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Local Chippy Frying High with Success
14 May 2012
Oliver’s Restaurant and Takeaway of Basingstoke has joined the fish frying elite from across the UK, by scooping the prestigious Fish and Chip Quality Award.
The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the trade body that represents the nation’s fish and chip shops, runs the scheme as a way of raising standards within the fish and chip trade and enhancing the profile of the industry.
The scheme is a way of rewarding and promoting shops that provide good quality products and high standards of hygiene, as well as friers who show a high level of competence.
To qualify, each shop has to go through an inspection by an NFFF Approved Assessor who assesses the shop’s presentation, hygiene and cleanliness, staff training, equipment, frying and sales skills and most importantly the quality of the cooked product.
Manager John Clement says, “We are delighted that our hard work, high service levels and exacting standards have been rewarded with the granting of this prestigious award."
This award sets the new benchmark for quality within the industry. It will signal to the consumer that they can buy with confidence where the award is displayed, and it will encourage more outlets to raise their standards.
Each Fish and Chip Quality Award is valid for two years and retention is dependent on standards being maintained as validated by NFFF officials and appointed assessors.
For more information contact Oliver’s Restaurant and Takeaway, 39 London Road, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 7JE tel: 01256 321018
Mind, Tummy and Soul events
11 May 2012
Good Food Hampshire has pulled together a series of foodie days out and experiences designed to focus on Mind, Tummy and Soul, guaranteed to get us in great shape for the Great British summer of celebration we have ahead of us.
MIND
The following foodie events are not just about expanding waistlines, but about broadening our experiences and opening our minds:
The Old Vine, Winchester, Best of British Theatre Dinner Offers, Fri 25 – Mon 28th May.
This city centre hotel and restaurant has launched a long weekend of pre- and post- theatre offers to tie in with Winchester’s Best of British Festival. The festival has a host of cultural highlights, including Field Marshal Lord Vincent talking about his military career and Robert Hardy and Celia Sandy’s reading Churchill’s letter.
The deals include a cream tea for two at £8 and an antipasto sharing platter for two including a glass of wine each at £15 as well as 15% off dinner menus (for parties of 4 or more). Booking in advance is essential, on 01962 854 616 quoting Best of British and on production of tickets/ticket stubs.
Exbury Gardens Breakfast Walk Sat 12th and Sun 13th May 08:00-10:00am (followed by breakfast) Exbury Gardens’ head gardener John Anderson is conducting two “morning constitutionals” coordinated to time with the flowering of the gardens famous rhododendron and azalea walks. John will be imparting gardening tips and will also be happy to answer questions. The 1.5 hour walk will end with a delicious and locally sourced New Forest Breakfast at Mr Eddy’s restaurant. The tickets cost £19 per person, or £15.20 for RHS members, or Exbury season ticket holders, and can be booked by calling 023 8024 5750.
Indian Takeaway at Winchester’s Theatre Royal, Sun 3rd June at 19:30. Comedian and foodie, Hardeep Singh Kohli, will be in a race against time to cook an Indian meal live on stage whilst sharing recipe tips and tales of his Scottish/Indian heritage. At the start of the show, Hardeep will also order a takeaway live on stage (having collaborated with the audience), and will share both meals with theatre goers. Tickets cost £15 (concessions available).
Walk the Emsworth Oyster Trail (download guide) Follow this historic trail which is in the beautiful seaside town of Emsworth and learn all about the town’s Oyster history and how it became renowned for this most glamorous of foods.
TUMMY
Sometimes just looking after our stomachs is all that is needed – whether it be filling them with seasonal goodies or looking after them with some superfoods:
Alresford Watercress Festival, Sun 20th May 2012, entry is free. The ultimate Hampshire Superfood, the energy-boosting, anti-oxidant rich watercress is celebrated in a day long festival in the Georgian market town of Alresford. This nationally acclaimed festival pulls in foodies from across the country and is a wonderful day of celebration. This year there is also a watercress soup competition, where amateur and professional chefs can submit their recipes to become the ultimate watercress soup champion 2012.
Indulge in a bit of seasonal superfoodiness this May with a 2012 Asparagus menu at The Chesil Rectory. This award-winning Winchester restaurant is celebrating British dining with a specialist Asparagus menu throughout the season. Dishes are either £7.50 or £10.50, and the menu runs alongside The Chesil’s regular menu, which heavily features Hampshire ingredients. To book a table this May please call 01962 851 555.
Forage your own pizza at the AA five-star Lainston House Hotel. This luxury hotel in Sparsholt near Winchester has built a stone-bake pizza oven in its Victorian walled garden and is available for groups to hire for culinary adventures. Budding pizza chefs will be able to forage their completely fresh and seasonal ingredients from the gardens before being taught by the hotels chefs on how to make the very best pizza. To find out more contact the hotel on 01962 776088.
SOUL
Sometimes food is just good for the soul – whether it is opening our eyes to something new, enjoyed in a carnival atmosphere, or just because it is indeed “soul food”:
Eat your way through Marwell’s Party in the Park on Fri 1st June, 14:30-21:00. In its 40th year, enjoy an evening visit to Marwell Wildlife (£16 per guest). See the animals and their keepers at sunset and enjoy an evening of home cooked food, street theatre, live acts and more. Food will range from local British favourites to Mexican delights and Italian feasts.
Dive into some Gruesome Grub at Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire on 7 June. An eye opening (and stomach churning) event for all the family, Gruesome Grub takes an all too realistic look at the horrific fare submariners lived on in the past, including spinach custard. Gruesome Grub is part of the Horrible Science of Submarines exhibition (open till end of year), and entry is free with a visit to the Royal Marine Submarine Museum. Don't miss our competition to win four family tickets to the Horrible Science exhibition (each worth £34).
Join in, or just enjoy, the British BBQ Championships at the Laverstoke Park Farm Field to Fork Festival, 9th-10th June. Tickets £3 for children aged 3+, £7 for adults, £18 for a family. BBQ food is for the soul, and this year 20 teams will be battling it out to become the British BBQ Champion 2012, and new teams can still enter. As well as the competition, there is a social BBQ area where visitors to the festival can enjoy some less pressured cooking and use some of the famed produce from Laverstoke Park Farm. The Field to Fork Festival is part food show and part party and is great for all the family.
Best of British Festival Theatre Dinner Offers
08 May 2012
Winchester is marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in style with a series of special events over nine weeks showcasing everything that makes Britain great. The Best of British Festival includes a street party, food events, theatre, concerts, talks and activities.
During the festival highlights on Sun 25 May, Mon 26 May, Tue 27 May, Wed 28 May, Thu 31 May, Fri 1 June, Sat 9 June, The Old Vine restaurant has put on the following offers:
Pre-theatre offers
- Cream tea with scones, clotted cream, jam, tea/coffee: £8 for two
- Antipasto sharing platter of Italian cured meats, marinated olives, sun-blush tomato & roasted peppers, mixed salad & bread: £15 for two including two 125ml glasses of wine (choice of sauvignon blanc, pinot noir or sparkling rose)
Post-theatre offer (available 27 May, 28 May and 31 May only)
- 15% discount off food and drink bill (maximum party size four persons)
Reservations for both offers essential, call 01962 854 616. Please quote Best of British when booking. Discount only available upon production of tickets / ticket stubs for all guests in the party.
Find out more about the Best of British Festival.
July’s Hampshire Food Festival celebrates local food and farming
16 April 2012
Over 70 different events held across Hampshire will celebrate the best of local food and farming throughout July’s Hampshire Food Festival (July 1-31).
Hampshire Food Festival visitors can take part in farm tours, local food-themed festival menus and celebration dinners, hands-on cookery, chocolate and jam-making workshops, butchery master classes, brewery tours, vineyard tours and wine tasting, cookery demonstrations, barbecues, an ox roast and barn dance, vegetable carving workshops, an orchard walk and juice tasting, maize maze, lavender farm walks, lavender chocolate-making and lavender teas, an amateur chef competition, bakery and fish filleting demos, farm and town centre food festivals, farmers’ markets and more!
James Martin and Rachel Allen headline the Hampshire Food Festival with a weekend of 3* indulgence at Festival Place in Basingstoke 20-22 July. James and Rachel will be demonstrating delicious desserts, cakes and pastries, supported by a local producers’ market, and hosted by TV presenter and wine expert Olly Smith, who has also written the foreword to the Festival programme.
Olly writes: “This is my fourth year appearing at The Hampshire Food Festival…With the superb quality and range in Hampshire, it’s a leading light on the British food scene and I can’t think of a better way to spend July than diving in to celebrate the fun and excellence of The Hampshire Food Festival…Huzzah for Hampshire!”.
Organised by county food group Hampshire Fare and backed by Hampshire County Council, the award-winning Hampshire Food Festival is in its 12th year and last year attracted over 221,000 visitors. Many events, which are all held at numerous different locations across Hampshire, are free or low-cost, and there is plenty for adults, children and families.
Details of all events are at www.hampshirefare.co.uk/foodfestival, pick up a free Festival programme at numerous outlets across Hampshire or you can call 01962 846509 for a free Festival programme to be posted to you.
The programme also includes details of how to enter Festival free prize draws to win a luxury overnight spa break at the 5* Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, an indulgent foodies weekend break at 4* Audleys Wood Hotel courtesy of Ecover and a Southern Co-operative Local Flavours hamper worth over £100!
Top Chefs go Head to Head
6 March 2012
This year’s Milford on Sea Food Week 9-15 April 2012 features the appearance of top chefs from across the New Forest. The BIG Cook Off will bring some counties best culinary talents together, as the chefs’ battle in a fun competition to see who can cook and present the best courses.
Chefs will be appearing from Chewton Glen, Lime Wood, The Jetty and recently opened The Pig in Brockenhurst. Each has a reputation for fine food and a passionate about using the finest local ingredients.
Milford on Sea will be represented by top village chefs from La Perle, The Marine, Westover Hall and Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant (‘Hampshire Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Hampshire Chef of the Year’)
The two BIG Cook Off shows will be compered by renowned New Forest chef, Alex Aitken. Each show will feature two chefs from ‘The Big Boys’ and ‘The Village Boys’, and each of the four chefs will cook an individual course in the professional demonstration kitchen. As the cooking takes place, Alex will casually chat with the chefs and explains the process and dishes, whilst Alan Holmes, Chef Sommelier from Chewton Glen, will also be on hand to explain the best wines to go with each course.
A lucky member of audience will be selected to eat each course, alongside wines selected by Alan, before a fun vote by the audience decides the winning team.
The BIG Cook Off has two separate shows, one on the afternoon of Wednesday 11th April, with another show featuring different chefs on the following day. Tickets are now on sale for each of The BIG Cook Off shows in Gwen’s in Milford on Sea, High Street, or from the Milford on Sea Food Week online ticket office.
Milford on Sea is fast become a ‘Foodie Destination’ and now boasts around 20 different places to eat in the village. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy anything from the delightful tearooms to the top quality dining restaurants. In recognition of this ‘Foodie Heaven by the Sea!’, Milford on Sea Food Week is now in its third year and celebrates all that is great about local food.
From Easter Bank Holiday Monday, Milford on Sea Food Week will run for an entire seven days. Everyone at every age is welcome, to come and enjoy the Themed Dining Evenings, Professional Cookery Theatre, Celebrity Shows, Cooking Demonstrations, Educational Talks, Film Shows, Cookery Competitions, Wine Tastings, Dining Offers, Kid's Events & a large Sunday Food Market on the final day. All events are organised by local organisations, clubs, businesses and individuals.
To find out more please visit: www.milfordonseafoodweek.org
Happy cows produce more milk!
6 February 2012
Local Winchester based dairy farmer, George Rees, secured European grant funding from the Winchester & East Hants Local Action Group to enable them to purchase cubicle mattresses for their dairy herd.
Cow comfort is an essential part of modern dairy farming and providing mattresses not only improves animal welfare they also help to reduce the farms carbon footprint. Cows spend around 15 hours a day lying down, cow mattresses offer a more natural textured housing (as close to turf as possible) for them to spend their time during winter. Research indicates that the provision of a comfortable housing environment will:
• Increase milk yields by encouraging cows to lie and ruminate for longer thereby improving their milk production
• Improve animal health by keeping cows clean and dry for longer, improving hygiene and reducing injury
The Fieldfare Local Action Group (LAG) is responsible for distributing LEADER funding on behalf of Defra and the EU. The funding comes from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), and is aimed at assisting rural businesses, especially farming, forestry and food related businesses, and local communities.
David Webb, Chair of the Fieldfare LAG, explains:
"Farming is a vital part of our local rural life and farmers want to ensure that they can provide high quality produce. The RDPE grants enable them to add value to their own financial contributions and we are seeing some excellent work as a result of helping them"
You can find out more information about the Winchester and East Hampshire Fieldfare Local Action group at www.Fieldfareleader.org.uk
Win the “Ultimate Night In” this Valentine’s Day
30 January 2012
Wine and dine that special someone or simply treat yourself with Radcliffe’s Wines Valentine’s Day prize draw.
Romsey-based Radcliffe’s Wines have got together with Uptons of Basset and Bay Leaves Larder, Chandler’s Ford to offer one lucky winner over £50 of food and wine goodies. Add some spice to your Valentine's night with Uptons free-range Hampshire Chicken and a curry kit of Jalfrezi, rice and all the trimmings - complete with easy to follow recipe! To accompany your special "dine in" treat, you’ll receive 3 bottles of Radcliffe's wine; mellow Rioja, sophisticated Sancerre and sparkling Prosecco. A complete food & wine solution in one box! So all that’s left for you to do is get cooking (with a glass of wine of course!), then relax and enjoy this Valentine’s treat for two.
To enter, simply submit your details before midnight on Sunday 12th February at: http://www.radcliffeswines.co.uk/competitions/valentines-2012. Good luck!
Romsey Rocks Ratings for Michelin Red Guide
30 January 2012
Romsey pub, The Three Tuns, has won a coveted "bib gourmand" & achieved recognition for affordable excellence in the prestigious new 2012 Michelin Guide. It is the only new entry in Hampshire, one of only four entries in the county to be recognised in the new Guide out this week.
In the unique language of the Michelin Guide, the red "bib" symbol indicates the Inspectors’ favourite establishments offering ‘excellent food at moderate prices.’
While Michelin stars remain the most celebrated designation in the Michelin guide, the highly coveted "Bib Gourmand" sets out to highlight good value, genuine personality & good all round hospitality.
The recognition follows a string of accolades for the well known neighbourhood pub including last week’s announcement that the Grade II listed establishment has also achieved a Superior Quality Marque & a Local Food Award by Inspectors at Tourism Southeast for the Hampshire Hospitality Awards Scheme.
Three Tuns owner, Mark Dodd , enthused "The whole team is absolutely delighted. It’s great for customers who want to eat well & spend less ... it’s great for us & it’s great for Romsey."
The Three Tuns offers a mouth watering choice of dishes ranging from a Ploughman’s lunch to home- made pies, Sunday Roasts & more elaborate daily specials, with a three course meal coming in at around £25.00.
Chefs Damian Brown & James Wills added ," We work hard & take a lot of care to keep the menu fresh & local. To receive a "bib gourmand" within our first year from Michelin is a real boost for the whole team."
It’s the icing on the cake for the cosy "local", which boasts real fires & original features, & which was re-opened in February following a complete refurbishment by the team at Winchester’s Chesil Rectory.
The Three Tuns is located in Middlebridge Street in the lovely market town of Romsey at the heart of the beautiful Test Valley. For bookings & info please visit the website.
ITV1's Hungry Sailors moor up in Hampshire during culinary journey
24 January 2012
From the producers of Rick Stein’s cookery programmes, ITV1's new 20-part series The Hungry Sailors sees Celebrity Masterchef finalist, engineer and small-holder Dick Strawbridge and his equally self-sufficient son James set sail aboard 44’ pilot cutter the Amelie Rose to explore the food of Britain’s coastal towns.
Mooring in tiny harbours and busy ports, Dick and James are exploring our coastal countryside, meeting farmers, fishermen, producers and foragers, gathering fantastic local produce and heading back onboard to cook up a number of fabulous dishes in their galley kitchen.
On Tuesday January 31's programme, Dick and James moor at Hamble le Rice and meet with Hampshire Fare producers Lyburn Farmhouse Cheeses, Alresford's Chocolate Craft and Laverstoke Park. On Wednesday 1st February's programme, they visit Hyden Farm Organics near Portsmouth.
Find out more on the Hampshire Fare website.
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