Summer lovin’

It’s great to be back cooking with summer flavours and brighter colours. They arrived early this year and there were some awesome tomatoes from the Isle of Wight, while the wild garlic just kept coming – you must make the most of it when it’s free and so readily available!

We’ve also had some lovely stuff coming in from our wonderful grower/forager Vanessa. We’ve had fantastic sorrels, Alexanders, marigold flowers, and Monk’s Cabbage – now impressively being grown in the countryside. The bright colours and light flavours of these mixed with French stone fruits and great fish and meat makes this a great time to be cooking.

It’s also a great time to be outside and I’m still enjoying walking to work and taking a little bit of time to think and flex my creative muscles, and I think that’s coming through in the food.

On that side, we had great fun on our 80s night – part of our Decades series. The slime-coloured pasta with spinach ricotta inspired by Ghostbusters was fun, and the venison with Purple Rain was cool. I also had a lot of fun picking the playlist for that one. Next up is the 90s and that’s my big one to get right. I remember seeing Doritos in the shop in Wingate for the first time, and Riesen chocolate toffees, and there’ll definitely be potato waffles.

Having turned 40 recently, I feel a bit more reflective these past few weeks. The industry has changed so much in 24 years and I think it’s harder than it ever has been, at every level. It’s also hard when you can be battered on Facebook for a charcuterie plate – a free taster ahead of a 12-course dinner – being small. They had no idea I’d made those sausages myself at home and hung them in my own fridge! The joy of everyone having a platform these days!

Enjoy the summer. I’ve already seen the brilliant Sam Fender at St James’ Park and I have a few more gigs and a summer holiday to look forward to. See you soon.