I now own a kitchen blowtorch for doing things like browning the top of a creme brulee and welding together teaspoons. I believe that I have now officially graduated from Food Ponce to Food Nonce.

In my defence, it was given to me and I think bought at Aldi.

Went to Albert Square to see this live on Good Friday. Good on the beeb (BBC3) for trying something ambitious, risky and original. Didn't totally work but came pretty damn close. Brilliant ending with Stone Roses "I am the Resurrection" sung from the top of the clocktower.

Have just discovered how good this band are. Right at the moment when their Manchester gig sold out. Wank. They've got a kinda electro-funk Housemartins thing going on. Worth a look I reckon. www.hotchip.co.uk

Mel’s mum is generously gonna get her a laptop for her 30th. Anyone got any recommendations? Dunno exactly what the budget is. 2 grand absolute max I would’ve thought. Just for music, photos and internet really. It would be nice to be wifi’d-up too. Happy with either Mac or Mic although Mel likes the Mac look.

Any thoughts?

Currently liking this jangly album by a local type. The fact that he’s from Chorlton makes me feel vaguely proud. Silly and upbeat and fun rather than the Manc miserablism you might expect from his name. Kinda Badly-Drawn-Boyish in its harmonious cuddlyness, but more random. Starts with a wicked instrumental which Nemone currently talks over on ( Read more... )

Have uploaded some belated NZ photos. Including some of the rather lovely black sand beaches of the West Coast. This one is Karekare, I think.

Will put some more South America snaps up soonish too.

Lucky enought to get in to the England match for free on Saturday ( Read more... )

• (3) Lobster and crab On the beach in Nah-Trang, Vietnam. A gnarled crone wanders around with the traditional 2 baskets on either end of a pole. One full of fresh seafood, the other with glowing embers to cook it on. Add a squeeze of lemon, a bit of pepper, some dubious powder which I suspect was MSG, and Xuan's your uncle.
• (4) DIY beef in gravy ( Read more... )

In the first of an exclusive series, Tom Glennie will irritatingly wank on about some of his travelling experiences using the "Top 5" style familiar from bad journalism.

Today...

Top 5 dishes

1. Smoked Salmon - Bought from a smoked fish shop somewhere on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. Not the packaged gelatinous orange slivers we're ( Read more... )

More converts at the weekend ( Read more... )