Chef Wise

Santa Maluco has some of the rarest rums in Liverpool and for that matter the UK thanks to co-owner and collector John Ennis. From his far-flung foreign travels, John has searched high and low for the best and rarest rums and Maluco now stocks what was his own private collection which is available from this week in recognition of National Rum Day. John said: "Rum's syrupy sweet flavor, tropical spice tanginess and strong association with tiki drinks, means it's the quintessential summer spirit. "Given our al fresco dining offer on Castle Street in Liverpool, it made good sense to launch my collection on National Rum Day especially as the weather suits it perfectly...watching the world go by with a rum and a Brazilian Rodizio pizza." John's favourites include: Ron zacapa xo £10 Ron Matusalem 7yrs £5 Ron brugal siglo de oro £10 Ron varadero 15yrs £10 Ron barcelo imperial £5 Ron Santiago de Cuba 11yrs £10 If you want to ...

LIVERPOOL'S newest cocktail bar, restaurant and event space, District House has officially opened its doors, creating 60 jobs. Located on Water Street, an area of the city that is experiencing a huge surge of new food and beverage operators, the venue has capacity for up to 600 guests as an event space or 350 diners across the new cocktail lounge, restaurant and private dining mezzanine. Operated by Know Hospitality and privately owned, more than £1m has been invested in refurbishing the venue. Steven Hesketh, founder of Know Hospitality, said: “We're immensely proud of this new venue which has brought a beautiful space back to life. District House is completely unique in its offering for this part of the city and we have been overwhelmed by the support shown by local businesses and guests during out soft launch period.” Founded in October 2013, The Know Collection, which includes Know Hospitality Management Services, Know Property & Facilities Manag...

Popular gastro-pub, The Bickley in Chislehurst, has launched a new Brazilian hanging BBQ menu to celebrate the arrival of summer and the forthcoming Rio 2016 Olympics. Featuring prime cuts of lamb, beef and chicken, skewered and cooked over an open fire, The Bickley then present the dish using a traditional hanging stand, accompanied by a range of mouth-watering flavoured butter, such as Spicy Bloody Mary or Smokey Chipotle, which is drizzled over the dish at the table. This hot, hot, hot new dining trend is going down a storm with locals eager to try a BBQ with a difference and enjoy a touch of table theatre at the same time. The menu also includes an Olympic sized BBQ carnivores platter to share, definitely a gold winner for any meat lovers out there. Prices start from £15 and all dishes come with crunchy slaw, seasoned fries and salad. And, for the die-hard BBQ'ers, you can also enjoy a Chocolate and Fruit kebab for dessert. For more information and t...

Graffiti Spirits, widely regarded in Liverpool as prime innovators behind Liverpool's progressive new cocktail and independent eating out scene launched new cocktail bar & Brazilian Rodizio - Santa Maluco last night. Director Matthew Farrell, one of the partners behind the fiercely independent group who already operate city centre bars Santa Chupitos, El Bandito, Salt Dog Slims, 81 Ltd and their 'smokehouse and cocktails' venue Slim's Pork Chop Express witnessed guests enjoying signature cocktails and a touch of Brazilian Rodizio with their Neapolitan pizza. He said: “We're really grateful to all of our guests for the turn out last night. We've been overwhelmed on social media thanking us and commenting on our unique brand of cocktails and wood-fired pizza. To be fair, the evening couldn't have gone any better. The entertainment provided by Viva Brasil and Katumba Bloco made for a great spectacle and our team were first class looking afte...

Brimming with berries, Battenberg and bubbles, The Queens Arms' selection of afternoon teas are set to be the toast of Somerset this Afternoon Tea Week, as the award-winning pub serves up an irresistible combination of traditional British decadence and handpicked produce from its own kitchen garden and smallholding. Whether enjoying a traditional Full Afternoon Tea, a Royal Treat Champagne Afternoon Tea or a G&TEA, served with gin and tonic, visitors can tuck into a triple-tiered tower that measures its ingredients in metres, not miles. From finger sandwiches filled with cured ham from the pub's smallholding or salad from its kitchen garden, to handpicked berries and scones baked onsite by the kitchen team, afternoon tea at The Queens Arms is a tasteful tribute to the Somerset countryside, served with lashings of Chantilly cream. Afternoon tea is served daily at The Queens Arms from 3pm to 5:30pm and is available from £12.50 per person. A Royal Treat Champag...

Graffiti Spirits, widely regarded in Liverpool as prime innovators behind Liverpool's progressive new cocktail and independent eating out scene has revealed that Santa Maluco will open tomorrow. Director Matthew Farrell, one of the partners behind the fiercely independent group who already operate city centre bars Santa Chupitos, El Bandito, Salt Dog Slims, 81 Ltd and their 'smokehouse and cocktails' venue Slim's Pork Chop Express said guests can expect the team to bring a touch of Brazilian Rodizio to their Neapolitan pizza joint. "The Rodizio bit is the social way in which the food is served...waiters roaming the floor with pieces you can buy by the slice. The pizzas are 100% twenty inch Southern Italian, thin crust wood-fired beauties!" He added: "We also know from feedback amongst our target audience that the business district is crying out for what we've been offering guests on the L1 circuit." If you want to find out...

Stoke Newington is getting an early Christmas present this year, in the shape of an innovative, new pub, The Stoke Newington Tea house, which opened its doors on Friday 11th December. Known for doing things a little differently, owners Yummy Pub Co. are presenting the latest addition to their teeny, tiny, beautiful boutique pub company, bursting onto the high street with a reinvented version of the Great British Pub, complete with a tea twist. And in the run up to Christmas the team will be giving away 1,000 cups of tea in random acts of kindness, surprising strangers, family and friends with a welcome brew. “Where there is tea, there is hope,” the famous words from London playwright Arthur Pinero ring true at the pub, where there will be a plethora of delicious brews from around the globe, as well as a specialist cocktail list of tasty tea tipples. A significant non-feature is the bar – there isn't one. There's still a plentiful amount of drink options on o...

- The George Inn, Braunton, Devon to re open Spring 2016 - Five AA Stars gained by Bear & Swan, Bristol - OHH short listed for Publican Award The family owned OHH Pub group, led by Mark Warburton (32) and based in the West County, has announced a joint venture with Enterprise Inns which will see the group open a fourth site in the Spring. The two partners will make a £350,000 investment to transform the George Inn in Braunton in North Devon, to bring it up to the standard of OHH's other properties, which both have five AA Stars. The Bear & Swan in Chew Magna near Bristol has just achieved the prestigious hall mark of the country's highest quality 'Inns with Rooms', to bring it in line with their Old House at Home near Castle Combe in Wiltshire and Northey Arms near Bath. The Bear and Swan currently has four bedrooms which were introduced this year, with two more to be introduced the New Year. The Northey has just completed an anne...

A home-grown Bloody Mary, a breath-taking countryside walk and homemade bar bites by the crackling open fire; award-winning pub, The Queens Arms, has just the tonic this New Year's Day. Tucked away on the Somerset and Dorset borders in Corton Denham, near Sherborne, and welcoming sticky fingers, muddy boots and paws, this beautiful Georgian pub is the perfect place to reset for the year ahead and embrace the morning after the night before. With The Queens Arms' brand new walking guide, guests and visitors can now choose from four rural routes mapped out by owners Gordon and Jeanette Reid, which range from 5.5 miles to 16 miles and offer a variety of terrains. Starting and finishing at the pub, bleary-eyed 'ramblers' can kick things off with The Queens Arms' Bloody Mary Recovery Board, before donning the wellies and putting their best foot forward. This deconstructed Bloody Mary, which is also served every Sunday throughout the year, is complete with all ...

Host, Liverpool's original Pan Asian restaurant and bar concept in Hope Street, held a night with The Liverpool Craft Beer Company dedicated to demonstrating craft beer as the perfect accompaniment to Pan-Asian food. Following discussions with the Love Lane Liverpool City Centre-based business, Host will now be collaborating on a series of similar events beginning in the new year. The Liverpool Craft Beer Company's Jess Doyle said: "For a long time now, people have thought that the only drink to have with your meal is wine, but now, with craft beer becoming more and more popular and breweries, such as our own, producing high quality craft beer, people are starting to realise there's more to beer than bland fizzy lager. Beer styles have a wide spectrum of flavours, aromas, colours and textures which means that there really is a beer for every meal. Five of our beers have been expertly paired with the incredible food at HOST with the chefs tasting the bee...

Graffiti Spirits Group, the innovative bar & restaurant company widely regarded in Liverpool as prime innovators behind Liverpool's progressive new cocktail, bar and dining scene has submitted plans to Liverpool council to bring one of Castle Street's most iconic buildings back into use. Director Matthew Farrell, one of the partners behind the fiercely independent group which already operates city centre bars Santa Chupitos, El Bandito, Salt Dog Slims, 81 Ltd and their 'smokehouse and cocktails' venue Slim's Pork Chop Express, revealed that they are planning a sixth outlet called Santa Maluco. He said: “Thankfully, we've been able to reach agreement on this landmark Grade II listed building which will add a layer of fresh, unconventional independence in the form of Santa Maluco, a rodizio pizzeria. “We know from feedback amongst our target audience too that the business district is crying out for what we've been offering guests on the...

Beautiful British asparagus is only around for a few precious weeks.  So to make the most of this super home-grown veg, the chefs who cook in the lovely little pubs run in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and further afield by Peach have not only found a fantastic crop 'grown with love' near the Sussex coast, but also come up with a novel way of serving it. They have launched 'Dip Your Own' asparagus where you can dip the best of British asparagus into a pot of delicious home-made Hollandaise sauce, grated egg and Parmesan. Soft, free-range egg combined with the slightly sharp, nutty taste of Parmesan and a classic Hollandaise make for a fantastic flavour combination given a new twist – and everything comes on your own individual board so all you have to do is dip, and enjoy. The asparagus they are serving comes from the small farm owned by John Barfoot and his family in Botley, Sussex, on the South Coast where the micro climate is as warm as anywhere in Br...

The Crown & Garter pub and restaurant with rooms in Inkpen Berkshire, is celebrating as the newly acquired pub by the Honesty Group, wins its first accolade within six months of opening!  The Crown & Garter pub and restaurant with rooms gained a respectable One Star Sustainability Rating from recognised body, the Sustainable Restaurant Association for its commitment to sustainability in three key areas: sourcing, society and environment. The Crown & Garter was noted for its dedication in providing seasonal dishes using local produce, sourcing free-range grass and pasture-fed lamb and beef and free-range eggs, poultry, and pork and offering a menu where over 25% of the dishes are suitable for vegetarians.  Romilla Arber, founder of Honesty and the Crown & Garter comments; “We are delighted to be recognised by the Sustainable Restaurant Association for serving our patrons with food that is fresh and seasonal.  By doing so, we are supporting UK, l...

The appointment of the award winning chef and former hotelier Gary Peill and wife Kate to run the Horse & Jockey, Wilmslow will firmly put the recently refurbished eating house on the map as a magical and memorable culinary experience not to be missed. Having held 9 consecutive AA rosettes Gary has built up a reputation for menu innovation working with local producers and suppliers. His latest creations include an eclectic range of tapas including mussels in a garlic, basil and white wine sauce; spicy meatballs dripping with melted cheese; sumptuous king prawns with garlic in a delicate Asian curry sauce and a Cheshire Cheese fritter with red onion marmalade. For that moment when morsels are just not enough a freshly filled Peill's Pie of the Day will be offered, bursting with fillings such as Ham Hock, Chorizo and Leek, Sea Bass, Salmon, Basil and Brie or Belly Pork, Black Pudding and Baby Onions. Traditional favourites such as fish and chips; steak and c...

Tucked away on a rooftop in East London chickens are laying fresh eggs; runner beans are climbing the walls; tomato plants are sprouting; marrows are growing; strawberry plants and edible flowers are blooming.  All destined to appear on the plates of diners at the newly refurbished Victoria in Grove Road. This traditional, iconic building has been styled by the team behind the Somers Town Coffee House, bringing a touch of style, kitsch and hidden treasures to the people of Mile End with the Victoria opening on Friday 22nd August. Start the morning with a freshly ground aromatic, coffee served by the charismatic Aussie, Toby, at the newly created artisan coffee bar accessible both inside and out.  The welcoming environment, with cosy corners and big social sharing tables will be hard to leave, so why not stay to sample the best in British Tapas, all created with flair and aplomb in the bustling open kitchen.  Ingredients are all sourced from local suppliers...

First dedicated bar job board in the world, and is being met with immediate enthusiastic feedback from insiders in the industry On the 1st of September bar recruiters and job candidates have a powerful new resource available to make winning job connections at www.barjobsite.com . The website, operated by Spirited Bar Recruitment is the first dedicated bar job board in the world, and is being met with immediate enthusiastic feedback from insiders in the industry. Putting together the right bar worker/ employer connections has always been something of a challenge in the industry. Stepping up to remove the guess work and streamline the process on both ends of the equation is the innovative minds at Spirited Bar Recruitment. Spirited has recently announced the launch of their new online bar job board, that makes fast and easy bar job connections possible worldwide. “Our bar job board is an idea whose time has come,” commented a spokesperson from Spirited. “The fact that...

A prominent Norfolk pub, which closed in 2012, has reopened under new management and a new name. Following two years of extensive refurbishment, the venue formerly known as The Dun Cow is welcoming customers as Sugar Beat Eating House. Located on the A140 at Swainsthorpe, the building itself has seen a complete facelift since it was purchased two years ago by Simon and Hazel Cruickshank. As well as offering breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7am until 11pm, it also features a large lawned area for wedding parties and corporate events, a function room, plus four individually-styled bedrooms targeted at those on short professional or pleasure trips in the area. SugarBeat is to be operated by well-known Norfolk hospitality entrepreneur, Henry Watt, who was the brainchild behind the likes of The Wildebeest Arms and Mackintosh's Canteen. Henry's team is led by Stevie King as General Manager and by Alan Leech, as Head Chef. "Much has changed over th...