Welcome to Foodtripper in June. In anticipation of a long, hot, British summer I stay close to home dropping by Le Cafe Anglais in London to share lunch with Rowley Leigh - just turned 60 - and hear his plans for the restaurant and his forthcoming role as poster boy for the Picota Cherry Campaign. Picota cherries are in season in late June and July - keep tuning into Foodtripper TV for Rowley's cherry recipe video on air soon.
Across town, at The Lanesborough Hotel, Heinz Beck's summer menu is served- the first major menu overhaul since Apsley's opened last year. I dropped by to give it a try and what a treat. All eight sumptuous courses were stunners - infused with Beck's signature style - Mediterranean flavours and colours carefully tailored to sit right in an old English establishment.
To whet your appetite for the gorgeous months of travel ahead, we've found you a stunning Shanghai-ese food hotel, a restaurant-hop around Lyon with Zoe Perrett, and a thirst-quenchingfeature from wine writer Douglas Blyde - he tripped across to Chablis to report back on one of our most popular summer tipples.
If your travel is more vicarious, we've still got plenty for you- learn how to make a proper Cornish pasty with the video on Foodtripper TV, or fill your freezer with luscious ices from Morfudd Richard's inspiring book, 'Lola's Ice Creams & Sundaes'.
But when the sun's shining, there's really no excuse not to get out and about. It's the perfect time for a festival- this month, it's time for Taste of London, Pembrokeshire Fish Week, the Great Japan Beer Festival, and Le Cafe Anglais' very own Seafood & Chablis Festival. Take your pick, and enjoy. Welcome to summer Helen