I’ve been filming a special Christmas edition of “Eat Well for Less?” and I can’t wait for you to see it. We are tackling a number of key items: cost, waste, leftovers and time spent in the kitchen. Very excited about it, it was great fun to film. Look out for the snow.
I was very fortunate to be invited to the opening of a Samuel Pepys Exhibition at The Maritime Museum in Greenwich. I don’t think many people realise but I am a really keen historian. Pepys is incredible, not just because he kept a diary, but he was actually there to record the death of Charles I, the republic under Cromwell, the restoration of the Monarchy under Charles II, outbreak of the plague and of course The Great Fire of London. Not sure if that makes him lucky or unlucky.
Visited a new restaurant in the City, Darbaar, very good indeed. Indian cooked brilliantly with a fair bit of theatre at the table. Loved having my own little tandoor, I will be back and I urge you to have a look at it.
On Sunday I host a huge event, the Bangladesh Caterers Association awards dinner in Central London. I hosted it last year and had no idea what a huge glitzy event it is. It’s a big industry and a big employer. I am very much looking forward to it. I ate very well last year.
Next week I am going to visit my daughter at Uni in Manchester and I am staying for the first time at the rather splendid looking Gotham Hotel. I’ll let you know how I get on.
Saturday I am at The Ideal Home Christmas show at Olympia in the Gregg Wallace restaurant. I attended the one in Manchester and came home with a singing, dancing Christmas tree. See what I can find in London.
Next weekend I am at White Hart Lane to watch Spurs v Chelsea. I’m a Millwall supporter but that clash has got a big game feeling about it.