AN ENGLISHMAN COOKING IN FRANCE: CHEF TODD OGDEN

Recently I took a trip to France to travel on the Canal du Midi on board the Anjodi with my family. Fans of Rick Stein may recognise this as the boat he used for part his French Oddessy TV series, however I certainly don't want to talk about Mr Stein today, but I would like to let you know about the boat's current chef - Todd Ogden.

Todd is an English chef who is cooking in the south of France and is more than competent in the tough cramped cooking conditions in the small hot kitchen onboard the boat (in the summer the tiny kitchen often gets to temperatures above 40 degrees).

So, you may ask, what's an Englishman doing trying to compete with the French on their own ground (or waterways in this case) - well.... who cares when his cooking is this good.  I dont know how long Todd will remain chef on the Anjodi - he is big asset to the boat and to European Waterways who run it - but certainly keep an eye on this young talented chef and his future career. Also one thing that impressed me was that he has only been cooking professionally for a few years after giving up the 9-5 office job to pursue his dreams.

Throughout our week on board - Todd gave us plate after plate of consistently excellent food - well presented, and always cooked spot on! The French lamb in particular was exceptional - perfectly cooked and so beautifully tender it just melted in the mouth - I dont believe I have ever had lamb as good!!! The dishes he served were a splendid mix of modern French cuisine (complete with fancy lines/drizzels of sauce or jus), with some of his English roots thrown in - he did promise us roast potatoes and he delivered us some along with a juicy wonderful piece of beef towards the end of our week on board.

I will leave you with some pictures of Todd's meals to showcase some of the delicious food he served - even if you are reading this 5 years from now - I urge you to seek out Todd Ogden and go try his food wherever he is cooking!

TWO GREEDY MANCUNIANS AT HOTEL CHOCOLAT

It is the evening of Sunday the 8th of March & I make my way to Trof bar in the Northern Quarter to meet my fellow Greedy Mancunian Alex. He awaits there with a pint of Camden Pale Ale ready for me. A swift couple of these and a catch up and we are ready for our latest adventure.... an evening of chocolate tasting at Hotel Chocolat in Manchester's Arndale store.

We are rudely "welcomed" by one of the Arndale's security staff, and after a brief "do you know who we are?" exchange - he lets us pass & Hotel Chocolat open their shutters upon our arrival.

We are given a glass of prossecco & have time to mingle (a chili mad friendly fellow and his healthly eating good lady make for pleasant conversation) and a quick browse of the store - chocolate gin, chocolate perfume, chocolate this that and the other are all on sale here! It may not actually be a Hotel made of Chocolate, but Hotel Chocolat surely have everything a chocolate fan could ever wish for!

We take our seats and are ready for the chocolate tasting adventure to begin.  We are given an overview of the company and how they are one of the few chocolate companies who can see their product from "bean to bar" as they own their own plantation and control the whole process right through to the finished product.

The chocolatier (she even has a degree in chocolate - impressive!) is very knowledgeable and gives us plenty of interesting information about all the chocolate that we taste throughout the evening.  We taste all kinds of different chocolate from different kinds of cocoa beans, different strengths (even a 100% bar - which seems to blow everybody's tastebuds to a whole other dimension), and even a selection of filled chocolates. In our info pack there is even a tasting card detailing all the different flavours, textures, aromas etc that we might come across tonight (off the back of these tasting notes quite often words like "raisins", "black pepper", "mothballs" & "petrol" get shouted out as people come across different chocolate tastes.

We listen to the chocolate:

We smell the chocolate:

We even talk about Bruce Forsyth:



But most importantly we have had a splendid evening filled with some of the finest chocolate about and a little more knowledgeable about it!

Hotel Chocolat have also just launched a chocolate cookbook called "a new way of cooking with chocolate" for all you chocolate lovers & foodies out there! Info on this and the chocolate tasting evenings can be found on the Hotel Chocolat website: www.hotelchocolat.com

Until the next culinary adventure, adios from John & Alex (AKA the Two Greedy Mancunians).
Stay Greedy everyone!

TWO GREEDY MANCUNIANS AT NANDOS

Well the Two Greedy Mancunians were out again on Thursday the 31^st July, We had been invited to a evening at Nandos (Arndale) to sample a new menu.

A new menu I hear you say at Nandos surely not!!!

The evening started with a stroll through the Andale which I must admit I hadn’t ventured in for years, because it always had that pants reputation, but what a shock I had there was many restaurants and clothes stores and i will certainly be going back.

When we arrived the Two Greedy Mancunians seemed to be in a Arndale daze as it took us 10 min to realise we were standing outside Bella Italia, eventually we found Nandos which was next door & we were greeted by a lovely member of staff who guided us upstairs to where we were all to meet.

To my suprise there were many foodies & bloggers invited & there was a good atmosphere (could it have been the offer of free beer and wine that did the trick)

There was one couple who arrived late & sat down for all of 10 minutes then left because they were sat next to the toilets.  I'm sure people do this for the attention, just get over it please you are not at a Michelin starred restaurant, you are at Nandos. Just enjoy the company and the atmosphere (and on  behalf of Nandos the toilets were clean and there were no bad smells)

So the manger gave us a brief introduction of the history of Nandos and it was clear she really did enjoy her job which is great to see.

The food we had was a sample of the new menu we were first given a plate of olives, toasted pitta bread, a red pepper dip & a lovely hummous. Then out came our first lot of chicken, we had bonless chicken thighs which i really enjoyed. The chicken was really moist and very tasty,  there was also sweet potato wedges (nice big chunky wedges too) which again were really very good.

More chicken was piled upon us and being Two Greedy Mancunians we did our best to help eat it all up.  They also did a chicken roullette, different chicken in different strength sauces, you had to pick one, and one could have been extremely hot, it was all fun.

Then all of a sudden a giant cock came out of the back, people seemed to be having their photo taken with the cock and some were touching the cock, then I realised it was the Nandos mascot 'Barci'.

There isn’t much more i can say we both had a really good evening, Nandos put on a really good feast, and some people don’t like Nandos, but I do. I have been a few times and always enjoyed it.

I’m not saying I go all the time but if you want a quick lunch or quick evening meal (and you like chicken) then you really can’t go wrong, the food is good, staff are always pleasant and it is all at a reasonable price. And you know Nandos must be doing something right because the restaurants are always busy, which to me is always a great sign.

The night wasnt just about Nandos, it was also in aid of promoting the Arndale's "Get Your Eat On" campaign. Basically for the whole of August you can download or pick up a booklet of vouchers for most of the food places in the Arndale, so what are you waiting for, go get your eat on!

Visit: https://www.manchesterarndale.com/getyoureaton for further details and to download the vouchers.

Thank you to Nandos and the Arndale for putting on a great, fun evening.

Greedy Mancuinan (Alex)

STAY TUNED FOR REVIEWS OF A NEW BOOK I HAVE DISCOVERED CALLED DEATH BY BORRITTO WHICH IS FULL OF RESCIPES FOR MEXICAN STREET FOOD....COMING SOON

TWO GREEDY MANCUNIANS AT THE AIRPORT

Well, the great British weather is here at last, so no need to escape for some sun, well, at lease for the next 10 days or so, then I'm sure the misery will set back in. So...... you may want to head to the airport in the near future - if you do you are in for a real good treat! The new food court and the Grain Loft bar & restaurant are now fully open in Terminal 1.

We'll start with the downstairs food court.... to get you in the real holiday spirit there is ice cream available from a new permanent ice cream van from Manchester's renowned Gingers Comfort Emporium offering a selection of quality ice creams including their flagship flavour of salted caramel & peanut butter (sometimes known as Chorlton Crack).

Also on offer in the downstairs food court is a selection of continental baguettes at the Upper Crust, and some pasties at the ingeniously named "The Pasty Shop" who claim their pasties are handmade in Cornwall.

The other delight available in the main food court is Mi Casa Burritos who offer exceptional tasty burritos - we were fortunate to sample some little beef treats - an explosion (maybe I shouldnt use that word when talking about the airport) of Mexico in your mouth!
That concludes the food on offer in the new downstairs food court area, so with a stride in our step we ventured up to the Grain Loft - the Beer, Wine & Food extravaganza!

Upon arrival to the Grain Loft we were shown round its high tech seating booths where you can plug in your smartphone or i-pod/i-pad to play your own music within your booth - good for families, or the pull your own pint section at the back good for groups wanting to beer-up before boarding their easyjet flight to Ibiza. Foodwise - basically the Grain Loft offers good quality pub food - for those wanting something a bit more substantial to get them through their flight paired with good quality, local brewed beers.

We got to sample a selection of the menu and can recommend the chicken cooked with a beer can up its arse (shown in the title photo) accompanied with some really good chips. Other favourites we sampled were the steak which was perfectly cooked and of superb quality meat. And for a most delicious heart attack before jetting off you need to try the black pudding fritters with beer mustard dip - possibly the best thing i have put in my mouth all week! Yum!

The main beers on offer at the Grain Loft were brewed from brewers Thornbridge - based in the lovely town of Bakewell (where the tarts come from) who offer some real tasty ales including Jaipur & Kipling.  So next time you are at Manchester's Terminal 1- make sure you fill up with some quality food & drink.

2 GREEDY MANCS GO GUERRILLA!!!

Join the food revolution and take it Guerrilla!

Thats right there is a new collective of street food traders pooling their resources and delivering amazing food for a good price in Manchester. Two Greedy Mancunians were invited to sample the food and join the army to help spread the word - something we are more than happy to do as we think its a fantastic idea and it run by the right people - people who are genuinly passionate about food and the food they deliver! We were invited to the tasting an hour before the public opening time by the lovely Sarah from Northwest Nosh (http://northwestnosh.blogspot.co.uk) who is activly involved in helping run and promote Guerrilla Eats.

Mal from the Fire and Salt BBQ is also a key figure in organising the Guerrilla Eats movement and took some time to talk to us about it - so far they have 8 traders on board (7 were available this weekend) and are in talks with 4 more, so its growing, and the basic idea is to have a pop up market of good quality street food - no chains or low end (in tersm of quality) vendors allowed - only people who are gunuinely passionate about the food they serve are allowed. And to create a real buzz about street food in Manchester. There are good scenes in most other cities and they feel Manchester is crying out for something similar - so if you are reading this we fully urge you to "join the revolution" and support Guerrilla Eats. The plan is do bring the Guerrilla Eats market collective to Manchester once a month & you can follow on twitter (@Guerrilla_Eats) or go to their website (www.guerrillaeats.co.uk) to keep up to date about future events!

Right on to the important bit........ the food!!! Let us take you on a virtual tour of the 7 traders that were there:

SUGAR BUN SISTERS

Yes..... its true the Sugar Bun Sisters are actually sisters & their name was inspired by the Manchester band Stone Roses classic song 'Suger Spun Sister'. Their delicious cupcakes & brownies are all made using the finest ingrediants (and it shows in the tasting!) and they often have quirky, unusual and creative flavours - I can particularly recommend the apple & custard ones, the vodka ones were very unique too (you could really taste the vodka in them, but for me the baileys cupcakes stole the show!

www.sugarbunsisters.co.uk
@SugarBunSisters


THE BARNHOUSE BISTRO

 

Oh my god...... these are possibly the best burgers ever! They are made from 100% Rump Steak - these burgers are truely delicious - nicely seasoned, cooked to perfection and served up in two variations - one with roasted peppers & horseradish mayo, the other with chilli, cilantro & a lime an jalapeno mayo (the roasted pepper one selling the best on the night by 10 to 1 apparently). Both were amazing and everything about them was superb even the choice of bread was great - a nice soft floury bun but strong enough not to disintergrate in my fingers. Served up in the Barnhouse Bistro's corrugated iron clad trailer. So if you want to try a top notch burger and if you can track him down - then treat yourself to a Barnhouse Bistro 100% Rump Steak Burger! You won't be dissapointed!!! @BistroBarnHouse

 

 

CHAAT CART

 

The Chaat Cart (literally meaning streetfood cart) serves up lovingly made traditional fresh Indian streetfood - all made from local organic vegetables. We sampled some very tasty samosas that tasted so fresh and light - not heavy or greasy - just fresh! All the Chaat Cart food is vegitarian - mainly because (mainly due to the cost and logistics of refrigiration) a lot of traditional street food in India is actually veggie! We also tried some Masala Dosa - a type of indian crepe made with a fermented rice & lentil batter topped with vegetables and the Chaat Carts very on homemade spice mix. We also had some Chai a sweet & spiced tea with cloves and cardemons - really delicous (especially on a cold drizzly night in December), If you want some good Indian food that isn't just spicy greasy curries then seek out the Chaat Cart.

 

www.chaatcart.co.uk

@ChaatCart

 

 

LAS PAELLERAS

 

The award for biggest cooking dishes goes to...... Las Paelleras! Authentic Spanish dishes cooked up in those wonderfully big Spanish round cooking dishes - good for paellas and the Spainish dishes on offer from Las Paelleras. We got to try some of their chorizo and rocket sandwich - which was served in a crusty fresh bagguette bread that soaked up the flavour of that delicious chorizo oil. Also we had a taste of the classic Potato Bravas - always a tapas favourite - the potatoes cut up and being cooked with a nice slightly crispy outside. A taste of Spainish sunshine in Manchester!

 

www.laspaelleras.com

@Las_Paelleras

FIRE AND SALT BBQ

Next up on our tasting tour of the Guerrilla Eats traders was the Fire and Salt BBQ who serve up BBQ inspired by the true masters of the BBQ the Southern States of America who smoke whole pigs over hickory smoke to bring you divine pulled pork & sticky ribs all topped with very moreish homemade sauces. Having been to Texas and having some of the best BBQ pork I've ever tasted - I am very pleased to say I would gladly stand Mal at the Fire and Salt BBQ alongside those Texan masters! The meat that we tasted was soooooo good - tasty and succulent! A real treat for meat lovers! Also as a nice side (and as admitted by Mal) not a BBQ item, but they serve it by popular request - was a very nice home made Mac & Cheese. Get your chops round that lot if ever you come across the Fire and Salt BBQ.

www.fireandsaltbbq.co.uk
@FireandSaltBBQ


DIRTY DOGS

By the time we reached Dirty Dogs - we were filling up fast, but one of the unwritten rules of the Two Greedy Mancunians is "there's always room for sausage"!!! And it was worth it as Dirty Dogs do quality hot dogs - their aim is to bust the myth that hotdogs are poor quality, mechanically reclaimed meat in a cheap bun. Dirty Dogs use quality Polish Frankfuters and are served in a good quality soft hotdog bun - the flavour and size of the sausage bursting out of that bun. A treat for the fan of the humble hotdog & meat you can actually bite into rather than the mushy hotdogs that are far too common. As proclaimed by fellow Greedy Manc Alex "I like a good sausage in a dark carpark!"


GINGER'S COMFORT EMPORIUM

Last but not least was Ginger's Comfort Emporium - although a cold and rainy night - people were still happy to be queuing up for ice cream, and who could blame them with the marvellous flavours on offer from Gingers (who recently won 'Best of the Best' and 'Best Dessert' at the British Street Food Awards 2012). With such delights as Marmalade & Whisky. Quince, Rose & Honey, or their "Chorlon Crack" which is Salted Caramel & Peanut Butter flavour - this is truely luxury ice cream at its finest.

www.gingerscomfortemporium.com
@GingersComfort

So there you have it! A Splendid time was enjoyed by all - and with a stuffed belly we headed off to the pub! With potentially more traders getting involved - we hope it grows and goes from strength to strength and we'll be sure to make it along to the next Guerrilla Eats - hopefully if you have been reading this then we have also inspired you to come along and support the local streetfood revolution!

RESTAURANT OPENING: NEIGHBOURHOOD

Myself and my fellow Greedy Mancucian , had the pleasure of atteneding the grand opening of a new, New York vibe restaurant in the Spinningfields area of Manchester called Neighbourhood, at Avenue North. I always love events like this as it gives a chance to but my best fragrance and clothes on for the evening (as you can see from the above photos I came dressed as Inspector Cluzo & John came dressed as Compo from Last of the Summer Wine).

 

Myself and John met at a very cold Picadilly train station and made the short walk accross to the venue. Upon our arival into the venue we were greeted at the door by two pleasent bouncers (which can be rare these days), as we went in the place was all ready busy, with the young business types that tend to frequent Spinningfields, the sound of of modern tech house music was playing, this didnt spoil the atmosphere at all and I think it probably added to the vibe and the style i think the venue is looking for. At the desk we were greeted by two very attractive young ladies, infact the whole team were young and good looking (including the men) with a set uniform of braces, bow ties and coverse trainers for most of the staff - again this fitted in with the vibe of the place.

 

The decor & layout of the venue to me fitted in with what the owners were looking for - it did look like a lower east side bar in Manhattan, and it gave me the feeling that the great Andy Worhol was just about to enter followed by David Bowie - it just gave me that feeling. The bar was well stocked with good quality spirits which is always good to see behind any bar, and all the bar staff were pleasent and new what they were doing. Myself and John were given two free vouchers for drinks with which you could have a bottle of beer or the house cocktail, which was a passion fruit flavoured cocktail, but they always go down a bit to quick! We were also told that a selection of the menu would soon be comming round. We were hopeing to sample a good selection of the menu, but due to it being busy and it being opening night, we only got to try 2 of the canopees. This is the only bit of the night i was slightly dissapointed by, I say only a little, because we were fully enjoying the vibe of the place and the good time i was having with John took the edge of it. But the two selections we did get to try were both very good, the first was chicken on the bone (the only problem with serving chicken on the bone nibbles was that nobody knew what to do with their bones afterwards, so we quickly polished off our cocktails and popped the bones in the empties!) The chicken however was nice and had a lovely sauce in it, but there was a bit to much skin on for my liking, the second was a mini burger which was delicious, the taste of the burger was spot on, cooked well and well seasoned.

 

And that is all i can tell you about the food, because thats all we had, but while you are reading this, dont let that bit but you off, it was a opening night of the venue afterall & I think it went very well for the owners as everyone was having a great time & we met some top people and had a really good laugh - although after Neighbourhood our evening ending in Mojos on copious Brandy Alexanders was great fun at the time, but not good for the head the next morning (you know who you are!!!). Would I go back to Neighbourhood? The answer is yes, I would definately go back in the evening for drinks before moving on, & would i go back to eat? The answer is also yes, but personally i would like to go back to eat one leisurely afternoon, because i would love to have a proper taste of the menu, and try all the different foods they have availble (the full menu looked fantastic). And finally would i recommend to friends? Yes i would - i really enjoyed the atmosphere ,the music and the people that were there. So if you're reading this make sure you swing by Neighbourhood next time you're in the.......... neighbourhood!