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Time Out
6 days ago
- Health
- Time Out
Town isn't about the chaos of the city, but super seasonality, regenerative farming, and letting the produce speak for itself
It's wild that nobody before has ever thought to name a restaurant 'Town'. Think of the endless possibilities of 'Town'! It's the place everybody wants to go; the place where so many thrilling things happen; the place where, if you can make it there, you are highly likely to make it anywhere. This new, shimmering incarnation of 'Town' can be found on the fringes of Covent Garden, far enough away from the frantic piazza so as not to be heaving with tourists and/or street performers. It's a truly grand room, a Ballardian boudoir in shiny, wipe-clean burgundy, with an open kitchen framed by a massive, oval-shaped and lime green opening. The retro-futurism thing is further dished up via the soundtrack; Dorothy Ashby's 'Afro-Harping' slinks groovily in the background, and there're a vinyl copy of Lou Donaldson's 1968 sax odyssey 'Alligator Boogaloo' perched on a record player (which nevertheless remains switched off for the duration of our visit). Such a space-age aesthetic is perhaps at odds with Town's menu, which has more in common with the rustic likes of surrealist late-1990s cookery show River Cottage than it does Barbarella. You see, Town isn't about the chaos of the city, but super seasonality, regenerative farming, and letting the produce speak for itself. It is, essentially, a plotline from The Archers. In practice, this means that the food is deeply considered, but pretty low intervention - it's less about cooking, and more about arranging lovely things on a plate. That's not to say Town avoids all contemporary trends. The snack of 2025, the gilda, comes with a nubbin of soused mackerel and a folded shiso leaf, while the snack of 2024, fried sage leaves, comes heavy on the batter and drizzled in honey. The snack of 2023 - a pastel-shaded pickle plate - is accessorised with a simple dollop of salted yogurt. My starter of wine-cured beef is just as fuss-free, with a scattering of candied walnuts and a few dots of creamy cheese, while Welsh lobster is no doubt cooked incredibly, but is relatively pared-back when it comes to presentation, layered with creamy sheets of lardo and dolloped with a XO sauce so brawny that it practically throbs. A side salad of tomato, nespoles (a kind of a fancy apricot) and elderflower is perhaps where Town's vision is clearest - a carnival of colour, furiously fresh flavour and powerful sense of pride at nature's perfect bounty. The vibe Brutalism, but make it glam - a swanky space with pricey dishes. The food Ingredient-led fare with a focus on British-grown produce and sustainability practices. The drink Lots of wine and a deft cocktail menu as devised by award-winning bar Satan's Whiskers. Our 'Dill Boy' martini was small but strong and handsome aka the Tom Hardy of drinks.
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tranquil corner of the UK that's the perfect place to escape to for the weekend
East Devon has all the ingredients for a wonderful weekend away - yet it remains a hidden gem. Here's how you can spend 48 hours exploring the tranquil region East Devon may not be the first name that springs to mind when considering a trip to the South West, but that's exactly why it deserves your consideration. Tucked between the Dorset border and the outskirts of Exeter, this slice of countryside and coastline offers something increasingly elusive: peace without boredom, charm without the crowds. If you're seeking a short break that delivers beaches, culture, hearty cuisine and a sense of adventure, East Devon could be your best-kept secret - at least for now. Whether you're an inquisitive explorer, a history buff, or a relaxed food lover, the area's blend of historic towns, natural splendour, and leisurely delights has something to relish. This meticulously planned 48-hour itinerary will guide you through the highlights of East Devon in a weekend - and might leave you questioning why you didn't visit sooner, as reported by Devon Live. Day one in East Devon Kick off your East Devon getaway on the fringes of Honiton at Heron Farm - a serene 17-acre sanctuary complete with an award-winning café, vineyard, and walled garden. It's the perfect backdrop to ease into the weekend Post-breakfast, take the brief journey into Honiton itself, a market town that strikes the perfect balance between hustle and old-world allure. Honiton takes great pride in its history, especially its lace-making heritage. This is carefully preserved in Allhallows Museum, a small yet richly detailed collection that traces the town's creative journey from the 16th century onwards. It's a stop that subtly rewards the curious, blending tactile heritage with archaeological intrigue. From Honiton, travel east to Axminster. This town beautifully embraces its rural surroundings, and just beyond its centre lies River Cottage, the culinary haven established by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. If you fancy a guided stroll through the kitchen gardens, a rustic meal, or even a hands-on cookery course, it's essential to book ahead. It's more than just a restaurant - it's a philosophy rooted in the soil. Axminster also holds its own when it comes to local history. The Axminster Heritage Centre provides a sweeping view of the town's past, from Stone Age origins and Roman connections to its prominence in the carpet trade. It's compact, informative, and impressively curated. As the afternoon fades and your sweet tooth calls, head straight for The Community Waffle House. There's a homely warmth to this place - the waffles are made from a family recipe passed down through generations, and the atmosphere is as inviting as the plates are indulgent. As the evening draws in, take a look at what's on at Axminster Guildhall. This humble venue certainly punches above its weight, hosting a variety of events from tribute bands to film nights and comedy shows. It's a relaxed yet vibrant way to round off the day. Day two in East Devon Sidmouth is your destination for day two, offering coastal charm and a cultural experience to match. Start your day with breakfast at The Kitchen, part of The Donkey Sanctuary. It's not just about the hearty and satisfying food - it's also an opportunity to stretch your legs and meet some of the sanctuary's long-eared inhabitants. There's a tranquil atmosphere here that sets the mood for the day. Just a short drive away you'll find Kennaway House, an attractive regency mansion that regularly hosts exhibitions and craft fairs. Be sure to check their schedule before you visit as they occasionally close for private functions. If open, it's a delightful place to wander through both contemporary and traditional art. For those keen to delve deeper into Sidmouth's history, the town's museum provides a glimpse into its rich past - and not just behind glass. They also offer guided walks during the warmer months. Whether you choose a historical town tour, a coastal geology stroll, or a shaded tree walk, each option starts and finishes at the museum and includes entry to the exhibits. It's a thoughtful, active way to explore Sidmouth's gentler side. Then it's off to Exmouth, where the South West Coast Path awaits. Fans of The Salt Path can follow in the footsteps of author Raynor Winn along this dramatic stretch of coastline. Even a half-day walk here feels like stepping into a beautifully written paragraph. Before you leave Exmouth, make sure to visit A La Ronde - an architectural curiosity built in 1796 by cousins Jane and Mary Parminter. Its 16-sided structure is fascinating in itself, but what really steals the show is the Shell Gallery: a room decorated with thousands of shells in dizzying detail. It's the kind of place that's hard to describe without photos. If your legs (and energy levels) are up for it, the Exmouth Pavilion rounds out the itinerary. From live music to theatre and comedy, it's a fitting place to end your 48 hours with a bit of entertainment and a sense of satisfaction. Best festivals on offer If your dates are flexible, consider timing your visit to coincide with one of East Devon's growing festivals. Sidmouth Sea Fest kicks things off on Saturday 17 May, celebrating the town's maritime spirit with free family fun, live music and local food. Just a week later, the Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival brings big names like Soul II Soul and Gabrielle to Blackmore Gardens (23–26 May). For a smaller town, Sidmouth boasts a remarkably vibrant cultural scene. Another standout event is the Budleigh Music Festival. This summer, it's set to host the London African Gospel Choir, Bath Philharmonia, and author Sir Michael Morpurgo, all performing in cosy venues dotted around Budleigh Salterton. If your idea of a celebration leans more towards a culinary feast, then the Eat Festivals (also known as Gate to Plate) are just the ticket. The Axminster edition is scheduled for Monday 26 May, promising to fill the streets with some of the finest food and drink that the West Country has to offer. Where to stay Whether you're a couple seeking coastal views or a family in search of some countryside tranquillity, East Devon's accommodation options cater to all tastes. In Sidmouth, the Kingswood and Devoran Hotel provides classic seafront comfort, complete with balconies overlooking the Jurassic Coast. For those who prefer a closer connection with nature, Cuckoo Down Farm offers glamping in safari lodges, complete with campfires and a charming rural setting. Higher Wiscombe, also near Sidmouth, caters to larger groups with its luxury self-catering cottages and an outdoor pool - ideal for special occasions. If you're after a cosier rural experience, Twistgates Farm Cottages near Honiton are tucked away within the rolling Blackdown Hills. For those with a passion for food, The Pig at Combe (Honiton) combines country house elegance with produce from its own kitchen gardens. Over in Axminster, Lower Keats Glamping adds a touch of rustic luxury, while Andrewshayes Holiday Park offers family-friendly facilities and sweeping views of the countryside. East Devon doesn't clamour for recognition - it garners it subtly. It's a region rich in layered histories, hidden allure, and generous landscapes. In merely 48 hours, you'll encounter more than a mere change of scenery; you'll experience a change in tempo, a reconnection with the local, and perhaps a rekindling of what makes travel truly significant. This isn't merely a weekend escape - it's a call to decelerate, observe more keenly, and become enamoured with a part of the country that is confidently authentic.
Sky News
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Chef reveals his pet hate from customers and cheaper olive oil substitute
Every Thursday we interview chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks and more. Today we chat to chef Alex Navarro from Maray in Liverpool. My chef hero is... not a famous chef but my own dad, who is a very good cook, and also my father-in-law, who is Sicilian and also very good. From a young age I've always been around good food and kitchens full of fun and family. One restaurant that's worth blowing out for is... Fallow in London - what they're doing is top tier. My pet hate in restaurants is... people who can't hold a knife and fork properly! I can't look! My one piece of advice for an aspiring chef is... just keep on wanting it, if you truly want it you'll also enjoy it. Keep learning, keep on asking questions and trying new things. The biggest mistake I see in kitchens is... people who've maybe climbed the ladder a bit too quickly and get a senior position when they're not ready. It's not just about cooking, a kitchen needs leadership and this can take a long time to learn to do in a kind and fair way. A tip that non-chefs might not know to make them a better cook is... keep on cooking, reading and talking to people involved in food. Also, there's loads of good content on social media now. My favourite cookbook is... I go through stages. I got the original River Cottage book for my 21st - it touched on foraging and nose to tail cooking, which I was really into when I was younger. More recently, Ottolenghi & Tamimi - I really love both of their books. One thing I wish more people realised about restaurants is... in my experience it's always been very flexible with my life. I think people think it's all late nights and long days but I've found it to be a really flexible and a lovely way to live. I've given free meals... to my wife and children. The worst type of customer is... a rude one. The most overrated single food item is... salt and pepper chicken. My secret ingredient I love and use all the time is... wonton soup seasoning - it gives everything a little lift. My tip for preventing waste is... write your menu at home. Try and plan some of your week this way and you won't buy too much food in your shopping, because you know you're getting a couple of takeaways in the week as well! Also frozen veg is very good and having a couple of different bags in your freezer is handy. I always have soy beans, peas, spinach and green beans in my freezer. My favourite cheap substitute is... virgin rapeseed oil. My go-to cheap eat at home is... very quick spaghetti pomodoro. Ingredients Two litres of good passata One tin of tomatoes Bulb of garlic finely sliced Big bunch of basil - torn up Salt - 1/2 tsp Sugar - good pinch 50g good tomato puree Extra virgin olive oil or rapeseed oil Spaghetti - cooked with a bit of water in reserve This hasn't even got onion in the sauce - just tomato, garlic and basil! Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until just cooked and strain. Reserve some water (about 200ml) and leave to cool. Spread out the spaghetti on a tray and dress in a bit of olive oil so it doesn't stick together (don't run it under cold water to cool down - this isn't needed and it washes the flavour away and makes the pasta wet and soggy). Heat up the remaining olive oil in a sauce pan on a medium heat and slowly caramelise the garlic until golden. Now add the pasta and half the basil. Mix the pasta water with the tomato puree and add this to the pan. Add the salt and sugar and gently cook out until it's started to thicken. When it's finished, add the remaining basil and check seasoning.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall backs Idris Elba call for action on kitchen knives
Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has backed a call by actor Idris Elba to take action on kitchen knives. Luther star Elba, 52, has called for a ban on kitchen knives with a pointed end, in a bid to tackle knife crime. Fearnley-Whittingstall told ITV's Good Morning Britain that Elba has made a 'very interesting point' and he will 'support some progress in this'. The 60-year-old said: 'It's certainly true that, in the kitchen, most of the time, chefs are using the blade of the knife and not the point. 'Sometimes the point is handy to, I don't know, take out a little eye of a potato or something like that, but it's a very small percentage of the time that we use the tip or point of the knife. 'I think, culturally, it would take some adjusting to. I think, it's a very, very long tradition of the way knives are made and shaped. But I'd be all in favour. And this is clearly an incredibly serious issue across the country. 'And if it saves just one life or one grievous injury, then it seems like an absolutely worthwhile development.' Elba has long been campaigning on the issue of youth violence, starting the initiative Don't Stop Your Future (DSYF), which works with community grassroots organisations in a bid to put an end to knife crime. Last year, he called for an immediate ban on machetes and so-called zombie knives, and in September met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to launch a new anti-knife crime coalition. He also spoke to Sir Keir and the King during the BBC documentary Idris Elba: Our Knife Crime Crisis. The hour-long programme saw him meet young offenders, bereaved families, youth workers and the police, to understand why there has been an upward trend in knife crime. A ban on zombie-style knives has been in effect since September. Data, published by the Office for National Statistics, found around eight in 10 (83%) teenage homicides in England and Wales involve a knife or sharp instrument – a far higher proportion than across the population as a whole. Of the 262 homicides by a sharp instrument in 2023/24, 109 (42%) involved a kitchen knife, 18 (7%) a machete and 13 (5%) a combat, rambo or military-style knife, while 45 (17%) involved a sharp instrument where the type was not known or never recovered. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told The Times that a ban on kitchen knives with pointed ends is being considered. Fearnley-Whittingstall, known for Channel 4 food programme series River Cottage, has lent his name to various environmental campaigns including action on protecting the UK's waterways, and rewilding land. He has also presented the BBC documentaries War On Plastic, with Anita Rani, and Hugh's War On Waste.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall backs Idris Elba call for action on kitchen knives
Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has backed a call by actor Idris Elba to take action on kitchen knives. Luther star Elba, 52, has called for a ban on kitchen knives with a pointed end, in a bid to tackle knife crime. Fearnley-Whittingstall told ITV's Good Morning Britain that Elba has made a 'very interesting point' and he will 'support some progress in this'. The 60-year-old said: 'It's certainly true that, in the kitchen, most of the time, chefs are using the blade of the knife and not the point. 'Sometimes the point is handy to, I don't know, take out a little eye of a potato or something like that, but it's a very small percentage of the time that we use the tip or point of the knife. 'I think, culturally, it would take some adjusting to. I think, it's a very, very long tradition of the way knives are made and shaped. But I'd be all in favour. And this is clearly an incredibly serious issue across the country. 'And if it saves just one life or one grievous injury, then it seems like an absolutely worthwhile development.' Elba has long been campaigning on the issue of youth violence, starting the initiative Don't Stop Your Future (DSYF), which works with community grassroots organisations in a bid to put an end to knife crime. Last year, he called for an immediate ban on machetes and so-called zombie knives, and in September met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to launch a new anti-knife crime coalition. He also spoke to Sir Keir and the King during the BBC documentary Idris Elba: Our Knife Crime Crisis. The hour-long programme saw him meet young offenders, bereaved families, youth workers and the police, to understand why there has been an upward trend in knife crime. A ban on zombie-style knives has been in effect since September. Data, published by the Office for National Statistics, found around eight in 10 (83%) teenage homicides in England and Wales involve a knife or sharp instrument – a far higher proportion than across the population as a whole. Of the 262 homicides by a sharp instrument in 2023/24, 109 (42%) involved a kitchen knife, 18 (7%) a machete and 13 (5%) a combat, rambo or military-style knife, while 45 (17%) involved a sharp instrument where the type was not known or never recovered. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told The Times that a ban on kitchen knives with pointed ends is being considered. Fearnley-Whittingstall, known for Channel 4 food programme series River Cottage, has lent his name to various environmental campaigns including action on protecting the UK's waterways, and rewilding land. He has also presented the BBC documentaries War On Plastic, with Anita Rani, and Hugh's War On Waste.
