MIF13: Speaking with Mike Kearsey

Working with Heathcote & Co at Manchester International Festival, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to some wonderfully talented musicians, actors and performers on Festival Square in the heart of the city. Last night it was great to have a chat and a pint with Mike Kearsey. You may know Mike as the Trombone player in Madness. He was at the festival performing a tribute concert celebrating the life of Steve Martland in the Pavilion theatre on Festival Square. Steve was a brilliant classical music composer who sadly died earlier this year at the age of just 53. Mike told me he had flown in specifically for the gig, having performed with Robbie Williams on tour in Amsterdam the night before, and was due to return to the tour for their next gig in Austria on Wednesday! Despite how busy he was, Mike was still able to enjoy some of our food on the Square – he says he’s a big fan of the sushi! You can find more information about this wonderful tribute to Steve Martland here, and see a full guide for upcoming events at Manchester International Festival here. Join in our conversations about Manchester International Festival on Twitter and Facebook....
Any 2 Pizza or Pasta dishes for £12

Any 2 Pizza or Pasta dishes for £12

We’ve got a great offer at The Olive Press Preston starting this week and running until the end of August. Enjoy any two of our delicious authentic Italian pizza or pasta dishes for just £12.00, great whether you want to plan a celebratory night out, or catch up with friends over lunch. These are the full dishes straight from our a la carte menu – you can view the menu by clicking here. You can view the full details on our Olive Press site here, as well as book online or buy as a gift voucher. So which pizza or pasta would you choose? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter....

Choc Recipes: Chocolate Crunch Torte with Pistachios & Sour Cherries

Day 3: Chocolate Crunch Torte with Pistachios & Sour Cherries All this week I’m sharing fantastic chocolate recipes. Today it’s a wonderful Chocolate crunch torte with pistachios and sour cherries. What you need 225g dark chocolate 10g unsalted pistachios 50g dried sour cherries 50g raisins 3 tablespoons rum 50g butter 150ml double cream 225g sweet oat biscuits What you do You’ll need a loose based cake tin (20cm in diameter, 4cm deep) lightly greased with a flavourless oil. Soak the dried cherries and raisins in the rum overnight. Place the broken-up chocolate and butter in a large heat proof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Allow the chocolate to melt – it should take about five minutes. Remove from the heat. Give the chocolate a good stir and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Fold in the lightly whipped cream followed by the soaked fruits, chopped pistachios and broken biscuits. Mix well. Spoon the mixture into the cake tin evenly. Cover with clingfilm and chill for a minimum of four hours. Serve with a good spoonful of crème fraiche. Tomorrow, a recipe for an incredibly simple chocolate sauce....

Choc Recipes: Chocolate Bread & Butter Pudding

Day Two: Chocolate Bread & Butter Pudding This week I will be sharing fantastic chocolate recipes. Today it’s a chocolatey take on a classic: Spicy Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding What you need 5 thin slices of white bread 75g butter 50g sultanas 100g grated dark chocolate 3 eggs 220ml milk 1 level tsp mixed spice 50g cocoa powder 220ml cream 50g muscovado sugar 1 vanilla pod split and seeds removed 25g icing sugar What you do Butter the bread and remove the crusts. Place one layer of bread on the base of the tray and cover with a layer of sultanas and chocolate.. Place the rest of the bread on top of the sultanas. Bring the cream, milk, mixed spice, cocoa powder, sugar and vanilla to the boil in a pan and place the eggs in a bowl and whisk the hot liquid into them. Pour over the bread and place the dish in a bain-marie and put in a moderate oven for about ½ hour until cooked. Dust with icing sugar. Cover with whipped cream and Armagnac prunes. Tomorrow, a recipe for an indulgent chocolate crunch torte with pistachios & sour cherries!...

Choc Recipes: Simple Chocolate Pots

Day One: Simple Chocolate Pots This week I will be sharing fantastic chocolate recipes. Today: Simple Chocolate Pots. What you need (makes 4) Food processor 100g of good couverture chocolate chopped up 250ml double cream 40g muscovado sugar 1 vanilla pod split and scraped 1 egg Fresh raspberries – 1 punnett for decoration Icing sugar and mint What you do Place the chocolate in the food processor and chop into small pieces. Meanwhile place the cream, sugar and vanilla into a pan and bring to the boil. Pour into the food processor and leave for one minute. Switch on and add the egg for a further 20 seconds. Pour into small ramekins and chill for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. Decorate with raspberries and dust with icing sugar and mint. Tomorrow, a chocolate take on the classic Heathcote’s Bread & Butter Pudding!...