Charlotte's May Newsletter

I'm delighted to be back with news and a brilliant competition to win award-winning book GOHAN, by Emiko Davies.

Exploring Triana Market in Seville

It’s been a while since I last compiled a monthly newsletter, and it gives me huge pleasure to write to you again for a long-overdue catch up.

2024 has been extremely busy so far, which has been just wonderful. Paid subscribers have continued to 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.

Since the end of last year, I’ve been extremely busy writing, cooking, tasting and travelling.

As I mentioned, I’ve been writing most weeks for paid subscribers here, but I’ve also recently finished a very big writing project, which I will share with you soon. It’s involved huge amounts of shopping, cooking and washing up!

I’ve also been busy judging awards covering food and drink products, hospitality establishments and food and drink writing. Just this week, I have judged for the Great Taste Awards again. I’ve been on the judging panel for a number of years, and it is a fascinating experience tasting and analysing such a broad range of products. Whilst hugely enjoyable, it’s also hard work judging dozens of products so rigorously. It’s a real challenge for the tastebuds, tasting products all day, which can include anything and everything from honey to ham, fudge to freekeh and olives to oven-ready meals. The results will be out in the summer and are always a brilliant resource for discovering new products to try.

A fuzzy photo is the sign of a good night, this time at the Fortnum & Mason Awards.

The awards season has also started, and last night I attended the brilliant Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards at the Royal Exchange in London. As you might expect, it was a fabulous party, with champagne flowing and a celebratory atmosphere. We gathered to celebrate some brilliant work in the world of food and drink, and I urge you to check out the list of winners and shortlistees. Highlights included special tributes from Angela Hartett to the late Russell Norman and Dave Myers, plus a special award for Rick Stein, generously presented by Tom Parker Bowles. Many brilliant writers, producers and broadcasters were recognised for their excellent work. That list includes the hugely talented Mark Diacono, who writes an excellent Substack page many of you may follow.

It also includes this multi-award winning book, GOHAN, by Emiko Davies, which won the Cookery Book category. It’s been a bumper week for the book, too, as it received a Special Commendation at the André Simon Awards just a few days ago. Quite the accolade! I’m therefore delighted to be able to offer a copy of this brilliant book to a subscriber to win. Please read on to find out the details of how to enter.

Catching the end of the Tarocco blood orange harvest at La Deliziosa, at the foothills of Etna in Sicily.

I mentioned that I have been busy travelling, and I have been so fortunate to enjoy a number of outstanding trips so far this year. In February, I spent a week in Naples, Catania and Sicily, which was sensational. Some of you may have seen some of my photos on my Instagram page. My travel recommendations and some Italian-inspired recipes can be found on my Substack home page.

Northern Ireland’s exquisite Causeway Coast

Next, on my itinerary was an outstanding visit to Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, which was absolutely wonderful. The food and drink scene is simply thriving and it is a true delight to experience the warm hospitality and outstanding natural larder that Northern Ireland has to offer. Again, you can read about my trip on my Substack home page and find recommendations, if you happen to be planning a trip. I shall be returning again in the next couple of weeks for an Island of Ireland trip from Belfast to Cork.

Beautiful Seville (taken at the Real Alcázar)

I managed to get a bit more sun a fortnight ago with a wonderful return to Seville. Some of you will know that I used to live in Spain, and it was therefore a huge pleasure to return to the country I love so much. We caught the end of Feria too, which was a delight to experience. Do look it up, if you haven’t heard of it. I will write up my recommendations for Seville shortly.

Last week, I had another short stay in Edinburgh again, which is always a joy. I’ve written up some recommendations for eating and drinking there, as it’s something I’m asked regularly.

For an extra challenge, I delivered my annual French cookery classes at the excellent Jewellery Quarter Academy in Birmingham. This is a brilliant state school in Birmingham city centre, which really tries so hard to deliver transformative experiences for its students. I delivered my half-day cooking classes over two days, for four groups of Year 10 French students, which was a brilliant opportunity for them to improve their cooking and language skills, as well as having the chance to taste some new foods and prepare a full meal to take home. Have a look a the lovely food the students made here. This is the third year I’ve done this, and it’s a great opportunity to inspire young adults to take an interest in food, culture and languages.

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

To enter the competition to win a copy of GOHAN, simply hit reply and email me to enter my draw. The draw closes at 5pm UK time on Tuesday 7th May. I will select the winner and contact them to organise postage. Many thanks to Gohan’s publisher, Smith Street Books for supplying the book, which I will post to the winner.

Wishing you all a very happy Bank Holiday weekend,

Charlotte