Two Mamas have a Sourdough Bread Masterclass at Williamwood High School, 25th April. We went to a class, and it was fab. We learned so much, had a great time chatting and learning and at the end some coffee, bread and cake 
Talking of bread, the Tiptree World Bread Awards are open. Open to all – artisan bread makers, small high street bakers, home bread-makers, child bakers – the next generations. More details at Tiptree World Bread Awards.
and don’t forget National Toast Day on 24th Feb – an excuse to make that marmalade!
End of an Era at The Drake Grunting Growler will be moving on from their 4th popup and this weekend will be giving 10% off all beer, and growler fills!
New kegs in from Almasty, and Camden town- woooop woooop!
The ten UK semi-finalists that will be representing the UK have now been announced and will compete in front of a panel of leading Michelin starred UK and Irish chefs on February 24th in Harrods, for a chance to represent the UK in the finals in Milan.
Gavin Kellet dish
The judging panel, which has five Michelin stars between them, has been confirmed to include Clare Smyth MBE of Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, Atul Kochhar of Benares
Restaurant, Daniel Doherty of Duck & Waffle and Oliver Dunne of Cleaver East. Clare Smyth MBE, who is the first and only female chef to hold and retain three Michelin stars and is one of only six in the world to have ever accomplish this, will mentor the UK semi-final winner all the way through to the final.
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Scottish Dairy Brand to be set up
A Scottish dairy brand to promote products at home and overseas will be launched this year.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed he will shortly publish a detailed dairy action plan as he gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee. That plan will contain plans for a dairy brand and a showcase for retailers and overseas buyers to boost the profile of Scottish products, as well as a range of other measures reflecting this morning’s discussion with the Committee.
He said:
“Here in Scotland we can produce some of the best cheese, butter and other dairy products around. I want to make it easier for consumers to choose Scottish products first – providing much needed support to local farmers and boosting the Scottish economy. I also want to help our dairy farmers capitalise on the proud reputation of Scottish food and drink and access more export opportunities.
“Establishing a dairy brand will help consumers recognize the Scottish option and promote Scottish produce to overseas buyers. Our planned showcase will put the spotlight firmly on our fantastic produce for retailers in Scotland and buyers from around the globe.
“The support does not end there. I will shortly publish an action plan to help ensure a more sustainable future for the industry. This will help to deliver the support our dairy farmers need to face the future with confidence and certainty in the face of the changing price of milk.”
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Barneys Beer
Edinburgh based Barney’s Beer have partnered Scottish band Idlewild, brewing a new beer to celebrate their eighth album Everything Ever Written. The craft beer brewer, based at Edinburgh Arts Hub Summerhall, was approached by the band who were looking for a symbiotic way to launch their new album.
The album, predominantly written on the Isle of Mull and recorded in Edinburgh, launches in the UK on February 16. The beer will be available in Scotland as part of a limited edition batch to coincide with the launch. The band and brewer are very excited to be working together to celebrate the launch of the new album and the band’s return to music after five years away.
Brewer Barney commented:
“When the band approached me to collaborate on a beer I invited them down to the brewery to have a taste of some beers and throw around some ideas. We’re not new to artistic collaborations having worked with John Byrne, Ryoko Tamura & Will Pickvance – so it was great to have the whole band’s input and come up with something that reflects the ideas behind Everything Ever Written”
The Band joined Barney in his brewery in late 2014 to taste some beers and work out how best to match the album with a bespoke brew. The band tried Barney’s range from the very light Extra Pale ale to a new double Volcano IPA – the band, all beer drinkers, settled for a beer that would be sessionable and accessible to music fans and beer fans alike.
The final beer – Scottish Fiction IPA – named after a track from the band’s ‘The Remote Part’ album which featured the poem Scottish Fiction by the late Edwin Morgan – is made with Scottish malt and American hops to mirror the album’s musical ingredients – Scottish Folk, Hebridean psychedelia, americana and American alternative rock.
The band’s Roddy Woomble added
“Idlewild are a band of committed and enthusiastic craft beer and ale drinkers and Barneys beer has been a favorite for quite a while. The fact that Barney’s beer and Idlewild both hail from Edinburgh makes a collaboration like this extra special….”
The very limited edition brew of 1250 bottles will be available at independent beer & wine shops and also will also be available on cask for a limited time only.
The bottles will also feature a QR code that will give access to a free download of a special acoustic performance of one of the bands earliest and best-loved tracks – A Film For The Future.
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La Bonne Auberge brasserie in the heart of Glasgow city center is getting together with Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland to give romantics an unbeatable Valentine offer.
The restaurant and hotel are offering: four course Valentine’s menu with a glass of bubbly on arrival; an admission voucher for Cineworld (directly opposite) and dinner, bed and breakfast in a luxurious double room at the all-inclusive special price of only £35 per person (£30 without the voucher).
La Bonne Auberge’s special Valentine’s menu starts with a ‘Hot and Spicy Nibble’ of tempura king prawn with sweet chilli sauce followed by a ‘Loving Cup’ of velvety tomato soup with roasted red peppers, star anise and crème fraiche.
The ‘Made in Heaven’ main course offers a choice of chargrilled rib eye steak with grilled tomato, green beans, Lyonnaise and french fries, brandy and green peppercorn sauce or Mediterranean vegetable gratin and a cajun spied cod fillet followed by a ‘Devilishly Decadent chocolate cube with hazelnut cream, passion fruit, orange and pineapple compote.
The romantic meal concludes with a freshly brewed tea or coffee and Belgian chocolates.
The La Bonne Auberge and Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland Valentine offer is available from 13th till 15th February (from 7.30pm only on Saturday 14th February). To make a booking call 0141 352 8310.
