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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.
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
Love is in the air across Hertfordshire… everywhere you look around… Maybe it’s because Valentine’s Day is around the corner, or perhaps we all just need a little love this time of year. Either way, we truly feel a lot of blossoming romances are in the air. So, whether you’re getting first-date butterflies, reconnecting with an evening away from the everyday or celebrating a special romantic occasion, the wannabe Cupids here at Visit Herts have gathered our favourite date night locations for those dreamy memories to be made.
Whether you’re a classic movie-dinner-drinks kind of couple or looking for an unforgettable way to make that first impression, we’ve got the spots we know you lovebirds will enjoy!
The Bricklayer’s Arms
Gazing into each other’s eyes over a glass of red wine in a cosy corner under the glow of twinkling fairy lights… not just the stuff of movies, thanks to the charming gastro pub that is The Bricklayers Arms in Flaunden! Set within the stunning rolling hills of the Chess Valley, this 18th century pub is the perfect setting for your cosy date night out.
We could go on and on describing their delectable dinners, but instead we’ll just casually mention that they’ve won the Good Pub Guide’s Dining Pub of the Year 2020, and they’ve won every year for the past five years, and that they hold an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence… so we think you get the (delicious) picture!
The Gardens at Knebworth House
Why not set a date with your significant other to explore the grounds at Knebworth House? Or perhaps you’re looking to woo your first date with a nature walk? Either way, the gardens at Knebworth House is a pretty perfect place to see flowers blossoming to the sound of nature and butterflies dancing in the air.
An ideal date for the summer where you and your special someone can enjoy a free Garden Tour with a member of their Gardens Team.
https://www.knebworthhouse.com/
The Grove Hotel
When the special occasion comes around, a birthday, an anniversary, or dare we say, an evening involving a special ring(!), you need luxury settings and specialist care to pull off the perfect date night. Enter The Grove Hotel, host to celebrities and royalty alike, and the perfect option for your special night.
Indulge in a delicious dinner in the luxurious setting of The Glasshouse restaurant, opt for a couples’ spa day to unwind together, or book an overnight escape for that staycation we’re all dreaming about.
Pendley Manor
It’s all about rural relaxation at classically beautiful Pendley Manor. Enjoy a date night away relaxing and reconnecting with their ideal staycation offer – with a two-night stay, a welcome bottle of prosecco and the use of their plush pool and leisure facilities, it’s the perfect antidote to last year’s stresses.
https://www.pendley-manor.co.uk/
Paradise Wildlife Park
If you feel like stepping away from the traditional romantic locations, Paradise Wildlife Park have the answer for those ‘unforgettable’ date days! Get to know each other while feeding some tigers, saying hello to the penguins, or meeting the meerkats with one of their experience days.
Or why not let your inner childlike personality free and wander around the World of Dinosaurs? Brave the Dinosaur Train ride, the ‘Rex Express’, and travel back in time, revealing a new prehistoric surprise around every corner.
The Snow Centre
Adrenaline junkie couples, we’re not leaving you out! A date doesn’t have to be ‘romantic’ in the traditional sense. How about an evening of learning new skills and getting active as you ski and snowboard at The Snow Centre? Spend some time together slipping and sliding on the slopes at the biggest real snow centre outside of London – what a way to break the ice!
https://www.thesnowcentre.com/
Verulamium Spa
Looking to add a bit of luxury to your ultimate date? Why not spend the day relaxing at Verulamium Spa and escape the world together in one of their 5-star luxury treatment rooms or couple suits? Receive a variety of treatments including, facials, massages, body treatments and more! It’s the perfect experience for those looking to add a little wellness to their lives, and… isn’t that all of us?
https://everyonespa.com/our-venues/verulamium-spa-st-albans/
Hitchin Lavender Fields
Set a date for the summer and dig out those gingham picnic blankets and woven hampers, we’re taking you back to a more traditional, romantic setting. If you’re in the ‘getting to know each other stage’ or you’re already one of two, living in your own little world, there’s nothing quite like a peaceful sit down in the fields of Hitchin Lavender, watching the world go by and enjoying the company of that special someone. Bring the strawberries and chocolate, finger sandwiches and bubbly and spend the day soaking in the scenery and romance at Hitchin Lavender.
https://www.hitchinlavender.com/
Atria Watford
A classic cinema and dinner date? A bit of late-night shopping? Whatever your go-to date idea may be, Atria Watford have something for you and your lucky someone to enjoy, whether you’re heading out for an anniversary celebration together or looking to woo someone special with a thoughtful gift.
The St Albans Food & Drink festival, now in its 14th year, features an exciting programme of events across September including Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park, Stars at the Bars and the Oaklands Farm to Fork.
St Albans, in Hertfordshire, has a remarkable history and reputation for food and drink and the month-long event is hugely popular with locals and visitors looking for an incredible foodie experience.
There will also be a 24-hour photography challenge, pub quizzes and iconic film nights, livestock events, street food nights, Bollywood dancing, live radio events and pop-ups a plenty – it truly is a jam-packed festival with something for everyone.
Manager of St Albans Bid, Denise Parsons, said…
“We are delighted to sponsor the festival which celebrates our food and drink heroes who have gone above and beyond during lockdown. There is something for everyone to enjoy, including live music which is hugely welcomed and adds to the vibrancy of our outdoor events.”
Highlights…
Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park event on 10th-12th September in Verulamium Park brings together special chefs, artisan products and top musicians for one big party- with live music from big names such as All Saints, Basement Jaxx, Gabrielle and the Lightening Seeds.
The awards for the district’s best food and drink businesses are one of the festival highlights but due to the pandemic have been scaled down to one prestigious award this year. Nominations for the Kate D’Arcy Award, recognising an individual who has given exceptional customer service to their community during the pandemic, are open until Monday 23rd August and the nominees will be invited to a presentation event on Monday 20th September at St Michael’s Manor Hotel.
The festival culminates with the incredible FEASTIVAL street event on Sunday 26th September. The central streets in the town centre will be peppered with over 100 food and drink stalls, street entertainment, bars with live music, art and crafts activities, cookery demonstrations, face painting and fun for all ages.
Just 20 miles and 20 minutes by train from London St Pancras International and excellent road connections, St Albans is easily accessible, making it the perfect day or staycation destination.
Where to stay?
Accommodation in the city centre ranges from small and intimate bed and breakfasts to large hotels including the stunning country style Manor hotel, St Michaels Manor, the luxurious Sopwell House and the Victorian Grade II listed Torrington Hall.
Find out more details about the St Albans Food & Drink Festival and where to stay at EnjoyStAlbans.com
*NEW* 2021/2022 official St Albans Visitor Guide out now! Click here
Foodie Related Notes:
- An historic inn-keeping city, St Albans has the most pubs per square mile in the country and is home to England’s Oldest pub, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, as confirmed by The Guinness Book of Records.
- Did you know the hot cross bun originated in St Albans. The ‘Alban Bun’ was created by Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a 14th Century Monk at St Albans Abbey, who developed the recipe and would feed the poor on Good Friday.
- The city is famous for its café and pub culture with a fantastic range of award-winning eating and drinking establishments.
About St Albans:
- St Albans is one of the best-kept secrets in UK tourism. A historic gem of an English Cathedral City just 20 miles and 20 minutes by train from London is easily accessible by road with links to the M25, M1 and A1(M).
- The city’s colourful history and heritage can be seen in the Roman remains and the beautiful medieval architecture and picturesque buildings that look spectacular all year round.
- A fabulous shopping destination, St Albans is home to an array of innovative independent retailers and well-known chains.
- There are lots of green, open spaces and parks, making St Albans a family-friendly destination.
*NEW* 2021/2022 official St Albans Visitor Guide out now! Click here. Find out more details about the St Albans Food & Drink Festival and where to stay at EnjoyStAlbans.com
