Is the best word I can use to describe how wonderful our evening was on Friday at The Alverton Hotel. Executive Chef Nick Hodges and Head Chef Erkki Mikk highlighted the very best from soil, land and sea. The seafood was from St Ives, Beef from Truro, Apples from a local orchard, end of season Blackberries and Sea buckthorn foraged from hedgerows and Cheese from the Helford, Looe and Bude.
This was the first time I've eaten out but sat indoors in over a year and my second evening out out since I've had my not so little bubs. I felt very anxious but was put at ease when we entered the dining room. The high ceilings, opened windows and evenly spaced tables made me feel very comfortable, diners sat in their bubbles and staff wore face masks.
The tables were beautifully set with autumnal squashes uniquely shaped and colourful autumn leaves.
We enjoyed a staggered five course tasting menu paired to a matching wine flight. I loved the name of the first one - 'Whispering Angel'. Great isn't it?
It had a fresh aroma and notes of citrus and pink grapefruit that paired very well with the well cooked scallops and air dried ham for the Entré.
The evening was a lot like one of my 'Chat and Eat' nights, they had Annie Sibert from My Fish Kitchen demonstrating how to fillet the perfect lemon sole using Victorinox kitchen knives before tucking into course number one with a delicate herby broth (nage), poached lemon sole, native mussels and oysters
Each course made us excited. My Father was very impressed with the quality of food, the tentative staff and service and of course the wine flight.
The most memorable for the both of us though was the third course, medium-rare Nanteague Farm beef fillet topped with a perfect runny St Ewe Free Range Eggs and Cornish Gouda crisp and underneath tartare pickles, with a bowl of baby potatoes including some purpley coloured ones that were buttery in flavour and so soft they literally melted in the mouth. The fillet was cooked to perfection.
It is no wonder this hotel has been awarded two AA rosettes for its restaurant. It is the perfect setting for a date night with the option to stay the night too with reasonably priced rooms.
To end the evening guest speaker James Greet of The Greet Cheese Delivery Company talked us through the final course and about the 3 cheeses - Treveador Farm Dairy Whalesborough Cheese and Cornish Gouda Co we were about to eat.
We thoroughly enjoyed the 'Taste of Truro' experience and keeping an eye out for what is next at The Alverton Hotel.

​Today I picked up an Italian deli picnic box from the lovely Valentina Langley of La Pineta Italian Deli in Truro.
With my husband and baby in tow we ventured to the beautiful village of Devoran and sat by the waters edge and opened our picnic box and just cooed over all the goodies inside. Our eyes just got bigger and bigger as we saw the generous portions of lasagna and cocoa topped tiramisu.

The contents of this box included:

ANTIPASTIFine charcuterie of San Daniele (18 month Capocollo Toscano , Speck del Trentinos ) prosciutto, Coppa Di Parma, and Salame from Campania.

A selection of Cheese from the Campania region of Burrata, Provola and Scamorza affumicata.

All served with La Pineta’s homemade preserved mushrooms, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, homemade Olive and Sun-dried tomato Bread.

MAIN
Lasagna da Cellole

DESSERT
Tiramisu dalla Mamma.

We started with the lasagna. It was layer upon layer of surprises with egg, meatballs to fennel and chorizo. I've never eaten a lasagna quite like this.

The Burrata soft and oozy which complimented the basil and antipasti produce. This was my first time trying this cheese and I'd happily eat again.

My personal favourites were the preserved peppers, mushrooms and spicy roasted broccoli with a divine infused oil that I couldn't stop soaking up the sun-dried tomato bread in.
Everything was moorish. The quality of the Campanian cured meats were great especially the fennel salame, so thick and juicy.

But boy was that tiramisu out of this world. Velvety smooth with a cocoa topping, Italian Mascarpone with layers of ladyfingers and surprising chunks of chocolate and nuts.

These picnic boxes are perfect for date days and nights and family get togethers. Highly recommend. We had such a wonderful brunch, bubba even enjoyed nibbling on a few bits.

Looking forward to collaborating with Valentina when things have calmed down and we can all dine together again.

Order your Picnic Box with La Pineta Italian Deli, here - www.facebook.com/LaPinetaItalianDeli

After hearing such good things I finally got to tick the Twisted Currant off my to-eat list today with my Mother-in-law, Sister-in-law and my bubba. It was certainly worth the wait. We relaxed and enjoyed our afternoon teas in the bay window with the 2 dogs. When we booked the lady on the phone had such a welcoming gentle voice. They cater for all dietary requirements there.
When we arrived we sat down and enjoyed good quality Tregothnan tea. It's always nice to enjoy a good decent cuppa, followed by 2 tiers of homemade decent sized sandwiches with a good choice of fillings - egg mayonnaise, cheese, gammon & pickle and brie and cranberry. There was also a plate of cakes, pistachio sponge with rosewater icing, chocolate and orange cake and chocolate brownies. Then followed a warm currant scone with jam and clotted cream. Not only is it dog friendly but it is also breastfeeding friendly and has proper changing facilities that isn't back breaking. Highly recommend this lovely cafe.

It was my nephew's Christmas Eve last night with my Sister as it's his father's year to have him for Christmas, so yesterday they delivered the box of goodies to the Food Bank. ​ 
Good Job Moomin x

I am very excited to have Seni Glaister and Jon Stefani, co-founders of WeFiFo joining us at our next Chat and Eat night. WeFiFo is an online platform enabling those who love cooking to share their food with a wider audience and ensuring those who love to eat to have more choice than ever before.

Working with enthusiastic home cooks, supper clubs and professional chefs WeFiFo offer hosts a safe way to earn a flexible income, meet new people, reduce their food waste and improve their skills. WeFiFo are working with people all around the country from Master Chef winners to River Cottage foragers and partnering with people and businesses as diverse as Waitrose, cocktail mixologists and artisan cheese makers. 

They are here to tell you more about what they do, so please do come along, they'd love to meet you, because at the end of the day food tastes better together.

The ticket link will go live next week.
​

A couple of people that I have met at business networking events recently, always ask WHY?
WHY do you do these events? WHY??

I will tell you WHY, shall I?

I know what it feels like to be bullied, isolated from peers and to feel lonely. I hate the thought that people go through this every single day, and if I can somehow make a little difference to someones day, month or year then I shall pursue with what I love doing and that is bringing people together.
It is simple to me, I love meeting new people of all ages, all backgrounds, I love making new friends and I love food. I get a real buzz hosting my foodie events and hearing loud chatter and laughter, I know I am doing something right. 
Food brings people together, great and controversial conversations are always had over food and drink.

Rose in Vale Country House Hotel is nestled in an idyllic village in Mithian, Cornwall near to
St Agnes. It was a former tin mining Captains residence and is over 450 years old. 
The ownership of the hotel has recently been taken over, 3 years ago by Paul & Claire Hodson who are trying to make it a more community friendly country house hotel and they are very open for collaborations too. To read more about the history click here.

The kitchen is run by head chef Tom Bennetts,  who has been awarded 2AA Rosette Awards.
Tom offers fine dining in the evening, focusing on a classic and refined British cuisine. Using the best local ingredients, seasonal menus feature fresh fish sourced directly from Cornwall’s fisheries, and game from nearby woodlands. Some of the ingredients used are foraged on the hotel’s 10 acreage and the surrounding countryside.
Tom can cater for all dietary requirements and encourages the challenge, so if you are vegetarian, vegan, diary free or gluten-free just let the team know your requirements, whatever you choose, you’re sure to find the perfect beverage to accompany your dish and with over hundred cocktails and an extensive wine list to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice.  The popping strawberries and cream cocktail took my fancy but it was too early in the morning to start drinking ;) 

Other foodie offers are: Afternoon Tea and Cream Teas, Seasonal A la Carte, Classics, Private Dining for up to a party of 12 and their very special 'The Chef's Table' for up to 4 people where you can dine inside the actual kitchen with the chefs preparing and creating your food right in front of your eyes.
They are open 7 days a week almost all year.

Please put Rose in Vale on your TO-EAT list. If the desserts are this incredible, I can't wait to try a starter or main.  www.roseinvalehotel.co.uk

I was kindly invited to Hooked on the Rocks tonight for their venue relaunch.
I am in love with the new modern decor. There are no more nets or seashore decorations. It has dimmed lighting but not so dimmed that you feel tired. It has been painted a beautiful blue colour on the wooden walls and there are booths so you can have a romantic dinner for 2 or with a small group of friends without seeing lots of other diners. There is also a lobster tank.
The nibbles werent nibbles they were wholesome in size. I ate the most juiciest, crispy chorizo. My first time trying Mackerel Tartar which was light subtle but packed with flavour, I was a bit dubious when reaching for it but it was heaven so I ate 2 of them with an edible flower garnished on top. There were also fishcake balls with tarta cream, a vegetable stack, ham hock canape and then for dessert homemade light and fluffy rhubarb and custard doughnuts and strawberry jam doughnuts and homemade lightly dusted truffles that were sensational.
I can't believe it was 3 years ago that we held a Chat and Eat night at their sister restaurant Hooked Restaurant & Bar in Truro with Robert Duncan. Time to tick Swanpool off our foodie list I think. Thanks again Emma for the invitation.