the decision to give a fading pub a new lease of life, The Howard Arms in Ilmington has only recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment. I was lucky to be given the opportunity for a Saturday-night stay.

Dating back to the 16th century, this pub with rooms overlooks the village green in the peaceful south Warwickshire village of Ilmington. I’d never heard of this village before, but quickly discovered it’s a great location for exploring the north Cotswolds. The quintessentially beautiful villages of Broadway and Chipping Campden, and historic Stratford-upon-Avon, are all within 10 miles.

Read more

Christmas Market Survival Guide

Munich Christmas Market, Survivor's Guide to Christmas Markets

It has become an annual tradition for Mum and I to eat, drink and shop our way around a European city every December. We’ve visited a Christmas market in Europe every year for the last 12 years or so. With all this experience under our belts, I’ve put together my 10 top tips for getting the most out of your Christmas Market break: a Christmas Market Survival Guide.

Read more

Indian Cookery Course in the Cotswolds

Making sag aloo on the Indian Cookery Course

I’ve enjoyed a couple of cookery courses this year, and when I saw the range of classes on offer at The Foodworks Cookery School, it was an Indian cookery course that caught my eye. The cookery school is located on the edge of the Colesbourne Park Estate, between Cheltenham and Cirencester, in the Cotswolds.

It’s the first time I’ve been to The Foodworks and it was fairly easy to find. The converted barn was brightly lit and welcoming on a dark October evening. I was warmly greeted at the reception desk with a glass of wine and a Foodworks apron, then ushered through to the kitchen.

Read more

Exploring London’s East Side

Cheese at Borough Market

Usually when I’m visiting London, I’m on a mission, whether work related or catching up with friends or family. But recently I had an opportunity to spend a day making the most of the city, with no agenda apart from to indulge my favourite pastimes of eating, street art and photography. I stayed around London’s east side, rather than going into the centre.

Here are my top 5 recommendations for things to do on London’s east side:

Read more

Lip Smacking Foodie Tour of Las Vegas

Escargots at Brasserie Bardot, Lip Smacking Foodie Tour of Las Vegas

As a first time visitor, searching for the best things to do in the city of sin, it was a foodie tour of Las Vegas that jumped out and tickled my taste buds. Exploring a destination by its food offerings is often the best way to get to know a place.

Known as a gambling mecca the world over, it’s a little known secret that Vegas is fast becoming a foodie destination. While the who’s who of celebrity chefs are queuing up to open restaurants in Sin City, I discovered Lip Smacking Foodie Tours offers the inside track on the best places to dine.

Read more

Me and Mum on a Cooking Holiday in Italy

Making soffrito

Mum and I usually plan an overseas trip together once a year. Considering one of our favourite mother and daughter holiday pastimes is seeking out the best places to eat, or wandering around markets to try out local produce, why wouldn’t I think a cooking holiday in Italy might be just the ticket?

Read more