In November 2014, just before moving to Saltaire, a hint from a friend and a chalkboard sign reading ‘micro pub’ first drew me up Queen’s Road and through the door of the Cap and Collar. I wasn’t the only one. Sitting in the Cap recently as owners Phil and Jenna Garvey prepared to set up … Continue reading Cap and Collar turns 5

As my feet pound the hot pavement alongside Saltaire Road, I quietly curse the train that faltered and failed me at Shipley. I was transported back to cooler times. Deep in winter I had caught up with Beth O’Reilly whilst she sanded furniture at Nordish on Victoria road. We spoke of catching up in Spring … Continue reading Nordish

Are you in search of a lighter antidote to the heavy food of Christmas, New Year and winter in order to feel a bit fresher and virtuous? Well, look no further. This isn't so much of a recipe as a simple combination of good ingredients that work fantastically and simply as a tray bake. Ingredients … Continue reading Roast bass with fennel, potato and chilli

Back in 2014 we celebrated our first Christmas in Saltaire. We decided to have a small, quiet Christmas day with my parents around our new kitchen table to really make the house feel like home. On boxing day, I was left with a mountain of painting and decorating to ascend and the carcass and scraps … Continue reading Goose soup with Jacobs dumplings

These tasty little truffles formed the sweet course that rounded off the inaugural Saltaire Supper event I co hosted with Phil Garvey of the brilliant Cap and Collar. I wanted to send our guests off into the November night with a deep, rich and dark chocolaty taste on their lips and Phil came up with … Continue reading Tonka bean stout and dark chocolate truffles

This sweet and toasty tart is simple to make and combines two of my favourite desserts; Italian fig tart and sticky toffee pudding. It formed the dessert course for the inaugural Saltaire Supper event I ran last year with Phil Garvey at the wonderful Cap and Collar. Ingredients (makes 1 tart) For the Pastry Non … Continue reading Fig and toffee tart

This sumptuous pork dish formed the main course of the beer and food pairing night I co-hosted with Phil Garvey of the Cap and Collar this November. Inspired by the traditional flavours of southern Spanish tapas skewers 'pinchitos morunos', the pork here is cooked slowly as a stew but still retaining a fusion of Andalusian … Continue reading Moorish pork collar with crackling crumb and fresh apple

I created this soup for the recent Saltaire Supper collaboration with Phil from Saltaire's very own micro pub, the Cap and Collar. Squash and Bramley apple makes for a brilliant flavour combination and they are enhanced considerably by roasting over charcoal before being used in the soup. If you don't have a wood oven or … Continue reading Wood-fired squash and apple soup, crisp bread, whipped sheep’s cheese

This recipe formed the starter for the recent #SaltaireSupper event I co-hosted with Phil, founder of Saltaire's favourite watering hole, the Cap and Collar, on 13th November this year. Anyone who has followed the blog for a while or visited my pop up kitchen at Saltaire Festival Open Gardens will recognise this recipe in one … Continue reading Home smoked mackerel polpette

Last Monday myself and Phil Garvey of the mighty micro pub the Cap and Collar hosted a very special evening of food and beer pairings, #SaltaireSupper. It was the pilot for what we hope will become a regular pop up in the Saltaire food and drink calendar and we were greatly encouraged by the wonderful … Continue reading Beer bread with quick pickles