Carluccio's edible Easter flower

Wow, I thought this was a brilliant idea. We all know Mexican food is basic ‘street-food’ & loved the idea of what appeared to be Wahaca’s ‘his’ & ‘hers’ match-stick books that open into chilli seeds sticks. Such a simple idea.

Wahaca is really thriving. Mexican food never looks great, but tastes good and is a brilliant concept by former Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers. Love the margheritas.

My bet is for Tom to win the current Masterchef series!

With spring and Easter in the air I also love Carluccio’s edible flower. Made from wrapped chocolate dragees, it’s a great take on the traditional bunch of flowers

Wahaca seed sticks

Woody, often flies into the studio, although their main diet are ants

The North London derby was a 3-3 thriller, with Van de Vart scoring 2 of the Spurs goals. Less animosity in the air this year – must be the soaring temperatures and holiday atmosphere

On a more chilled-out (although still heated) level, I loved the new Sergio Mendes, ‘Best of’ Album. Just brilliant ‘Bossa Nova’ & lilting Brazilian female voices =  great accompaniment to this weeks BBQ.

I thought the pre-Easter week would be quiet, but 2 old mates Richard & Don filled the days with 4 Ineos Petroleum Company ads shot in black & white & a day shooting fresh food.

Woody’s back again – just flown in, although there is no food for him here as they’re big on ants. Sadly today’s celery shoot wont spark his interest.

Buona Pasqua!

Sergio Mendes - Best of

Although Spurs are no longer Champions League contenders, the Special one put some tickets our way (he really is special) and thanks to a mate’s contact, I found myself sitting amongst the Real fans. Needless to say I learnt a few Spanish words although not sure that they’ll highlight my linguistic ability… prob best forgotten.

Only point of contention. Why didn’t Jose give us a wave?

A week on and I’m still thinking back to the meal (s) I had at Antica Locanda www.knowital.com/html/antica_locanda_di_sesto__lucca.html .Quite possibly, this trattoria (dating back to the 1300′s) is the best restaurant I’ve ever eaten in. The food is of-the-region and the family put everything they have into running the place. Aurelio runs the kitchen with his dad and together they turn out some phenomenal meals. Their delicate primi piatti (personal favourites are pappa di pomodorro which is a beautiful tomato soup that uses home-made extra virgin olive oil and stale bread to compliment the full bodied, rounded flavour of the tomatoes and spaghetti bottarga that uses mullet or tuna roe to create a rich, delicate damn – that’s – a good sauce) are the perfect warm up and Aurelio’s mother’s puddings the icing-on-the–cake (terrible pun but it is a Sunday night!).

Food aside, this Italian family know how to present their food and make fantastic hosts – Aurelio’s brother, Lamberto, and his friends know it all. Antica is everything Italian cooking should be about – great, simple flavours that get you (and your stomach) talking. Roll on the next visit…

Fergal, breakfast maestro

yummy roast potatoes

Well hung beef

pizza delivery boy

A quick recce in sunny Tuscany for a job later on in the year and I return to discover the equivalent sunshine here. Spring has sprung. Although looking at my work diary you wouldn’t have guessed – I’ve been knee-deep in roast and potted meats/ fish. Good hearty English grub after a week of spaghetti and risotto. Like it. And if that isn’t hearty enough for you, we were talking Christmas shoots on what was the hottest day of the year so far – a soaring 23 degrees.

Great to be working with Mother again…. As you can see from the pic, Dave wasn’t too sorry either. The pizzas (Goodfella’s) beat the film any day – happened to watch it the week before the shoot and had high expectations. Not as good as expected but then we had stacks of pizzas to work with. Life isn’t so bad.