The Global Larder

Sometimes the pinxtos bars can be overwhelming and the queues can be ridiculous. If you go to San Sebastián, I definitely recommend escaping the old town for a leisurely lunch at Itzuli - it's probably the best option for a reasonably priced Michelin starred restaurant in the area as some of the others are mega pricey!

Julen and the front of house team are so friendly and if you're lucky Chef Iñigo might invite you into the kitchen.

Great to be back in the kitchen yesterday for a sold out Caribbean class. A lovely group to cook with and some truly delicious fiery food! BBQ season is here and proper Jerk Chicken will be this summer's signature dish...

If you fancy joining us for the next one, we have another Caribbean Larder class coming up on 9th August.

Is there anything better on a sunny day than a walk in the countryside and a great pub lunch?

Not far from Abergavenny, the Clytha/Bettws Newydd circular walk is a 6 mile route which starts along the Usk River, then on to the village of Bettws Newydd and back round to the start point via the Coed Y Bwnydd Iron Age Hill Fort.

Stop for lunch halfway , a fantastic pub with high-end cooking and friendly service.

Make sure you download the Merlin app - the number of birds you will hear on the walk is incredible, including buzzards, wrens, garden warblers, chiff chaffs and spotted flycatchers.

The views over the rolling hills to the Sugarloaf, Abergavenny and Brecon are stunning.

You can download a map of the walk from the Visit Monmouthshire website.

When I started my cookery school, one of my first aims was to get 100 5* reviews. A few months ago I was so happy to reach that target that I decided to mark the occasion with a 1* Michelin meal at , Tom Shepherd's place in Lichfield, not far from where I grew up in Sutton Coldfield.

Tom is well known for his appearances on Great British Menu but what I didn't know is that we both started our hospitality careers as 18 year olds at the same hotel, New Hall, albeit I was 15 years before him!

Unfortunately Tom was on a shoot the day we went but we had the most fantastic lunch and were well looked after by Michael in the kitchen and and the FOH team. It was great to see a restaurant full for a weekday lunch service perhaps not surprising with cooking that is definitely pushing for 2*.

The work doesn't end when the classes are over. There is a huge clean down and packing up job to do, and on Monday mornings I take on my role as Executive VP of Laundry (EMEA). That's the beauty of being a one man operation - I get to invent silly job titles, promote myself whenever I feel like it, and give myself the best annual performance reviews. Last week I made myself redundant from the role of President of Oven Cleaning Operations because times are hard and I had to let myself go. I wasn't too upset.

If you are looking for places to buy Asian ingredients in Bristol, you don't have to go all the way to Wai Yee Hong in Eastville. There are loads of options in central Bristol so check out this great selection

168 Oriental, Nelson St
Ding Sing, Fairfax St
Wai Yee Hong, Denmark St
Nihow, Baldwin St
Langyu, Baldwin St
168 Oriental, Park St
168 Mart, Queens Rd
Langyu, Queens Rd
Pan Asia Goodies, Clifton Down

There are more of course, particularly on Gloucester Rd near the Arches, but if you have a favourite, let me know!

It got pretty steamy in the kitchen yesterday as another full bao class was in full flow. Props to Sam for beating the record for the number of Bao eaten in one session.

The next bao class is on 19th April and is one of the only classes over the next 3 months that has spaces available. If you are thinking of trying a Global Larder class then this one always gets great reviews. Don't delay as the places fill quickly.

恭喜發財 / Happy New Year for 2026, Year of The Horse.

Loved the vibes in yesterday's Mexican classes - two lovely groups who got hands on with their tortilla presses and made some homemade blue and white corn tortillas to go with their tinga tacos.

It definitely takes a bit of practice but a fresh corn tortilla beats a shop-bought wheat one any day.