I have begun to think about the best way to go about losing between ten and twenty pounds. Of course the higher number is what I really need to lose in an ideal world, but I figure that I can far more easily start out with half of that. At any rate the thing I am looking at is how to diet in the most effective manner. So I have been looking at finding real nutrisystem reviews of the food that they sell. I am thinking that the best use for these meals would be to take them to work with me and eat them there instead of going to one of the fast food places. It should be relatively easy to replace the meals that I have at home with healthier versions of real food. That is the plan at least, but the basic fact is that you need to be able to use the meals in the way that they are intended to be used. If you can not stand the taste of the food, then it is not of any real value to you.… Read More

Celebrated chef, Massimo Bottura has taken the bold decision to open a community kitchen in Kensington. The Refettorio Felix community kitchen is a spacious and stylish Ilse Crawford designed work, nestled inside St. Cuthbert’s Community Centre. The majority of visitors to the restaurant will be homeless or vulnerable people, however paying guests and visitors can also sit down to eat. The keyword in the kitchen is ‘community’ and this can be seen throughout the design.

Image Credit

Airy but intimate

St. Cuthbert’s is a renovated community space, which once functioned as a church and this can still be seen in the original aspects. The double height hall features long, leaded windows and a hanging dais rests at one end of the room while a raised stage occupies the other. However, Ilse Crawford, working with her studio, Studioilse, was intent on creating a complementary, but secular impression. She was keen to infuse the space with a sense of comfort and pleasure, which is so often missing from sterile, community and social projects.

In the green room

The entire room is bathed in duck egg green, including the walls, radiators, stage and tabletops. This makes for a very soothing environment, which is further developed with small, individual cactus and succulent plants scattered along the windowsills and tabletops. Large, paper lantern light shades hang low to create a safe and comforting space and rattan chair and sofas in muted greys and browns, give diners the overall feeling of visiting a home.

Image Credit

All within budget

The entire allowance for Refettorio Felix was just £37,500. For this, the designers had to budget for all kitchen equipment including, sinks, ovens and solid door refrigeration. The restaurant received charitable donations of equipment but if you are looking for refrigeration for your own project, consider a company such as https://www.fridgefreezerdirect.co.uk/solid-door-refrigeration.

Kensington welcomes Massimo Bottura

While not all of the visitors will be familiar with the name, Massimo Bottura, his reputation in the area is certainly increasing. Best known for being the head chef of Osteria Francescana, a three-star Michelin restaurant in Modena, Bottura is also a published author. His book ‘Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef’ was a huge bestseller. However, these days, in Kensington at least, he is best known for his tasty and nutritious meals produced from donated food.… Read More

It’s summer and festival season is firmly upon us. But if you’re more into mealtimes than music, perhaps a food festival could be just the ticket for you? Combining wonderful produce with cooking tips and a fun day out for all of the family, going to a food festival can fill you with inspiration. But what can you expect from a day at a food festival and which are the best ones to attend in the UK this year?

Image Credit

Vegfest – Bristol

Vegfest is the latest in a long line of vegan food festivals focusing solely on pleasing those who choose a greener diet. For existing vegans it’s a great opportunity to peruse the stalls and watch live cookery demos throughout the day. For people considering a vegan lifestyle – which the Vegan Society claims to be a healthy and environmentally friendly choice – it’s a good chance to learn about the diet.

Wilderness – Oxfordshire

Wildness festival is a three day event that combines cooking with a whole host of other inspiring and enjoyable activities. Expect to rub shoulders with top notch chefs such as Raymond Blanc and Deliciously Ella, and by booking ahead you can even secure a seat at a long table banquet event. Wild swimming, boating and live music are all also staple requirements at this exclusive food fest.

Aldeburgh – Suffolk

Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival might be a more tranquil affair from it’s location on the banks of the river Alde, but it is a popular annual festival that promises a wealth of knowledge for would-be cooks. Booming music, A-list chefs and commercial warewashers (https://www.247cateringsupplies.co.uk/bar-supplies/commercial-warewashers) may be sparse, but Aldeburgh is a peaceful and thoughtful place in which to learn about food.

Image Credit

The Big Festival – Oxfordshire

If you want to mix food inspiration with celebrity spotting then The Big Festival could be for you. Organised by Jamie Oliver and Alex James, the festival features top chefs and famous kids’ TV presenters, alongside chart topping musicians. Families will love this festival thanks to the educational demo kitchens and entertainment on offer.

Meatopia – East London

Perhaps one for the vegetarians to avoid, Meatopia celebrates all things carnivorous. Butchery demos, real ale and street music are a few of the things you can expect to find at this meat lover’s paradise.… Read More