SHE LOVES

This is basically a massive hug for all of the producers I love to support, holidays I love to take and website and blogs I love to read. Check them out and share the love!

Producers

Spice Drops: great way to use spice – no faff and helping out women in Kerala to boot.
More? The Artisan Bakery: if I lived nearer I would consume nothing but bread.
Mr Vikkis: best chilli jam ever. Spice lovers should check out all of his sauces.
Spice Kitchen: fuelling my za’atar obsession since 2016! Great range of spices from a mother / son team.
Dewlay cheese: head to their Lancashire creamery and see it being made.
Mrs Kirkhams cheese: the tasty Lancashire is a thing of beauty.
Dziugas cheese: from Lithuania (no really) this is like parmesan’s bigger, more rugged cousin. Well worth searching for!
Fat Jax: Lancashire made chutney, for flavours which are a bit different.
Gribbin and Bear: my dear friend Barbara has this thriving business making preserves, chutneys and flavoured gins. They are wonderful. Look for them at markets and events across the North West.
Luisco Chocolate: based in Wigan at Haigh Woodland Park, Colette is making a name for herself with her delicious chocs.
Cook and Foragers: also at Haigh Woodland Park, C&F graze rare breed pigs in the park. Also great for locally sourced beef, chickens and will help with any random requests if they can.
Halen Mon: Anglesey sea salt is, in my option, the best in the world. The big fat flakes are great for everyday use, and the smoked salt is also a staple in our kitchen.
Red Bank Farm: our local farm shop rear most of their own meats – and hang their beef to make it extra special. There is also a little café there now too so you can linger a little longer.
Ginger’s Comfort Emporium: Manchester’s top ice cream makershe loves

Kitchen essentials

Global kitchen knives: have one, saving for more. The best knife I have ever had.
Wooden spoons – have loads! Replace when cracked, but useful for everything.
Kitchen Aid: my stand mixer has pride of place on the worktop.
Nordic Ware: I am somewhat late to the Bundt party, but these great quality tins are ideal for the unartistic baker such as me. And when you find them at £11 in TK Maxx even better!she loves

Travel

Khem Villas: maybe the most wonderful place I have ever stayed. Tiger spotting and delicious vegetarian food in India’s Ranthambore National Park. Planning a return visit soon.
Shashi Cookery School: If you are in Udaipur, find Shashi and enjoy an amazing cookery lesson with this inspiring woman.
Marni Village: Crete is something of a second home for me. I can not get enough of the wood fired meat over there (and the cute stray cats!).
Rayavadee: pure luxury on one of the world’s best beaches in Krabi, Thailand
Rangali Island Resort: dine underwater in the Maldives and enjoy spa treatments in your own private treatment room.

SHE LOVES

Cooking in Udaipur with Shashi

Blogs and websites

Not all foodie, but all worth a visit.

Dolly Bakes: bundt queen, lovely lady
Bacon on the Beech: one of the best food photographers around
Lavender and Lovage
Fab Food 4 All
The Baking Explorer
Vintage Folly
Hodge Podge Days
A Mummy Too (don’t be fooled by the name, full of wonderful food)  
Casa Costello
BBC Good Food – great online recipe resource
Charlottes Lively Kitchen – sign up to her You Tube
The Beach Hut Cook
Foodie Quine
Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Tin and Thyme
Kavey Eats
Baking Queen 74
Red Rose Mummy
The Brick Castle
Gin Fuelled Blue Stocking
Phat Cupcake
Every Nook and Cranny
Super Golden Bakes
Things to do in Manchester  

I am also part of the Foodies 100 network which is brilliant for people who like to read food blogs. I can’t list all of the participants but the link here is an every changing selection.