The Berkeley Arms: A pub at the heart of its community

By Bobby Twidale

Since taking over The Berkeley Arms in Wymondham just over a year ago, Dipak Raxit, or ‘Kumar’ as he prefers to be known, has quickly established himself and his traditional village pub as the beating heart of the local community.

He’d be first to admit it wasn’t an easy start; losing a chef in the first few days of trading was not part of the plan. He’s proven himself more than equal to the challenge though. He’ll tell you he and his team, all locals, are still learning every day and he’s proud that the food and service are getting better and better.

In a rural environment where community facilities can be limited, the pub becomes the hub of the community. Actions speak louder than words and so one of Kumar’s first initiatives was to establish a Village Night on a Monday evening where for just £10 you could enjoy a meal and a drink. It has been a big hit with locals with most Mondays fully booked! And what Kumar instinctively gets is that the more you’re involved with the community, the more they will support you in return. “The pub is not mine,” he insists, “it belongs to everyone.”

He’s developing a reputation for great food that people want to eat; he really listens when his customers tell him what they want. You mention you’re a fan of fresh seafood and the next week razor clams will appear on the menu. Good value, tasty pub grub more your cup of tea? You’ll probably like a burger and pint for a tenner then.

Best laid plans and all that…

None of us saw the Coronavirus crisis coming, did we? But true to character, Kumar’s main motivator is his extended family, the local community. His first reaction of course was devastation for his business and team of colleagues after a year of hard graft, but he’s quickly put aside those feelings to focus on how The Berkeley Arms can continue to be there through these unprecedented circumstances.

He started by giving away all of his surplus stock to the villagers and then put out a takeaway and home delivery menu. However, he’s since drawn that to a close to encourage as many people to stay at home as possible, although he’s working out how to provide free meals for those in the village who need them.

“It’s a new world,” he says. And you can be sure Kumar will be there doing whatever it takes to help his community navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

And when it’s all over? The Berkeley Arms team will have a warm welcome, some great food and a nice pint waiting for you.

Find The Berkeley Arms on Instagram and Facebook.

How John Molnar and his award-winning team turned The Cod’s Scallops into Britain’s best fish & chip shop

By Bobby Twidale

East Midlands chippy The Cod’s Scallops was already riding the crest of a wave following its victory in the National Fish & Chip Awards 2020. A few weeks later in March 2020, it bagged a top prize at the British Pie Awards – for its chicken, leek & ham pie (in the Fish & Chip Shop category). I spoke to John Molnar, owner of The Cod’s Scallops chain of restaurants, at their Mansfield Road fish and chip shop in Nottingham...

From the moment you walk through the door, it’s clear The Cod’s Scallops is no wet fish. Every member of staff offers a ready smile, the perfect side to the mouthwatering plates of fish and chips they serve up six days a week in its four establishments.

It’s a cold Wednesday afternoon in February but the place is warm, bright and buzzing with customers. The menu is extensive with around 20 different species of fish on offer, which are served traditionally battered or baked for a gluten-free, healthy alternative. And all this in a land-locked, urban setting, 70 miles from the coast. 

John jokes: “We offer a massive range of fish. My menu is written by my fishmonger. I speak to him more than I speak to my wife.”

John has been in the business for 30 years and knew it was time to apply the same rigorous standards he’d learned in top fine-dining establishments to the fish and chip trade.

“I didn’t understand why you couldn’t go into a fish and chip shop and order some baked bass with chips and some moules marinières to take away,” he says.

That was probably his main motivation for putting him and his team through the gruelling Fish & Chip Awards selection process; the mystery shoppers, the head-to-heads with other top restaurants, the London pitch to 15 industry-leading judges – it’s all been about giving their customers a better experience.

“I entered because it made us a better shop,” John explains. “The little touches that are now second nature. You become a better operator.”

But the success, he insists, is all down to his staff.

“They’re the winners, not me.”

And winners they are. With the UK leading the fish and chip industry, The Cod’s Scallops is arguably the best fish and chip shop in the world.

John takes his obligations as an industry ambassador seriously. They will be travelling to Japan in September to represent the best of the UK on the world stage, and he’s also using the profile to support two charities close to the team’s hearts, The Fishermen’s Mission and Maggie’s Nottingham.

A recent addition, The Top Floor Development is the production and development kitchen where chef Dan Burridge, formerly head chef at Hart’s, works his magic. Everything sold in the restaurants – the pies, fishcakes, fish soup and tartar sauce – is produced on-site, guaranteeing a consistently excellent standard across the shop.

The Top Floor Development has also provided the perfect opportunity for Dan to show his creative flair by offering bespoke private-dining events for up to 24 people. You choose your menu, select your wines from an extensive list and make your Sunday lunch last as long as you like (or your Monday supper or Friday dinner). Dan will cook to your specifications, create a menu from a wishlist of ingredients or influences, or even let you don an apron and join in. It’s all grown by word of mouth but the initiative has been such a success they’ve had to employ a new staff member to handle the bookings. It’s the kind of innovation that will keep John, wife Helen and their team at the top of their game, and The Cod’s Scallops and the UK industry they represent leading the world in fish & chips.

Find The Cod’s Scallops in Sherwood, Long Eaton and Wollaton in Nottinghamshire, and in Market Harborough in Leicestershire.

The female head distiller making waves at Burleighs Gin of Leicestershire

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Distilling is traditionally a male pursuit. There’s no reason why it should be – except the shackles of history – but many more men make gin, vodka, rum and whisky than women. The same is true for brewing.

However, things are changing. The gin boom is creating more women distillers. And one is Charlie Hendon, head distiller at Burleighs Gin of Leicestershire.

Charlie’s career began at Derby Brewing Company, where she developed a passion for brewing and distillation. Joining Burleighs Gin in 2018, she found her feet under the guidance of Master Distiller Jamie Baxter before taking over Burleighs’ distillation and product development.

“It’s a great time to be a woman in the gin industry,” says Charlie. “A world that was predominantly led by men is increasingly being shaped and influenced by women. The popularity of gin has opened many opportunities for distillers to hone their creativity and skills.”

Located in Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest, every bottle of Burleighs Gin is distilled by Charlie on a 450-litre copper-pot still. They are enjoyed as far afield as Malaysia & Thailand.

Charlie’s first creation as Burleighs head distiller is the limited-edition Enchanted Woodland Gin, released in January 2020. It’s a classic London Dry Gin distilled with bilberries, elderberry and lemon. A limited number of bottles are available here.

Charlies says: “My advice to women looking to enter the gin industry is to be confident and show a willingness to learn. You never know how far your passion might take you. Being the head distiller of an international gin brand once felt a distant dream, but now the sky is the limit.”

If gin distilling sounds like your dream job, you can try your hand at Burleighs Gin Academy. Working with Charlie, you’ll gain a unique insight into gin, enjoy behind-the-scenes access to Burleighs Distillery and craft a bottle of gin to your own recipe.

Wigston Fields News & Deli celebrates its first birthday

The owners of Wigston Fields News & Deli – Pratik & Bee Master – are our Food Heroes of the Year. The couple won the award after transforming their corner shop into a local-food hotspot. Time flies, and on Saturday, March 7, 10am to 3pm, the shop celebrates its first birthday.

For 17 years, the Wigston Fields News & Deli – christened #NotJustACornershop on social media – operated as ‘Masters General Store’. Owned by Jay Master, it was a typical corner shop, stocking the essentials. It was the bread and butter of the neighbourhood.

However, on March 2, 2019, Pratik and Bee – Jay’s son and daughter-in-law – transformed the shop. They retained its identity as a family-run corner shop but added an inspirational range of local, artisan food & drink. This includes Leicestershire wines from Rothley Wine Estate, loaves from Hambleton Bakery and Bisbrooke Artisans, milk from Vine Farm Dairy of Great Dalby and pastries from Choux’tique and Christopher James Delicatessen.

In total, 57 local producers and retailers are now represented.

Pratik says: “The presence of thriving small family businesses is fundamental to community life. We all rely on each other and without the support of likeminded people, Wigston Fields News & Deli would not exist. In particular, Sukhina Garcia of Betty Brown Boutique, creator of the #SupportLeicesterLocal hashtag, has been key.

“Wigston News & Deli embodies the days when the local shop was a community hub where you could pick up a pint of milk and a loaf but also stay for an hour putting the world to rights. It’s almost like therapy.”

Pratik and Bee hope to stock items from 100 local producers by May 2020.

Head to Wigston News & Deli on Saturday March 7 to sample Burleighs Gin, Choux’tique French pastries, Eleri’s Welsh Cakes and, knowing Pratik, a samosa or two! Furthermore, Martin Bros will be there on Sunday March 8 cooking fresh pizzas.

Click here to find out more.

A Leicestershire gem: The Stag & Hounds, Burrough on the Hill

Yesterday, I ate at The Stag and Hounds in Burrough on the Hill. It was absolutely superb! Head chef Dom Clarke is a talented guy and his lovely partner Antonia runs front of house with aplomb.

While we were eating, Dom’s new hogget supplier came in for a pint of Parish ale. He grazes his sheep yards away on Burrough Hill, and Parish Brewery is literally next door to the pub. The local-soucing credentials of this pub cannot be questioned!

Before arriving in Leicestershire, Dom was head chef at The Barn at Moor Hall in Lancashire, where he earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, two AA rosettes, and a ‘Best Newcomer’ award from Lancashire Life magazine.

If you haven’t tried the Stag & Hounds, I can highly recommend a visit. 

BOOK ON: 01664 454 250.

NB. The lunchtime offer is exceptionally good value: two courses for £20 or three for £23.

Nottinghamshire’s School of Artisan Food named ‘Britain’s Best Cookery School’

The School of Artisan Food at Welbeck near Worksop in Nottinghamshire was named Best British Cookery School in the inaugural national Food & Drink Awards, which aired on ITV on February 9. The award coincides with the School’s 10th anniversary year.

Alison Swan Parente, founder, collected the award from Stephen Fry during the glittering ceremony. The awards, organised in association with Staysure and thefoodawards.com, were curated by an expert committee with a passion for fantastic British food.

“We are thrilled to receive this award,” said Alison. “It is an honour and we are proud to have been recognised. The School of Artisan Food is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on sustainability, bio-diversity and simple, healthy food. We pride ourselves on our many training courses for people of all skill levels.”

As part of a vibrant food community on the Welbeck Estate, the School often works in collaboration with its neighbours. They each share a passion for upholding artisan traditions and celebrate the heritage of their craft through the careful sourcing of ingredients.

Welbeck is home to Welbeck Bakehouse, Stichelton Dairy (which makes cheese made with milk from the Estate’s dairy herd), Welbeck Dairy (raw milk), and Welbeck Abbey Brewery. Their produce is available at Welbeck Farm Shop and features on menus at The Harley Café.

Great Food Club members can get 10% off all courses at The School of Artisan Food (not including its diploma) with the code GFCJKEFP10 when booking online.

Where to eat and drink in Whitby, Yorkshire | A Great Food Club Guide

By Ann Fugler, Yorkshire editor

Whitby is a place for all seasons, with dramatic, changing landscapes. It’s located on the iconic Yorkshire Heritage coastline surrounded by vast beaches and great swathes of the vibrant North York Moors National Park.

The curved arms of the twin piers draw the gaze out to sea, their shape mirrored by the whale’s jawbone arch that crowns the cliff to the west.

Whitby is divided in two by the River Esk estuary.

Whitby East Side

The historic East Side is where you can meander through the maze of narrow, cobbled lanes and winding alleyways with red-roofed, higgledy-piggledy cottages. There are gourmet food stores and old-fashioned signs for independent shops selling Whitby Jet jewellery and crafts.

Or, you can climb the famous 199 steps to the gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey – the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Whitby West Side

The thriving harbour is where fishing boats pepper the quayside and land their catch for the open-air market, restaurants and award-winning fish and chip cafés.

We needed a whole weekend to explore the gems in this characterful seaside town. Whitby is rapidly becoming quite a dining destination, and here are just a few of our recommendations.

Where to eat and drink in Whitby

Monks Haven Café

Monks Haven is the best place on Church Street to have breakfast before or after climbing the steps to the Abbey. You are served by warm and friendly staff in a bright and welcoming atmosphere. We loved the pot of Yorkshire tea served with toast, kippers and scrambled eggs for brunch.

The Green Dragon Ale House

The Green Dragon Ale House is a family-owned shop on historic Grape Lane, near the old swing bridge. It offers 300 different craft beers and ciders from around the world, and the tiny taproom offers five keg lines with new beers on daily. There is also a large range of gluten-free and low-alcohol beers. A real hidden gem.

Whitby Brewery

Keep your eyes peeled for this microbrewery and taproom. It sits beneath the towering arches of Whitby Abbey. Whitby Brewery is housed in a converted barn, where a small bar serves five cask beers and a selection of bottles all produced on-site. Knowledgeable and friendly staff pull the pints, making it the perfect spot to refuel after trekking up the 199 steps. Sit on one of the beer barrel stools and sink a pint of Whitby Whaler right next to the tanks in which it was made.

Fortune’s

If you don’t think you’re a fan of kippers, you will be by the time you’ve left Fortune’s. This tiny, ramshackle shop is largely unchanged since it was established in 1872 and you’ll see old photos on the wall of the six generations of family who have worked here.

You’ll smell its smokehouse long before you reach it, and its charred black walls filled with lines of hanging fish are a sight to behold. Fortunes also smokes bacon, if you really can’t be swayed to kippers.  

Trenchers

This large fish and chip restaurant is opposite the station and harbour, and sometimes you have to queue to get a table in this Italian-style venue complete with booths and colourful Tiffany lamps. This is to be expected, as Trenchers netted the prestigious title of UK’s Best Fish and Chip Restaurant in 2019. Blackboards on the walls tell you which boat landed the freshly-caught cod, and also that your chips are prepared on the premises using potatoes from Ripon. It’s the perfect place for a family Yorkshire teatime treat.

The Star Inn The Harbour

Michelin-Starred chef Andrew Pern’s latest venture showcases the best locally sourced produce from land and sea. His restaurant, The Star Inn The Harbour, in the former tourist information building on the harbour, has a nautical look – ropes, creels, framed postcards – but it’s tastefully done, not the full Captain Haddock.

Features include catch-of-the-day fish and meat specials, as well as world-famous North Yorkshire Moors produce. Desserts come predominantly from the restaurant’s Ice Cream Parlour, including some childhood classics but brought up to date.

The White Horse & Griffin

Both a pub and a restaurant, The White Horse & Griffin is on the East Side of town, the side with those cobbled streets and the 199 steps up to the Abbey. The building has been here since 1681 and was the first coaching inn between Whitby, York and London. It remained an inn until 1939.

It’s said that some chap called James Cook stayed there a few times. Apparently, he was pretty big in his day and captained many voyages.

The front entrance from Church Street leads you into a high-ceilinged room, made so by removing one of the floors. Along one side are a number of original fireplaces leading to a gin bar at the back. Go further back and down a small flight of stairs and you’ll find the restaurant. It’s low level but not in the basement; there is an old stove with the wine balanced above on the mantel.

Whether you visit Whitby in the summer for a sunny stroll along the beautiful Blue Flag beach, or in winter to shelter in a quirky pub with some steaming fish and chips, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into this Yorkshire town.

Northampton’s Daily Bread celebrates 40th anniversary

Daily Bread, one of Northamptonshire’s best-loved independent food & drink businesses, is marking its 40th anniversary.

To celebrate, the Northampton wholefood retailer – a co-operative – has planned several events for the next 12 months. John Clarke, Daily Bread’s longest-serving member of 33 years, said: “We’ve come a long way since a church group at St. Peter’s Church in Weston Favell decided to develop a business to reflect their beliefs. Now, four decades on, we want to say a big thank you to our loyal customers.”

Daily Bread has started its celebrations by launching a special-edition breakfast cereal – Ruby Muesli with cranberries and cinnamon – which is now on sale.

During its 40 years of trading, the co-operative has become a firm favourite in Northamptonshire and beyond. Furthermore, its online shop receives orders from across the UK.

Healthy wholefoods make up the core of Daily Bread’s sales. However, its 4,500-strong product range also offers environmentally-friendly cleaning products, herbal remedies, and cruelty-free body care & cosmetics.

In 2017, it was named ‘Growing Co-operative of the Year’ in the ‘Co-op of the Year Awards’. The following year it became the sponsor of the ‘Artisan Local Vegetarian / Vegan Product of the Year’ category in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.

To browse Great Food Club’s Northamptonshire recommendations, click here.

Where to take a gourmet minibreak in the East Midlands – five stunning options

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The East Midlands isn’t top of many mini-breakers’ lists. But it should be. Great Food Club’s home turf (we’re based in Melton Mowbray) contains pretty Rutland, the stunning Vale of Belvoir, the unsung beauty of Leicestershire’s Bradgate Park and the rugged Derbyshire Peak District. It’s also home to pies and Stilton, many special village pubs (search here to find some) and several handsome National Trust properties, plus the buzzing, tastebud-tickling cities of Nottingham, Leicester and Derby.

So, you don’t have to sit in the car for hours to enjoy a memorable minibreak. And what’s more, the East Mids is home to some gourmet-break gems – special inns and hotels that provide exceptional cooking, superior comfort and smile-inducing service.

Featured below are five superb East Midlands ‘sleepover’ options. Book a minibreak at any of these and you’ll come back refreshed and gloriously well-fed.

Hart’s of Nottingham

Experience a night of award-winning hospitality and gourmet food at Hart’s Hotel and Two-AA-Rosette restaurant. This award-winning central Nottingham venue is the perfect place in which to unwind and enjoy the company of someone special, with buzzing Nottingham on your doorstep should you wish to explore. Enjoy a foodie getaway to include an overnight stay, breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner & a glass of Champagne – all for £299. Book here.

Langar Hall, Langar, Nottinghamshire

Situated in the luscious Vale of Belvoir, apricot-coloured Langar Hall is unique. It seems to exist in its own space and time, separate from humdrum reality, drawing guests into a world of fantastic food and drink and intense relaxation. Staying here is a bit like having a slice of your own country house. Langar Hall is indulgent, bohemian and easy to fall in love with. No wonder it has so many loyal fans. Book here.

Lake Isle, Uppingham, Rutland

Enjoy beautifully presented food and exceptional customer service in Lake Isle’s award-winning restaurant. Choose from delicious light lunch to an indulgent evening meal, plus a fantastic choice of wines from the extensive wine cellar. Book one of the stylish bedrooms to make a night of it. Dinner bed & breakfast starts at £162 for two people. Book here.

Hambleton Hall, Hambleton, Rutland

The venue that’s held a Michelin Star for longer than any other in the UK is – you’ve guessed it – Hambleton Hall. Staying at this Rolls-Royce of a hotel is a special and extremely luxurious experience, with stunning views across Rutland Water, unrivalled service standards and spectacular food prepared by Aaron Patterson and his team. Hambleton Hall is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, so it’s the perfect time to arrange your stay. Book here.

Barnsdale Lodge, Oakham, Rutland

Placed second in The Telegraph’s ’20 Top Places for a Warm Welcome’, Rutland’s Barnsdale Lodge celebrates its 30^th Anniversary this year. Offering high-quality, locally-sourced gourmet food cooked by executive chef David Bukowicki and his team, plus 46 bedrooms and 17 self-catering retreats located just a short walk from Rutland Water, this is a gem for food lovers. Book here.

Important information: This is an advertisement feature. However, every business featured meets our criteria of being: 1) Independent and 2) Somewhere we’d recommend to a friend.

We only feature businesses we recommend in our ad features. For more information, click here. 

JOIN GREAT FOOD CLUB AND UNLOCK GREAT OFFERS

When you become a GFC Member, you gain access to a range of stunning ‘sleepover’ offers at excellent places. We’ve chosen each venue for its unique character, exceptional food and drink, and superb service. Join here.

Editor’s Blog: Sheffield hits the spot

With our 2020 guide book finished, printed and posted, yesterday we rewarded ourselves with a food & drink tour of Sheffield. We do these self-guided walking tours every month and they’re brilliant fun, as well as being an education.

We started with a pork pie and a pint at the Sheffield Tap next to the train station.

Next, we walked to Kelham Island where we discovered the brilliant The Depot Bakery, Sheffield Cheesemasters (who’d sold out of their Camembert-style ‘Little Mester’ cheese) and a cocktail bar in a shipping container (love it!).

From there we popped into the legendary The Fat Cat Sheffield, then to the exceptional JÖRO restaurant for lunch (a must-visit for its incredible cooking and atmosphere).

Then it was The Shakespeare, Gibraltar Street, Sheffield, followed by cheese and vermouth at Elm, and a (possibly unnecessary) top-up at The Bar Stewards.

Next, Kommune. Wow, Kommune! This is a brilliant, vibrant place set in the old Co-Op building in the city centre. It feels like a high-end food hall of the sort to rival Meadowhall but is packed with independents, including Baked in Brick and Hop Hideout Beer Shop. We were hugely excited and impressed by Kommune because it shows how large city-centre buildings can be regenerated by independent food traders (Leicestershire County Council please take note regarding the old Fenwicks building in Leicester and The Bell Centre in Melton Mowbray). Finally, we had a nightcap in the buzzing Rutland Arms – what a pub!

Today we’re on a diet.