I don’t know about you, but I do feel rather cheated of our summer this year. It took so long for any sun and warmth to appear and now it seems to have disappeared rather early.
Christmas is looming again, and our thoughts are turning to warming foods and autumnal fare.
Here are some of my recommendations from my September discoveries.
Berry Good
We’re very lucky where I live in Twickenham to have a farmers’ market every week. A fairly recent addition is the Berry Makers stand, selling some really superb fresh berries. 
Harry Hall and his family have been growing berries from their farms in Surrey and Berkshire for over 50 years. Growers of the ‘Fabulous Four’: Strawberries; Raspberries; Blackberries and Blueberries. They’re available at a range of markets and garden centres across the south east, as well as online.
And, sensibly, they are also producing jams (produced from misshapen fruit) and honey.
Full information on locations and the online range is at berrymakers.co.uk
Great Cookery Dems
I was lucky enough to attend a great cookery demonstration recently at Divertimenti’s store and cookery school in Knightsbridge. There’s a series of dems coming up with author Jo Pratt, whose dem I attended: 3 Oct: flexible baking demo; 10 Oct: simple suppers; 22 Oct: fish suppers; 30 Oct: Halloween.
There are more scheduled too, with other cooks and chefs; hands-on classes, as well as dems to watch and learn.
They’re incredibly sociable, and they all involve a meal or generous tastings. Some are over lunchtime and others early evening.
The full cookery school schedule is on the website here. Gift vouchers are available too – a lovely gift idea.
Saucy Stuff from Tracklements
There’s tomato ketchup…and then the really good stuff. 
Tracklements has produced a vegan and gluten free Proper Tomato Ketchup that’s crammed with juicy Mediterranean tomatoes, subtly blended with spices, and it’s very good indeed. It really does take ketchup to new heights.
Look out for it at fine food delis and farm shops at around £3.60 for a 290g bottle, or add it to your order online at tracklements.co.uk
Healthier Desserts from Bonne Maman
I’m told luxury yoghurt is now a popular dessert option, as yoghurts tend to have fewer calories than many other desserts, including ice cream. Having tried the new range from Bonne Maman, I’m inclined to agree, as it’s delicious.
Presented in new look, widely recyclable packaging, Bonne Maman fruit yoghurts can be found at Waitrose and Coop stores plus online at Ocado.
450g tubs with rrp of £3.20 are available in five, fruity, indulgent flavours – Rhubarb & Strawberry, Morello Cherry, Violet Fig (my favourite), Raspberry & Blackberry plus Caramelised Apple.
Tyrrells Latest Flavour
Just in time for when we stop thinking about preparing salads and start hankering after roasts, those slightly whacky, but very clever folk at Tyrrells have launched a new flavour of crisp: Roasted Chicken & Sage. 
They are seriously (or should I say ‘tyrrellbly’) good, and have just arrived in Waitrose and Sainsbury’s at £2.75 for a 150g sharing bag
Yummy Bites from Doughlicious
Another delicious dessert idea, and also healthier than many others, is the range of Doughlicious Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites: chewy cookie dough united with creamy gelato, then dusted in cookie crumbs.
One of the benefits for me is that they can be kept in the freezer, ready for those moments when you want a sweet treat, or as an after dinner indulgence. Each snack bite (well, actually they’re about three or four bites) is portion-controlled, at around 100 kcals. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, these Great Taste Award winning balls of deliciousness are gluten free, with vegan options available.
Made in London, the company uses renewable electricity, and top quality natural ingredients. They’re available in a range of flavours: Chocolate Chip; Chocolate Truffle; Mint Chocolate Chip (my favourite I think) and Cinnamon Churro.
Available from Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Costco and Ocado. RRP £5 per pack of six bites are in the ice-cream section.
Portuguese Delicacies from Unearthed
For those days when the diet goes out of the window (sadly too often for me!) a great treat, for those of us with a sweet tooth, has been launched by unearthed®… it’s a chocolate version of the traditional Portuguese Pastel de Nata. 
Pastéis de Nata, translating to ‘cream pastries’, are made using a traditional recipe dating back to the XVIII Century. Crisp puff pastry is filled with a layer of chocolate and free-range egg custard, and topped with chocolate chips. These rich and indulgent little Portuguese tarts can be oven cooked from frozen in just 15 minutes. (and ideal for an air fryer).
Unearthed® also produces the original version and a blueberry one, available at selected Waitrose stores in packs of six for £4.55 rrp.
Extraordinary Camus Cocktails
If you find yourself in the St Pancras/Kings Cross vicinity soon, pop into the stunning beautiful Gothic Bar at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, where they’ve partnered with Camus Cognac to launch a special cocktail menu inspired by Jules Verne’s novels.
The list is available till the end of November and features three spectacular cocktails crafted by bar manager Jack Porter, each influenced by one of Verne’s classic stories and using a different expression of Camus Cognac.
FIVE WEEKS IN A BALLOON – Showcasing ingredients found in parts of Africa, the continent explored in the namesake book. The drink includes a scented smoke ballon, that sits on top of the drink, which when popped spreads a ginger aroma across the drink and table alluding to the book’s titular balloon. The striking cocktail sees peanut enriched Camus VSOP paired with Ginger Liqueur, Banana Eau de Vie, and Oloroso Sherry’.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH – Drawing inspiration from terra firma, this cocktail displays earthy, mineral, herbaceous, and bitter flavours. An eye-catching tall ice cube includes drilled-in red syrup, which is frozen into the ice, reminding us of the lava channels explored in the book. Here the aromatic Camus Borderies VSOP is paired with Lutèce Aperitif, Roots & Spice Liqueur, Citrus Mix, and London Essence Tonic Water.
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA – A marriage of both the nautical novel and the maritime heritage of Camus Ile de Ré. The cognac created on the island of Ile de Ré, home to France’s westernmost vineyards, which displays a iodine-rich profile. The cocktail has flavours of Kombu seaweed, oyster, and fresh salinity. Oyster shells from the restaurant are sterilised then frozen, before being filled with layered ice and micro plants to give the perception of an aquatic scene. The cocktail includes Camus Île de Ré, Falernum, Pickled Dulse, Oyster Tincture, and Cucumber.
If you’re a cocktail fan, you’ll be in for a real treat!
Perfect Reds from Tesco
I think Pinot Noir is one of my favourite red wines, and while, apparently, I missed National Pinot Noir Day in August, I always think it’s more of an autumn or winter wine. I know there are other options in addition to red, but it’s the red I really like. Pinot Noir grapes produce deliciously smooth wines, with ripe, silky tannins and red summer fruit. 
And I’ve been very impressed by the range and quality of the Pinot Noirs stocked by Tesco. From a very decent Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir at just £7 a bottle, or a Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir at £13 to two superb Tesco Finest ones: Central Otago and Marlborough at £14 and £10 respectively.
And remember to check out special offers if you’re a Clubcard member, as they are often quite heavily discounted…I’m stocking up for Christmas soon.
