Scoop me another one

As part of my birthday food extravaganza I was treated to some ice cream at Scoop in Covent Garden. I had walked past here many times and ogled the mountains of ice cream and this time there was no stopping me.

I hate having choices as I usually want everything, but luckily I had three scoops. I chose coconut, tiramisu and milk ice cream. While the coconut was not a smooth as I would have liked, and the tiramisu was not as strong as I had hoped, the milk ice cream was heavenly. I would have gladly eaten it with a hot waffle.

Why don't you visit Scoop and try out their magical milk ice cream for yourself www.scoopgelato.com

The Riverfront Bar and Kitchen, Southbank

If you've recently visited the secondhand book market at Southbank, London, you will have noticed that the Film Cafe is missing and has been replaced with a construction site.

Due to open later this month, the newly named 'Riverfront Bar and Kitchen' (operated by Ben and Hugo Warner of Benugo) will replace the infamous summer meeting point. A contemporary twist on the classic British pub, all dishes will promise to be under a tenner, and the modern, but traditional menu will include dishes such as prawn cocktail, scampi and chips and Ploughman's.

Riverfront will serve breakfast through to afternoon tea, and the bar will be open until 11pm. In direct competition with Canteen at Southbank, the Riverfront will be serving a variety of traditional British favourites to pull in the public.

The Benugo team already have the very successful 'Benugo Bar and Kitchen' within the BFI complex, and promise to provide the same level of quality and comfort at the Riverfront.

One of the biggest downfalls of the Film Cafe was its outside seating. Although there were many places to sit, there was no protection from the unpredictable weather. To avoid customers running away at the sign of rain, snow or riverbank winds, a permanent canopy, made of sailcloth will cover the seating area.

The Riverfront Bar and Kitchen will open late March 2009.
Visit - www.benugo.com for more information.

Thanks Mum

There was no way I wasn't going to show you this: birthday chocolate fudge cake made by my mum. It was especially made for my birthday and she hand made everything out of chocolate.

Warmed up and covered in cream, this was a fantastic treat.

Thanks Mum!

PS - if you would like to have a cake made let me know, I'll gladly offer my mothers talents (at a price!)

Happy Birthday!

Today I am 30 and to celebrate I am being treated to dinner at Skylon on Southbank (review to follow), but this is not what I am celebrating for today is national pistachio day!

What, no birthday card?

As it says on the pack: Wonderful Pistachios

Run your own sandwich and coffee shop

Ever sat at your desk at work wondering what it would be like to run your own sandwich shop? Ever dreamed about the milky foam of a coffee machine and endless mounds of sumptuous sandwich fillings flowing out of your shop? Well that's what happened to Jill Willis three years ago.

Once a very successful PR Manager in central London, Jill decided to give up the suit and throw on an apron. Three years later, Jill and her husband Richard own the very successful Taste Cafe in Romford: "when my husband and I started our own cafe three years ago the up-hill climb we had to make seemed enormous! However, through hard work and determination we have made our business an award winning success"

Not only has Jill set up her very own cafe, she has recently launched her own book titled: 'Start & Run a Sandwich & Coffee Shop'


The Taste Cafe has also made it to the regional finals of 'Sandwich designer of the year 2009', which is taking place on 24 March, where they will be showcasing their very modern 'wild cranberry rosti'. If successful they will make it through to the national finals.

If you want to see what all the fuss is about you can experience the Taste Cafe at 11 Western Road, Romford, Essex.

Visit www.tastesfresh.com to see their latest menu.

Gastro Glossary - B - Buckwheat

If you are one of the many people who suffer with an intolerance to wheat then buckwheat could be the perfect substitute. Slightly sweet and dark in colour, buckwheat is used a lot in Eastern European cooking, and probably most famous for being the main ingredient for blinis.

You can find buckwheat in most supermarkets and health food shops.

I personally like to make buckwheat pancakes, which taste a lot like Weetabix!

Buy buckwheat now:

Joshua's Harvest Store

Make your own Gastro Gazette buckwheat pancakes

Ingredients:

110g buckwheat flour
2 large eggs
200ml milk
75ml water
pinch of salt
butter

1. Sift flour and salt together in to a bowl
2. Whisk eggs and add to the dry ingredients
3. Mix together the water and milk and slowly add to the mixture until you have a smooth batter (similar to the consistency of single cream)
4. Melt a knob of butter in a pan on medium heat. Once melted, drain the butter in to a cup so the pan is only lightly covered
5. Spoon in approx 3 - 4 tbsp of batter and KEEP AN EYE ON IT!!
6. Once the pancake starts to look like it's going firm, use a spatula to look at the underside. If it is starting to go golden promptly turn the pancake
7. Once cooked serve with lemon and sugar, good maple syrup, or if you are adventurous, some poached rhubarb or pears in sugar syrup

If you want a firmer, American style pancake you can add a teaspoon of baking powder to the mix.

Don't be put off by the colour, buckwheat is dark in colour.

Young Chef of the Year

The search is now on for the UK's top young talent in an ambitious new television programme, Young Chef of the Year 2009. Young Chef of the Year is part of a new BBC Three series celebrating young trade talent across the country.

If you are a talented young chef the BBC Three wants to hear from you.

Can you be a true ambassador for food trade? Are you aged 16-25 years and up for a challenge? To enter email: youngtalent@bbc.co.uk, send an SEA to the Casting Team, at BBC TVC, room 3136, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ, or call 03700 101 616*

Closing date is 6 March 2006.

Veglopedia

When watching Masterchef you may have found yourself asking: "I know who that John guy is, but who's the fella who makes strange noises every time he eats a desert?". Well, that desert lover is Gregg Wallace, and has been a very successful greengrocer for over 25 years.

To celebrate his love for veg, Gregg has released a vegetable cookbook titled Veg: The Cookbook. This new title takes you on a veggie world tour, and takes and in-depth A-Z look at everything green-fingered.



But don't think that this a just full of vegetable dishes and nothing else. Gregg incorporates fish and meat to compliment his dishes. From Carrot Cake and Red Tomato Chutney to Chilli Con Carne and Samphire and Salmon, Gregg has taken inspiration from some of the world's top chefs to create his veggie packed book.

Gregg also strongly believes in eating seasonally (that means no strawberries in winter!), as it is tastier and cheaper. To help readers he has created a seasonal chart to accompany the vegetables featured.

Veg The Cookbook by Gregg Wallace is available now
Price: £12.99

Buy it now

Want to know if your veg is in season? Visit CUESA to find out more.