AUTUMN NIGHT OUT WARMED BY FLAMES

FANCY a good night out with great food and loads of people? Oh dear, sounds like a blast from the good old days, but it can still be achieved – if you have the right kind of outdoor venue.

Trefresa Farm – near Rock, in Cornwall, and home to the Porthilly Spirit Festival – was adapted for such occasions long before Covid-19 darkened our shores. The farm’s massive outdoor dining area is open-sided so there’s plenty of fresh air, and it’s so large that safe social distancing can easily be accomplished.

Which is how staff at the farm have been able to organise a series of seasonal food and music-led events this autumn – including an evening of autumnal wood-fired dishes on Saturday, October 24.

Cornish chef Andi Tuck will be in charge of a three-course dinner championing local produce. Organiser and farm owner Will Herrmann said: “Andi’s knowledge of wood-fired cooking knows no bounds. Anyone who has eaten at the incredible St Kew Inn, where he is currently head chef, will know just how special his food is.”

Dishes will include rum-flamed oysters with nuts and ’nduja; smoked pork rack with cider apples and burnt greens; and smoked toffee with sticky apples and maple seeds. A wood-fired vegetarian menu will also be available on the night.

Tickets are on sale now at £50 per person, which includes a welcome drink, three-course meal, and live music (www.porthillyspirit.com).

National Baking Week

Did you know it’s National Baking Week between October 14-20? No, neither did I.

But an email from the folk behind the occasion states: “With Britain’s fascination with baking growing year on year, baking at home is as popular as ever, no matter what the level of ability.”

They give the following reasons why such an event is necessary: “Baking stimulates the senses. Nourishing activities feel good. Cooking is meditative. Baking is creative. And baking makes other people happy…”

If you are the sort of person who loves such national and international occasions, you will already have celebrated National Burger Day on August 23, National Cake Week (from August 31), British Food Fortnight (started September 21), National Curry Week (October 5) and World Egg Day (yesterday) – and you will be looking forward to World Food Day (October 16) and Apple Day (October 21), World Pasta Day (October 29) and World Vegan Day (November 1).

Could be an idea for a new kind of specialist diet – follow the world’s celebratory food days and weeks and you’re sure to get fat.

Spice It Up In Autumn

My favourite spice merchants have been promoting warming blends from the southern USA this week…

“As the season transitions from summer to autumn, the desire for heartier meals is more prevalent,” say the folks at Seasoned Pioneers, who are masters at sourcing and curating some of the best spice blends on the market.

They give the example of prawn creole: “A great transitional meal combining the lightness of summer with the richness of autumn. The Louisianan classic is bold and punchy! Flavours of paprika, onion, roasted garlic, cayenne, thyme and oregano infuse to make a wellrounded dish.”

See their Creole and Cajun spice blends at www.seasonedpioneers. com