Gourmet

Planet Appetite: Baking and Breaking Easter Bread at Thanos Hotels in Paphos, Cyprus

Rupert Parker | Posted 15.05.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Greek Orthodox Easter is not just a religious festival, but also a time for special food. Bread is particularly important and, in the kitchens of Thanos Hotels, I learn to bake these Easter delicacies.

Planet Appetite: Castles, Rivers, Vineyards and Foie Gras in the Dordogne, France

Rupert Parker | Posted 13.05.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

The Dorgogne, in South West France, has long been a magnet for British visitors and many have made their home here. It was one of the first areas of France to be discovered, partly because property was so cheap and the weather was better than at home.

Planet Appetite: Springtime Hiking on the Mullerthal Trail in Luxembourg

Rupert Parker | Posted 29.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

The only tough part is the thick mud which coats the path as I trudge uphill but soon I arrive among the rocks and everything is dry. Huge boulders are scattered across the landscape, as though tossed by some angry giant, and the trail leads through narrow gaps through overhanging cliffs, aptly named the Labyrinth.

Planet Appetite: Matching Beer and Cider Dinner at Galvin Café a Vin, in Spitalfields, London

Rupert Parker | Posted 23.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

The culmination of the Galvin Brothers first British beer week at Galvin Café a Vin is a five-course dinner matching beers and ciders with dishes from chef Jack Boast - an interesting experiment but can it really succeed?

Planet Appetite: Peixe em Lisboa - Fish and Flavours Festival, Lisbon, Portugal

Rupert Parker | Posted 17.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Now in its 6th year, Peixe em Lisboa takes place over 10 days, with cooking classes, wine pairings, chef demonstrations and tasting dishes provided by top Portuguese restaurants.

Planet Appetite: Mercy Hotel - Elevated Boutique Luxury in Lisbon, Portugal

Rupert Parker | Posted 15.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Situated in a premium location between Lisbon's Chiado and Bairro Alto districts, the Mercy Hotel's 47 rooms are designed by renowned Portuguese archi...

Planet Appetite: Stars, Food & Art Gourmet Charity Event at The Balcon, Sofitel London St James

Rupert Parker | Posted 25.03.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Four chefs, Raymond Blanc, Christophe Muller, Michael Moore and Guy Krenzer, with five Michelin stars between them, each prepare a course, complemented by wines selected by Baron Philippe de Rothschild.

Planet Appetite: Madrid Fusion - 11th International Gastronomy Summit in Madrid, Spain

Rupert Parker | Posted 03.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Every year, over three days, Madrid Fusion turns Madrid into the world gastronomy and restaurant capital, with over 100 top international chefs discussing the latest culinary trends.

Planet Appetite: Tasty Walks in Guernsey, Channel Islands

Rupert Parker | Posted 30.03.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Spring comes early in the Channel Islands, since they're the most southerly part of the British Isles. It's the ideal time to explore Guernsey's network of excellent walks with over 24 miles of cliff trails. The scenery is constantly changing, whether it's the granite cliffs of the south and east or the sandy bays of the north.

Planet Appetite: Hunting the Scarce White Truffle in Le Marche, Italy

Rupert Parker | Posted 03.01.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

If you're going truffle hunting then the best chance of finding any is in Acqualagna, in Pesaro-Urbino Province, as it supplies two thirds of the Italian market.

Planet Appetite: A Gourmet Weekend in Lausanne, Switzerland

Rupert Parker | Posted 26.11.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Of course Lausanne prides itself on its wine and the beautiful terraced vineyards of Lavaux, just outside, are packed with wineries offering a warm welcome and a chance to try some of their vintages.

Planet Appetite: En Gard! Culinary Explorations in the South of France

Rupert Parker | Posted 25.11.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Cheese is a cottage industry here with Pelardon being the king of the goat's cheese. Methods of production have remained unchanged for centuries and I visit Celine Mourgues to find out her secrets. She keeps 80 goats and milks them twice a day.

Planet Appetite: Cycling the Turku Archipelago Trail, Finland

Rupert Parker | Posted 05.11.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

The city of Turku is easily accessible by air from the UK and is both the beginning and end of the route. It's worth spending at least a night there before you head out to the archipelago. Now I'm going to cheat slightly, as I only have a few days to spare, so I won't be cycling the whole route.

Planet Appetite: Gourmet Food Walk in Turku, Finland

Rupert Parker | Posted 30.10.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

To us gastronauts, Finland is not yet on the culinary map, but Turku has come up with an innovative way of sampling some of its top restaurants.

Planet Appetite: Stately Home Movie Locations in the Peak District, Derbyshire, UK

Rupert Parker | Posted 23.10.2012 | UK Entertainment
Rupert Parker

The Peak District conjures up images of sharp mountain tops but, in fact, it contains a concentration of some of the best stately homes in Britain. You may recognise them from the movies.

Planet Appetite: Mahindra Indian Homestays

Rupert Parker | Posted 08.10.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

If India seems a rather daunting prospect, then staying in a homestay takes away a lot of the potential pain. It also allows you to experience a side of the country that no hotel can offer and your hosts may become lifelong friends.

Eat the World at Global Feast, London2012 Olympic Dining Experience

Rupert Parker | Posted 06.10.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Rupert Parker

Even though I live only 5 miles from the Olympic Park, so far I've been determined to ignore the whole spectacle and bask in the sun in my garden with a glass of cold beer. However, as a confirmed foodie, I can't ignore the fact that some of Britain's top supper clubs, along with a few gourmet chefs, are staging a fantastic banqueting experience which changes every night during London2012.

A Taste of Italy | Acetaia San Giacomo - Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia

Akeela Bhattay | Posted 20.09.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Akeela Bhattay

As you might imagine, a bottle of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar is pricier than what you might pay for a bottle of the non-traditional variety, but if you enjoy good food, investing in a bottle or two (to be used sparingly, of course) should not disappoint. And if you are ever in Emilia Romagna or planning a trip to the region, I would highly recommend this tour!