China on my mind

Chinese Ribbon Dance

My summer’s travels stretched as far as China this year, a first visit to this amazing country. For anyone interested in the minutiae of daily life, as I am, China …

Pina’s Sicilian Food

Summer in the city. The Olympics have brought far more than sport to London this year. The skies may have been gray but the city’s programme of cultural events has been radiant, with special exhibitions, concerts, theatre and dance contributing to the impressive 2012 festival.

Nearing 50

Stephen Harris of The Sportsman

They’re counting the days until the awards ceremony of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants are held in London on April 30th. I’ve been thinking about a few of the great UK places I’ve eaten in over the last year or so, restaurants I’ve voted for and would vote for again that express their terroirs and excite the palate.

Paris, Brazil

Alex Atala

I cruised under the Channel this week to attend Paris des Chefs, a three-day food festival. It’s now being held in the Maison de la Mutualité in the 5th, a vast, creamy Art Deco palazzo that has recently been refurbished by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Happily, it’s across the street from Eric Kayser’s bakery in the Rue Monge, still one of the bonnes adresses for baguettes d’auteur.

Out of the interior

Morning mists in Irpinia

One of the reasons I love this remote part of southern Italy is because it enables me to live within an authentically rural community. When I’m here, I live high …

On perfumes and pears

Tartufaio Alberto helps his dog Allen retrieve a burried truffle

Driving at night has some advantages. You can use your nose to describe the passing countryside even if you can’t actually see it. Crossing northern France in the dark, I …

Faviken meets In De Wulf

Magnus Nilsson and Kobe Desramaults in Belgium

A meal on the wild side. This week, I went to Belgium for an exclusive dinner cooked by two of Europe’s brightest talents, Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson from Fäviken Magasinet and Kobe Desramaults of In De Wulf.