The Botanical Kitchen
Recipes, travel and the occasional rant
Whitstable is a pretty little town with lovely lifestyle shops selling sea-themed goods as you would expect but there are also some great artisan food shops. We didn’t have the patience to wander round though as we were hungry for some hearty food to fill starving tummies (following a long bike ride along the Crab […]
Great British Chefs recently asked me to review The Mighty Spice Cook Book, and being a bit of a spice fiend I was delighted. John Gregory-Smith, the author of this wonderful book, sounds a lot like me. He grew up eating lots of different spices, he’s travelled all over the world meeting local people to learn […]
When Twitter followers suggested this place for dinner, I was a bit confused. A restaurant at a lido? Lidos are only open in the daytime aren’t they? Maybe it wasn’t a lido at all but just built on the site of an old one? After there did used to be a swimming pool in the […]
Matcha Chocolat was founded 2010 by former biologist, Katie Christoffers. Following six years of biology research Katie turned her attention to chocolate making. She started with pairing fine teas from Japan, China and India with chocolate but her range now encompasses other wonderful botanicals including spices, herbs, fruits and flowers. I spent a day with […]
As some of you may remember I contacted Pipedream Restaurant about being a Chef for a day and holding my very own afternoon tea. Well it all took place last Saturday and here’s an overview….. I was very nervous because I was stepping into the kitchen where Masterchef winner Tim Anderson and his fellow contestants […]
I was sent a couple of children’s cookery books a few months ago and to be completely honest I was a bit wary about trying them out and reviewing them. I don’t really believe in “kid’s food”. My daughters, aged 7 and 9 now, have eaten what more or less what I eat since they […]
About the author Sabrina Parrini has a background in early childhood teaching and launched Australia’s first organic cooking school and party venue. She now demonstrates her skills and recipes at food fairs and plans to revolutionise the way that people look at children’s health and wellbeing. About this book This book is aimed at 8 – 12 […]
Now I am a BIG fan of tapas. Mini meals. Perfect for mini/petite people like me. There used to be a great tapas place near me but it’s been closed for some time now. It’s a shame because I think it’s such a great concept. Thankfully I live very close to London and there are […]
This book is inspired by Louise’s childhood growing up in her grandmother’s kitchen. About the author Louise is a graduate of Cordon Bleu Cookery School and like me, has a passion for helping children develop a love of food. Her Grandmother Margaret who wrote the recipes for this book, is one of Australia’s most respected cookery […]
It’s taken me a while to read this book because it’s one of those that takes you off in different directions that then require some quiet time reflecting. I have enjoyed it immensely. About the author Sebastian Pole is the co-founder of Pukka Herbs which sells organic teas, herbal and ayurvedic remedies and massage oils. […]
Dishoom describes itself as a Bombay Cafe in London but it sooooo much more than that. There is a very clear narrative behind the restaurant which exudes from Shamil who is one of the founders. ‘Dishoom’ is the old Bollywood sound effect produced when a hero lands a good punch, or when a bullet flies […]
As some of your know my camera’s SD card died earlier this week so I’ve been struggling to get access to the last few weeks pictures. I am delighted to say that I have prevailed over technology (for now!) and can share with you my favourite images from the Chocolate Festival on the Southbank a […]