Thank you to everyone that came to say “Hello” at Taste Of London in Regents Park last weekend. We had a great time despite the weather.  The sometimes extreme conditions didn’t seem to put off the Great British public from participating ; umbrellas up, macs and boots on (we saw a few pairs of flip flops) and it seemed that nothing could curb the appetite for new flavors and fine wines. The star of our little show was the Ham Hock Terrine that we have collaborated with Bryn Williams Chef Patron of Odettes on for our summer picnic. The free range Suffolk hocks are slowly cooked on the stove top with spices then pulled by hand, we then add grated apple and parsley to lighten the dish up for the summer. Its potted in mini kilner jars and steam sealed – perfect for a summer picnic. My Pear Piccalilli also went down a treat and made a great “co-star”. There were also some well received “walk on” parts from the Battenberg Cake, Rhubarb canvas shopper bags (out sold all the others), Jam Drops and Regents Park Honey. Vestal Vodka Beetroot Cocktails perked us all up and we made sure our neighbour Michel Roux Jr got to approve one. All in all a very fine show.

For full details of our summer Picnic visit our website and download a menu.

Our second shop in Hampstead is one year old today. We had a little party with the staff last night (after a staff training session) and said a big “thank you” to all of them. It’s been a fantastic first year and we are very pleased with the shop. We got some things absolutely right and we have made a few mistakes, but we have really enjoyed the challenge of putting good food on your table. We have a built up a loyal customer base already in the village and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support. We are listening to you and there are plans afoot to install a small eating gallery so you can enjoy a coffee and a pastry “in house” and we have ordered proper tables and chairs for outside. We  have lots of exciting recipes and delicious food to share over the summer now that the season is in full swing; wonderful full flavored tomatoes from the Isle of Wight that you will find in our new tomato soup recipe and bread salads this summer; the herbs and salads leaves from Secretts Farm in Surrey are unsurpassable; our Picnics are ready to go and the centre piece for them is the Ham Hock Terrine that we have made in collaboration with Bryn Williams at Odette’s Restaurant; and if you haven’t tried Jimmy’s Iced Coffee yet, then that’s a must for those long hot summer days.

Happy Birthday Hampstead !

Well it wasn’t us but we were in the Independent Top 50 Deli’s http://ind.pn/eJiMUP on Saturday which is almost like being nominated for an Oscar isn’t it ? Well done to all our hard working staff and well done to Colin Firth for the The Kings Speech !!

It appears from this article that we need to come up with an alternative to “Grocery Shop”. Any ideas then please drop us an email via the website.

Today we headed west to see Faye Toogood’s installation at The Garage, North Terrace in SW3 entitled Super Natural as part of the London Design Festival www.londondesignfestival.com. We had been tipped off by our “interiors” expert Kate Monckton  that this is a “must see”, not only from a design perspective but also from a food angle. How could we resist? On entering the space there are a series of barrows piled high with all sorts of foraged mushrooms all for eating and all from the New Forest in Hampshire. The stand is overseen by Mrs Tee  www.wildmushrooms.co.uk who is not only the owner but tells us she was imprisoned back in 2003 for stealing (now called foraging) mushrooms from the New Forest. She was tried and found guilty, however the law is still complicated around where you can and where you can’t gather wild food depending on who owns the land http://www.wildmanwildfood.co.uk. We thanked her for her sacrifice and bought some delicious looking Beef Steak mushrooms and a Cep for our supper. As you walk into the main studio, daylight floods in to showcase the main event which is a fantastic collection of binocular cases, old bones that have inspired a set of door handles and hangers, a range of contemporary furniture crafted from sycamore, brass and stone and beautiful mobiles hanging from the ceiling made from the same materials. In the corner is a busy stand called Bramble Cafe installed by La Fromagerie and is serving teas and coffees and mushrooms on toast. We had a chat with Faye who turns out to be a fan of Melrose and Morgan and had breakfast at at our Gloucester Avenue branch on her wedding day! So if you’re looking for some visual stimulation and some great food head down to The Garage @ North Terrace off Brompton Road for 1 week only.