Click here to have it delivered to your door.

Or why not join Great Food Club and receive every issue for a year? Joining also means you receive a Great Food Club Membership Card that can easily save you over £100 a year.

Click here to join Great Food Club.

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Here’s a taste of the Summer 2012 issue…

Inside Brady’s Fish & Seafood Market

How to put on a Jubilee Garden Party using local food and drink

The region’s best beer gardens, as chosen by you

Recipes from Ben Vear of Winstone’s Ice Cream

Summer food events diary for the Heart of England

Our selection of the Midlands’ must-visit farm shops

Keep up to date with local food and drink news

Brilliant local picnic spots and what to eat when you’re there

A spectacular pub walk route in the Peaks

Restaurant reviews

Map of Midlands’ vineyard and cider-makers

Recipes from Great Food cook Hazel Paterson

Food hotspots: this issue – St Giles St, Northampton

Over 20 recipes to try and enjoy

Meet Birmingham’s B14 Artisan Collective

A snoop around Welland Valley Vineyard

What to expect at Nottingham’s Food Festival 2012

Notes and recipes from our Rutland Veg Patch

We talk to local mutton producer, Saltby Pasture

Great Food Club – the Club that allows members to claim superb offers at the region’s very best restaurants, pubs and shops – has attracted more exceptional businesses.

The latest to join the Club and offer deals to members are Welbeck’s School of Artisan Food, Melton Mowbray pork pie specialists Dickinson & Morris, award-winning restaurants Hart’s of Nottingham and Perkins of Plumtree, and Gonalston Farm Shop – one of Britain’s most highly rated farm shops.

Specific deals are currently being confirmed and will go live in the next few weeks. Watch this space.

Members of Great Food Club can now claim offers at more than 40 of the region’s best food and drink businesses. To download a Great Food Club Map showing all participating businesses, click here.

Or to download a pdf showing a list of all the offers, click here.

Dickinson & Morris pork pies

Gonalston Farm Shop’s award-winning cheese counter

Members of Great Food Club receive four issues of Great Food Magazine and a Great Food Club Membership Card that allows them to claim the offers. Annual membership costs £17.50.

Using a card twice a month will save members over £100 a year, while allowing them to enjoy the very best food and drink that the region has to offer.

Click here to join.

When? May 12-13, 2012, 10am-4pm
Where? Melton Mowbray Cattle Market, Leicestershire
How much? £1 entry

Melton Mowbray’s second Artisan Cheese Fair – inspired by similarly cheesy markets held in the town in the 19th century – is set to build on the success of the inaugural 2011 event.

Organised by Matthew O’Callaghan of the Melton Mowbray Food Partnership, the event will host more than 30 cheesemakers from around Britain, who between them ferment a total of some 150 cheeses.

Matthew O’Callaghan

“We estimate there will be 50 stands,” says Matthew. “Last year we had 2019 paying visitors. This year we predict between 3,000 and 4,000.” The fair will be one of the UK’s largest events for cheesemakers selling directly to the public.

Exhibitors include:
Appleby’s
Bath Soft Cheese Co
Bertelin
Colston Bassett
Cornish Cheese Co
Cote Hill Cheese
Cropwell Bishop
D Heath and Son
Epicure’s Larder
Fred W Read & Sons
Godsells Cheese
Hampshire Cheeses
Island Cheese Co
Keen’s Cheddar
Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Co
Long Clawson
Lynher Dairies
Cheese Co (Yarg)
Northumberland Cheese Company
Quickes Traditional
Ram Hall Dairy Sheep
Simon Weaver Organic
Singletons
Stichelton Dairy
Teifi Farmhouse
Tuxford & Tebbutt
Westcombe Dairy
Woefuldane Organic

Arfan ‘Raz’ Razak, head chef and owner of Nottingham’s Curry Lounge, is to star in an episode of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire.

The episode in which Raz goes undercover to help people will air soon, date to be confirmed.

Raz is also creating a recipe book to raise money for injured Royal Marines, cooking for Nottingham boxer Carl Froch, and creating a range of curry kits.

“I did the show because I wanted to make a real difference,” says Raz. “It was humbling to see people in bad situations make the best they possibly could of every day.”

Nottingham’s Curry Lounge is part of Great Food Club

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Raz’s Lobster Pepper Fry
Serves 4

With this dish, you combine traditional masala sauce with tender lobster meat that’s been cooked in wonderful spices, creating a curry packed with flavour.

All Great Food Club suppliers/producers have been handpicked by us and are offering exclusive deals to members. At www.greatfoodclub.co.uk you can see full details of all the offers available.

Great Food Club businesses include Michelin-starred restaurants The Olive Branch and Hambleton Hall, Bib Gourmand winners The Red Lion at East Haddon and The Red Lion at Stathern, and local producers Tori & Ben’s Farm, and Gourmet Spice Company.

Joining Great Food Club couldn’t be easier. You’ll get four issues of Great Food delivered to your door and receive a Great Food Club Membership Card, enabling you to claim offers at the places on this map (more coming soon) for one year.

You can also join by calling 01664 853341 with your card details.

Coronation chicken is a dish that’s truly stood the test of time, writes Sean Hope. It was created for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 by London’s Cordon Bleu School. What better time to revisit this dish than the Diamond Jubilee on June 5? This Coronation Chicken Pie – and more – will be on our menus at the Olive Branch in Clipsham and Red Lion in Stathern throughout June.

In terms of wine to go with the pie, Duncan Murray of Market Harborough-based Duncan Murray Wines has two suggestions.

Duncan Murray, The Olive Branch and The Red Lion of Stathern are all part of Great Food Club.

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BLOW IT!
Wine: Domaine ‘La Maison’ St Véran

Grape: Chardonnay
Duncan says: This classic white Burgundy offers a superbly regal wine accompaniment to this Jubilee dish. Produced from Chardonnay – one of the ‘noble’ grape varieties – its elegant yet intense citrus and mineral flavours will complement the creaminess of the filling without being overwhelmed by the spice and the buttery notes will be the perfect match for the pastry. A crown jewel of a wine.
Price: £14.99

BUDGET
Wine: Den Chenin Blanc

Grapes: Chenin Blanc
Duncan says: This white from South Africa will make you want to troop the colour as you sip it with your Coronation Chicken Pie. The ripe and concentrated flavours of apple, spice and stone fruit will work harmoniously with the spicy and creamy filling while the slightly toasty finish will provide a fitting fanfare for the pastry.
Price: £8.99

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Coronation Chicken Pie
Serves 6

For the pastry
* Pinch of salt
* 200g plain flour
* 25g suet
* 25g unsalted butter, diced
* 1½ tsp water

1 Place the flour, salt and fat into a bowl and mix with your hands to a breadcrumb texture.
2 Add the water and work to a dough.
3 Allow to rest for around 15 minutes before using.

Pie mix
* 1 chicken, roast at Gas 1/2 (120°C) for four hours and allowed to cool
* 200ml chicken stock
* 200ml double cream
* 200ml milk
* 1 glass dry white wine
* 1 glass medium sherry
* 1 tbsp ground cumin
* 1 tbsp ground turmeric
* 1 tbsp ground coriander
* 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
* 2 tbsp sultanas pre-soaked in sherry vinegar
* 2 tbsp dry-roasted pine nuts
* 1 onion, peeled and chopped
* 1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped
* 2 tbsp cornflour

1 Carefully pick the chicken meat off the bone and place in a bowl.
2 Mix all the spices together, place in a pan and singe in a hot oven for five minutes to bake.
3 Mix the spices through the chicken.
4 In a saucepan, sweat the onion and garlic with a drizzle of rapeseed oil until soft. Add the pre-soaked sultanas and reduce vinegar completely.
6 Place the onion and sultana mix into the bowl with the chicken and stir. Add the roasted pine nuts and fresh, chopped coriander.
7 In a separate pan, add the stock, milk, cream and wine and bring to the boil. Boil for five minutes, then dilute the cornflour with one glass of medium sherry and whisk into the boiling stock.
8 Bring back to the boil, then season to taste. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before adding to the chicken mix.
9 Place the chicken pie mix into a suitable pie dish (28cm diameter).
10 Roll out the pastry with a rolling pin to about 5mm thick. Brush the sides of the pie dish with a little egg wash, then place some thin strips of pastry around the edge to form a collar.
11 Carefully lay the pastry over the pie dish. Trim off excess pastry from around the dish and crimp with a fork. Make a small hole in the middle of the pastry to allow excess steam to escape whilst cooking, then brush all over with egg wash.
13 Allow the pastry to rest for 10 minutes before baking in a pre-heated oven at Gas 6 (200°C) for around 35 minutes (until golden brown).
14 Remove from the oven and allow to stand for five minutes before serving.
15 Serve with minted new potatoes and glazed carrots.

Sean Hope

Here are Duncan Murray’s tips to accompany your al fresco dining this summer…

RED
Wine: Quinta do Correio Dao

Grapes: Jaen, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz
Duncan says: From Portugal, this is a joyously juicy example of a Dao red. It’s a great wine for a picnic as its combination of ripe dark fruits and refreshing edge make it a versatile, food-friendly wine – as well as drinking really well on its own. With its blackberry and raspberry fruit and that lovely mineral quality you get with Dao wines it’ll provide a delightful partner to your cheese, chutney, cold meats and pork pie.
Price: £8.99

WHITE
Wine: Ciconia Branco

Grapes: Anton Vaz, Viognier, Verdelho
Flavour: This thoroughly enjoyable, easy-going, ‘sunny’ white from Portugal is a great wine for picnics as its mix of tropical and lime fruit flavours and nutty notes will slip down a treat with all kinds of food. If your picnic has an Indian theme, it’ll stand up to spicy samosas and chutneys as well as providing a great wine accompaniment to cold meats, salads, pork pie and cheese.
Price: £8.99

ROSE
Wine: Domaine le Bosquet Rosé

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah
Flavour: Just looking at this delicate salmon pink rosé transports us to sunny days and al fresco living, so it’s a great addition to your picnic basket. However, this southern French Rosé is not simply a feast for the eyes as it delivers concentrated flavours of red fruits, strawberries, spice and cream making it a wonderful companion to cold meats (particularly ham and pork), fruity chutneys and summery salads.
Price: £7.99

Great Food Club members can enjoy 10% discount at Duncan Murray’s Market Harborough shop on Thursdays.

May 5
Tideswell Food Festival
Tideswell, Derbyshire; 10am to 4pm; free; 01298 871262, www.tastetideswell.co.uk

May 9 & first Wed of month in summer
Classic cars at The Black Bull
Market Overton, Rutland; 5pm onwards; free; 01572 767677, www.blackbullrutland.co.uk

May 12-13
Artisan Cheese Fair
Cattle Market, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire; 10am-4pm; £1; www.artisancheesefair.co.uk

May 19
Pig in a Day Course
Learn nose-to-tail butchery skills and techniques at The School of Artisan Food, Welbeck, Nottinghamshire; 10am-5pm; £125; 01909 532171; www.schoolofartisanfood.org

May 24-26
Lincoln Beer Festival
Lincoln Drill Hall; free/£2/£3 depending on time; 01522 754458; www.lincolncamra.org.uk

May 27
Leicester Summer Food & Drink Fest
Leicester Market; 11am to 5pm; free; 0116 223 2371; www.leicestermarket.co.uk

May 26-27
Derbyshire Food Festival
Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield; Sat 26th – 10am to 5pm, Sun 27th – 10am to 4pm; £5/£3/under-16s free; 01629 538464; www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk

May 31
Beer and Cheese Tasting Course
The School of Artisan Food, Welbeck, Nottinghamshire (also runs June 30); half-day course; £35; 01909 532171, www.schoolofartisanfood.org

June 3
Stoneygate Food and Drink Festival
A free local food and drink festival on Allandale Road and Francis Street, Leicester, being staged to mark the Diamond Jubilee. This event runs from 10am-5pm and is being organised by Brady’s Fish & Seafood Market. Email zoe.e.brady@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

June 4
Stamford Feast
The Big Lunch – Stamford Meadows, Lincolnshire; 10am-4pm; free; www.visitstamford.com/feast

June 8-9
Stratford-upon-Avon Beer and Cider Festival
Stratford Racecourse; Fri – 2pm-11pm, Sat – 11am-11pm; £10 (includes beer tokens); www.stratfordbeerfestival.org.uk

June 13-17
BBC Good Food Show
Birmingham NEC; 9am to 6pm; £19.75/£17.95/Under-5s free; 0844 5811341; www.bbcgoodfoodshowsummer.com

June 15-17
Welland Valley Beer Festival
Involving 15 pubs across south-west Leicestershire and Rutland; 01536 205671; www.wellandvalleybeerfestival.co.uk

June 24
Lowdham Book Festival Food Fiesta
Nottinghamshire’s Lowdham Book Festival runs from June 3-30 and this year incorporates a food fiesta on June 24 at Caythorpe Cricket Club (11am-5pm), run in partnership with Gonalston Farm Shop. There will be stalls, demos and more. For more information visit www.lowdhambookfestival.co.uk

June 30-July 1
Market Overton Feast Weekend
Comprising a food festival, music and more. Events take place on Friday 29th in the church from 6.30pm. Saturday 30th will see a food festival on Main Street, and on Sunday there’s a BBQ. Village pub the Black Bull will run a cider festival throughout the weekend.

June 31
Introduction to Artisan Cider Making
The School of Artisan Food, Welbeck, Nottinghamshire (also runs July 21); £125; 10am to 4pm; 01909 532171; www.schoolofartisanfood.org

July 1
Melton Mowbray Country Fair
Town Estates Park, Melton Mowbray, Leics; £5 adults, £1 children; 10am-5pm; www.leicestershirefoodlinks.org.uk

July 4-8
Nottingham Food Festival
Old Market Square in Nottingham city centre and various venues; www.wearenottingham.co.uk/foodfestival.php

July 7
Fabulous Places’ Summer Market
The Roundhouse, Pride Park, Derby; 10am to 5pm; £1; www.fabulousplaces.co.uk

July 20-22
CLA Game Fair
Belvoir Castle; includes Totally Food show; weekend tickets and advance tickets from £21 adults/£5 under-16s; 020 74607955; www.gamefair.co.uk

July 21
Oundle Food Festival
Market Place Oundle; 8.30am-2.30pm; free; 01832 270255; www.oundlefoodfestival.co.uk

July 22
Rutland Fishing Day
A fun day for 10-17 year olds. Entry fee of £15 covers tackle hire, boat hire with experienced boathandler, permit and BBQ. Download application form from www.rutlandwaterflyfishers.co.uk

Aug 1-2
Bakewell Show, The Showground, Bakewell, Derbyshire

Aug 11-12
South Holland Food Festival, Spalding, Lincolnshire

Aug 26-27
Northamptonshire Food Show, Holdenby House

Aug 26-27
Burghley House Fine Food Market, Burghley, Stamford, Lincolnshire

Sept 15
Rutland Food Fest, Rutland Water

Oct 6-7
East Midlands Food and Drink Festival, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

THROUGHOUT SPRING & SUMMER
Chocolate Making at Chocolate Alchemy, Loughborough, Leics; £35; phone to book; 07943 876 578
Click here for link

Every effort has been made to ensure listings are accurate but Great Food can’t take any responsibility for errors or last-minute changes. Please check with event organisers before setting off.

The 2012 Supreme Champion of the British Pie Awards is Dunkleys of Wellingborough, Northants, with its Chicken, Ham, Mushroom, Buttered Leeks & Suet Pastry Pie.

Best Melton Mowbray Pork Pie went to Walker & Son of Leicester.

Special Small Producer Award was bagged by Morecambe Football Club, last year’s Supreme Champion.

As usual, the British Pie Awards, organised by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association and held on April 25 in St Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray, was a great occasion that this year attracted over 900 entries (up 300 year on year). Next year, the organisers expect to smash the 1000 mark.

Judges included Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay, The Evening Standard’s Charles Campion, Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew, and TV chefs Phil Vickery and Rachel Green.

Click here for a full list of results.

St Mary’s Church vicar Rev Kevin Ashby blesses the pies pre-judging!

Jonathan Agnew (right) was judging the Melton Mowbray pork pies

Melton pork pies aplenty

Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association chairman Matthew O’Callaghan is interviewed by BBC East Midlands Today

Won by Dunkleys of Wellingborough

A typical judging scene from the day

Back issues cost £3.40 each, including postage.

To buy online through Paypal, simply scroll down and select the issue you want. If you’d prefer to pay over the phone, call 01664 853341 with your credit/debit card details to hand. Or you can send a cheque payable to Rocco Media to 7 Victoria St, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0AR. Please write the issue you wish to purchase on the back of the cheque.
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