Happy Easter!

As this is my last day before my Easter Hols, I thought I’d have a look at Easter Fare again.. Trying to steer away from chocolate this time.. Not literally! Oh no… Just for the purposes of this posting! Lets start with the BBC (A very good place to start?) I’m not sure whether I fancy the Norwegian ‘lutefisk’ (Rehydrated dried salt cod) ! or the polish soup with sausage, horseradish and hard-boiled eggs, or indeed the Greek Easter 'Treat' - kokkoresti (spit-roasted lambs' innards wrapped in intestine) Lovely!?!?!

Hmm... Let’s move on…How about Finland ? Mammi seems very popular.. So, what is it? A dark brown porridge made of water and sweetened rye malt, baked in a slow oven in cardboard boxes! Not terribly tempting...!

Are things any better in Germany? 'Eier in gruener Sosse', which translates as 'eggs in green sauce'? no? No, I agree.. What about Italy.. Surely, there's something to satisfy the most discerning palate here.. Lets try the Pastiera - A pie filled with Ricotta cheese and studded with Candied fruits…. oh dear... Lets go further afield... Mexico... their speciality? Shrimp fritters!!

You know what? Here's to chocolate... and hot cross buns and Simnel cake! I think I know where I would rather be spending Easter! What about you?

Hospitality News from Leisure Opportunities

I have today attempted to add a Hospitality related RSS feed from Leisure Opportunities - I thought it had worked 100%, HOWEVER, it appears that clicking on each news item takes you to the sites home page and from here you need to click on 'Hospitality' within the UK news column on the right of the screen to bring up the Hospitality News stories! I'm assuming that the news stories will automatically change within the BLOG... Rest assured...I shall be monitoring this!

Brewing, Food and Beverage...

Came across this site in my meanderings today..

BFBI

I've put a link up on the right hand side too.. You will find access to all the events they organise, via the Events calendar, and free access to back copies of the Supplylines newsletter. At present, we don't have access to all areas however, as we are not members.. So, I could really do with those of you involved in this area having a look at this site, checking out the member benefits page, and coming back to me and letting me know if it would be worth us being members. Thanks for your assistance!

The Future's Green!

Jemima Packington from Pershore in Worcestershire, could give you a few ‘tips’ for the future… She tosses her asparagus tips in the air and analyses how they land! She’s been making predictions this way since the age of 9 and says it only works with British Varieties.

Talking of British varieties, April 23rd sees the start of the 2008 (3rd) British Asparagus Festival. The Festival, which runs until 21st June gets under way with the Great English Asparagus Run, at 8am on the morning of the 23rd April, followed by many asparagus related events throughout the next couple of months including the Asparagus auction which has taken taken place at the famous National Trust property, the Fleece Inn, in Bretforton, for decades. You can even book on an Aspara’bus’ tour! I think I might just give the event a try.. and I’m definitely going to order a few copies of “a Passion for Asparagus” for the library

U C B go F A B!

If you've a little spare cash and time, why not pop along to Victoria Square in Central Birmingham tomorrow (Thursday 6th March). As part of the Fairtrade Fortnight (23rd Feb-8th March), the Fair-Trade Association Birmingham (FAB) are organising an event here, running from 11am - 3pm. There's a chance to sample some of the fair trade food products which are now available in shops around the city, listen to live music, and browse the market stalls. As you're browsing, look out for the stall highlighting the best entries from the UCB's Fairtrade recipe competition. Dishes all feature FairTrade products as their main ingredients. And look out for the Fairtrade themed cake baked by none other than UCB staff!