cherry cava granita.

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. 

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...

an evening with private chef mark baines, la belle assiette.

Ever dreamed of have a your own private chef to cook a personalised meal in your home? Whether you're a fan of fusion cooking, a beautiful British banquet or are looking for a rainbow of vegetarian flavours, La Belle Assiette might be for you. Hire a private chef with La Belle Assiette offer a range of professional private chefs across the UK, all you need to do is choose a cuisine from a local chef and book securely online. What's more, they do they washing up. Sold?

The headquarters are based in Paris, known for its fine cuisine and high end chefs. La Belle Assiette, translating as "The the beautiful plate" or "dish" bring this to the comfort of your home. Once you've picked your menu with the chef, all you have to do is invite the guests, provide the tipple and put your best gladrags on. You'll even get sent some lovely printed menus ahead of the date to dress your table. As one of his first diners, we had the pleasure of being hosted by Chef Mark Baines, based in Leicestershire, for an evening of fabulous food. It was his La Belle Assiette Validation Dinner, so on this occasion the menu was complimentary.

christmas tree bakewell biscuits.

With glowing glacé cherries, the subtle hint of almond essence and the signature drizzle of white icing, these delicate Christmas biscuits encompass the best of a Bakewell tart. Great for festive buffets, homemade gift ideas or to keep in your biscuit tin throughout December, these cute Bakewell inspired biscuits are the third of my festive recipes from my Christmas collaboration with Central England Cooperative. And if you like the sound of these, you might fancy making my Cherry Bakewell Mince Pies.