It’s the start of Fair-trade fortnight and I know its something that many of you who check out my blog feel passionately about.  We try and promote a lot in our restaurants, but what’s it all about?

It's Burns Night and I’m trying not to think about Haggis. 

People always ask me about the 10 ten food trends for the coming year. My prediction is that it's going to be an interesting time with "flexitarian" Cuisine – but more of that in coming weeks - what I have done for you though is put together the top 10 flavour partners for bartlett mitchell for the coming year. 

This is going to be my foodie year!

Last year was not a good foodie year for me, there was nothing like enough time to get to grips with food for the 21st century.  Oddly enough the older I get, the more I fall in love with the classics of food.   

I’ve just come back from my annual pilgrimage to the Christmas markets in Germany humming with ideas and OD'd on pork. 

A promised trip to Rome (the Eternal City) for my aged aunt to celebrate her 75th birthday finally came off this weekend.  When Hannah (the one person that keeps Wendy and I totally on track!) suggested I try a particular Coffee & Chocolate shop, St Eustacio's - just behind the Pantheon - I thought I’d better do as I’m told.  I’m glad I did!  As we sat in the Roman sun, under the shadow of the Pantheon, sipping what has to be one of the finest cups of hot chocolate I've ever had, I thought I'd tell you a few chocolaty facts!