Features

» A career in the kitchen
By staff writer
SO you think you've got what it takes to become a chef? Hard work and often brutal conditions await.

» The San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2008
By staff writer
THE best of the best are in this list, and there were some good results for UK chefs.

» Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
By staff writer
FROM its humble beginnings in 1983 as a minor celebration to mark the end of the garlic harvest, the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival now attracts up to 25,000 visitors annually over an August weekend.

» The sous-vide method of cooking
By staff writer
CHEFS are always looking for innovative methods to improve the efficiency of their kitchens and the quality of the food they serve.

» Choosing olive oil
By staff writer
THE plethora of olive oils on sale at supermarkets these days can be baffling. Each purports to be made from the finest olives and from the most carefully tended groves. But how do you separate the marketing hype from the truth?

» What is an amuse-bouche?
By staff writer
DINE at any good restaurant and the chances are you’ll find a small, bite-sized offering that is not listed on the menu placed before you at the start of the meal.

» What is a sommelier?
By staff writer
SEASONED foodies will be well familiar with the role of a sommelier, but if you are just beginning your epicurean adventure, this is one of those terms which can cause confusion.

» The Michelin Guide
By staff writer
THE hallowed Michelin guide to restaurants has an almost mythical significance for both chefs and epicurean explorers alike.

» What's in a name, chef?
By staff writer
WITH the plethora of cooking programmes filling our TV screens, we’re all becoming familiar with the various ranks associated with the professional kitchen.

» À la carte or set menu?
By staff writer
A COMMON stumbling block for those who are new to the foodie world and are beginning to venture out into the exciting world of restaurants is the phrase ‘à la carte’.

» Table Manners
By staff writer
FOOD as a leisure activity, whether it be eating out, watching cookery programmes, stacking your shelves with the latest must-have cookery book.

» What is a corkage fee?
By staff writer
MANY of us in the United Kingdom baulk at the percentage hikes restaurants put on wine, but many other countries allow you to bring your own wine when you come to dine.