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27 March 2013

Alan Coxon’s new TV series From Birmingham to Bombay scheduled this summer

We are excited to announce that Alan Coxon has made a new TV series – ‘From Birmingham to Bombay’ which is due to hit our screens on Food Network UK this summer.

The food and travel series looks at five of the UK`s most popular curries including the Tandoori, Korma, Rogan Josh, Madras and Vindaloo.
Alan Coxon will be visiting seven locations across India in search of the history and origination of these curries as well as the spices used in them.

In the programmes, Alan will also go head to head with five Indian chefs to find out if the Indian curry is any different to that of the British version and ascertain if one is better than than the other.

The show is due to be aired from 19th – 23rd August, starting at 9.30 am and repeated throughout the day. www.foodnetwork.co.uk

To find out more about Alan Coxon visit his page on 
The Artisan Food Trail here

PS: We have been told that there will be a set of books to accompany the series, available in print-on-demand and electronic formats.
These will include a selection of recipes that Alan cooks on the programmes as well as his account of the journey and an array of insightful facts.
We’ll have more news on this soon!

21 March 2013

Bacon lovers unite

Photo: © childsdesign
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How wonderful would it be if the internet had the power to transmit aromas? If it did, we’d be uploading the olfactory delight of sizzling bacon to accompany the picture.

This week is Bacon Connoisseurs Week, but why only be a connoisseur for just one week of the year? Devoted lovers of bacon will tell you that it is something they could not live without. Bacon at its best brings back memories whether it’s the holiday breakfast cooked in a dented frying pan, atop a Calor gas stove on a windy British beach or simply lazy Sunday mornings. Bacon is a satisfier of appetite, a comfort, a restorative – some would say, a hangover cure.

Whatever your relationship with bacon, choose the best and buy British at the very least.
Bacon on The Artisan Food Trail is a real step up in terms of quality, craft, animal welfare and above all, flavour. This special flavour is what you get from rare breed pigs that have led a happy, natural life. A pig’s life outdoors which allows it to root around and run about in the fresh air, added to its particular breed, produces full flavoured meat with the all important fat. Remember fat equals flavour.

The rare breeds on the food trail include British Saddleback, Tamworth, Iron Age, Gloucester Old Spot, Large Black and English Lop, Middle White, and Oxford Sandy & Black. Not all of these breeds go into making bacon but the pork is just as wonderful, so well worth a try.

The following producers all rear pigs for pork, some produce bacon and other pork charcuterie products as well as pies and sausages.

Samphire in Norfolk has bacon in either smoked or unsmoked, available in various cuts. Pork, sausages and pork pies too.

Paganum Produce in the Yorkshire Dales create their own dry-cured streaky or back bacon as well as pork charcuterie including their famous Yorkshire Chorizo and of course the best home-reared pork.

Pilkington Farms in Hertfordshire cross-breed rare breeds to produce pork which has just the right amount of fat and flavour that their customers prefer.

Orchard View Farm in Buckinghamshire produces smoked streaky or back bacon as well as their award winning pork along with pies, sausages and ham.

13 March 2013

The Edible Garden Show: 15th – 17th March 2013

Photos: © childsdesign
The Edible Garden Show is the ultimate grow your own event. Home to celebrity gardeners, chefs, experts and a fantastic range of exhibitors offering your favourite gardening products along with new and exciting products to the market, all available to buy whether you are a seasoned expert or just getting started.

The Edible Garden Show is held over three days at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire where you can see, try and buy the latest products, hear tips and advice in talks from resident experts, watch some great demonstrations, get involved in potting and planting or just relax and enjoy the show. From Experts Theatre, Cookery Theatre and Potting Shed to the Smallholders Marquee, if you are interested in growing or rearing your own this is the show for you.

Everything you need – seeds, compost and machinery through to chickens, sheds, polytunnels and greenhouses. Wormeries, tools, bee hives, plants and so much more.

As well as the 'growing' aspect, you'll be able to gain inspiration from some of the best British food producers who will be selling some amazing hand made products.

Here are the AFT members that are confirmed as exhibiting:


Edible Ornamentals
Bedfordshire chilli grower selling chilli plants, fresh chillies and their very own hand made sauces and relishes.


Womersley Fruit & Herb Vinegars
Yorkshire artisan maker of botanically infused fruit vinegars.




Cotswold Gold
An Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil grown and produced on the family farm by Charlie. This is a very healthy and versatile oil for all culinary needs.


This should be a good event especially for those who are looking to learn more about how they can make a success of their garden or allotment.

For more information about the event see the website: www.theediblegardenshow.co.uk

When: 15th – 17th March 2013
Where: Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire


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