Charlotte's June Newsletter

I'm delighted to be back this month with some very special news and recipes.

Some new recipes for you - read on for the links

There is a reason why I’ve delayed sending out my June newsletter, and I am pleased that I can now reveal all. I will resume posting a monthly newsletter at the start of each month from now on.

I’ve also had a large jump in new subscribers over the last few weeks, so first, here’s a little housekeeping, so you know what to expect. Paid subscribers receive a newsletter most weeks, containing recipes, book competitions and advice, so please do pop over to my page and have a look at my back catalogue of posts. If you’re not a paid subscriber already, I’d love you to consider joining this growing group, who receive everything I write, which includes my expert advice pieces and recipes.

I have some personally significant news this month: I am so pleased to tell you that I received an MBE in The King’s Birthday Honours last Saturday, for services to food writing and food education. I was really amazed to have received the letter a couple of weeks ago and was absolutely delighted to accept. I am profoundly touched to have been nominated and for my work to have been recognised in this way. Food writing and food education are really wonderful careers, but I’m especially pleased that they have been highlighted here. Thank you to you all for supporting my work and that of others in our industry. I’m now very much looking forward to the investiture.

A brilliant time at Balmoral, with food writer friends from across the UK and Ireland

Since I last wrote, I’ve had a fairly busy couple of weeks, although not as hectic as usual, thanks to a nasty bout of shingles.

My new-ish food and drink consultancy business has been a joy and has provided a number of really interesting and productive opportunities to work with producers, retailers and hospitality businesses.

I had a great trip with fellow food writers to Belfast and to the Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland, which was just fantastic. Highlights included a brilliant dinner at Marcel’s and visiting the newly opened McConnell’s Distillery in the Crumlin Road Gaol.

I have also finally hung up my pink apron and cooked for my final large event. It was a beautiful wedding at a a private home on the Thames in Oxfordshire. I cooked for around 150 people, which was a huge privilege, and great to mark this finale with such a special event. Thank you to my suppliers, who include Dolwen Welsh Lamb (order online) and Orange Bakery in Watlington for going the extra mile to accommodate my special orders.

Back home, the garden has sprung to life, and we have planted most of our veg out in the no-dig beds, where it’s flourishing. We currently have plenty of chard, kale, salad leaves and loganberries, and I’m looking forward to being able to harvest gooseberries, currants, figs, courgettes and beans before long.

Finally, I am so pleased to share some new recipes for you:

Roasted Aubergine Salad with Tomatoes, Burrata and Pesto

Chargrilled Courgettes with Fennel, Broad Beans, Basil and Pine Nuts

Roasted Apricots with Vanilla, Cinnamon and White Wine

These are all free, and if you would like to view my full back catalogue of posts, please follow this link to find all of my posts. I also have a competition on my Instagram to win a box of fruit and vegetables from I Love Fruit and Veg from Europe, with whom I travelled to Italy earlier this year, so do have a look if you’re interested.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this month’s newsletter and I look forward to writing again soon.

Wishing you all a very pleasant weekend,

Charlotte