Saturday Kitchen Omelette Challenge

Last Saturday I watched Saturday Kitchen LIVE from behind the camera. It was great to see behind the scenes of Saturday Kitchen.. After the cameras finished filming my SIL and I got to take part in our own omelette challenge with James Martin as our judge.



As a competitive person I was determined to beat my SIL at the omelette challenge.  As the saying goes 'practice makes perfect' so on the Friday night I brought a dozen eggs and practiced making three egg omelettes.  My strategy was going to be to go for a time.  It was certainly never going to be the finest omelette in the world. Having shared a few texts with my SIL the competition was on, but when I asked her on the train if she had practiced, she hadn't. I knew I was going to win.

Before we started our omelette challenge James reminded us of the rules.  Then we were off.  I dived into the butter, which wasn't very pleasant, and threw it into the frying pan.  While I was busy cracking my three eggs, throwing the shells all over the counter, James had to step in and swish my butter around the frying pan as I'd forgotten about it.  A bit of seasoning and I was ready to put the eggs into the frying pan.  I instantly grabbed a whisk, as this is what I'd seen the chefs doing, and started to furiously mix the egg.  At this point everyone started to shout that it would be scrambled egg, but I was going for a time and it look OK to me. All the time I was doing this I could see my SIL was cool, calm and collected and was trying to make the perfect omelette.



I wanted to beat Glynn Purnell's time of 23.52 - although he was disqualified as James deemed it scrambled egg. Whilst my omelette was probably half omelette and half scrambled egg I still made a great time of 34.54.  So in theory I beat Glynn and it put me between Pierre Koffman (33.60) and Mark Hix (35.20). My SIL wanted to beat Ken Hom's time and at 42.42 she certainly did beat his time of over a minute. That put her between Simon Hulstone (38.76) and Bill Granger (53.64).





We both thoroughly enjoyed the omelette challenge and to be fair I think our approach to it shows our approach to cooking.  My SIL is a great cook and will spend hours preparing a fantastic meal, where as I throw everything in and hope for the best.



If you love the omelette challenge and want to beat your food hero, then you can take part in the Saturday Kitchen Live sessions at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 12 - 16 June at the NEC, Birmingham.  Don't forget you can get 15% off standard ticket prices with the code GC15.


We had a cracking time....... during our omelette challenge!

Behind the Scenes of Saturday Kitchen

I'm one of the 3.5 million people who tune into Saturday Kitchen on a Saturday.  On those Saturdays, where I'm not rushing out of the door first thing, you'll find me coffee in hand settled on the sofa waiting to see what James Martin and invited chefs will be cooking up.  For me this slow paced Saturday morning signals the start of the weekend. So when an email popped into my inbox asking if I, and a guest, would like to visit the Cactus Studios and go behind the scenes of a programme I love to watch, with a chef I have loved since he hit our screens, there really was only one possible answer.......yes please!

This was one Saturday that I didn't mind rushing out the door at 7am.  I picked my SIL up en route, grabbed a coffee at the train station and hopped on the train to London to watch Saturday Kitchen, literally, LIVE.  We arrived at the studios, in Camden, about 15 minutes before the start of the show which was just enough time to get a glimpse of the studios and make it to the green room.  Which of course is not green at all, but did have very nice white leather chairs, light grey decor and the most wonderful arched windows.  James popped in to say hello just before he went live on air and then it was time to get settled.  We watched the first dish, by Alexis Gauthier, being cooked from the green room.  This was an Umami Bomb (parmasan and wild mushroom custard) which  we got to taste and for me the overwhelming flavour was mushroom.



Whilst the VT was running, we moved from the green room down to the studio floor to watch from behind the cameras.  Nestled in the corner of the studio we watched James make a swiss roll with fresh blackberries and vanilla cream.  To be able to watch James bake close up was the best experience.  I'll definitely be taking away the wet towel tip for rolling up the perfect swiss roll.  We tucked into the swiss roll back in the green room and I have to say it was the lightest swiss roll I have ever tasted.



We watched the next chef, Aggi Sverrisson, cook his dish of king crab, asparagus, garlic and hazelnuts from the gallery.  As well as the famous omelette challenge.  Getting to sit in the gallery and listen to the executive producer and team talk to James and to manage the production of the programme was really interesting.  In my day job I'm used to having TV crews and presenters interview staff but I never get to see the result until it is broadcast. So it was really nice to be able to see a programme filmed in its entirety with all the elements that make it happen without any editing.

For the last part of the show, Heaven or Hell, we were back behind the cameras.  My SIL and I both wanted Hell which was panko-coated squid with palm sugar and coriandar pesto.  The studio guest, the Olympian gymnast Louis Smith, wanted Heaven which was jerk chicken.  We were delighted when the vote was for the squid.  I love seafood and squid is one of my favourites.  Again this was another superb dish, the squid was delicate and the sauce was amazing.

I might have already said that James has been my favourite chef for nearly 20 years now.  I couldn't get enough of his recent show where he put his twist on traditional American bakes.  For me it was the perfect mix - James, cakes and America - what more does a girl need. To be able to see the show being filmed and tasting the food, which tastes as delicious as it looks on screen, has been a wonderful experience.  At this point I'd like to thank the BBC Good Food Show for inviting me and my guest to watch Saturday Kitchen LIVE.  I'll never be able to watch the show again without thinking about the day I spent behind the scenes.



After filming we also had a tour of the Cactus Studios.  I'd already marveled at the gorgeous building, which was originally built by Darwin as a school, but since has had many different occupants.  On the ground floor are the studios where Saturday Kitchen is filmed and a second studio to the side of this along with a sound room.  There are practice studios that are set up exactly as the studio kitchen is.  This is where the dishes are practiced during the week ahead of the live show to get some of the close up shots that you see.  We learnt that the chefs trial their dishes in their own restaurants and it isn't until the Saturday morning that they practice against time. The next two floors belong to the Cactus Kitchens.  This is an amazing space that has been created in conjunction with Michel Roux Jnr and Amanda Ross, Managing Director of Cactus TV.  Whatever your cooking skills, you'll learn from the nations top TV chefs and wine experts and take away amazing culinary experiences.



My time behind the scenes of Saturday Kitchen did not end there, I took part in my own omelette challenge and also interviewed James.

If you're also a fan of Saturday Kitchen you can soak up the Saturday Kitchen experience at the Summer BBC Good Food Show at the NEC, Birmingham.  Hosted by James Martin, in the Brand New 2,000 seater Supertheatre, sponsored by Tesco Real Food, this live edition of the Saturday morning treat will include Food Heaven and Hell, recipe demonstrations and of course celebrity guests and wine experts Peter Richards and Susy Atkins! Guest Chefs will include the legendary Tom Kitchin and Theo Randall plus surprise celebrity guests. Don't forget you can use my exclusive discount code GC15 to get 15% of standard price tickets for the summer show.

Saturday in the Kitchen with James Martin......yes please!

Harvey Nichols SS13 Fashion Show

Is it time yet to spring into the new seasons fashion?

Leading up to and including the recent bank holiday weekend it really did feel like we had turned a corner with the weather.  Not long out of my winter coat and boots, I'd ventured into wearing my mac and event just a blazer. With my spirits lifted I found myself thinking about my spring/summer wardrobe for the first time this year. This time last year I was already wearing spring clothes and enjoying the sunshine in late February.  It's quite ironic that, on a snowy night in March, I headed to Harvey Nichols in Birmingham to see what they had in store for S/S 13.







Having been to previous Harvey Nichols Fashion Shows (SS12 & AW12) I knew it would be a fabulous night.  But this time they out did themselves.  This was their biggest and best show to date.  The venue was the Old Post Office in the Mail Box and it couldn't have been more perfect.



We were introduced to the following trends - Palette Cleanser; Colour Pop; Foil; Mixed Print; Monochrome and Fantasy Rock.  I have to say I liked all of these, but of course I had my favourite pieces.  What stood out for me were the clean lines and chicness of the dresses plus tops with capri pants.  I can definitely see these appearing in my wardrobe this spring/ summer

Here are some of my favourite looks from the show:

I'm ready to shop for the new season.......City Chic style!







Photographs courtesy of Andy Espin for Harvey Nichols

Warwick Rocks Food and Film Festival

Over the last year and a half I've watched the town of Warwick grow in confidence.  I spend many a happy hour shopping in the independent stores and frequenting the independent coffee shops and restaurants.  For a county town it feels more like a small village, you can't walk down the street without bumping into someone you know. The community spirit knows no bounds either, it is just getting stronger and stronger day by day.  So when I heard about the Warwick Rocks Food and Film Festival I knew this was going to be a festival like no other.

I know two of the core organisers from previous Warwick events and so I got to speak to them early on in their planning.  We even took a road trip over to Birmingham to check out the new street food.  Since then they have started to shape the festival, although there are still some aspects that need finalising, which is where the local businesses come in. Last week I attended the traders launch, of the Festival, held at the Rose and Crown in Warwick.  The evening attracted over 150 interested businesses, all keen to play a part in Warwick's first Food and Film Festival.  As you can imagine it was a hive of activity with lots of ideas bouncing around and commitment from businesses.

The first Warwick Rocks Food and Film Festival is taking place from the 17th to 25th August.  The plan is to hold an event each day/ evening throughout the whole week.  The schedule, for the Festival, is already looking exciting with an old fashioned drive-in cinema; street food and local produce market; twlight market and outdoor cinema experience.  Various venues around the town will be used to host these events, including Smith Street, Warwick Square and Warwick Castle.  As well as getting local businesses involved, there are already a number of competitions that local people can enter including a short film competition and a local menu competition.

I've already got the date in my diary and I'll certainly be going to as much of the festival as I can.


Warwick certainly does....Rock!

April in Pictures

Looking through Glamour in the County's Instagram Lens

Well what a month April has been, I'd go as far as to say the best month this year so far!  As I started to collate this months photos it occurred to me how many new foodies discoveries I've made.  And of course I can't forget the fabulous Cotswold wedding of my close friend.

Spring finally sprung {daffodils}/ rhubarb and custard toasted brioche {street food}/ Kings Heath street food market {a first for me}/ Sweet As {chocolate heaven}/ healthy breakfast {summer menu}/ handmade pizza {street food}/ birthday celebrations {seared venison}

Toasting the hen {Prosseco/ 1889 cocktail/ Mojito}/ relaxing music {pianist}/ scrambled eggs and smoked salmon {protein breakfast}/ wedding nails {Jessica Cherrywood}/ cooking inspiration {Nigella}

Old fashioned lamp {Burford, Cotswolds}/ gates {Burford, Cotswolds}/ sunny Cotswolds {Burford}/ the Library {Wyck Hill House Hotel}/ taking five {Huffkins, Stow on the Wold}/ tempting bakery {Huffkins}/ coffee in the sun {Cotswold countryside}

Blossom {Spring is here}/ Virgin Mojito {relaxing Sunday}/ Flozzy in the Jacuzzi {Birmingham}/ Modern Opera {Cinderella}/ Toasting a launch {Piccolino, Birmingham}/ tulips {summertime}/ chicken and goats cheese salad {summer menu}


Follow me on Instagram for more photos


My world....through my eyes!

A collaboration with Individual Restaurants

You'll remember that I recently enjoyed a taste of Italy, in Birmingham, at Piccolino restaurant.  This was part of a collaboration with Individual Restaurants to test out the new outdoor terrace, ahead of the official launch party last week.



There were certainly a lot of people enjoying the evening, sampling the fabulous Italian canapes and pink Prosseco cocktails. Whilst the DJ played some tunes invited guests soaked up the heat on the warm terrace.



As part of the collaboration I am also, one of three, featured bloggers in their newsletter http://newsletter.club-individual.co.uk/club_individual_newsletter_28_web.html telling readers what I love about the Birmingham foodie scene.  You can read my interview here http://www.individualrestaurants.com/blog/hot-property/hot-property-the-best-of-birminghams-bloggers-2/ as well as my fellow bloggers.  You'll also catch a few glimpses of me on the video from the launch.

* my photographs were taken at the gorgeous Hampton Manor by Liz Drake Photography

Vintage Hitchcock A Live Radio Play

Apart from SBA's final year acting school performances, which of course were fabulous, it's been quite a number of years since I've been to the theatre.  I just seem to have gotten out of the habit after my theatre buddy found true love and moved away from the UK.  But last week I found myself making three impromptu visits and they couldn't have been more different.  I attended an improv performance, enjoyed modern opera and watched a live radio play.



You know when you read something and it instantly grabs you, well that's what happened when I read the description of Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play.  The play was by, a new touring theatre company, Majikal Theatre and this was the European script debut of Joe Landry's Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play which included adaptations of three early Hitchcock films - The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps.  Having had my eyes opened to smaller theatre productions, I popped along to a local venue to see whether the performance would live up to the promotion.

The instant I walked in the door I thought I'd stepped back in time to the 1940's. The actors were in character all the time whether they were on or off stage.  I think this was a fantastic way to bring the play to life and make you feel like you were really at the radio studios.  While the audience waited for the 'official' start of the play the actors were on stage preparing for the Live Radio Play.  This gave the play a truly authentic feel.  We even counted down to the start of the 'Live' play.  I liked this part as much as the play itself.



Hitchcock was a master of suspense and the actors really brought alive the intrigue, murder and love.  Each playing several characters and with amazing sound effects.  Now I know how they make the sound of a closing door on the radio.  Whilst acting out the scenes of the three adaptations, the actors also acted the radio play, interacting with each other.  The acting as well as the costumes and the whole 1940's ambiance really brought this play alive. All of this made for a fabulous performance.

I caught up with Mike Connell, Artistic Director of Majikal Theatre, after the show not only to congratulate him on the performance but to find out more about his theatre company.  Having worked in the industry for a number of years, Mike decided to start his own theatre company and had spent time looking for the perfect play to launch with.  His vision is to bring outstanding, less well known, productions to intimate venues.  Mike was lucky enough to consult with Joe Landry on this version of the play, which he said was a great experience. It is clear that Mike is passionate about acting and bringing theatre to local people.  Having absolutely loved this play, I'll certainly be looking out for more of Majikal Theatre's productions.


LB rating 8/10







Thank you to Mike who kindly invited me to view this production.  As always the views expressed are honest and my own.