Tummies Cookery School, Station Road, Cippenham, Slough, SL1 6JJ

Tummies is a bit of an institution.  An oasis of good food in a desert of urban sprawl, I've been a frequent visitor to their deli and restaurant (particular highlights of which are the sun-trap of the back patio, and the colouring pencils on every table - the many walls are plastered from ground to ceiling in the best submissions from the last 24 years).

However, this latest visit was more than just a meal.  It was an all day extravaganza!  I was taking part in the Cookery School, enjoying what was the perfect gift of watching a fantastic feast being cooked, which I knew I'd then get to eat!

The set up was excellent.  The demo kitchen is bright, professional but still homey, and our small group was looked after by co-owner Tammy, who provided endless drinks, whilst we watched Head Chef Claude Mariuax create a three course meal, imparting the knowledge (and recipe cards), for us to be able to replicate it at home.

The starter was a goat's cheese pastry, topped with seasonal asparagus which was wrapped in parma ham, and served on a bed of rocket.  It seemed pleasingly straightforward to assemble, but the rich and contrasting flavours belied the simplicity.   

 Speaking of rich, the individual ramekins of dauphinous potatoes, were made with a heavenly combination of whipping cream, butter, gruyere and garlic.  The flavour was so enticing that despite the amount we'd eaten, we had no problems finishing it, along side the main course of roasted rump of English lamb, cooked in a delicious red wine sauce! 

The richness was tempered by the colourful and sweet roasted vegetables that made up the french style ratatouille.  It certainly changed my perception of ratatouille, as it wasn't cooked in a tomato sauce, but instead cooked and cooled down quickly in a way where the veg didn't release any water and stayed firm and delicious.

 

Despite a break before dessert, I was still sure that I wouldn't be able to manage the limoncello curd cake after eating such a large meal.  I sampled the tiniest of bites, and was struck by the beautiful lightness, and the moist and zesty flavour.  I'm normally a fan of chocolatey cakes, but this lemony wonder was perhaps the very best cake I'd ever tasted!  I managed far more of it than I ever would have imagined - the creme fraiche it was served with adding to the deliciousness.

As I cycled home (slowly and not very steadily after the delicious wine), I contemplated how much I'd enjoyed the whole experience, and how it was almost more delicious because it felt like home cooking rather than restaurant food.  It certainly was the best of both worlds, and was an unforgettable treat.

Cake of the day: Soho's Secret Tea Rooms

Soho's Secret Tea Rooms was an ideal place to hold a surprise vintage afternoon tea for Sofia’s super-classy, 1940s themed hen do.  Amie had expertly organised every detail, and I was thrilled as I'd been looking for a reason to visit ever since I'd heard of the place.

The 'hidden' location, gave a fantastic surprise element, as our bride to be was definitely bemused as we walked her into the Coach and Horses Pub in Soho (not a particularly salubrious location), and slipped behind the bar and up a narrow staircase to the very top of the building.

She was met with a delightful sight! We had our own private room, very prettily decorated with thoughtful vintage touches. The atmosphere was relaxed as we were made to feel welcome by a dedicated and attentive member of staff. Bubbly, sixteen varieties of tea and ample supplies of cake, scones and dainty sandwiches, made for a most memorable start to the party.

 

Thanks to Fi for the great picture above.

 

Cornucopia Bistro, 6 High Street, Windsor

As previously mentioned on these pages, Windsor is full of restaurants of the chain variety, and of the touristy-and-therefore-dubious-quality variety. Yes, there is an excellent seafood restaurant and there's the reliable but far too often-visited Bel and the Dragon, but I was keen to find somewhere new. A chance recommendation from a stranger on a train led to the discovery of Cornucopia Bistro - a fairly new addition to (the far end of - and therefore slightly less touristy part of) Windsor High Street.

Initial impressions were good. However things weren't looking so good when our group of seven was led to a cramped table next to a blazing hot radiator. I suggested we ask if we could sit elsewhere, and we were swiftly relocated to a far roomier table at the back of the restaurant, (as Leandri succinctly put it: 'have you got a bigger table? We've all had to sit really close to each other all day...)'

Space issues sorted, it was time to order wine and peruse the menu. The menu was pleasingly only confined to one page, but it took an age to decide between the 6 equally sumptuous sounding starters. Between us, we ordered them all.

The goats cheese with pear, red onion and rosemary looked quite beautiful.

When the smoked salmon with courgette and lemon blinis arrived, I definitely began to doubt whether my choice of mushrooms had been the right one.

But it transpired that there was nothing to fear! My starter of wild mushrooms in garlic and brandy cream (served on toast), was a heavenly concoction. Juicy mushrooms, intense garlic and a silky cream sauce. It could not have been any better.

Each starter was a good size, full of flavour and cooked perfectly (the other starters were a parma ham, fig and rocket salad, and a crab, avocado and spring onion salad). The mains therefore had a tough act to follow. Mostly steak / meat based (the vegetarian special of the day which no one had opted for, was stuffed aubergine with rattatioue, there was also the 'Cornucopia Chilli,' which won the accolade of being as good as Sharon's home made variety (and innovatively included chorizo).

My lamb shank (pictured) was slow roasted in a red currant and red wine sauce. The meat came off the bone beautifully and the flavours were rich and deep.

Soon it was time for dessert, and once again it was almost impossible to decide between the equally amazing sounding options (the fruit salad was no longer available, but that was no great loss!)

The concept of 'Eton Mess' intrigued our Dutch colleagues, but they were impressed when it arrived in a tall glass. The bread and butter pudding looked mouth watering - once again I wondered whether I'd made the right decision, but yet again, I was not disappointed by my white chocolate and lemon pannacotta. It was creamy but quite light - it tasted a little like a zesty lemon cheesecake, softened by the hint of white chocolate. Quite delightful!

Overall

Atmosphere: A fair number of other diners for a tuesday evening, but luckily giving us a larger table at the back allowed us to be a noisy group without (hopefully) too much disturbance to everyone else.

Service: Endlessly friendly despite our noisy group.

Food quality: Very good with truly excellent starters and desserts.

Overall: Delicious food - would certainly recommend to anyone visiting Windsor. 8/10