EAT, DRINK,
SHOP & STAY
Eat, Drink, Shop & Stay
MENU
C
hristmas is coming. Be prepared. That’s the
only way to make it through this festive season
of food relatively intact, according to the chefs
we spoke to (p.39). Now, as much as we love
Christmas – it has pigs in blankets for a start – if you’re
the designated cook in your house, what should be
a sugar-dusted dream of a holiday can quickly turn
stressful enough to disintegrate your paper crown with
fearful perspiration. There’s lots to think about. From
what to serve on the big day (turkey? goose? beef?) to
which potentially torturous method you’re using to cook
it, the decisions come as thick and fast as the crowds of
people you need to feed.
So this issue of Menu is here, like an enthusiastic
sous chef, to help with your prep. We have turkey
cooking tips (p.8, p.32, p.39), and recipes for an entire,
lovely Christmas meal – Starter, Main and Dessert in
The Cook Book (p.29). Don’t slog around the shops,
Christmas shopping. We have present ideas for food
lovers (p.20), dates for Dorset’s thriving local producer
markets (p18) and some Michelin-starred chutney for a
hand-made gift (p.36). If all gets too much, close your
kitchen and eat out. There are recommendations for
where to go for Christmas dinner (p.39) and any special
HO HO HO!
occasion (p.53). So treat yourself
Robin Alway
– you deserve it – and have
Group Editor
a great Christmas!
Contributor Elves
Russell Brown
is our regular
Michelinstarred chef
who now runs
the Creative
About Cuisine
consultancy. He’s
just back from the “ fantastic” Eat
Jersey food festival, is working on
recipes for cavolo nero and
clementines (possibly not in the one
dish) and then heading to Padstow
for a guest chef dinner and a demo
at the Christmas festival. His
chutney on p.36 would be a great
present for any foodie friends.
Miriam Phillips'
media presence
now extends to
the airwaves
as she pops up
on BBC Radio
Solent’s
Breakfast in
Dorset show to chat about local
food. That’s when she’s not busy
finding country pubs now
Autumn is here. Bravely, given
the approaching festivities, she’s
also looking for healthy food and
great children’s menus for her
two toddlers. Do share any you’ve
found with us on Twitter.
Tom East
Sophie Atherton
has always been
is an acclaimed
a traditionalist
beer writer and
when it comes to
the first woman
Christmas. It’s
in the UK to be
turkey all the
accredited as a
way for him and
beer
he speaks fondly
sommelier. A
of birds from his home county of
group of people who know their
Norfolk. But as it’s Christmas
our Members of Parliament,
Pubs, restaurantsbeer,
and
cafes
we’re letting that pass.
made her their Beer Sommelier of
However,
after shops,
speaking to Aspecialist
the Year in shops
2013. However,
Farm
& she
delis
Taste of Game, he’s tempted to try has absolutely no time for novelty
Events, fairs and festivals
a Venison Wellington for the first Christmas ales. She instead
time.Online
Funny you should
mention
recommends some local brews that
or home
delivery
that, we have just such a recipe
taste much more of the season and
this Markets
issue on p.25.
make great gifts for beer fans.
Key to Icons
Where to find this food…
Vegetarian
www.menu-dorset.co.uk
51
is s ue fiv e
Here are the best places to enjoy Dorset food and
D opubs,
r srestaurants
et
drink – in great
and cafés.
Or from field-to-fork in a farm shop or deli…
3