Taste of London 2014

Last night I rushed through the Smalls’ maths homework and bolted out of the door to Taste of London in Regent’s Park.  Actually, I made one stop en route to pick up the biggest foodie in my life…

taste of london 2014

And as she consulted the map of food and drink stalls (as if they were a floor plan on a building project she might be working on), we pinpointed a whistle-stop tour of London’s best eateries.

Sarit Packer & Itamar Srulovich at Taste of London 2014

Sarit Packer & Itamar Srulovich at Taste of London 2014

First up was the brilliant couple behind Honey & Co.  We found Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich live on stage in the Electrolux Taste Theatre…. and it was wonderful to see the queue for their new book which launches today (more about this on Building Feasts’ blog).

Roka's BBQ

Roka’s BBQ

Roka was a no brainer.  The food is always ridiculously delicious.  We had a portion of robata baby chicken cooked in chilli, lemon and garlic soy and then an apricot and ginger yoghurt with black sesame and mochi.

@buildingfeasts with Roka yo-fro

@buildingfeasts with Roka yo-fro

We stopped by the Bloodshot stand to say a quick hello to Mark D Hill…2013-10-22 19.55.04-1

… before some slider action.  MEATLiquor were doing all they could to supply demand but the queue was hungry.

MEAT Liquor at Taste of LondonOf course, it was worth the wait and the halloumi mushroom bun with red onions and pickles won my vote.

Halloumi slider at Taste of London

Chandon's vintage car

Chandon’s vintage car

Taste of London singersTaste of London 2014

some Dorset ice cream from Purbeck

some Dorset ice cream from Purbeck

last stop was local Primrose HIll Bakery

last stop was local Primrose HIll Bakery

Hurry along to Taste of London – located opposite Regent’s Park tube station – before it finishes on Sunday 22nd June.

We were guests of Electrolux, this year’s sponsor of the food festival.

 

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Father’s Race Day

The private equity squad took up their positions on the starting line.  It was the moment they had been waiting for – since this time last year. Some in suits and ties but many modelling the traditional ‘dress-down’ uniform of an open-necked fine-lined shirt.  Almost all most sported slippery leather soles and the finest of leather uppers.

Dads in suits at Sports Day

They grimaced at each other in anticipation, declaring loudly how out of shape they were.

Desperate to appear nonchalant, the one and only father dressed in hi-tech running gear called out:  Just a bit of fun, isn’t it!

Cuffs were turned back.  Virtual hair swept to the side.

With hardly a glance at little Rupert eagerly waiting on the sidelines; their wives hadn’t even noticed they were taking part.

And they were off.  FAST.  With the stamina of a personal-trained devotee.

Determined to win or at least not disgrace.  This was their chance to show what they were capable of.

Sporty Dad won again.

Everyone’s a winner; they consoled themselves, immediately hiding any disappointment.  Competition had been tough this year.  Besides, it had been quite a while since their own sports day.

This column first appeared in The Lady where I am their Mum About Town.

 

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Breaking Instagram OUT

An ongoing mission of mine is to break some of my ever-flowing photography out of my Instagram feed.  And recently I have found 2 very legitimate break-out solutions.

our Boomf marshmallows

our Boomf marshmallows

The first is Boomf.  James Middleton’s marshmellow printing company.  I choose my favourite black and white pics to theme our squidgy tea treats.

Boomf marshmallows

And the second solution is Social Design Studio … all the way from San Francisco… I picked out those images of the Smalls which make me smile the most and then these photo strips arrived about 10 days later.

social print studio photostripsIt seems this is the photo booth output for this century. Anyway both solutions made perfect Father’s Day add-ons.  (and one photo strip even made it into Lord Y’s card. )

social print studio photostrips

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Melody Rose & her Kissing Couple

It’s about this time of year I start to think about our wedding anniversary.

2013-10-20 16.58.26-1He and I have (almost) been married 14 years and already it feels like a lifetime.  Such different people we are now from the young innocent couple we were… walking up that aisle.   But there’s a lot to be said about growing older and growing old together.  And most of the magic (aside from the shortness, snappiness and sulking) is down to those kisses.

Melody Rose upscaled vintage bone chinaThat’s what I love about this cup and sauce from Melody Rose.  The man and the woman are enjoying a proper smooch.

If you don’t already know Melanie Roseveare and her stunning range of upcycled vintage ceramics, you need to concentrate a little.   She launched Melody Rose,  her quirky ceramic business, three years ago and has since given new life to British-made bone china.Melody Rose upscaled vintage bone china

She fires the redesigned and hand gilded pieces in the kiln so that they can become everyday functional pieces of art.

And – without getting too slushy –  it’s pretty fitting as I reckon with each kiss new life is flushed into everyday marriage… the same way her designs bring to life long-forgotten china.

cup of camomile with my new photography book - gift from my brother

cup of camomile with my new photography book – a gift from my brother

A friend of mine collects Melody Rose pieces, displayed on her wall.  Personally, I prefer to take my tea in mine!

COMPETITION: Melanie is very generously giving away this ‘Kissing Couple’ cup & saucer (worth £32) to a lucky Life of Yablon winner.  All you have to do is follow me on Twitter and tweet what would you drink in your Melody Rose tea cup?  A winner will be chosen on 1st July and notified on Twitter.  Now, pop that kettle on…

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