Look out! Languedoc wines are coming!

Published on Yahoo Lifestyle UK & Ireland on 28th February 2013:

Languedoc wines at Apero, Ampersand Hotel

Languedoc is a well known wine region in the South of France.

The plentiful sunshine (more than 300 days per year), which encourages tourists to the region in their droves, also facilitates easy grape growing. Unfortunately, bountiful supply of grapes have, in the past, encouraged bulk wine production. The wines produced, while drinkable, lacked finesse and definition.

Light notes on wine making…

Sunshine affects the quality of wines in one of two main ways.

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Ten food reasons to visit Rye

Published on Yahoo Lifestyle UK & Ireland on 13th February 2013:

The Gallivant, Rye

Rye, a small Sussex town full of history, is also a surprising foodie destination. It’s proximity to the sea means that there’s an abundance of fresh seafood but there are also plenty of other surprising offerings.

Here’s just a few:

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Ten facts about Bo London

Published on Life in Luxury on 10th February 2013:

  1. Bo London is the first restaurant outside of Hong Kong for Alvin Leung, the chef/patron of the two Michelin starred Bo Innovation.
  2. The Mill Street site, based in the heart of Mayfair, reportedly costed Leung £1m to lease and fit.
  3. Wood reclaimed from renovations of the Bo London site has been fitted to one of the two semi-private dining rooms. The wood is protected behind glass made to the same shade as Leung’s glasses.
  4. Instead of an image of Alvin Leung, like outside Bo Innovation, Bo London has one of Leung’s hand holding his custom made knife.
  5. There are two kitchens. A classic Western-style one, including a pastry section, and a Chinese one with woks and steamers.
  6. There are two views into the kitchens – from the pass upstairs or the viewing window at the pastry section downstairs.
  7. For lunch, there is a selection of dim sums as well as the newly introduced ten course “Chefs” tasting menu. For dinner, there is only the 12-course “Ode to Great Britain” (comprised mostly of reinterpretations of British food) or the 14-course “Chefs” tasting menu (includes select dishes from Bo Innovation).
  8. The most famous dish on/off the menu is “sex on the beach”, Leung’s creation to raise money for AIDS charities.
  9. Abby’s sauce is made according to a recipe created by Leung’s wife.
  10. Those interested in trying the Chinese spirit baijiu will find a premium selection of three at the bar. As well as of course in the dessert by the same name.

Sourdough pancake recipe

Published on Yahoo Lifestyle UK & Ireland on 8th February 2013:

Sourdough pancakes

While I was training as a chef at Leiths School of Food and Wine, we had a lecture on wild yeasts from bread expert, Hilary Cacchio.

Cacchio was all about making breads using sourdough starters and yeasts from the atmosphere. She had great anecdotes that really inspired me to start a sourdough culture myself.

With some helpful instruction from Virtuous Bread (it actually took a little longer than I thought it would) I soon had an active sourdough starter.

The trouble is, with a culture that’s constantly being fed and growing, I felt pressured to eat different variations of sourdough breads every week. As delicious as they were, it was time for a change.

I have always made pancakes in the American style, with added baking powder for an extra rise, so I decided to give the sourdough starter a try. And it worked a treat.

The result is a delicate pancake reminiscent of freshly made crumpets with a hint of acidity, not unlike the normal kind drizzled with lemon juice.

Here’s the recipe for sourdough pancakes. Makes around 18 small pancakes:

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