Christmas sales

Hi...I am so behind in my Blogging!!!!

All has been quiet as I have been so busy over the last few weeks, squeezing in an extra few events at which to showcase The Biscotti Kitchen.

A lovely local event came up at a fantastic hotel near me, a Champagne and Shopping Event, where I was one of 4 foodies linked to a Christmas Gift area, alongside Vanilla Pod who I know from Cheltenham, the lovely Fiona from Totally Terroir who drove over from France and a company trading their first day Potted Game, really delicious pots, especially the Pheasant with Smoked Bacon and Hazlenuts.

Following that was the Primrose Hill Christmas Fete, usually fantastic, but so cold that hardly anyone came out, but was still fun...and I finally met up Laura from The Dessert Deli who I have been chatting to for ages since we found out that we won our BBC bursaries...

and then I booked in for Taste of Christmas at the last minute where I had a fabulous time!

The restaurants were amazing...Hotel du Vin http://www.hotelduvin.com/- the chef was lovely and fed me well- the Braised Ox Cheek with Hickory Smoked Pommes Puree was so tender and tasty, and the Roast Porchetta, Pommes Lyonnaise and Charcuterie sauce was amazing. A little bit of Eggnog came my way too!

Gauthier http://www.gauthiersoho.co.uk/ winter warming Truffle Risotto was delicious, the smell of the truffle intense and smelt from afar, and from Roast- http://www.roast-restaurant.com/ Wicks Manor Pork Belly with sage, garlic and apple sauce, with Devils on Horseback and crackling was so yummy...I could have had another portion.

Aaahh, who needs to go out to restaurants when it is all at the fingertips!

Aside from a fantastic weekend for The Biscotti Kitchen, it was good to see colleagues, make new friends, and shop!

Luigi Bean kept me happy with an endless supply of Earl Grey tea, and my Biscotti went perfectly with it.

And the plan for after Taste? Well, I have been busy with customer orders, and some new ones for my Gingerbread Men garlands. I had 2 more markets planned, but unfortunately living rurally combined with this white stuff that keeps falling from the sky has meant that I could not get to them! A new strategy needs to be in place for next year,I feel...and a trip to a 4 x 4 dealership. (I know they're not green, but God help me, I need to get out of here sometimes!!!).

So, Sprog and I have been stuck for the last few days, with only a few walks into the village for provisions, sending last orders and are suffering from serious cabin fever. A lunch with friends has been cancelled over the weekend, a trip to the Chilterns to see more friends has gone out of the window, dinner with my boy is not going to happen and then he will be back at Uni...and Christmas, looks like I will be trapped here for it with no visitors, and no visiting.

My BF is currently in Canada, and I have asked her to smuggle me home a snow plough and one of those fancy skidoos!

Holiday Gingerbread!

Sprog and I have been baking again!

We have found a gingerbread recipe and are making a Christmassy garland for my Christmas events. A great cutter really helps, and the gingerbread recipe is lovely.

Recipe below for those who want to try;

350g (12 oz) treacle
225g (8 0z) dark brown soft sugar
150ml (5 fl oz) cold water
50g (2 0z) butter
900g (2lb) plain flour
1 dessertspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 dessertspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinammon

Mix flour, ginger and bicarb into a bowl, rubbing in the butter, then add the sugar, stirring in the syrup and egg to make a firm dough.

Roll out to 5mm thick and let Sprogs loose with cutters. Bake at a 190 for 10-15mins, on a tray lined with greaseproof paper. We used a straw to make holes for stringing before they were baked!

We had such fun, and the garland was used at the Holiday Marketplace in Hampstead over the weekend. The event was run by the Hampstead Womens Club, North American, and they were all lovely. The setting was beautiful, see the lovely stained glass in the Rosslyn Chapel.

Everyone was shopping for Christmas, and they bought a lot of Biscotti- the jars and tins with the Gourmet-size Biscotti went really well, and all of the seasonal flavours such as Spiced Apple, Cinammon, Autumn Plum etc.

The gifts on show from the vendors were great- so different from shopping in a High St or Mall, and I even managed to pick up a few gifts myself. My friend's children got beatiful framed pictures for their rooms from www.bethdesign.co.uk, and I picked up a lovely London print for a friend, Sprog bought herself a lovely necklace and too many sweet things. The cupcakes were absolutely delicious- my favourite was the Autumn Spice which was similair to my own flavours...yummy!

Sprog had her day made as there was a "REAL FAIRY, MAMA" there from www.mysticalfairies.co.uk and she had so much fairy dust from frequent visits that she could be seen for miles! At one point, she disappeared, and thankfully was found...with the fairy.

Christmas music played, it was bright, sunny and Christmas Spirit was in the air on this chilly day!

Which brings me nicely onto Spirit of Christmas at Olympia which I visited the day before- amazing! I went to shop and see if I wanted to exhibit next year. The show was lovely, lots of great gift ideas, Christmas decorations- I bought lots of shaker-style ornaments from http://www.deck-the-halls.co.uk/, and Sprog got a lovely doggy ornament with her name written on it by the lovely Tricia who was helping us.

I feel like I bought tons- beautiful mohair blankets for friends and Mum, chocolates and sweet treats for many, stocking fillers from Jelly Bean, a fabulous blue scarf for myself with brown polka dots www.earthsquared.com, decorate your own with photos pencilcase for a lovely teen www.clippylondon.com, melamine gift set from www.sophieallport.com for a perfect little 2 year girl, a beautiful little dress for another 2 year old angel, lovely purses for Sprog and BF and butterfly coasters for MIL. I also picked up some labels from the lovely www.honeytreebespoke.com and put a face to the brand I had been looking at online, only the previous day!

As you can see...perhaps not ALL of the Jelly beans will make it to the stockings!!!

BBC Good Food show

Hi all

Sorry for such quiet for a while, but have barely left the kitchen in the last few weeks!

Since my last blog I have been busy baking for Glasgow, for where I won the Small Producers bursary to exhibit for free, and since then it has been hectic...

just the planning for the event was sending me into a spin, with the longest shoppoing list of ingredients that I have ever seen. Flour, as always from http://www.shipton-mill.com/, and I managed to get through 4 x their 16kg sacks, yes really 64kgs...no, actually a little more than that. My egg man at Moreton-in-the-Marsh thought it was hilarious every time I turned up with another request for 5 trays of 30 eggs, and I guess that I used in excess of 700. Not to mention the sugar, dried fruit and chocolate etc...

Anyway, I finally finished and set off on the long journey up to Glasgow (used to flying!!!) and got the SECC at 5pm and thought...wow...I can't believe I am in here. Grounded pretty quickly, and I started unpacking and getting ready to present the stand.

After a few hours, my BF Raylin dragged me out to dinner to http://www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk/ near Byers Rd, which was amazing!!! I had the foie gras with chanterelle mushrooms, followed by Perthshire wood pigeon with barley risotto...all delicious. Then coffee, and Chip sweetmeats, not to mention a lovely Merlot to go with the meal. The restaurant is beautiful, and the service excellent.

Sleep. All set for the next morning, doors opened at 10am, and we were off...Spiced Apple, Cinammom, Apricot and Amaretti as well as Fig and Cinammon sold the best...as well as the odd-chocaholic or two buying from the chocolate range. Christmas shopping was not really happening, however we did manage to sell 6 jars of the assorted Gourmet size Biscotti and a few Christmas Coronets and Kiddie Goodie bags too.

Gordon Ramsay was in the super-theatre, over on the other side...and we missed him, but did manage to see the boys from Masterchef, and celebrity winner Laura.

2 more days of this and we were exhausted, 5 trade enquiries, so hoping to turn those into orders.

Of course, you should never attend any food show without purchasing yummies, so we brought home lovely food and drink, much at trader's prices or purchased the old-fashioned way..."some cheese in exchange for your Biscotti?" Cold meats, salmon, and blinis, soft and hard cheeses, plenty of wine from Hardy's http://www.hardys.com/ and alcoholic Ginger Beer from Crabbies www.crabbiesgingerbeer.co.uk , fudge from http://www.loopylisasfudge.co.uk/ Peanut butter, and the cardomom one were amazing!) , great nougar from http://www.nougatlimar.com.au/, and so many others that I cannot even remember. Also tried Jane's choccies from http://www.davenportschocolates.co.uk/ - Jane was another bursary winner!

The food at the Masterchef restaurant was fab, so had lunch there twice too!

All ended on Sunday night, and after some wine and and Indian take-out, Raylin and I crashed out.

The next day, re-packed the car, and started to head home, a more painful journey on return! Even more painful was unpacking the car and getting all of the seats back in- in the pouring rain!!!

More good news- a new client has come on board, and we are now also stocked in http://www.cotswolddeli.co.uk/ on Rodney Rd, in Cheltenham.

Bye for now!

The Chefette

BBC Giood

Sprog's Baking Day

Sprog has had enough of Biscotti, as she is not allowed to be involved it, and decided that it was her turn at the weekend so she opted for a lovely carrot cake with with cream cheese frosting, and "some pretty sparkly toppings, please". The result- a pretty cake that tasted delicious, recipe called "Frosted carrot Squares" from BBC Good Food magazine.

.Meanwhile, in the background, I worked on Rocky Rollercoaster

and Load Your Marbles for Tetbury.Bursting with marshmallows, fudge chunks, white and dark chocolate...all sold out too!

Lunch, Oxford Castle Foodie and more!

I'm back!

So, my crazy week started with lunch dates. On Saturday morning, Sprog and set off to see my good friend, Sharon, as Sprog is part of her daughters' child development project. That means FREE time!

So, Sharon and I set off for lunch, and after a a first bungled attempt to visit a pub which had closed down, we were recommended another one by the local farm shop in Watlington. We met up with Tricia of www.missgracie.co.uk , and settled down to a long, lazy lunch at The Half Moon in Cuxham, Oxfordshire.

Readers, the pub is easy to miss and difficult to get into the car park- but this should not deter you! The food is delicious, the service excellent, the ambience just right. Between us we ordered the local pigeon pate, Brixham mussels and beetroot-marinated smoked salmon for starters (not to mention the pre-lunch nibbles...yummy), and then the mussels (again- although not the same person!!!), tomato and beef salad, and pearl barley risotto...all devoured.

As if that was not enough, we then had the Autumn Crumble and Brownie with Orange Liquer ice-cream- last one was mine (you might by now have picked up that orange and alcohol is a favourite combination of mine. All washed down with delicious wine, and a few hours later we nearly rolled out the door.

Unbelievably, there were then more brownies and cheese served at the kitchen table at Auntie Sharons! Meanwhile, Sprog had totally worn out the two 15 year olds and they were all crumbled on the floor under a heap of duvets and pillows...

Sunday- an opportunity to visit the Oxford Castle Food Festival and wander around the stalls, great to see friends having a good time Steve and Heather http://www.wicked-bakery.co.uk/icked-bakery.co.uk/, Chris at www.fabulousvodka.co.uk , http://www.gdesserts.com/ and the boys at http://www.cotswoldgold.co.uk/ . Bought some lovely Rapeseed Oil from them after hearing about it locally!

Lunch at La Tasca with Sharon (again!), and I knew it was time for the diet to start again.

The rest of the week went in a blur, recruiting and preparing for Tetbury Food and Drink Festival, which was a success. Met the lovely Sophie and Zoe from Dottie and Belle there, http://www.dottieandbelle.co.uk/ displaying their gorgeous cake-making kits, http://www.theangelbakery.co.uk/ with her yummy cupcakes and bought a Sizzling Cinammon candle from http://www.rubybee.co.uk/. Stall with amazing flower displays too.

A great day out in Tetbury, and another trade enquiry from it.

Ooops...forgot to mention a really big bit of news, The Biscotti Kitchen was awarded a bursary from The BBC Good Food Show http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/, which means that we will have a stand in the Small producers Village at the show in Glasgow in October...yay! Very excited to be there.

Off to plan and prepare, and immerse myself in work...The Chefette

The Rest of the Week

Hello again!

After recovering from visiting yet another trade fair, I got back to work pronto and buried myself in recruitment and flour.

Friday came- meeting in London so off I trotted on the long drive and tube journey to Victoria. Morning meeting came and went, deposited Biscotti with the the lovely web team at Mountain Warehouse http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/, new Head Office is lovely, brilliantly branded, and the Rocky RollerCoaster was a hit!

An opportunity to meet up with Marcus Carter http://www.vfmuk.com/ and hand over the next order, as well as take along samples of new products was too good to miss, so off we went to Pret. Great to hear exciting updates from Marcus, and get some advice...love VFM, if you don't know it, you need to- so get online! An excellent way of shopping and meeting the producers as well as getting the personal touch. PS- I am under 'Bakery'!!!


What to do next? Well, so close, would be rude not to go to Fortnum and Mason http://www.fortnumandmason.com/ and have a look, also-

Twitter colleague Laura Amos of http://www.thedessertdeli.co.uk/ sells there and I was dying to see her products- look just as delicious as on her website! I visited the The Fountain, where I was served a very nice glass of Chablis, and ordered a Chocolate Panacotta with Caramelised Orange Syrup...mmm, divine.

Fortnums is all set for Halloween, reflected in their windows and instore displays, tables full of orange and black goodies.

Following on, I walked up Regent St, visiting all of my old haunts, wistfully remembering how it was when I worked there in my teens. Stop-Anthroplogie http://www.anthropologie.com/!!! My very talented friend Jo Jo, and her partner Tanya, with very successful http://www.bettyandbetts.com/ are due to launch some of their Betty books there on Saturday 2nd October, so in I went to have a look...beautiful store. Mostly fascinated by their rainforest-like wall and colourful chandeliers.

A bit of shopping, all for Sprog, and I set off home.

Top Drawer!

Hi all

So, finally I got to Top Drawer, and my friend at Miss Gracie, http://www.missgracie.co.uk/ tells me that I was like a kid in a candy shop...because I was SO EXCITED!!!

All the pretty stands, especially REX right at the front entrance with the beautiful decorations, pretty packaging and special gifts- I could have spent all day there. Found some lovely packaging for Christmas for The Biscotti Kitchen.

Lovely room sets done up, made me think it might be time for an overhaul in Sprog's room...after all, you all know she is desperate for that new bed.

Thankfully, it wasn't that busy so we were able to wander around at our (okay, MY leisure- Miss Gracie tells me now that she planned to be out in 35 minutes- hee hee- doesn't know me that well yet!!!), and enjoy the pretty sights.



Next- Scandi-chic, my new friend...gorgeous stuff for Christmas, I fell in love with so many things...beautiful Scandinavian homewares and gifts that make me want to rent a log cabin and curl up in an armchair by the fire with a lovely blanket from them. (Sigh, wistful...)

Also, Mice In A Box...Sprog has now seen these and is already asking when her birthday and Christmas is coming, and if she is a really good little girl...can she have one?

Great ideas for Christmas hampers, and Kiddie events.

Lots of other wonderful stands, such as Rosie Flo's colouring books...www.rosieflo.co.uk...I was so excited about this place, and then Miss Gracie tells me she already shops and stocks them sometimes...

am I blind, I have never seen them before! They sell amazing colouring books for kiddies, and my favourite, the wall-sized posters. They have a Christmas House poster, that unfolds into
a great magical house to colour in, complete with Christmas Tree and everything!

Lovely gift mini-books to go with my Biscotti at http://www.copperbeechpublishing.co.uk/, could have real fun with Clothes Plasters from http://www.jenniemaizels.com/, a great way of decorating and adorning clothes amongst other items.

Talking Tables http://www.talkingtables.co.uk/ had a fantastic flower-or-something rotating plastic candle that Mummy Gracie is desperate to get her hands on for Boo, and http://www.babies-go.co.uk/ had a great selection for CDs for babies (have to find someone having a baby!).

http://www.stitchdesignsworks.co.uk/ featured the doodle duvet...what a fun idea for the older kid, or the big kid in you,

and http://www.sneakart.com/ was there with their interesting ways of gracing your sneakers with...art!

Lots of great stands there, nice to see my friend Andy with http://www.slimbridgesoaps.com/, looking forward to finding out how he got on.

A great day out, finished with a late lunch at Whole Foods in Kensington http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/, with a yummy Schwarma Wrap, and some shopping. Then home with Miss Gracie and a chance to raid the stockroom and make a purchase for Sprog who loves her bows.

I might have even picked up a trade customer myself!

Leamington Spa Food and Drink Festival

The Cheffete below- much happier than I look, but sun was in my eyes!

Hi all, it's been a mad few days...Stow Farmers Market whilst trying to prepare for Leamington was perhaps not such a good idea, especially as I lost a day at The Speciality and Fine Food Show. The Kitchen has been busy every waking minute!

Please note that Sprog is busy destroying Playdo whilst Mummy is baking like a lunatic, and look at all the pretty packets laid out on the table!

A great weekend at the Festival http://www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk/, started off a bit quiet and rainy but turned very hot very quickly (see stall below)

Lots of new flavours to try...all the fruit ones sold really well, and the competition to name the new flavour went down a treat. It contains cranberries, dates, mixed seeds, coconut and cardomom, and nearly half the usual sugar quantity- great as a breakfast bar. So far, many new names have flooded the website in the hope of winning the mini-hamper! Enter via website by Friday 17th September http://www.thebiscottikitchen.co.uk/ for a chance!

The new singles in jars have gone really well with over 40 having sold at the festival, as did the Mixed Flavour bags (thanks, BF Ray for the idea!)

Met some lovely traders, including the Aloe Vera girls who I bought some healthy juice from, and Fiona from http://www.schioltichocolates.com/ who gave me lots of lovely samples to try.

Exciting news...Levi Roots was demonstrating at The Cookery Theatre and drew a large crowd (nearly all of Leamington Spa, I think!) with his cooking and Reggae, Reagge song. He had us all joining in for a sing-a-long too!

Exhausting, but as always, good fun- 3 trade enquiries too.

Monday has meant getting back to normal, dealing with customer orders, samples to send out, following up enquiries and getting Sprog ready for a new term of ballet...where I got conned into buying a lovely new Ballet case and matching purse to hold hair clips "Pleeeeeeaaaase, Mummy"- thank you very much to the Sheila Price School of Dance for that!

Off to Top Drawer tomorrow with my lovely Miss Gracie friend www.missgracie.co.uk- and a great opportunity to raid her little stockroom!

The Chefette, Goodnight.