Peyton & Byrne

Peyton & Byrne British Baking - my newest addition -
cant wait to try some of the recipes - the book looks super.
Peyton & Byrne
(Oliver Peyton is one of the judges on Great British Menu)

Their lovely cakeshop/cafe at Heals

Masterchef 2011

This most recent Masterchef has had me bored and interested through this series. I love the combination of Greg and John together but some of the contestants have been a bit tedious to watch.

This series has had a revamp too, which I'm still not sure about as it seems to concentrate on the contestants rather than their actual dishes. However, I am enjoying it again and will carry on watching :).

Raymond Blanc - Kitchen Secrets

I can sit and listen to Raymond talking for an age, which makes his programmes very watchable for me. I love his recipes but apart from his book Simple French Cookery - I really dont use many of them. This book is well worth owning and I think he's used some of the recipes in this series.

I'm fascinated by Raymond's skill, where he makes everything look so simple, with the help of Adam of course! ...... I have been lucky enough to stay at Le Manoir au Quatre Saisons and have to say it's a complete treat ...... expensive, but wonderful.

Caldesi Cookery Courses

- Monday I went to a pasta-making day course at Caldesi's (Marylebone Lane, London W1) - I wasn't particularly looking forward to it as I thought - life's too short to make your own pasta - ............. however, I am now a convert! Our teacher was - Ursula Ferrigno - who has written at least 17 books. The class was delightful - and I'm now on the lookout for a pasta maker (maybe secondhand, as it could well end up in a cupboard in a few weeks time!) We ate all the pastas we had made in class, for lunch, with several different sauces - which we had also made, some good wine and very nice company of the other students - and super coffee.

It's so useful actually seeing pasta being made and being given lots of useful tips too. I'd really recommend doing something like this - if not the pasta making day try another class - it's all beautifully set up and very enjoyable. Try some of their recipes .....

Chocolate & Zucchini

This lovely book by Clotilde Dusoulier is delightful to read - part recipe book, part travel guide - very French. Some lovely photos of food and Paris - you can almost smell the Gauloises! Clotilde, at the ripe age of 27, has written several recipe books and originally started as a foodie blogger! All recipes look delicious.