Author: Sarah Kemp

Rooster Booster Superfood Salad, Clockjack Oven

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January is the perfect month for dieting. Not that I do it, of course. But I know plenty of people that do. Despite not denying myself anything I want to eat, I have naturally felt like eating a bit healthier after the Christmas gorge. I was intrigued when I heard that Clockjack Oven in Soho has just released a Rooster Booster chicken superfood salad, specially designed by Alyn Williams. I visited Clockjack a few months ago and loved it, so I was excited to go back to try the salad and a couple of other dishes. The Rooster Booster contains a generous helping of the signature rotisserie roasted chicken, blanched broccoli, baby spinach and pumpkin seeds. It is dusted with paprika and served with a light yoghurt and mint dressing. We also enjoyed a chicken burger and the most delicious buttermilk-marinated fried chicken bites. The salad was not as seasoned as I would have liked but the best part was the succulent rotisserie chicken. My mouth waters now just thinking about it. Clockjack Oven14 Denman …

Bunnychow, Boxpark

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A few months ago, my South African friend Abi told me about an amazing food truck she had seen. The food truck in question was selling the food of her nation – bunny chow. So when I heard that Bunnychow was opening at Boxpark, I thought we should take a trip down one lunchtime to try it out. All I knew was that it was a stew in a hollowed out loaf of bread. What’s not to like, I thought. So we jumped on a Borris bike and cycled down to Boxpark. Abi couldn’t contain her excitement as we walked in and saw the menu, which consisted of three variations of ‘The Originals’ and two warm flats. I wanted to try both so we opted for the Monkey Gland Bunny (meatballs smothered in a South Afircan monkey gland sauce) and the Bobotie Burger (South African bobotie spiced burger with all the trimmings). We also tried one of the grab and go salads that were in the fridge – a delicious Asian style salad that complimented …

Peters & Co. Gin Palace at F Cooke, Broadway Market

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It has been five months since I moved to Hackney and I am finally feeling like I have settled in to the area. The last couple of weekends have been spent in the area, exploring and sampling the delights of local eating and drinking establishments. I have enjoyed cake at Violet, coffee at The Hackney Bureau, brunch at The Empress, a movie at The Hackney Picturehouse and even the pantomime at The Hackney Empire. I met my friend this afternoon and we went to watch a movie. Afterwards, we popped by Skylodge for a mulled cider before enjoying a Turkish dinner on Broadway Market. As we walked back towards home, my friend suggested we pop in to F Cooke after seeing an a board outside promoting ‘Peters @ Co. Gin Palace‘. Not ones to pass up an opportunity to sample a delicious gin based cocktail, we ventured in. I have walked past F Cooke too many times to tell but have never been in. It is a London institution, serving eels and pie and mash. …

Supper Club at The House of Peroni

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You may remember reading about my trip to The House of Peroni over the summer? After thoroughly enjoying innovative cocktails made with Peroni and small plates devised by Michelin Star holding Costardi Brothers, I was very pleased to be asked back to the November stint, which was held in the same grand central London townhouse. The House of Peroni was open to showcase the new wave of Italian style and creativity. The space, designed by award-winning architect and co-designer of the Enzi Ferrari museum, Andrea Margate, was a place where guests could discover fashion installations, a luxurious cinema space, a restaurant and a soundtrack developed by 25 exciting young Italian producers and DJs. I was there to try the Italian Supperclub, which would showcase old and new Italy with a four course menu. We enjoyed classic and modern takes on Burrito, Nduja and Herring Eggs, Casio E Pope (black pepper pasta), Rana Pescatrice Alla Sicilian and Polenta Cake. These traditional dishes are right up my street and it was interesting to see these along with …

The Perfect Foodie Gift this Christmas

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The best way to start a meal is by breaking off a slab of crusty bread and dipping it into a bowl of good quality olive oil. So imagine my excitement with a present from Filippo Berio, one of Italy’s most respected olive oil brands, arrived on my desk. Just 250 bottles of the ‘Founder’s Favourite’ Olio di Lucca have been produced globally. The oil has been created using handpicked, specially selected Moraiolo, Leccino and Frantoio olives from Tenuta Maria Teresa in the hills above Lucca, home of Filippo Berio. The first thought that ran through my head was that it will be perfect for Christmas dinner when my mum and step dad come to visit. It will no doubt be a lovely surprise by the fellow olive oil loving foodies. Available online from http://www.filippoberio.co.uk and http://www.justsoitalian.co.uk, each limited edition 500ml bottle (RRP£100) is individually numbered and presented in a distinctive glass bottle with an ornate pendant showing the founder’s image and a gift box bearing his signature.