Food News in August
Above: Susan Jane's food news
Revitalising Your Pantry and Palate; expert cooking tutorials
August 10 & 24
Ever fancied turbo-charging your liver, fuelling your cells, and rejuvenating your whole body so that you sparkle from head to toe? Sign up for a sensationally tasty & healthy cooking tutorial where your gastro guide Theresa will introduce you to the concept of live, unadulterated fresh food and recipes. You’ll learn how to prepare umpteen deliciously nutritious dishes to wow your friends and families, as well indulge in a three-course meal brimming with vitamins and minerals. An exquisite opportunity not to be missed. £35 per person. Email kitchenbuddy@hotmail.comin Abingdon to book your place.
Oxford University’s Botanical Garden Picnic
August 16 & 30; 1-4pm
An afternoon of planting, sowing, nibbling, exploring, cultivating, and reaping has been organized by Oxford University’s breath-taking Botanical Gardens on High Street. These popular afternoons are back in full swing this month, ideal for all those Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and River Cottage wannabes out there! Learn how to grow your own allotment goodies, and pick up top tips from passionate gardeners and green fingers alike. Don’t forget to pack a picnic! Adults £3, children free. Tel: 01865 286690
Fallowfield’s Farm Foodie Fete
August 25
Don’t miss the bank holiday foodie fete at Fallowfields Country House Hotel where the much talked about head chef Oli Richings will be spoiling us with a massive tasty hog roast from their very own farmyard. Central to the restaurant’s ethos is achieving self-sufficiency from their stunning acreage of vegetables and growing animal kingdom. Daily changing menus list ‘food miles’ and ‘food yards’ alongside each dish, a completely novel and informative concept. Stalls will consequently offer tastings and sampling sessions promoting seasonality, thus encouraging foodies to ‘follow’ their food’s journey from field to fork. A magnificently informative and fun day out. Tel: 01865 820416 for more information.
Jamie Oliver in Oxford
A palpable air of excitement and fizz ran along the length of George Street as every young gastro enthusiast joined the queue to take a sneak preview of Jamie Oliver’s restaurant opening here in Oxford. They were not disappointed. Jamie’s food gushes with rustic charm, passion, personality and reverence for traditional Italian recipes. A combination of impeccable service, simple tasty food, and a roaring ambiance makes for both the perfect dinner date, or grandiose family occasion. But don’t take my word for it. Go experience it for yourselves. Tel: 01865 83 8383.
Oxford Organic Burger Company, Cowley Road
August hails the long-awaited and much anticipated opening of its first organic burger bistro. A sister to the Grand Café on High Street, and the legendary Kazbar Moroccan tapas bar, expect top quality classically wholesome burgers adorned with seasonal ingredients within Oxfordshire’s hinterland. The bistro’s ethos lies within great tasting locally reared meat, while actively supporting our farmers and our palates. Their burger menu boasts a range of juicy combinations, all made fresh on site and available for home delivery. Never before have we been so excited about a burger!
Journey through a dozen vineyards
A deliciously decadent way to spend a lazy summer afternoon. Summertown Wine Café offers you the opportunity to explore a dozen wines in rotation every month for just £5, or free if you buy two or more bottles for home. Tasting allows you to explore different varieties, different styles and different regions without the hassle and expense of buying lots of wines you may not like. Need we look for another excuse?! Tel: 01865 558800
Al Fresco paradiso
Bring a little taste of Tuscany to our shire meadows this August if you didn’t manage that dream holiday to Italy this time round. Carluccio’s are offering us a slice of La Dolce Vita with their new picnic hamper range, complete with disposable cutlery, plates, cups and cooler bag. They are simply spilling with goodies such as chicken liver pâté, crispy ciabatta; chargrilled vegetables, biscotti from Piedmont, chili stuffed olives, juicy sun-blushed tomatoes, creamy artisan ricotta, Milanese cold meats and the all-essential Tuscan wine. Oh la la! Prices from £45 - £60. Tel: 020 7436 1111
Gee’s n’Jazz
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; 8pm
A stealthy local secret belonging to North Oxford, but not for long! Gee’s restaurant is a cousin to The Old Parsonage Hotel on The Banbury Road, and known for its outrageously tasty and mouth-watering menu among the local community. Nestled in a candle-lit glass conservatory, Gee’s offers toe-tapping live jazz every Sunday evening. Their ensembles range from sax and trumpet quartets to some of most highly respected US and European singers who regularly perform at Ronnie Scott’s club and other top national and international venues.