Jim Messina was Obama's campaign manager in 2008 and says in a recent article in the Independent..."I miss how bad a campaign office smells at midnight." He once ate twenty-seven consecutive meals at McDonald's.

Today I made 18 lemons and two bottles of vodka into Limoncello. Not quite Limoncello because the very complicated internet recipe I found requires filtering and doesn't use vodka, because apparently it affects the taste. But I am going to try it and see -  and bought this new microplane grater for the purpose.

Little Dish is a £10 million a year business that makes children's ready meals for the big supermarkets. The range includes spaghetti with meatballs, cottage pie, fish pie, risotto... Like some of us - it's founder Hilary Graves had the inspiration for her business when she was pregnant. 'I realised no-one was making fresh healthy food for toddlers and young children' she says.

Well Hilary, we were - we were just giving them some of our dinner. 

Here is the link for next years nominations... and you can see who won this year. 

There is a new Farmers’ Market at Ixworth Village Hall on the last Sunday of Month; (30th Sept, 28th Oct, 25th Nov); 10am – 1pm. Join local producers selling a variety of local products including sausages and bacon, cakes, flour, bread, jams, chutneys, pickles, chocolates and beers/juices, as well as autumn plants and flowers. Refreshments and biscuits available. More info/stall bookings via Charlotte Brown on 07545 629372 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Served just like Kir with white wine and ice ....mmmm

Mais oui...here we are in Marseilles admiring the vast spread of produce at the market - including donkey salami - this one's not for me - but only because of the vast choice. And of course we tried a whole selection of new aperitifs - merci Monsieur Bonfils - bright yellow Mimosa, sweet Chestnut and fragrant Roses. The latter is a bit Turkish Delight perhaps, but still worth featuring as our Dish of The Day because we know you would like to stock this next to the Pamplemousse and Rhubarbe, in case we come for a drink. There are many things that the French simply do better and one of them is drinking.   

Francesca Pitcher from North Star Cakes in Kent created this Burmese python cake for her daughter's birthday and put a picture on her Facebook page - and before she knew it the photo began to spread around the world. As we get into the new Great British Bake-off and have already seen a cake that can be seen from space, we might be adding a few more here. If you want to order a Snake Cake or read the funny comments on her page, have a quick look. 

Yes, in my local Italian cafe you can get liver and bacon on a plate with veg, or in a sandwich!