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Reigning Supreme – Justin is awarded top honours as the·best new restaurant - in the UK.
 
As the curtain fell on a glittering awards ceremony at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel, the culinary industry proved why the tagline for the evening, ‘Bursting with Talent,’ was more than the right choice. Glorious food accompanied a night to remember as the 2011 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards set to the task of rewarding and highlighting the tremendous amount of talent that exists within British kitchens today. The awards paid tribute to chefs from across the industry, from those that work in village pubs and fine dining restaurants to those involved in university or contract catering, developing products for national retailers or feeding British soldiers. Famous faces, including among others, the Tanner brothers, were on hand to present the gongs. Leading industry representatives selected 40 chefs as finalists for the 15 prestigious awards, but there could only be one winner in each category. Our own Pea Porridge in Bury beat all those restaurants in London for the Best New Restaurant Award. Well done Justin and Jurga - brilliant!
 
Monday, 06 June 2011 12:01

Our Farmers Life Dish of the Day - Jayne Brabban

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Jayne and Ray were the deserved winners of 'A Farmers Life for Me' on tv recently. Here is Jaynes recipe for June.

Mutton Curry
 

 500 g of cubed mutton

1 tbsp dry coriander

1tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp ginger

1 tbsp turmeric

1tbsp black pepper

1 tbsp cumin

1tbsp chilli, star anise, bay leaf.

2 tbsp oil

1 tin tomatoes, 1 tin coconut milk.

plain yogurt and chopped coriander to serve.

Make the garam massalla by mixing all dry spices together and dry marinate mutton for at least 2 hours.

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan, add mutton and seal. Turn down the heat add coconut milk and tomatoes and simmer, mix thoroughly.

Cook in a medium oven 160 for 1-2 hours until tender. Serve with rice, plain yogurt and chopped coriander to garnish.Serves 3-4.

You can contact Jayne or Ray to buy their mutton from Shotley on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call them on 0779 566 2273

Monday, 06 June 2011 11:57

Been away a long time...

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But lots to tell you; another award for our favourite restaurant, a new Dish of the Day and an article about food in literature coming soon.

Sunday, 29 May 2011 14:36

Make do and mend at Petta Fiesta

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There will be home-made food a plenty as usual at next weekend's Petta Fiesta. If you haven't got tickets yet you can buy them online, because you won't get many on the gate this time. Head for the Make Do and Mend tent where you can taste everything carrot (just like we had in the war, says Granny) There will be carrot and lentil burgers, carrot cake baked on the spot and the usual Happy Hour but with Harvey Carrotbanger cocktails. 

Saturday, 28 May 2011 20:17

The Caribbean comes to Stanton

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A day back at school for me, doing a Caribbean cookery session. Five lessons, eighty-five children, loud reggae and chicken with rice and peas. 

Sunday, 22 May 2011 20:23

Real Beer and Food Festival

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This was full of people on Saturday and ice creams were selling fast. I tried gooseberry and elderflower (Aldercarr) and double cream vanilla (Criterion) Both were fab. I came home with a mutton curry from Jimmy's Farm, eating it now - very spicy and soon to feature on our Dish of the Day. Also tried guessing the four ingredients of the smoothie - I got carrot, ginger, apple, mango - how did I do?

As diners, we walked to different tables across the fine grounds of Elsing, sampling food from gastronomic magicians Bompas and Parr, ably assisted by City College Norwich students. I ate Mock Turtle Soup (with a “perfumed quail’s egg”), a “Drink Me” Quinine and Bitter Orange Constitutional, After the Caterpillar (a field mushroom pate) and The Unmeatened Leek (a layered pie).
We ate outside, under the stars, entertained by Alice in Wonderlands of all sizes. Our final destination, which we reached after a lantern parade, was a fairytale floating platform twinkling with lights and in front of Elsing Hall itself.
Breathtakingly beautiful, we dined on delicate delights such as The Jellateena, violet and elderflower jelly, and The Cake Array, a trio of Frank Dale cakes in miniature, washed down with mint and dandelion tea, while watching an incredible musical performance from the cast which culminated in my favourite song of the night from two of the six Alice in Wonderlands.
 
From the Eastern Daily Press review of Dining with Alice  on tonight and tomorrow at the Norfolk and Norwich festival just over the border. Can we have one in Suffolk please?
Thursday, 19 May 2011 18:39

And the Christian Dior museum down the road...

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...who happen to be serving champagne and beautiful tiny gateaux.

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