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winter nights at the scenic supper, cheltenham.

Found in an unassuming industrial estate just a stone's throw from Cheltenham's centre, you'll find the twinkling lights of Ritual Coffee Roasters, where head chef, Sam Idione will be cooking up a storm throughout November and December 2022. The Scenic Supper is thrilled to announce its exciting new ‘Winter Nights’ warehouse dining hub located at the HQ of Ritual Coffee Roasters in Cheltenham.


You're met with high ceilings and an industrial finish (or rather unfinished), with an open feel that still feels cosy and inviting. Plants stacked on steps, coffee roaster sacks on chairs and mellow tea lights met with an open kitchen make for a super-cool and homely setting. With a warming, winter inspired menu made up of the best of local Cotswolds produce. Plus drinks from nearby DEYA brewery and of course Rituals Coffee Roasters themselves.

the perch inn, oxford.


The Perch Inn is just a short ten minute drive from the bustling Oxford city centre, but you'd never know it. With the River Thames within view, stretches rolling countryside and a stoney path to the door, the gastropub feels more rural Cotswolds countryside than city restaurant. This, along with the beautifully put together seasonal menu, makes for the perfect destination after a busy afternoon shopping or sightseeing.


butternut squash and goat's cheese risotto.


Risottos, biryanis, arancini, sushi and paella... delicious dinner ideas all with the same ingredient. Rice! An Autumnal inspired dish, I've paired the earthy flavours of roast butternut squash with sweet red peppers, creamy goat's cheese and peppery rocket to create a comforting risotto recipe.


autumn potato salad.


I love Autumn. Warm colours, russet tones and those sunny but crisp, chilly mornings. Today I'm embracing the season with both hands (knife and fork in tow) with this Autumn potato salad recipe. Showcasing Albert Bartlett's Apache potato, the reddish, orange skin lends itself to the October colour palette. Not only do they look like chestnuts, the taste is rich like them too. A buttery and slightly sweet potato with a waxy texture. I loved simply roasting these up with vibrant carrots, red peppers, tomatoes and smoky chunks of chorizo before sprinkling with fresh flat leaf parsley. A really homely and welcoming dish, which is easy to rustle up.


slow cooker pumpkin sponge cake with pumpkin cream.


An inviting Autumnal dessert for the darker days; this slow cooked pumpkin sponge really brings the best of the season together. Autumn is my favourite, so when I was invited to get creative for the Crock-Pot Crocktober Halloween Challenge, I couldn't wait to conjure up a cosy recipe. Made in the versatile and convenient Crock-Pot, the slow cooking of this pumpkin sponge really infuses the cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger spices into this dessert. leaving a moist and buttery texture.

This appliance really is deserving of its place on the kitchen counter. From dinner to dessert, the Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker can get to work steaming, roasting and sautéing whilst you get on with other everyday tasks. Although slow cooking lends itself to the colder months, you really get make anything all year round. Scroll down to see how this creation really is pretty much as easy as simply pressing a button.


apple bakewell tart.

Apple Bakewell tart

An Autumnal dessert inspired by one my favourite desserts; the Bakewell tart. This recipe takes on almondy frangipane sponge encased in a sweet, buttery pastry. The tart is then topped with sliced apples, drizzled with icing and scattered with extra almonds for good measure.

Apple Bakewell tart recipe
Apple Bakewell tart recipe UK

easy pumpkin cinnamon buns.


An easy cinnamon bun recipe which is perfect for the pumpkin season. One of my favourite things about Autumn is the excuse for all things hygge. Pronounced hoo-gah, hygge is the concept of cosiness, hailing from Denmark and Norway. Friends, family, fun and loved ones around doing things that you love. Although it's an all year round thing, it perfectly ties in with the Autumn and Winter want to curl up with a blanket with a cuppa and candles.

I'm actually off to Copenhagen for my 30th next week. But for now, I thought I'd satisfy my appetite for all things hygge and Scandi with this Autumn inspired pumpkin cinnamon bun recipe.



pressure cooker tandoori lamb with coconut and turmeric rice.


From paellas to puddings and risotto to ribs, who knew there was so much you make in a pressure cooker? Long gone are the days of noisy pressure cookers squealing on your Granny's stove; they've come a long way since then. Safe and smart, the Prestige Smart Plus Pressure Cooker include a visual pressure indicator that raises to indicate when the cooker is at pressure, as well as a directional pressure regulator to ensure safe release of steam away from you.

They're a real time saver too, usually knocking off a third of your usual cooking time. The results are impressive too, keeping meat and seafood delicate and tender, rice fluffy and vegetables flavoursome. The lid seals in nutrients too, which is always a bonus.


Inspired by the Prestige and Stacey Solomon collaboration, I've come up with my own creation. A spicy tandoori lamb recipe with coconut and turmeric rice, all made in the slow cooker. All in less than15 minutes. #NoPressure.

heartier: tasty local produce by post.


Introducing Heartier, the convenient delivery box which promises to deliver proper tasty local produce from our favourite British Producers. Think of them as everyone's local farm shop. Whether you're cheese mad or a raging chocoholic, Heartier have a range of cheese, charcuterie and confectionary to suit all taste buds. Simply mix and match boxes, choose their pre-made parcels or make up your own with your favourite foodie bits. The choice is yours...


strawberries and cream macarons.

Wimbledon recipes

Game, set, match! It's that time of year where we use tennis as an excuse to drink overflowing jugs of Pimms, pack up a picnic of posh sandwiches and of course... strawberries and cream. Just me? With Wimbledon 2022 this week, I've put together some strawberries and cream macarons inspired by the popular Summer sweet treat. These macarons are made with a red and white marble effect meringue shell before being finished with a vanilla and strawberry jam buttercream filling. 


Strawberry and cream Wimbledon recipes
Strawberry and cream macarons

summer bbq series at melbourne hall, derbyshire: with special guests gennaro contaldo and matt pritchard.


Looking for something new to do this summer in Derbyshire? Love the beautiful countryside and getting involved with local events? Even better, a keen foodie? Live At Melbourne Hall are pleased to announce an evening for foodie lovers on 24th June 2022. Whether a lover of Italian cuisine or plant-based junk food, there's something for everyone. As the stunning walled garden is set to be taken over by the delicious cooking sights and smells from celebrity chefs Gennaro Contaldo and Matt Pritchard for its inaugural Summer BBQ Series. 

cherry cava granita.

Jerte Picota Cherry Cava

Perfect for this beautifully sunny British Summer we're having; ice cold frozen cherry Cava granita. The ideal mix between a cocktail, cold drink and dessert, this delicious cherry infused recipe is both refreshing and tasty. Oh, and so simple too! Impress your guests by making these Spanish inspired frozen Cava granitas beforehand and finishing with a deliciously juicy Jerte Picota Cherry or two.

The Picota Cherry story begins in the beautiful Spanish valley of Jerte, 200km west of Madrid. The area is famous for the incredible annual cherry blossom of over million trees - it must be a beautiful sight to see as the colour of the valley transforms from a dazzling white to colourful bursts of red and green.! The Picota Cherry blossom and harvest follow a 100% natural growing season, which is why the arrival of the Picota Cherry changes each year. 


Cherry Cava Granita
Jerte Picota Cherry Cava Recipes

simple tuna puttanesca spaghetti.



An easy midweek meal combining my love of seafood, pasta and olives. The classic puttanesca. With wholemeal spaghetti, a tomato based sauce and a hint of chilli, this slightly salty pasta dish can be speedily made up of food cupboard essentials. It's not exactly the most authentic puttanesca recipe either, but it's my interpretation. Perfect for those days where you fancy a bit of comfort food but "you've got nothing in".



pan fried lamb steaks with rosemary & mint butter and cous cous.


Founded in the beautiful region of Tuscany, Bertolli pride themselves on their love of authentic Italian cooking and great quality ingredients. Their latest addition, Bertolli with Butter and Olive Oil, is a rich blend of butter and specially selected olive oil. From everyday cooks to seasoned chefs, the new addition to the Bertolli family is the ideal fridge staple. 

The high burn point makes it perfect for pan frying and making sauces - however you prefer to get creative in the kitchen! The versatile butter block gives the subtle taste of butter whilst being able to withstand hot temperatures without burning. So I put it to the test with a recipe which combines all of these – pan fried lamb leg steaks, buttery vegetable cous cous and a homemade fresh mint and rosemary butter to finish. So how did I get on


parma ham wrapped steak with parmigiano reggiano potatoes


When you add Parmigiano Reggiano to a dish, for me it evokes feelings of luxury and authenticy. Not many Italian dishes I make now don’t include it, whether it’s stirred into a glossy Carbonara sauce, shaved onto a salad or the finishing touches on my favourite pasta dishes. But I wanted to try something new, how would it fare alongside a beautifully cooked fillet steak, with juicy tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano roasted potatoes. And of course, Parma ham from the same region. Unsurprisingly, it uplifted the classic steak and chips to a new level, feeling like an indulgent date night dish, or one to try at the weekend or special occasion. 


If you aren’t already familiar, Parmigiano Reggiano is a traditional cheese dating back hundreds of years. But it was in 2008 that the European courts decreed that it is the only cheese legally allowed to be called Parmesan, down to it’s DPO status and Parma-Reggio origin. From the cheesemaker right through to the delis, the famous cheese is said to be “made” not “produced.” The time and care taken to create such a distinct flavour shows too - I rarely add salt to any dishes when I know I’m using Parmigiano Reggiano as an ingredient, as the salty and piquant notes sing for themselves.


the feathered nest country inn, nether westcote, oxfordshire.


Found in the heart of the Cotswolds, just a stone's throw from the likes of Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, The Feathered Nest Inn boasts an exciting and modern European menu featuring local produce, as well as heavenly views of the rolling countryside. It's accolades are impressive too: Times Top 100 Restaurant, ​Gastropub of the year, and AA 3 Red Rosettes to name a few.


Inside you're met with a warm welcome, in more ways than one, with a polite but professional maitre'd, who shows you to a relaxed fireside seating area where you can flick through the menu to the homely sound of crackling logs. As we thumbed through the inviting dishes and discussed suggested wine pairings, we were asked about our dietary requirements and presented with gruyère filled choux pastries.


violife: what is vegan cheese and what recipes can I make?



Have you ever tried vegan cheese? As someone who would consider themselves flexitarian, and an advocate of Veganuary, I've tried my fair share of both classic cheeses and dairy free options. It can be a really mixed bag, or mixed cheeseboard as it were, with some vegan cheeses melting better than others, some great in sauces and some you'd be happy to enjoy in a sandwich or as part of a plant based platter. Violife pride themselves on being 100% vegan and preservative free, with many products also free from soya and gluten.


Their dairy free delights don't just stop at cheese either, they range from chocolate spread to Camembert and sandwich slices to butters - perfect for planning vegan recipes! I've personally tried the Epic Mature in cheese sauces for veggie lasagne and enjoyed the smoky slices in a sarnie, but I was most interested in taking Le Rond for a test run...