It's time to declutter and throw out my papers from the BBC GoodFood show in London. But before I do that I must make a note of the highlights for myself, you and any other potential visitors to next year's show or anybody who wants to know what they missed at last year's.
Assuming that we could actually stick to our New year's resolution to do the 2 day a week diet, that leaves us five working days when we can enjoy normal or even wicked food.
For the five days when you indulge in what you fancy regardless:
Let's take the happy view that we are all overworked and overpaid and overeating and can afford to indulge in pricey spices and foods.
FUN FOODS & DRINKS
SWEET POPCORN & CHOCOLATE
While we are deciding what to do first, some popcorn:
Garrett's popcorn shops:
facebook.com/GarrettPopcornUK
I really like their tin of popcorn, smart enough to serve at a party or take to a party. I think it was a one off pre-Christmas idea, but if enough people demand it, they make make some more.
Next chocolate. Green & Blacks have dozens of varieties, all delicious. I like anything with nuts, which gives you sustenance, and fruit, or ginger.
I'm also a sucker (literally a sucker) for any new chocolate. As a piece, or a chocolate drink.
choclatl.co.uk
For a great birthday gift in the shape of the recipient's job (workplace gift?) or hobby, you can get chocolate in the shape of keys, scissors and diy tools. See schokolat.co.uk
What kind of chocolate? Belgian chocolate with 60% cocoa solids. For Xmas, Valentine's Day, mother's day, father's day, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, moving home, and congratulations, for example on exam success. The press handout says some of their product contain E numbers. More details from their website.
SUGAR FREE NOSH
Sugarfree ice cream and sorbet. They do chocolate, coffee, berry, or mango.
taywell.co.uk/nosh
SAVOURY SAUCES
If you fancy a curry and can't be bothered to cook, or want to use up your Xmas or Sunday chicken leftovers, try the Great British Sauce Company. Facebook.com/GBsauce
The Big dipper has some great tastes. My favourite was Cocunut and Chilli Butternut. They change seasonally.
If money is no object, their party Packs are about £25 for four pots.
COOKERY COURSES - SMOKED FOOD TO SWEET FIG MACAROONS
How about smoked salmon? In the old days you hung your salmon over the wood-burning or coal fire under the chimney. Now I buy mine in the supermarket or eat at restaurants. But you could make your own, or learn how it is done, the better to judge the quality of the food you are buying or ordering.
Food courses for food lovers: Coldsmoking
Facebook.com/coldsmoking
Cordon Bleu has the name for great skills, but did you know you can now do a cordon Bleu course in London. A member of Harrovians Toastmasters speakers group sometimes brings us her delicious confections. I went on the course at the show matching three wines to three flavours of macaroons, just wonderful. My favourite was foie gras and fig. The ingredients you need include foie gras terrine and double cream. Oh, dear. But it did taste lovely. Christmas pudding macaroon was a novelty and easier to source and make and get past your left wing politically correct vegetarian friends.
Le Cordon Bleu London.
lelondon.com
FAVOURITE FLAVOUR - TRUFFLE OIL
My favourite new flavour is truffle oil from Italy. Really tastes of truffles. Add it to eggs or whatever you fancy. A small bottle can spice up lots of meals.
I can't remember where it's from but the man promoting it was also from www.manzanogolfresort.it
It's a local speciality of the Tuscany region.
TO GO WITH IT - FLORA TEA
Green tea - just add water and a flower grows in your glass. An amusing party trick.
floratea.com
What else did I learn? Can't tell you, because after
For next year's shows: www.bbcgoodfoodshowlondon.com
Note it in your diary for November. If you are off around the country there will be other food shows by the BBC and others further north in England (Birmingham? Hull?), as well as Wales and Scotland.
Assuming that we could actually stick to our New year's resolution to do the 2 day a week diet, that leaves us five working days when we can enjoy normal or even wicked food.
For the five days when you indulge in what you fancy regardless:
Let's take the happy view that we are all overworked and overpaid and overeating and can afford to indulge in pricey spices and foods.
FUN FOODS & DRINKS
SWEET POPCORN & CHOCOLATE
While we are deciding what to do first, some popcorn:
Garrett's popcorn shops:
facebook.com/GarrettPopcornUK
I really like their tin of popcorn, smart enough to serve at a party or take to a party. I think it was a one off pre-Christmas idea, but if enough people demand it, they make make some more.
Next chocolate. Green & Blacks have dozens of varieties, all delicious. I like anything with nuts, which gives you sustenance, and fruit, or ginger.
I'm also a sucker (literally a sucker) for any new chocolate. As a piece, or a chocolate drink.
choclatl.co.uk
For a great birthday gift in the shape of the recipient's job (workplace gift?) or hobby, you can get chocolate in the shape of keys, scissors and diy tools. See schokolat.co.uk
What kind of chocolate? Belgian chocolate with 60% cocoa solids. For Xmas, Valentine's Day, mother's day, father's day, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, moving home, and congratulations, for example on exam success. The press handout says some of their product contain E numbers. More details from their website.
SUGAR FREE NOSH
Sugarfree ice cream and sorbet. They do chocolate, coffee, berry, or mango.
taywell.co.uk/nosh
SAVOURY SAUCES
If you fancy a curry and can't be bothered to cook, or want to use up your Xmas or Sunday chicken leftovers, try the Great British Sauce Company. Facebook.com/GBsauce
The Big dipper has some great tastes. My favourite was Cocunut and Chilli Butternut. They change seasonally.
If money is no object, their party Packs are about £25 for four pots.
COOKERY COURSES - SMOKED FOOD TO SWEET FIG MACAROONS
How about smoked salmon? In the old days you hung your salmon over the wood-burning or coal fire under the chimney. Now I buy mine in the supermarket or eat at restaurants. But you could make your own, or learn how it is done, the better to judge the quality of the food you are buying or ordering.
Food courses for food lovers: Coldsmoking
Facebook.com/coldsmoking
Cordon Bleu has the name for great skills, but did you know you can now do a cordon Bleu course in London. A member of Harrovians Toastmasters speakers group sometimes brings us her delicious confections. I went on the course at the show matching three wines to three flavours of macaroons, just wonderful. My favourite was foie gras and fig. The ingredients you need include foie gras terrine and double cream. Oh, dear. But it did taste lovely. Christmas pudding macaroon was a novelty and easier to source and make and get past your left wing politically correct vegetarian friends.
Le Cordon Bleu London.
lelondon.com
FAVOURITE FLAVOUR - TRUFFLE OIL
My favourite new flavour is truffle oil from Italy. Really tastes of truffles. Add it to eggs or whatever you fancy. A small bottle can spice up lots of meals.
I can't remember where it's from but the man promoting it was also from www.manzanogolfresort.it
It's a local speciality of the Tuscany region.
TO GO WITH IT - FLORA TEA
Green tea - just add water and a flower grows in your glass. An amusing party trick.
floratea.com
What else did I learn? Can't tell you, because after
For next year's shows: www.bbcgoodfoodshowlondon.com
Note it in your diary for November. If you are off around the country there will be other food shows by the BBC and others further north in England (Birmingham? Hull?), as well as Wales and Scotland.
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