1. What was the first wine that really captured your attention and where were you at the time? The first wine that really captured my attention was Picpoul de Pinet many years ago when it was little known outside of Sète the great seafood port of Languedoc. I had an exhibition there and everyone was […]

Back in the olden days before Facebook and YouTube, when we could still coerce our progeny into communal craftwork, we decided to resist the commercialisation of Christmas and create an in-house Christmas card. What began as a bit of a lark has now become a labour of love and as the festive season looms we […]

I first became acquainted with the work of Glen Baxter as an impoverished, young graduate when I secured (not very) gainful employment distributing incoming faxes around the labyrinth offices of Arthur Andersen’s Management Consultancy at the Temple, London WC2. My lowly position provided ample time to moon about the corridors admiring the magnificent modern art […]

When I was demobbed from University in the late 1980s with an ill-deserved 2.2 in Social Policy & Administration (I know – no wonder they introduced fees) the country was in the midst of an economic downturn (plus ça change) and, in desperation to secure the £40 per week rent for my box-room in Brixton, […]

Serving liqueurs to guests might seem rather old-fashioned, but we’re backing them for a comeback. Rather like cardigan-wearing, you’ve got to get it just right to avoid looking like you’ve just stepped off the set of ‘Ashes to Ashes’ but, done well, they’re deliciously enjoyable. So out with the Blue Bols and cheese footballs, in with […]

A few years ago I had the good fortune to be introduced to the artist Glen Baxter after a rather long lunch (me not him) at the Academy Club in Soho. I am sure I gushed on at length about what a great admirer of his work I am but fortunately Glen has a tolerant […]