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