One of Bristol’s brightest star chef’s is coming to take over the kitchen at Tetbury’s The Priory Inn. 

New head chef Tom Bannister has worked at some of Bristol’s best eateries including a head chef role at The Souk Kitchen.He is planning to introduce a new, more casual approach to dinning focusing on the social side of eating, using the charming dining space at The Priory.

The Arkell’s Brewery hotel has undergone a management makeover since Greg Heath took over the reins of the hotel in July. 

theprioryinn.co.uk

The Cotswolds Distillery have introduce their own twist on the classic Old Tom Gin. 

Dating back to the 18th century, at a time when gin was consumed in copious amounts, this juniper spirit was traditionally sweetened with sugar or liquorice to conceal the astringent qualities of the substandard spirit. Thanks to the thriving craft cocktail scene, Old Tom Gins based on traditional recipes have made a comeback in the past few years.

Tasting Notes
The Cotswolds Old Tom has sweet, woody notes from liquorice root balanced with zesty orange citrus and light spice from the ginger.

Serving suggestions
We enjoy our Old Tom neat, garnished with fresh orange peel, or why not try a Tom Collins cocktail by adding lemon juice, soda and sugar syrup.

It's available now in-store and online.

500ml | 42% ABV | £29.95

www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/products/old-tom-gin

50 restaurants in the Cotswolds have made it into the Michelin Guide 2020 that was published this week. 

We have done the honourable thing and listed them all for you so you don't have to to go on a wild search. 

You can find the whole list by clicking HERE.

The Royal Oak in Whatcote has been awarded a Michelin Star.

The menu showcases high quality local, organic, wild ingredients and game often 'shot to order' by gamekeepers on local estates, while keeping the local pub ethos throughout.

Chef Richard Craven has been a well-know name in the culinary world in the Cotswolds after the success of The Chef's Dozen in Chipping Campden and said on twitter "We’re still reeling from last night but we would like to sincerely thank our little team and incredible part timers for all their hard work. Thank you Michelin for taking the time to visit us and for awarding us this absolute honour."

​www.theroyaloakwhatcote.co.uk

The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power opened its doors again after its shock closure in July. 

The famous 17th century Cotswolds racing pub has been taken over by The Lucky Onion Group, which is owned by Julian Dunkerton. 

​Obviously we pooped down and had a look. The pub's interior looks and feels warmer, and there is still a racing theme throughout. There is, of course, Dunkertons Cider of draft as well as other local ales and lagers.

We also had a bite too. The Ham, Egg and Chips is immense with an orange glazed whole ham hock on the plate. 

hollowbottom.com

The Cotswolds Distillery have added a new whisky to their range with the launch of the first-ever whisky matured in peated casks in the Cotswolds.

The peated cask release is hand-crafted in small batches using 100% locally grown barley, and has been matured exclusively in ex-peated quarter casks from Scotland. The result is a wonderfully-balanced rich and fruity whisky with subtle notes of peat smoke.

They began making this single malt using 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley which is mashed and then fermented for more than 90 hours before a double distillation in their bespoke copper pot stills, resulting in a light and fruity new-make spirit.

After being diluted to 63.5% ABV, they then filled ex-peated quarter casks from Scotland with the new-make spirit and left these to mature, allowing the rich and fruity spirit to take on a light smoked peat flavour. The whisky has been fully matured in these casks and bottled at cask strength (59.3% ABV), non-chill filtered and with no added colouring. 

Tasting notes

Nose: Vanilla with light charring and a touch of dried fruits and spice.

Palate: Creamy peat smoke layered with light fruits and tannin-rich wood.

Finish: Lasting finish of smoking embers, floral honey and woody sugars.
​

www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/products/peated-cask-single-malt-whisky

It has been announced that The Hollow Bottom will officially reopen on Monday 7th October.

The popular horse racing pub in Guiting Power closed suddenly in July before being bought buy The Lucky Onion Group, owned by clothing brand Superdry's co-founder Julian Dunkerton. 

hollowbottom.com

​Check out the new menu below.

The shortlist for the 2020 National Fish and Chip Awards has been announced – and a Cotswolds restaurant has made the cut. 

​Malt & Anchor in Cirencester will now compete for the chance to take home the coveted title of the ‘UK’s best fish and chip restaurant’ which will be announced in January 2020. 

Established in 2017, Malt and Anchor describes itself as having a 'traditional chippy menu with a twist', including their speciality fish and chips, panko coated calamari, locally sourced award-winning pies, butcher sausages and Malt & Anchor’s own fresh fish specials. The restaurant also offers a takeaway service as well as an array of fine wines, cocktails and boutique beers to compliment their menu.

www.maltandanchor.co.uk

Bhoomi in Cheltenham has given itself refresh and will now be known as Bhoomi Kitchen. 

The restaurant will offer a more casual dining experience while keeping a huge focus on South India cuisine,   introducing an Indian BBQ  to the menu as well as offering Thali every weekday evening and Friday - Sunday lunch.. 

There is a also the new addition of "The Games Room" where guests can play Carrom, a popular cue sport-based tabletop game of South Asian origin. 

bhoomikitchen.co.uk

The King's Head Inn in Bledington has been named 'Inn of the Year' for 2020 in the latest Good Pub Guide awards. 

They were one of 14 pubs awarded and  follows up being named Good Pub Guide 'Pub of the Year' in 2017. 

Other winners from around the UK include;

Pub of the Year 2020
The Inn at Whitewell, near Clitheroe, Lancashire

Dining Pub of the Year 2020
The Assheton Arms in Downham, Lancashire

Licensee of the Year 2020
The Wyvill Arms in Constable Burton, Yorkshire

New Pub of the Year 2020
The Swan in Marbury, Cheshire

Value Pub of the Year 2020
The Dipton Mill Inn, Diptonmill, Northumbria

Unspoilt Pub of the Year 2020
The Kings Head, Laxfield, Suffolk

Country Pub of the Year 2020
The Harp , Old Radnor, Wales

Town Pub of the Year 2020
Babbity Bowster, Glasgow, Scotland

Inn of the Year 2020
The Kings Head, Bledington, Oxfordshire

Beer Pub of the Year 2020
The Fat Cat, Norwich, Norfolk

Own Brew Pub of the Year 2020
The Beer Hall, Hawkshead Brewery, Cumbria

Wine Pub of the Year 2020
The Woods, Dulverton, Somerset

Whisky Pub of the Year 2020
The Bon Accord, Glasgow, Scotland

Gin Pub of the Year 2020
The Cholmondeley Arms, Cholmondeley, Cheshire

The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power is the latest addition to The Lucky Onion portfolio and will reopen its doors in October 2019.

The pub has always been a huge favourite of the horse racing community and was the scene of celebrations both after Bindaree won the Grand National and when Imperial Commander landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup for nearby trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. 

Away from racing, the pub's charming rural setting is perfect for a quiet lunch and supper, with The Lucky Onion's lovingly-cooked good food, and the finest ingredients from the around the UK, at the heart of the menus. There's an extensive beer and wine list too.

A beautiful 17th-century Cotswold stone building with excellent country views, The Hollow Bottom will feature The Lucky Onion’s signature design touches around its already existing deep recessed windows, low ceilings and exposed stone walls and timbers.

In the winter, expect a roaring wood-burning fire in the bar. In summer months, you can soak up the sunshine with drinks and food on the terrace.

The Lucky Onion took over ownership after the property closed in July 2019. 

Below is the new Hollow Bottom logo.

I always look forward to The Big Feastival. I have watched it grow since 2012 when Razorlight and Texas were topping the bill, Jamie Oliver and Valentine Warner were doing cooking demos , and Peppa Pig was the highlight in the Little Dude's Den. 

Eight festivals on and all of the original foundations are still there. It's just got bigger and a whole lot better and this year was by far and away the best yet. 

They got lucky with the weather. It was over 25 degrees all weekend and no matter what anyone says, it makes a massive difference. They also got a little bit lucky with Lewis Capaldi. When he was announced on the line-up he was nowhere near as big is he is today. I think many people there on Friday were purely there to see him. 

In keeping with tradition, Friday was brought to a close with a DJ set. This year saw Rudimental turn Alex James' Farm into Ibiza Rocks with their 75-minute set. 

Lucy May Walker was the highlight from The Udder Stage which BBC Introducing took over each afternoon showcasing some rising talent from the UK.

Dodgy and The Zutons both played the main stage on Saturday before Jess Glynne brought the evening to a close. 

The sun was beating down again on Sunday afternoon where Barns Courtney produced one of the best sets of the weekend. He was followed by Alex James' Orchestra and an awesome DJ Set by Jonas Blue that would probably have been suited being on a little later than his 4.30pm slot, but nobody seemed to mind. The sad loss of Jade Bird to illness meant that she was replaced by Abba Tribute Björn Again which is never a good thing, and triggered a quick escape back to the Cheese Hub.

Jack Savoretti is riding the wave of success from his hugely successful "Singing to Strangers" album and was perfect as the sun was setting behind the main stag, before Elbow, who I feel were lost on a lot of the younger generation, brought the Feastival 2019 to a close with a customary flawless set that concluded with Grounds For Divorce and One Day Like This from their number one album, The Seldom Seen Kid. 

As the name of the festival suggests, food is a huge part of the weekend. You need more that 3 days to sample all of the incredible street food on offer and without doubt the best food ant any festival I have ever been to. The brisket bun, pickled red chilli from Smokstak and the steak from Carcass were both incredibly good. As was the meat from DJ BBQ where you can sing along to some classic rock with T-Bone Chops, not his real name, on air shovel. The fried chicken from Only Jerkin' and Burger and Beyond burgers were both exceptional, and the queue for Souvlaki Street suggests their amazing looking Greek wraps were hugely popular. Sadly I couldn't fit anymore in and have already noted them down for next year. 

The Collaboration Kitchen returned for a second year serving up some special edition dishes from most innovative names on the UK street food scene. I tasted my first ever mac 'n' cheese pie thanks to My Pie x Anna Maes (Mac Not Crack) which was ridiculously good. 

The NEFF Big Kitchen again played host to an array of demonstrations and Q&A sessions from some of the biggest names in food including Raymond Blanc, Mark Hix, Prue Leith and Gennaro Contaldo. 

The thing I love is that the Feastival isn't trying to be edgy or cool in the slightest. In all fairness it would actually struggle if it was when Dick and Dom introduce Lewis Capaldi to the stage following a quick game of "Bogey".

​It is just brilliantly British with outstanding food, heaps for families to see and do (under 12's go free) and music which is the aural equivalent of comfort eating. 

thebigfeastival.com

We're not sure about you but this is the moment we have been waiting for. 

The Big Feastival's Big Menu has landed and it lists all of the food options that you will be able to work your way through across the weekend. 

The Big Feastival takes place this weekend at Alex James' Farm in Kingham.

thebigfeastival.com

The Lygon Arms in Broadway has created a limited edition burger named after us, The Cotswolds Gentleman, to celebrate National Burger Day. 

The incredible double patty stack will be available for a week from Monday 19th - Monday 26th August 2019 and costs £25 with 10% from each burger sold going to Children's Air Ambulance. 

The burger consists of:

West Bakery Bun
2 Waghorne's Beef Burgers
Old Spot Flaked Ham Hock
Chargrilled Pork Belly Slices
Tracklements Onion and Apple Cider Jam
Cotswold Gold Mayonnaise
Applewood Cheese

and is accompanied by:

Sweet Potato Fries 
Onion Rings
​
Nation Burger day takes place on Thursday 22nd August 2019. 

Tag us @CotswoldsGent and @LygonCotswolds into your social media posts!

www.lygonarmshotel.co.uk

The former Hare and Hounds pub at Fosse Cross between Northleach and Cirencester is reopening with a new name this August. 

The Stump, the locals' nickname for the Hare and Hounds, will open on August 19th after a complete renovation and will offer a wonderful Italian inspired menu with pizza legends Baz and Fred at the helm.

​A huge bar spans the length of the pub, three open fires keep the pub cosy in the winter and there is the sunny garden for the summer months. Oak beams and stone floors are juxtaposed with the modern tiled open kitchen and the huge wood fired pizza oven. 

Pizza aficionados Baz & Fred have created a simple yet delectable menu of wood fired pizzas, classic pastas, as well as salads and small plates. All of the food will be served freshly prepared from the new open kitchen.

Local beers line the bar including  DEYA Steady Rolling Man Pale Ale and there is a good selection of local gin for The Stump G&Ts. You can also enjoy an aged negroni, the signature cocktail at The Stump.

The pub also boasts  ten simple ensuite rooms for anyone wanting to make a weekend of it. 

Enjoy 25% off all food during opening week from 19th -23rd August 2019.

Check them out at thestump.co.uk

Timings for the main stage and The Big Kitchen at The big Feastival have been released. 

The 3-day festival takes place at Alex James' Farm in Kingham, Oxfordshire from Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th August 2019 and sees Lewis Capaldi, Elbow, Jess Glynne and Rudimental all headline. 

thebigfeastival.com

Returning for the sixth year in a row, The Friday Night Supper Club will transform The NEFF Big Kitchen into a beautiful al fresco dining space for guests to enjoy a 4-course dinner featuring a handpicked collaboration of Chefs coming together for the first time ever.

The Feastival-exclusive collaboration brings Action Against Hunger all-stars; Robin Gill of the farm-to-table bistro, The Dairy; James Lowe of the British, produce-led restaurant Lyle’s; Anna Haugh of the Irish-inspired restaurant Myrtle; and Helen Goh of the famous Middle Eastern influenced restaurant, Ottolenghi; to create a unique and specially-themed menu for guests to enjoy under the stars. 

Guests will enjoy a welcome cocktail courtesy of Warner’s Gin, a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne paired with the main course as well as wine, beer and soft drinks served throughout the evening. So sit back, relax and enjoy!

Tickets are now on sale with all profits going to Action Against Hunger to purchase yours click here.

MENU
In support of Action Against Hunger 

Welcome Drink
Warner’s Gin Cocktail

Grazing
James Lowe, Lyle’s
Sourdough from Flor with unpasteurised butter from Lyle's
Summer vegetables with honey and anchovies
Little gem lettuce with cured pollack and tomatoes

Starter 
Anna Haugh, Myrtle
Heritage carrot salad, cais na tire cheese, tarragon dressing and violette crisps

Main 
Robin Gill, The Dairy
Lamb Feast: shoulder with BBQ cabbage, ricotta and olive oil, merguez and sour fennel
Paired with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label

Dessert 
Helen Goh, Ottolenghi
Rolled Rosewater and Berry Pavlova

Wine, beer and soft drinks will be available throughout the evening.

Time: Friday 23rd August from 19:00-21:00

Location: The NEFF Big Kitchen

Price: £85.00 per person

The Festival™ presented by Magners is a world class event here in the Cotswolds.

Today, Cheltenham Racecourse released their new hospitality brochure for The Festival™ 2020 which takes you inside their restaurants and private boxes for a 3D tour. 

From panoramic views to unrivalled dining experiences, Cheltenham offers everything you need to celebrate a special occasion or entertain guests and clients. 

Click HERE to view the brochure

We are delighted to launch The Roar, the ultimate guide to racing at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Did you know it's Negroni week? And did you know that one of the greatest cocktails in 100 years old this year?

The Lygon Arms in Broadway are celebrating in style with four takes on the cocktail and have shared their classic recipe with us. 

The Classic

25ml Gin 
25ml Campari 
25ml Sweet Vermouth
 
Method:
· Pour all the ingredients into a stirring glass filled with ice
· Add 1 slice of orange to the stirring glass
· Stir the ingredients with ice for 30 seconds
· Strain the mixture over fresh ice in an old fashioned glass
· Garnish with a fresh orange wheel

Check out their other creations HERE.

I was honoured to be invited to help judge the regional final of the Cotswolds Distillery Cocktail Competition at The Fire Station in Cheltenham yesterday. 

Before arriving I didn't really know what standard to expect. It was very high. We had smoke, chewbacca t-shirts, serious competition, great story telling and a lot of fun with Dan Morgan from Koj Restaurant the overall winner. 

Participants were asked to make both a Cotswolds Gin and a Cotswolds Whisky cocktail in 8 minutes, and were judged on their presentation while preparing the drinks, their brand knowledge of the Cotswolds Distillery and its products, the appearance of the cocktail as well as its aroma and, of course, taste. 

Dan will now go on to compete in the overall final at the Cotswolds Distillery Summer Festival on Saturday 17th August at the Distillery.

​For more information about the festival, click the link below.

Cotswolds Distillery Festival

It's been a hard few years for us folk who live out in the sticks, watching people from "the towns" ordering food online like it's the normal thing to do and within minutes it's delivered to their door by someone on a scooter or bicycle.

Well, times are a changing people! 

Introducing Munch. 

Munch is a brand new delivery service that is launching very soon with an aim to bring you delicious meals from previously out of reach independent restaurants and local chefs.

The concept is pretty simple. 

You sign up for free. 

You select a collection point near you. Currently there is only Bishops Cleeve, Winchcombe, Twyning, Tewkesbury abd Bredon to choose from. This will increase as the demand from different villages increases.

They will then let you know in advance what food is coming to your area. 

It's really that simple!

Some great restaurants from Cheltenham are already involved, including Kibou Sushi, Bhoomi, Marinades and Bar & Wok and wouldn't we all like a Japanese delivery in the North Cotswolds?

Sign up people! 

munchhq.com

The Collaboration Kitchen is back and bigger than ever! Exclusive to The Big Feastival, a number of their top Street Food traders are teaming up for one-off collaborative dish.

Festival goers can get their hands on these mouth-watering pairings by visiting thebigfeastival.com/attractions/the-collaboration-kitchen

All proceeds go to the charity partner, Action Against Hunger.

This year's pairings include;

Oli Baba x Rainbo: 
Katsu Poutine – Oli Baba halloumi fries, pork & Chinese chive gyoza topped with katsu curry sauce, Japanese pickles, pomegranate and herb garnish
 
Oh My Dog x Souvlaki Street: 
Hand-made, heritage breed Frankfurter in a freshly baked Demi-brioche bun topped with Greek mustard sauce, spicy red pepper and barrel-aged feta sauce, shoestring fries tossed in oregano, and paprika and finely diced housemade pink pickled onions
 
Smokestak x Wingmans: 
Smoked pork belly with an Asian twist topped with Wingman’s signature sauce, pickled cucumber, spring onions, and a hint of lime
 
Other Side Fried x The Cheese Truck: 
Chicken Parmigiano Sandwich – Other Side Fried chicken, British mozzarella and marinara sauce topped with basil and grated old Winchester cheese
 
DJ BBQ x Farang: 
Whole BBQ goat, roasted over the fire pit with a five spiced glaze, finished with palm sugar, fermented shrimp, pomelo salad, orange chili nahm jim, burnt chili dipping sauce and fresh thai herbs
 
My Pie x Anna Maes: 
Deep Pan Pie filled with three cheese macaroni, Cobble Lane pepperoni and even more cheese
 
The Piadina Project x Carcass:
Piadina, Smoke Salt Marsh Lamb Shoulder with goats curds, mint salsa verdé, artichoke and slaw
 

The Cotswolds Distillery have opened their second shop in Broadway. 

It stocks a full range of their stunning products and has a "Masterclass" room upstairs, where visitors can blend their own gin and whisky. 

This is their second satellite shop after opening on the high street in Bourton on the Water in 2018. 

You can find the shop directly opposite The Lygon Arms in the heart of the village.

To book a Masterclass or for any further information, visit www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

If don't ever want to forget your wedding anniversary, get married on a day that will trigger your memory. It really works. St George's Day is her, sorry, our day. I actually need a reminder the day before as again I forgot to buy a card. She hadn't bothered either. Who said romance was dead?

​"It's leather this year"  as a picture of some riding boots was shoved in my face. Apparently we are supposed to buy each other something leathery for 3 years of marriage. Let's hope she'll be as enthusiastic with a few pieces fruit next year. 

I had the day pretty much planned; a Veuve Clicquot Champagne brunch at The Lygon Arms followed by dinner at their new Back Garden Restaurant at Dormy House, albeit with an eight hour gap in between.

The brunch menu included pretty much everything you would expect to find from Eggs Benedict, Royale and Florentine to Avocado on toast, more eggs and chilli, with an optional glass (£14) or bottle (£75) of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. I convinced her that 3 years of marriage didn't warrant a bottle, and the fact the sun was out and we could eat outside was more than enough.  

What can you really write about a brunch? I love reading so called foodie bloggers' reviews of a free brunch they have been given thinking they have cracked the world of Instagram influencing with their 28 post likes. "The eggs were really runny" They actually were very runny. "The toast was cooked just right" It was. I would have been worried if it wasn't. "The avocado was perfectly smashed" Yep, that too. However, the additional chilli flakes did add a surprising, yet welcome fiery kick as I reached for my glass of fizz to stop my coughing.

It was 20 degrees and the courtyard terrace is a lovely place to spend a few hours. The fact that this brunch is served from 9.30am - 6pm is an added bonus as we enter the summer months.

The Back Garden is the latest restaurant to launch on the Farncombe Estate. This time at Dormy House, under the watchful eye of Culinary Director, Martin Burge. 

The estate has pretty much covered all culinary bases now. Hook at The Fish Hotel is a splendid seafood restaurant, not forgetting the hotel's outdoor Feasting BBQ Deck for groups of 10-20. Guests at, Foxhill Manor, their private manor house, can choose what they eat, where they eat it and when they eat. A concept that I love as I often eat on impulse and regularly eat far too late.

As well as The Back Garden, The Dormy has also just launch MO, a unique, interactive 7-course tasting-menu experience to just 12 guests at a time. These both sit alongside the always consistent, relaxed, no-faff Potting Shed. I can highly recommend the belly pork. 

The Back Garden is completely different to the others. It would be stupid if it wasn't. There is a huge focus on nature, local ingredients, high-welfare meats and sustainability. This might sound a little bit twee and pretentious. It really isn't.

We booked for 7.30 and were the first to arrive which is always a little bit strange. We were shown to a window seat that looked out towards the, errrrr,  back garden. Of course it did. 

The restaurant is beautiful with the fading evening sun offering some natural light. There are plants mixed with subtle coloured soft furnishings and wallpaper-covered walls with a print that neither of us could decipher. 

Then menu arrived with a bottle of Merlot and a G&T. It's fixed-price at £49.50pp for 3-courses that would have my local pub-eating parents gasping for air. It's a special occasion type of place which works for both hotel guests and locals alike. 

At the risk of choosing off the sample menu on the website, luckily our choices were on there. Stuffed saddle of rabbit, pickled spring vegetables, whole grain mustard, bitter leaves and Pearl barley & Worcestershire hop risotto, beer pickled onions to start, and Braised beef cheek, pointed cabbage, cauliflower purée, king oyster mushroom and Jonny’s fish of the day. I have know idea who Jonny is but it was Halibut with samphire so that was me sold. 

She looked up from her risotto, like Goldilocks over a bowl of porridge, and declared that this is "the best starter I have ever had". 

It was all exquisite. I'm not even sure if I have ever used that word before.

The flavours of the rabbit, pickled veg, mustard and bitter leaves was immense and I won't lie about having slight food envy when I saw her Braised beef cheek arrive although my fish was superb. 
​
There was enough room for desert. We chose the apple tart with toffee sauce as the picture on the website looked so good and the local cheeses, bits and pieces. 

With excellent service from our French waitress (I usually try and get a name if they are really good) and some incredible cooking by Head Chef Sam Bowser, the price becomes irrelevant. For the same meal in London you would definitely be looking to double, or even treble, the bill. 

Surely food like this better than some leather riding boots, right?
​
​
www.dormyhouse.co.uk/eat/the-back-garden

After a sudden closure 3 months ago, The New Inn at Coln St Aldwyns has been reopened by experience chef Dominic Hewitt, formerly of The Wild Duck and The Bull Inn at Charlbury. 

With a weekly changing menu full fresh seasonal food and the 15 en-suite bedroomrooms all all enjoying a refresh to include more modern comforts, the new owners hope to create a relaxed environment for customers new and old.

​We wish them all the luck and will be visiting soon to take a proper look!

www.thenewinncoln.co.uk