Visit Lancashire

A Fairlie French Obsession

Having been in the kitchen from 8 in the morning, I think Andrew Fairlie, the chef from Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, was glad of the short break our interview gave him! Andrew has been on Nigel’s hitlist for nine years and only now has he been able to work a trip to Obsession into his own busy schedule, due to the extension of the Festival dates into February.

Something fishy’s going on at Obsession...

Last night it was the turn of Jacob Jan Boerma to take centre stage at Northcote’s Obsession 10 event. Another international guest chef, Jacob comes from the Restaurant De Leest in the Netherlands which has 2 Michelin stars.

Jacob says he is very honoured to be invited to this event. “This is a good opportunity to show the people the style of our kitchen and the way of cooking in The Netherlands. I think it is also important to learn from this event and maybe some day we can hold an event like this in The Netherlands.”

Obsession 10 in Pictures

This gallery, of a week in the kitchen at Northcote during Obsession 10, is representative of a wide range of images taken throughout the festival by photographer Allen Markey. This year the festival continues until February 3 – a ten day celebration, marking a decade of Obsession.  Reproduced as part of the visitlancashire Blog,  by kind permission of Allen and Northcote. For contact details or more information about Northcote Northcote.

Obsess-Hom...

Sitting by a roaring fire at Northcote, waiting for Ken Hom to return from his lunch with Nigel, the place appears serene and positively ‘normal’ considering the magnitude of the guest chefs of the days before  and the one we’re about to meet.  There’s lots of activity; polishing glasses and cutlery, Head Chef Lisa having her portrait taken by Obsession’s photographer Allen Markey (whose pictures you’ve been seeing in the blog), phonecalls coming in (though if they’re after a seat at a table....it’s sold out).  Though we offered to help chop some veg (and perhaps see if it’s quite so calm in the kitchen) Lisa politely declines, then heads off to start prepping 150 spring rolls.

Feeding our Obsession

We thought we were getting just a little obsessed with Obsession – but then we met Northcote Head Chef Lisa Allen, she came to help with the second Obsession 9 years ago, thought a year at Northcote would be great experience before travelling... and she’s still there.

Catching her on a short break we found out why Lisa had stayed so long. “The thing I love about Northcote is there’s always a challenge and as long as things are new, and there’s someone there who’s really enthusiastic, and they’re feeding you (no pun intended) then people are going to stay!” 

Spilling the Beans about SilverDell

Every once in a while you stumble across a real Aladdin’s Cave of a shop and that’s exactly what I found at SilverDell of Kirkham – for such a small local shop there’s a lot going on! Not only does it sell books, cards and gifts but it is also a coffee shop, ice cream parlour and a real magnet for some big names in authors.

Last week it was the turn of Clarissa Dickson-Wright, perhaps best known for her role on the television series, Two Fat Ladies, to come to SilverDell to sign copies of her latest book “Rifling Through my Drawers: My Life in a Year”.

Proprietor Elaine Silverwood always makes an ice cream in honour of her book signing guest and lucky Clarissa got two – Clarissa’s Spilled Beans (award-winning vanilla with jelly beans), after her autobiography “Spilling the Beans” and Clarissa’s Ginger Tipple as she loves ginger.

The secret's out!

I’ve got mixed feelings about finding out that our local Italian restaurant, Nino’s in Rawtenstall, has just gained Taste Lancashire Highest Quality. One half of me feels disappointed that our special, secret place, where we always go to for any family celebration, is now on the Lancashire food map for all to discover. The other, more rational side of me is delighted that what we’ve known for years has been recognised in this award – that this is one of the best Italian restaurants around! Anyway, saying that it’s a “secret” place could not be further from the truth as the restaurant is frequented by Premiership football players amongst other “celebrities”.

It's all 'Gravy' in Lancashire this Bank Holiday Weekend!

For the third year running the World Gravy Wrestling Championships took place yesterday, 31st August 09, at the 'Rose and Bowl' pub in Lancashire.

The event was recently awarded first place in the '10 best silly events in Britain' in the Wacky Nation book.

Sadly I didn't get to spectate but this video footage sums up the crazyness that took place!  

Joel Hicks, a 30-year-old barrister (wrestling name of Stone Cold Steve Bisto) won the contest along with Emma Slater who won it for the women dressed as Mother Christmas.

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Delighting in my posh nosh

Last week the fabulous Mr L. told me he was taking me to Northcote for our 1st Anniversary! Hurrah!

Working at the Tourist Board we obviously work closely with the guys at Northcote on various projects and many a time wish we were eligible to enter the competitions they generously donate meals or nights for (as our disposable incomes don't stretch this far).

Many of you might not be aware of Northcote or it's superb Michelin star reputation - but surely you have heard of Nigel Haworth - who cooked a divine Lancashire Hotpot for the troops returning from Afganistan in the final of the 2009 Great British Menu. Nigel is joint owner of Northcote with Craig Bancroft (the wine man).

40 miles of unforgettable food

I recently spent a morning by a beautiful canal, tasting local food, cooked up by a chef/comedian - someone’s got to do it! The occasion was the launch at Owd Nells, Guys Thatched Hamlet of new offers for visitors to the Lancaster Canal. If you get yourself down to the Lancaster Canal and surrounding area you can take advantage of 20% off at some of the best eateries around who hold the Taste Lancashire accreditation!