TRAVELLING chef Philippa Davis has been off to Scotland again, this time to the Highlands to cook for a salmon fishing week on the River Findhorn – lots of big breakfasts, afternoon teas, help yourself suppers and best of all barbecues by the river … “OH, it’s easy to find, you can’t miss it !”…
by Simone Sekers WE’ve just had a swift shot of French life – 24 hours in Cherbourg via the fast ferry from Poole – which reminded me of just how traditional France still is. We stayed in the charming Hotel Régence overlooking the old port, way up under the roof, no lift to help our…
LARGELY overlooked by the holiday brochures and travel writers, Abruzzo is arguably one of the least known regions of Italy – and that’s a crying shame. This sizeable territory, midway down the ‘calf’ of Italy’s shapely leg, has much to offer visitors and could certainly use a healthy injection of tourist currency. Abruzzo borders Le…
WHEN you try to arrange a party a year ahead, a party which depends on good weather too, you are running a huge risk. It’s madness, really, and most of us, as we get older, play safe by celebrating big birthdays by going on cruises, or holidays-of-a-lifetime. I am never certain about either; supposing I…
THE Sicilian Baroque masterpiece that is Ragusa Ibla would be a crowd-puller come what may – but its dusting of showbiz glamour means it packs a double-strength punch in the tourism stakes. Ibla, the smaller, older partner of Ragusa Superiore, has been the location for many films in recent years but is now most famous…
TRAVELLING chef Philippa Davis has been in the Alps, catering for skiers in the French resort of Tignes, reflecting on the various types she observes on her many recent flights … (oh, and serving delicious food, of course!) I realise you don’t have to be in Sherlock’s league to decipher the purpose of everyone’s trip. …
WE get bored with hearing how bad the food is in the USA – it’s nearly as unfunny and untrue as the idea that you can’t eat well in Britain (outside London, of course). In our experience, over nearly 30 years of visiting friends and family and travelling around the States, you can eat some…
TRAVELLING chef Philippa Davis cooked for a large party near Perth for the final pheasant shoot of the season. The weather omens were poor but dressed in multiple layers and armed with some exciting ideas, the Shaftesbury-born chef was ready to face the elements … TRAVEL plan A was vetoed as my car (stationed in…
WHAT a blast it’s been – Three Women and the Truth on a whistle stop tour of the California coast from Berkeley to Santa Monica. It’s something we “critics” (aka fans) seldom get to do, and it’s many years on from my days with David Bowie and Mick Ronson on the Ziggy tour. Some things…
CHEF Philippa Davis found herself whirling from 2014 into 2015 cooking in Scotland for a Hogmanay celebration for about 25 guests. She and a sidekick conjured up feast after feast – curry nights, Middle Eastern spreads, hearty lunches, big breakfasts, game pies and decadent afternoon teas. But the end of the game season is close at…