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Four Fantastic Food Bloggers to follow: September 2020
The Home Counties is home to some of the finest places to eat in the UK. It is also home to some of the best up-and-coming food bloggers who are pushing food envy to new levels. 2020 has been a unique year and if there is one thing that we as a nation have done right this year, it would be appreciating good food.
We have handpicked four fabulous food bloggers who are worth following. From amazing recipes to insider knowledge of the finest places to dine, these foodies need to be on your feed.
Girl Who Brunches – instagram.com/girlwhobrunches/
1. What’s your favourite place to eat?
Locally, @Lussmanns – has the most amazing and sustainable fish menu. For all things sweet, it has to be @thepuddingstop.
2. Favourite meal/type of food?
Thai or Italian – you can’t beat freshly made pasta or Neapolitan style pizza.
3. Favourite drink?
Chai latte (I’m a minority in the fact that I don’t really like coffee). Alcoholic – amaretto sour.
4. Most recent/ favourite recipe book bought?
Ottolenghi Simple – a lockdown purchase. really easy but tasty Middle Eastern recipes. Everything I’ve made from this book so far has been a winner.
5. Which food blogger would you recommend following?
For cooking inspiration as well as restaurants – @mybossbuysmelunch – Lori has really smashed these two types of content over lockdown and has inspired me.
Nibbles and Dribbles St Albans – instagram.com/nibblesanddribblesstalbans
1. What’s your favourite place to eat?
We are completely spoilt for choice in St Albans, which is exactly why I do what I do, so I find this a really tough question! I think my absolute favourite is Dylan’s on George Street, especially for a roast dinner but their small plates are all beautifully put together and make for a really special meal.
Their sister pub ‘The Plough’ has a great vibe in the summer, especially with their pop-ups. Another favourite is The Bishop’s Cave. The selection of cheese and charcuterie is just amazing and the wines are also great. Staff there are so knowledgable if you ever have a problem ordering; I’ve always had a great night when I’ve been there.
2. Favourite meal/type of food?
I get asked this question a lot and I find it so difficult to answer. I decide one thing and then feel as though I am cheating on another! I don’t think I could live without Italian food however food with Asian influences are definitely one of my favourites. Vietnamese food has a very special place in my heart and I am so grateful that St Albans has Anne from ‘Taste Of Vietnam’ cooking up authentic Vietnamese treats each week! You also can’t beat a good old Sunday Roast!
3. Favourite drink?
Espresso martini. No question! Although I’m partial to a J2O in a pint glass, topped up with lemonade – so refreshing!
4. Most recent/ favourite recipe book bought?
The most recent cookery book I have bought was the Hertfordshire cookbook, of course! I absolutely love that lots of my local favourites have been featured in this. It’s really nice to be able to try and cook up some of my favourites at home!. Next on my list if the fish cake from Lussmanns!
I love these two accounts: @reenee_eats and @hitchinfoodie both of them have a lovely mix of meals out and their own home-cooked food. They’re both so talented and they capture their dishes beautifully, I could scroll their feeds for hours!
Berk & Bite – instagram.com/berkandbite
1. My most favourite place to eat ever is Bar Iberico in Nottingham.
Down south I love Clay’s in Reading – they’re not open now due to Covid but launched a nationwide curry postal service!
2. Favourite meal/type of food?
I absolutely love Mexican food or Spanish tapas. I think I really love that style of eating where you get everything in the middle and share. Plus I’m super indecisive so it means I get to try lots of things from the menu. I’m also absolutely addicted to doughnuts and am making it my mission to try them from doughnut shops all over the UK.
3. Favourite drink?
Coffee. Without a doubt, great coffee is my absolute favourite. I also love an espresso martini when I go out.
4. Most recent/ favourite recipe book bought?
The most recent book is Flavour by Ottolenghi which is an entirely vegetarian cookbook. Ottolenghi is one of my most recent favourite chefs – his recipes are from the Middle East and are so tasty.
5. Which food blogger would you recommend following?
I recommend following @hellocuppies. She is a food blogger and Baker. She posts amazing recipes and recently opened her own cake cafe!
Bucks Foodie – instagram.com/bucksfoodie
1. What’s your favourite place to eat?
My favourite place to eat has got to be @bluegrassbbq I love their breakfasts just as much as their main menu. It’s one of those places that I’ve never been disappointed at & the food is ALWAYS delishhh!
2. Favourite meal/type of food?
My favourite meal is probably homemade sweet & sour chicken with egg fried rice. My dad taught me how to make sweet & sour sauce when I was about 14 & it’s been a big favourite ever since. I love Chinese food in general. It is such a comfort food to me, when I’m sad, when I’m celebrating, when I’m hungover 🤣 there’s also SO much choice – what’s not to love!!
3. Favourite drink?
If we’re talking alcoholic I love a Cosmopolitan – Carrie Bradshaw is, and always will be, my idol! Otherwise, a classic cup of tea is my go-to drink – all day every day.
4. Most recent/ favourite recipe book bought?
Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food! It is an amazing book & perfect if you’re on a budget, or fancy something easy. I’ve used the recipes for date nights and dinner parties, they always go down a treat!
5. Which food blogger would you recommend following?
@litestyle_choices & @a_foodie_eats are two of my personal favourites. They both post great recipes that are healthy & look delicious, as well as showcase what Buckinghamshire really has to offer in the foodie scene!
Four Fantastic Food Bloggers to follow
Each and every month, we will be featuring four new food bloggers to follow. If you are a food blogger and would like to be featured. follow us on Instagram and drop us a DM.
Deciding on a great Father’s Day experience can be challenging, but this year, why not treat Dad to an escape to the Hertfordshire countryside at Sopwell House? The hotel and spa are pulling out all the stops for Dad, from a sumptuous Sunday roast with beer pairings to a savoury afternoon tea.
Sunday Roast with Beer or Wine Flight
Elevate Dad’s Sunday roast with an optional craft beer from Tring Brewery. From a punchy Raven King IPA to Tring’s smooth Tea Kettle stout, savour every bite with a carefully selected beer to match each course. For those who aren’t as keen on beer, there is also a wine flight option available.
Start as you mean to go on with Spring shaved courgettes or spicy lamb croquettes, followed by the star of the show – a roast with your choice of chicken, beef, or pork, served with fluffy roasties, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, and lashings of gravy. End on a sweet note with a choice of summery desserts – think Strawberry bakewell tart and Raspberry crème brûlée – plus an additional cheese course for those opting for the paired menu.
Price: £42 per person for Sunday lunch (£67 per adult including drinks pairing and cheese course).
Father’s Day Afternoon Tea
Adding a savoury twist to the quintessentially British pastime, treat Dad to an afternoon tea with a choice of bubbles or a pint of Pale Ale to complement the experience. Expect bites including quail scotch eggs and roast beef-filled mini-Yorkshire puddings, alongside sandwiches and freshly baked scones.
There is also a selection of sweet treats including a hazelnut praline and chocolate sable, and a coconut, yuzu, and lime macaron, all served with a glass of Taittinger Champagne or a pint of Tring Pale Four beer from the award-winning brewery. A punchy, West Coast IPA style beer, the Tring Pale Four beer is as at home with meats and fish as it is paired alongside sweet treats, making it the perfect accompaniment to Afternoon Tea!
Price: £57 per adult.
Available exclusively on Sunday 16th June, make your Father’s Day one to remember at Sopwell House, with bookings now available at www.sopwellhouse.co.uk.
Top 5 Father’s Day Gift Ideas
To complement your luxurious day out at Sopwell House, here are the top 5 Father’s Day gift ideas that will surely impress any dad:
- Personalised Gifts
- Engraved Wallet: A high-quality leather wallet with a personalised message or initials engraved.
- Custom Photo Book: A photo book filled with cherished memories, perfect for sentimental dads.
- Tech Gadgets
- Smart Home Devices: Smart speakers like the Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub to help around the house.
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Great for dads who enjoy music, podcasts, or need some quiet time.
- Experience Gifts
- Driving Experience: A track day or driving experience with high-performance cars.
- Cooking Class: For foodie dads, a cooking class with a professional chef can be a memorable experience.
- Eating Out Experience
- Restaurant Voucher: A voucher for a meal at a top-rated restaurant or a local favourite.
- Afternoon Tea: A classic British experience, perfect for a relaxing afternoon with a variety of teas and delicious treats.
- Outdoor Gear
- Camping Equipment: High-quality tents, sleeping bags, or portable grills for adventurous dads.
- Garden Tools: For dads who love gardening, new tools or a garden gadget like a robot lawnmower.
Make this Father’s Day unforgettable with a delightful experience at Sopwell House and a thoughtful gift from our top picks!
Stevenage wagamama has launched its first ever Palentine’s Day campaign encouraging friends to get together during the season of romance, to tackle loneliness and share their favourite bowls across the bench. It is widely believed that the time around St Valentine’s Day can be very lonely for so many people.
So wagamama has decided to launch Palentine’s Day, a campaign which celebrates your mates and encourages building bonds with your friends over some food. it is hoped this will provide a more inclusive experience for guests who may not want to celebrate Valentine’s Day traditionally.
Available at Stevenage Wagamama and other selected locations across the UK (24 restaurants in total), when guests quote ‘Palentine’s’ to their host, they will receive a sharing menu with their group and a Palentine’s gift from us for one free drink on the purchase of a main.
The sharing menu features our most shareable dishes to recommend our most loved and iconic dishes, for the full wagamama experience.
The free drink options are 330ml bottle of Asahi, 125ml glass of prosecco, or any regular juice with the purchase of a main.
Regional marketing manager Sita Dobbs said: “We are really excited to launch our Palentine’s Day campaign for the first time this year. We know valentine’s day and the season of romance can be a lonely time for some people so instead, why not round up your Pals and spend this time celebrating your friendships.
“Our long benches and communal seating arrangements at wagamama were built to bring people together, no matter the time of year. When wagamama first opened in 1992, the concept was to bring people together on our egalitarian benches, everyone equal and sharing their favourite bowls. We can’t wait to welcome our guests in to celebrate palentines this year.”
The offer is available at Stevenage Wagamama and 23 other wagamama restaurants across the country until Monday February 14 and there are only 20 free items to redeem per day so be quick to claim!
Stevenage Wagamama Address
Stevenage Leisure Park
Stevenage
SG1 2UA
