Chef Wise

Dinner auctions an opportunity to buy the perfect Valentine's Day gift The World's 50 Best Restaurants' chosen charity, Farm Africa, is thrilled to announce that it will be auctioning exclusive, money can't buy dinners for two at four of Europe's most highly regarded restaurants. The dinners have been donated to Farm Africa by four restaurants that appear on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2013: Asador Etxebarri in the Axpe Region of Spain; Schloss Schauenstein in Furstenau, Switzerland; Piazza Duomo in Alba, Italy; and Vendome in Bergisch Gladbach in Germany. The dinners will be auctioned in stages with Asador Extebarri and Schloss Schauenstein going live on 30 January, and Piazza Dumo and Vendome following soon after on 2 February. Bidding is sure to be brisk as food lovers look to buy the perfect gift for their special one on Valentine's Day with dinner in some of Europe's most romantic dining destinations. A furth...

Two months after opening, new Greek restaurant Ergon has attracted media attention of the best kind…    “Another Greek restaurant and deli making a bid to have the cooking and wines taken more seriously and respectfully.” Fay Maschler, Evening Standard  “Ergon can hardly be faulted and its immediate popularity proves their concept is a winner.” Tacita Vero, View London “Ergon is another bold step forward for Greek cuisine in the capital.” Emma Howarth, Time Out “Central London’s new kid on the block.” Zoe Dickens, Harper’s Bazaar.co.uk  Nestled a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, at 16 Picton Place, the innovative Greek restaurant-come-deli concept has been embraced by diners and critics alike. Ergon celebrates Greek gastronomy using the finest ingredients sourced from small indie producers in dishes created by executive chef Dimitris Skarmoutsos (formally of French Laundry and a judge on Greek Masterchef). From s...

After the success of the inaugural event last January, Claire Morgan & Angus McKean of The Red Lion, Barnes are hosting their second "Great Sausage Roll Off" on January 28. The contest is a simple one, an invitation to chefs from London and beyond to create the ultimate sausage roll. Once again, the competition will be expertly compered by good friend and local of The Red Lion, beer and food writer Melissa Cole. Last year's competition saw some chefs using rather ambitious flavour combinations and others using luxury ingredients such as truffles, lobster and even mackerel. The more outlandish creations were given the thumbs-down by judges Kate Spicer of The Sunday Times, MasterChef judge and writer Charles Campion and chef and restaurateur Johnny Mountain. To the shame of the English chefs competing, the trophy for this most British of delicacies was carried off by a Frenchman. This year the competition boasts MasterChef winners both amongst the co...

Polenta, the store cupboard staple most commonly associated with the peasant cuisine of Northern Italy, takes centre stage at La Polenteria, the new restaurant just opened in Soho's Old Compton Street. La Polenteria aims to be a modern, different venue renown for rejuvenating polenta, by giving it a cosmopolitan and modern feel. It promotes and recreates polenta as an exciting, healthy, tasty, high quality dish loved by all, presented in a contemporary style. Polenta, or cornmeal, is also popular in Eastern Europe, North America, Africa, Mexico and Brazil, where it is known by different local names. It is served as a substitute for bread, pasta, rice or potatoes, but it is a grain naturally gluten-free. It draws its flavour primarily from the foods served with it, and it is used for everything from starters to desserts. Thus the imagination and taste buds hold the key to a good polenta, as reflected in the menu at La Polenteria. This is a mainstream restauran...

Over 200 restaurants in London and South East were reviewed on video by the team at 60secondreviews in the last 12 months, and now they have named their ten best of the year. With each venue filmed the reviews have given their audiences a true taste of the dining experience. "We wanted to provide some credible voices as a start point for people eating out in London and the South East, so assembled a crack team of reviewers with vast experience so we could be unbiased and insightful in our reviews," says founder Euan MacDonald. One of the team is Andy Lynes, regular contributor to the Metro and The Times. "It's been a fascinating 12 months for new openings - the rise of the tavern (the English equivalent of the bistro) has given us Merchant's, Berners Street, and Newman Street Taverns: all really worth visiting. We've also seen quirky spaces opening such as Mayfields or 40 Maltby St where the kitchen skills are simply excellent, and we hope...

On a bed of rice is where the magic happens thanks to Yutaka’s Sushi Kit for 2, which will make a shrimply sensational eating experience for couples, group dates or friends this Valentine’s day. A little known aphrodisiac, the sushi kit will prove that the way to the heart is often through the stomach. The kit, which includes essential ingredients such as nori seaweed, ginger, sushi rice and wasabi paste is a great introduction to Japanese cuisine. It includes instructions to make sushi in just 3 easy steps, with the opportunity to get creative with a variety of fillings – a fun way to impress loved ones. The Yutaka brand was first launched in 1995 is the leading Japanese food range in 16 countries across the globe. Yutaka takes inspiration from famously healthy, flavoursome and attractive Japanese cuisine to give the ardent foodie a unique eating experience. Yutaka’s Sushi Kit for 2 can be bought for 4.99 from Sainsbury’s supermarkets or from a variety of onli...

For the perfect place to play cupid in the Capital this Valentine’s day, head to one of London’s most atmospheric luxury hideaways for a romantic city break including an extra special five course tasting menu prepared by MasterChef finalist Adam Handling. With an intriguing and glamorous past, eclectic styling, gorgeous rooms and suites, the St Ermin’s Hotel offers a beautifully romantic space in the heart of the city to relax and unwind in style. Tucked away behind its own pretty courtyard garden by St James’s Park and just minutes from Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly, the hotel is ideally placed for stylish city sightseeing and long strolls in the park. Let the romance begin from the second you step into the sumptuous lobby, swathed with ornate white plasterwork, sweeping staircase and curved balustrades. Then head to the intimate and sophisticated Caxton Grill to enjoy a gastronomic five course, tasting menu prepared by MasterChef finalist Adam Handling before slipp...

Poppies Fish & Chips in Spitalfields, London has been voted the UK’s best Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant at The National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish. Owned by Pat Newland, Poppies Fish & Chips battered off competition from Page’s Fish and Chip Restaurant in Cwmbran, Wales as well as Quayside in Whitby, North Yorkshire to clam the award for 2014. As the only representative from London and the South, Poppies plaiced highest in terms of the quality of its catch, going one better than 2013 when it was an runner up in the same competition. Pat Newland of Pop’s of Poppies Fish & Chips in Spitalfields said: “This is a huge honour. 50 years in the business and being recognised for all our hard work and keeping our diners happy, certainly doesn’t grow old.  But I couldn’t have done it alone and would like to thank the tremendous team that I have around me, that really makes things like this happen. “At Poppies we put so much in to the e...

Mediterranean cuisine - Wednesday 19 March 2014  Hurry… a series of day and evening courses are starting in February: Day courses - £55.00 per day from 10:00am until 4:00pm Italian day – Saturday 15 February 2014 Thai day – Saturday 15 March 2014 Evening courses - £30.00 per evening from 6:00pm until 10:00pm Understanding seafood – Wednesday 5 February 2014 Indian cuisine – Wednesday 19 February 2014 Italian pasta – Wednesday 5 March 2014 For more information please contact us on 01273 643167 or southcoast@brighton.ac.uk

Triple-cooked sweet potato chips 17 – 23 February brings National Chip Week - a whole week of having an excuse to enjoy chips and try out different recipes. Triple-cooked chips made with delicious sweet potatoes are the perfect alternative recipe to sink teeth into this year. Celebrity chef and sweet potato lover Felice Tocchini has created the recipe as a different venture for chip-lovers from the ordinary potato, creating a dark golden sweet chip with a fluffy centre and crunchy skin. Sweet Potato Triple Cooked Chips make a delicious side and are a great way to impress friends and family with – and with sweet potatoes being full of anti-oxidants and lower in calories than regular potatoes - they’re the perfect guilt-free treat (sort of). The Love Sweet Potatoes campaign is designed to tell consumers about sweet potatoes and of all the different ways they can be used in everyday meals. The North Carolina US farming family at Scott Farms is behind the campaign a...

Also Announcing Valentine’s  Oysters & Bubbly Special     Chicago, IL (January 22, 2014) – Since dropping its anchor in the heart of West Town last month, Bow & Stern Oyster Bar has dazzled with the its fishing and farm-to-table approach, featuring some of the most creative, if not freshest, land & sea recipes in the neighborhood.  Piggy-backing on the success of his dinner menu, executive chef Brian Greene is now pleased to announce the introduction of a brunch menu (Saturday & Sundays from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm).   Beginning on Sunday, February 9th, Bow & Stern Oyster Bar will officially launch weekend brunch, filling a void in the Chicago Avenue corridor for the popular late morning meal.  “We are excited to bring West Town a new, unique option for weekend brunch,” said owner Jay Runnfeldt.   “We welcome our guests to enjoy a leisurely Saturday or Sunday with friends or the whole family.” Unlike dinner...

In what promises to be the food-lovers’ event of the year, the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2014 were given a special launch today by Iain Burnett, The Highland Chocolatier. Recognising excellence across the food and drink industry in Scotland, the awards will be the biggest yet and will take place in their largest ever venue, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Iain Burnett, The Highland Chocolatier, who won the coveted Product of the Year award last year, said: “There are so many exciting things going on in the Scottish Food and drink world and I’m thrilled to be launching the 2014 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards. I was delighted to have won last year and would urge others businesses to enter. The award brought us real recognition and the kind of publicity you just can’t buy.” Known as the Scottish food and drink industry’s ‘Oscars’, the ceremony will be bigger than ever before with more than 500 guests attending the glamo...

Leading London cookery school, Leiths School of Food and Wine will be hosting an impressive lineup of cookery classes from culinary greats in 2014. As winter turns to Spring enthusiast cooks are invited to seek inspiration from some of the UKs top chefs. Whether you want to emulate the dishes from your favourite restaurants, learn secrets from behind kitchen doors or develop chef skills, there is something for everyone. Recreate dishes from your favourite restaurants at home. First class French classics can be yours as Henry Harris celebrates some best loved recipes from his top rated restaurant, Racine.  Bruno Loubet, Chef Proprietor of popular newcomer Grain Store shares dishes from his eclectic menu, grown from his extensive travels; and experimental chef and Telegraph columnist, Stevie Parle of Dock Kitchen cooks up exciting flavour combinations such as Seabass baked in seasoned coconut with squash, and fragrant Persian rice pudding. Michelin-starred chef Na...

February is a great excuse to indulge in some romantic cocktails and Tequila Rose’s Love Bomb is the ideal sweet aperitif to create that seductive spark. The Love Bomb is made with Tequila Rose, a luxurious natural strawberry flavoured cream liqueur with premium Mexican tequila, abv 15%.  Served with fresh strawberries, the Love Bomb is a true symbol of sensuality and is sure to keep the ‘desire fire’ burning. Make your own Love Bomb: Ingredients: ·      50ml Tequila Rose ·      30ml Black Raspberry Liqueur ·      Fresh strawberry Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a cold glass, garnish with a fresh strawberry. Tequila Rose is priced £16.65 for 70cl from The Drink Shop. For recipe suggestions and further information please visit the Tequila Rose Facebook page.  For further information and to stay up to date with Tequila Rose news please visit www.facebook....

London's leading dim sum and cocktail restaurant will give away thousands of lucky red envelopes and offer a limited edition seasonal menu including Shanghainese noodles,Tapioca Pearls cocktail and Chaozhou Vegetable dumplings.  To celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Horse, Ping Pong, the dim sum and cocktail restaurant, has collaborated with exclusive partners including Wendy Wu Tours, the V&A , the National Theatre and many more for their Lucky Red Envelope giveaway, where every envelope includes a special gift. Plus, to mark the biggest holiday in the Chinese calendar, there is a limited edition seasonal menu which includes a unique tapioca pearl cocktail – Dancing Dragon The envelopes will be available for a limited time from January 31st to February 7th and will contain generous gifts including a once in a lifetime ten day holiday  to China courtesy of Wendy Wu Tours - Wendy Wu Tours is the UK’s leading China holiday specialist tour op...