Author Archives: One Two Culinary Stew

About One Two Culinary Stew

Stirring the bubbling cauldron of food experiences. Canadian/naturalised Brit in Cambridge (UK). (Photo by Stella Pereira)

One Two Culinary Stew presents NOW NOW SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD CO @ SIGNORELLI’S DELI 02.03.2023

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** SOLD OUT **
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One Two Culinary Stew presents NOW NOW SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD CO @ SIGNORELLI’S DELI – a journey into the deliciously diverse cuisine of South Africa, rich in vibrant flavours and aromatic ingredients, as prepared by Jane who grew up just outside Cape Town.

Jane of Now Now South African Food Co made her mark in Cambridge’s street food scene with her cheerful trailer and authentic “bunny chow”. This pop up will take her family recipes to a cosy and leisurely setting at Signorelli’s Deli – the delightful café, deli and wine shop on Burleigh Street.

Take a seat at Jane’s inviting communal table and get a belly full of sunshine!

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Sunday Lunch at Cotto, Cambridge Country Club – Bourn, Cambridgeshire (UK)

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It was a huge blow to Cambridge’s food scene when Cotto had to close its doors at The Gonville during the pandemic in 2020. This revered restaurant owned by chef Hans Schweitzer and his partner Ruth was a top dining destination, having begun its existence on East Road in 2008 and steadfastly becoming a Cambridge institution over the years. I wrote about Master Chef Hans Schweitzer’s prestigious culinary history and my past dining experience here.

Those of us who missed the gastronomic delights and fantastic hospitality provided by Hans, Ruth and their team are delighted that Cotto is back. The restaurant has a new home in the impressive Cambridge Country Club, which boasts a golf course as well as wellness, spa and dining facilities in Bourn, Cambridgeshire – about 10 miles west of Cambridge.

The entire F&B service at the Cambridge Country Club is being run by Cotto, which includes the Spikes Bar (casual breakfast, lunch and drinks), Cotto Lounge (lunch, Afternoon Tea, Sunday Lunch and evening fine dining) and Garden Suite (parties and events). The Food & Beverage facilities are open to everyone – not just members of the Club. Cotto’s much-missed evening fine dining is due to start after some finishing touches, so diners will once again be able to enjoy chef Hans’ beautiful and delicious culinary masterpieces.

In the meantime, my Sunday Lunch in the Cotto Lounge was a fine dining experience in itself with chef Hans’ signature style, presentation and menu, all impeccably executed by the team and coupled with the same excellent service I’ve always experienced at Cotto.

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One Two Culinary Stew presents BREWBOARD X SIGNORELLI’S BEER & FOOD TASTING 16.12.2022

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One Two Culinary Stew presents BREWBOARD X SIGNORELLI’S BEER & FOOD TASTING – a refreshing and delicious evening of 3 BrewBoard beers to sample, paired with Mediterranean cheeses and cured meats from Il Mercato by Signorelli’s.

The experience will be followed by a 2/3 pint of a surprise 4th beer to enjoy with a shared platter of sweet nibbles prepared by Signorelli’s Deli.

The event includes an exclusive taste of Signorelli’s savoury sourdough made with BrewBoard’s Fathergrime hopped stout. This speciality loaf – named ‘Il Saporito’ – won Bronze at the 2019 World Bread Awards.

To add to the merriment, the pairings will be presented by Stuart (BrewBoard brewer) and Alex (Signorelli’s).

The tasting will take place in the ‘secret cellar’ at BrewBoard’s new Taproom on Cambridge’s historic Green Street.

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One Two Culinary Stew presents MY PERSIAN KITCHEN @ KINGSTON ARMS 28.09.2022

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One Two Culinary Stew presents MY PERSIAN KITCHEN @ KINGSTON ARMS – a delectable Small Plates Dinner of Persian flavours and aromas with nourishing ingredients, fresh herbs and fragrant (not fiery) spices.

Cambridge chefs Sirous and Abigail of My Persian Kitchen will combine their love of Persian cooking (inspired by Sirous’ family recipes) and their culinary experience in French and Italian cuisines.

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One Two Culinary Stew presents MY PERSIAN KITCHEN @ KINGSTON ARMS

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** SOLD OUT **
Please email me to be placed on the waiting list, in case there are any cancellations.

One Two Culinary Stew presents MY PERSIAN KITCHEN @ KINGSTON ARMS – a delectable journey of Persian flavours and aromas with nourishing ingredients, fresh herbs and fragrant (not fiery) spices.

Cambridge chefs Sirous and Abigail of My Persian Kitchen will combine their love of Persian cooking (inspired by Sirous’ family recipes) and their culinary experience in French and Italian cuisines.

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Coconut Lime Loaf Cake

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My recipe for this moist and zesty coconut lime loaf cake is so easy to make (let’s face it, I only take on simple bakes). It’s a great alternative to the ever popular lemon drizzle. The coconut and lime flavours impart a tropical vibe, bringing the sun into your kitchen. We can all use a dose of metaphorical sunshine these days!

Coconut lime loaf cake

There’s a trick to bringing out the full taste and aroma of the lime, which is to rub the zest and sugar together to release the lime’s essential oils and infuse the sugar. A microplane / fine grater works well to remove the outer layer of the zest (make sure you don’t grate the white pith – it’s very bitter and you definitely don’t want that in your cake).

I use the coconut milk left over from my coconut rice recipe (you can use a bit less in the rice recipe, so you have 250ml for the cake). Coconut milk doesn’t have a long fridge life after the tin has been opened, so keep it tightly closed and use it in two or three days.

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One Two Culinary Stew presents THE BAKING JIN – EAST MEETS WEST @ SIGNORELLI’S

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NEW POP UP ALERT! I’m bringing a fun and exciting event to the Cambridge food scene with The Baking Jin and Signorelli’s.

One Two Culinary Stew presents THE BAKING JIN – EAST MEETS WEST @ SIGNORELLI’S, a sweet (mostly) and savoury parade of creative dishes and bakes inspired by Jin’s native Malaysia and beyond.

Take a culinary journey through the palate and indulge in Jin’s carefully designed and finely prepared menu of vibrant flavours and striking textures.

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That Chicken And Olive Thing (Recipe from The OliveOlive Mediterranean Cookbook by Pam & Rob Marsden)

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I’ve been a loyal customer of OliveOlive for several years now, regularly stocking up on their excellent halloumi and extra virgin olive oil from Cyprus. I have the added foodie bonus that this Cambridgeshire based company is local to me so my orders are delivered by owners Pam and Rob Marsden – a nice opportunity for a little chat. I often see them at markets and foodie events too.

OliveOlive halloumi and olive oil

Their first press, unfiltered olive oil comes from Pam’s family farm in Cyprus. It’s produced in a coastal village using handpicked local olives and cold pressed within 24 hours. It really is of superior quality, including their olive oils fused with basil, chilli, garlic, lemon or oregano. Their Cyprus Village halloumi is handmade the traditional way by their friends in Cyprus, the Stefani family. It’s way better than the supermarket stuff. These personal connections are the best kind of quality control.

Our cooking often features their products so I was excited to learn that Pam and Rob wrote their own recipe book – The OliveOlive Mediterranean Cookbook, published by Meze Publishing. I was looking forward to checking out all the recipes so I was delighted when Pam and Rob gave me a complimentary copy.

The OliveOlive Mediterranean Cookbook cover

The cookbook features 45 recipes contributed by Pam, her family, their friends, customers and chefs who use OliveOlive’s products in their restaurants. There is page after page of mouth-watering photography of the dishes but I also liked the personal photos… the family farm, Pam’s relatives (mum, dad, aunt and uncle) in Cyprus as well as Pam and Rob on the farm and in their kitchen.

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Kingston Arms. Kitchen, Hummus and Wine – Cambridge (UK)

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UPDATE: This pub has closed and is now under new ownership.

The circumstances that brought Tel Aviv chef Maoz Alonim to Cambridge may not be food related but it was inevitable that he would eventually open a restaurant and contribute to our flourishing foodie scene. Alonim is one of Israel’s most famous chefs renowned the world over for founding Basta in 2007, a small restaurant and wine bar in proximity to Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. With produce straight from the market’s stallholders only a few steps away, the menu changes daily (sometimes twice a day) and consists of main headings with handwritten dish updates. This is Alonim’s concept… a creative menu led by fresh, seasonal ingredients paired with an impressive wine list. And this is precisely what he has brought to Kingston Arms, located just off Cambridge’s vibrant and diverse Mill Road.

Kingston Arms Cambridge exterior 33 Kingston Street

Always one to defy expectations, Alonim defines Kingston Arms as Kitchen, Hummus and Wine. He has even gone so far as having the serving presentation designed for their hummus and pita, a clever combo of zisha (Yixing clay) bowls with a round cork cover that doubles as a board for the pita. More on the amazing hummus later!

Kingston Arms Cambridge bar seating

This independent pub is a real food and wine lovers’ gem. The interior is warm and inviting, with tables by the windows and back door as well as bar seating for perhaps a more wine or beer focused experience. There is a large walled garden with heaters that is pretty much rain proof, a definite advantage for a business that opened during the pandemic. The staff are so friendly and welcoming and there are knowledgeable sommeliers for their well curated wine list.

Kingston Arms Cambridge garden

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The Wine Rooms – Cambridge (UK)

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I was delighted to get a sneak peek of The Wine Rooms ahead of their official opening on 8 June. Located at 57 Hills Road near Station Road, this place is an exciting new addition to Cambridge’s independent food and drink scene. The focus is on wines paired with a modern, seasonal menu with New Zealand-born Cambridge chef Liz Young at the helm.

The Wine Rooms Cambridge Hills Road exterior

The Wine Rooms Cambridge exterior

The Cambridge based owner of The Wine Rooms is an experienced vintner and wine management and cellarage provider so the wines naturally take centre stage. It’s more of a wine bar and shop for high end wines than a restaurant but that in no way diminishes the food offering. The changing menus, featuring an All Day Bar Menu of Small Things and Sweet Things and an Evening Menu of more substantial dishes, are designed to complement the carefully curated wines by the glass.

The Wine Rooms Cambridge wall of wine

The Wine Rooms Cambridge kitchen window

The wall of wine bottles on wooden shelves (some only accessible by ladder), the combination of table and counter seating, the specials boards next to the small window into the kitchen, the bar at the back complete with brass pendant lights and antiqued mirror… they all set the scene for fine wine and good food in an unpretentious atmosphere with friendly, knowledgeable service.

The Wine Rooms Cambridge ladder

The Wine Rooms Cambridge bar area

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