DELICIOUS FOODIE INSPIRATION AND AN EVENING WITH GOOD FRIENDS...

TV CHEF ROSEMARY SHRAGER WITH ONE OF HER TEAM

For the perfect Saturday night dinner recipe, mix a handful of great friends, some delicious fresh ingredients, some great wines, and your very own chef to prepare a fabulous five course tasting menu, and you have the makings of a great evening!

 

The Rosemary Shrager Cookery School is where we found ourselves on Saturday night, to celebrate a good friend's birthday....and what a treat it was!

Set up by TV chef and renowned cookery teacher and writer Rosemary Shrager in the beautiful historic Georgian setting of The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, the state of the art school runs a variety of exciting and innovative cookery classes for both novice and budding chefs alike.   On Friday and Saturday evenings, head chef Iain More hosts the fabulous 'Chef's Table', preparing an exclusive and delicious five course tasting menu for parties up to 10 people.

Sitting around the home style kitchen area, one delicious course after the other was prepared before our eyes, with a chance to chat to Iain about the wonderful dishes and ingredients whilst socialising and having fun with friends.  

Sadly I didn't photograph every course, as you guessed it, too busy eating!  Above is the delicious Smoked Duck dish to start, and a glance at the menu below, showcases the innovative and successful flavour combinations used.  I had never had 'smoked mashed potato' before, and can now say that normal mash just won't be good enough from now on....

  As for the 'Dark Chocolate Delice'? 

Well, say no more!

With day time courses covering an exciting array of culinary skills....mediterranean, asian, indian, game and canapés and many more, I am very tempted to book myself in for some new inspiration this year!

Wishing you all a happy Tuesday....


Sophia xx

For more information, click on this link to the Rosemary Shrager Cookery School

A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL PRESENT…

My husband received several very thoughtful, personal and special presents for his BIG birthday back in August, but there was one in particular that touched his heart….

My mother knows how much he adores his beloved Labrador 'Rocco', and so she commissioned very talented artist Christine Jenkinson to paint a special portrait of the great man himself!  

Christine lives near to us in the neighbouring county of East Sussex, and is renowned for dog and animal portraits that capture the unique character of the subject, and also for atmospheric and highly detailed landscapes and rural scenes.  She visited our home in secret when my husband wasn't here, earlier on in the summer, and I was so impressed by the amount of time she spent with Rocco that afternoon to truly get to know his personality.  Anyone who knows this gorgeous gentle giant agrees, that she has truly captured his kind and loving nature….

At twelve years old, Rocco isn't getting any younger….so you can imagine that to capture his beautiful face in oils is a very special thing indeed.

His portrait now takes pride of place on the wall in our entrance hall for all to enjoy.

Have you ever had your pet's portrait painted?  If not and you are interested in doing so, I urge you to visit Christine Jenkinson's website by clicking the link here and viewing her outstanding 

portfolio of work….a true talent!

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Wishing you all a very happy week!

Sophia xx