The Roux Scholarship – History of the competition

The Roux family – who they are and why they have influence – by Lucianne Allen    Look at the Roux family as an oak tree; creating acorns of talent that go on to flourish and in turn influence the food industry. We could talk…
Caldecott's Cotswold White Chickens

Free Range for more gains

Free Range For More Gains   Hands up all of you who only ever purchase free range eggs? Would you even dare to go up to the farm shop till or supermarket checkout with anything other than free range, for fear of being labelled as…
Aubrey Allen English Bacon

The mythical English bacon sandwich

The English Bacon Sandwich is almost as rarely glimpsed as a dodo riding a unicorn on a visit to see the Lochness monster. Bacon, the iconic landmark on an English breakfast. A celebration in a patriotic proud manner of all that England stands…
Aubrey Allen Burger

Science fiction becomes science

It’s the Year 2084; Science fiction becomes science. 2 July 2084 A family drive in their electric car, down the old Banbury road that weaves mysteriously between acres and acres of hydroponic laboratory facilities, the solar panel roofs…
Why we don't surrender to tender

Why we don’t surrender to tender

That just about sums up how I feel about tenders. The excitement mounts as the deliciously attractive headline figures reach your inbox promising a wonderful partnership with a multi-site national brand looking for someone who understands provenance…
Aberdeen Angus on Aubrey Allen farm trip

Bullshit of Breeds

The average size of a single breed herd in England is 28-50 and yet to provide just 8 fillets per week from one farm to a restaurant requires one farm to have 600 cattle. Curious? Read on... There is more Aberdeen Angus beef sold in this…
Aubrey Allen butchery demonstration for chefs at Menu Inspiration day

Menu Inspiration by Lucianne Allen

Today I pretended I was a chef… and for those of you who know me will understand what a huge leap of the imagination this is or as my 12 year old would say, more like dystopian fiction or perhaps horror… Don’t panic Clive Dixon, Luke…
Aubrey Allen Dry Aged Beef

56 shades of beef

Would you ever pick up the phone to a wine merchant and ask "how much please for a bottle of wine" ? I doubt it . You may call and enquire about the Chateau LaFite Rothschild if budget permits or you may have to settle for the Gallo Family…