Turkey alternatives
…have goose instead. fiona beckett charts the renewed interest in this traditional festive bird, and explains why any old goose just won’t do
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Restaurant review: Jaboulet by the glass at Galvin La Chapelle
It’s not so unusual these days for restaurants to have an upmarket wine by the glass selection but few go as far as the newly opened Galvin La Chapelle which offers a selection of 3 vintages of the iconic Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle.
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Koffman attracts star sommeliers for 'pop-up' restaurant
It may only be open for three and a half weeks but Pierre Koffman’s ‘pop-up restaurant’ at the new London Restaurant Festival has attracted some of the capital’s most sought-after sommeliers.
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Making food more wine friendly?
A new seasoning agent aims to make food more wine-friendly. A sceptical FIONA BECKETT gives it a shake
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The world of oilve oil, including two DOP oils from Colonna
There’s far more to know about olive oil than whether it’s extra virgin. Variety, provenance, vintage and timing of the harvest all impact on the flavour, says FIONA BECKETT. But can you really tell the difference?
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Pride of Place
FIONA BECKETT meets the oyster-obsessed Wright Brothers and learns that, when it comes to this favourite delicacy, origin is the key
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Growing soon at a farm near you
Climate change means that non-native crops could thrive in the UK. But what will become of our traditional varieties, asks FIONA BECKETT
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Is foie gras worth it?
FIONA BECKETT finds out just what happens to a foie gras duck in order to produce this controversial delicacy Decanter magazine May 2008
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Enrico Bernado: Sommelier opens wine based restaurant
Trust a former World’s Best Sommelier to open a restaurant where what you eat is based on your choice of wines. FIONA BECKETT books a table
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New French Michelin published
The 2008 Michelin Guide to France is about to be published – with new stars for Robuchon and the emergence of Toulouse as a new mecca for gourmets.
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Matt Skinner takes on Shoreditch bar
Sommelier Matt Skinner has taken on a new role as wine director of a new Shoreditch-based club called The East Room.
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London loses lustre in new Michelin Guide
London’s status as one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting dining out cities took a knock today with the publication of the 2008 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland.
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Restaurant review: delle Antiche Contrade
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New Ducasse restaurant to highlight wine
Multi-Michelin starred Chef Alain Ducasse is about to open a new wine-focused restaurant in New York City.
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From the archive: Matching wine to different cuts of steak
How does the cut and preparation of a steak change the best wine pairing? FIONA BECKETT and her son Will attempt to find common ground
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Shellfish: Crustacean Sensations
Love seafood but can’t find the perfect wine for your lobster thermidor? No need to shell out – think young and dry, says FIONA BECKETT
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Gault Millau promotes unknown as top chef
Gault Millau has rocked the French culinary establishment by nominating the practically unknown Jean-Luc Rabanel as chef of the year in its 2008 guide.
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The 25 best food and wine pairings
Over the years, Fiona Beckett has found a match for pretty much every food or wine imaginable. Here are her all-time favourite pairings...
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Vegetarian? Don't Panic
A dinner party guest suddenly announces that they are vegetarian. Fear not, it is possible to find a wine to match – in fact many veggie dishes pair surprisingly well with gutsy wines, says Fiona Beckett
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How do you solve a problem like masala?
Contrary to popular belief, no food is truly unmatchable, says Fiona Beckett. It just takes imagination to find the right wine
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So What Food Do You Eat With A Blockbuster Cabernet?
Contrary to popular opinion, you can drink your 15% Cal Cab with a meal – you just need to pick the right flavours, says Fiona Beckett
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The Game Is Up
Preparing and cooking game can be tricky, as FIONA BECKETT discovers while learning the tricks of the trade – skinning deer and plucking pheasant. Vegetarians look away now
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Wine Tasting in the Dark: Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind
What you see isn’t always what you get – these yoghurts taste the same. So how do you taste food – and wine – without prejudice? Fiona Beckett tests her tastebuds in the dark
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Fast Food and Fine Wine: Cru Classe With Your Burger, Madam?
Do you keep treasured bottles for special occasions only? Relax, says Fiona Beckett, and crack one open with a treat from the takeaway
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Creating a Wine Sauce: Will A 2nd Growth Do?
Does top claret equal top-class red wine sauce, or is it just a good bottle spoiled? fiona beckett sets out to create the perfect reduction
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Martinez cooking lesson: Real Riojanos
Spanish winemaker Maria Martinez and her husband Pedro, a chef, are as passionate about sourcing the best ingredients as they are about cooking them. fiona beckett visits the couple in the Riojan hills for a cookery lesson and supper under the stars
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Roux Jr French Fancy
Michel Roux Jr of London’s Le Gavroche restaurant has put his inherent knowledge of wine and family tradition of cuisine to good use with a book about wine and food matching. FIONA BECKETT learns there is even a good match for a glass of Newcastle Brown.
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Easy Does It - Henry Harris Festive Supper
Christmas shouldn’t be spent worrying about the effects of over-indulging. Fiona Beckett talks Atkins, prunes and armagnac with Henry Harris, chef and owner of London’s Racine, and challenges him to devise a low-effort, low-carb festive supper.
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Sublime Dining with Chef Alain Senderens
Revered chef Alain Senderens has transformed the menu of three Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant Lucas Carton by leading with the wines. His painstaking attention to food and wine matching makes for an unforgettable dining experience, says Fiona Beckett.
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Child's Play In The Kitchen
Revered American chef Alice Waters is determined to get children involved in cooking real food. FIONA BECKETT meets a woman on a mission.
