Anybody who caught the David Hockney exhibition A Bigger Picture at the Royal Academy back in 2012 will know that his iPad pictures are full of the sort of joy and energy that we really need right now. So it’s great news that Hockney, who on turning eighty moved to La Grande Cour, a centuries-old farmhouse in Normandy and has been busy painting there all during the pandemic, is now showing another exhibition of works at the Royal Academy from 23rd May 2021 called The Arrival Of Spring, Normandy, 2020.
Alongside this show and just published is a new book called Spring Cannot Be Cancelled: David Hockney in Normandy by Martin Gayford and David Hockney(published by Thames & Hudson) based on a series of conversations and correspondence between Hockney and the art critic Gayford, his long-time friend and collaborator. Their exchanges are illustrated by a selection of Hockney’s new Normandy drawings and paintings alongside works by van Gogh, Monet, Bruegel and more. Hockney might have moved on from LA and Yorkshire but he still finds in Northern France the themes that have fascinated him for decades: light, colour, space, perception, water and trees.
And we’re delighted to say that we have a copy of Spring Cannot Be Cancelled: David Hockney in Normandy by Martin Gayford and David Hockney to give away. Just enter into our competition below and we will pick one lucky winner out of a hat after 5pm on Friday 7th May 2021. (Please note that the book will be sent directly from the publishers to the winner.) Good luck!
One of the shops that is definitely going to be on our must-visit list once the lockdown is eased next week, is TROVE in Notting Hill. Set up by Tiffany Duggan of Interior Design company Studio Duggan, the shop is an enticing collection of brilliant interior finds (both made in-house and curated vintage buys), from Pierre Frey Le Manach lumbar cushions to a vintage rattan bar trolley. One of House & Garden’s top 100 Designers, Duggan shares with us her favourite interior shops, top Notting Hill secret haunt and what she is most looking forward to, post-Covid.
You started out working on theatre sets whilst studying Scenic Art at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. How did this lead on to interior design and do you think it has an influence on your style?
Yes, definitely! I started working on sets and backcloths for the theatre and then interned as an interiors stylist for magazines such as Livingetc and Elle Decoration. Although both were really fun valuable experiences, they lacked a sense of permanence – it was always a rush, and everything was torn down afterwards. It wasn’t about creating something authentic, and I wanted to design spaces that had the power to be life changing and yet very personal at the same time. Interior Design was a natural progression and following a few small projects for friends, a stint at a London property developer and a Diploma in Interior Design at KLC School of Design, I set up Studio Duggan in 2011.
Theatre has certainly helped to influence my work, I think this must be where my penchant for the dramatic comes from! Both styling and set design are all about the narrative – and this is the same for Interior Design. Our projects cater for all the senses – they are an experience and one that can have a real impact on the quality of our Client’s daily lives. We love to delve into the detail of our projects – scent, artwork, crockery, bar stocking etc…we’ve even been known to make playlists.
Why did you open up the shop TROVE? And what is your favourite piece in the shop?
Opening a store is something I have always aspired to do. It was driven by both queries on where we sourced products and also our own experiences and frustrations when sourcing. I wanted to create a collection that encompassed our own designs, pieces by our favourite lesser-known suppliers and also vintage. TROVE embodies Studio Duggan’s signature style with a nomadic, timeless sensibility and an emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. My favourite piece in the shop has to be our Avalon bedside table – although we have a new range in the making which may just take over!
You live in Notting Hill. Please can you share with us your favourite secret about the area?
My favourite thing about living and working in Notting Hill is that we are so spoiled for inspiration everywhere we go. I love to take a walk through Portobello Market or Golborne Road and have a good rummage through the antiques and bric-à-brac. My secret spot for a moment’s peace and quiet is Meanwhile Gardens (below) – a small but magical community garden. I sometimes head there with our dog for a brief respite and rarely see another soul.
Also your favourite interior shops in London and online?
We also love to trawl Kempton Market, Portobello Market or vintage websites such as Vinterior, 1stDibs or even eBay to find interesting and unique pieces with a story and a reasonable price tag.
What is the one interior design mistake that you see most often and how do you avoid/rectify it?
Definitely wrongly scaled and badly proportioned furniture. You can spend weeks sourcing the perfect paint colours and fabric scheme but if the proportions are off, it’s never going to work.
Which are your go-to restaurants and bars in London?
You completely refurbished your own house. Which is your favourite room and why?
I adore our bedroom – it has such a peaceful, restorative feel. It’s so essential to have a calming space to retreat to at the end of the day especially during lockdown!
What are you most eager to do post lockdown?
Have a party! We used to be well known for our parties, much to our neighbour’s chagrin. I’m going to squeeze everyone I know into my living room, ply them with margaritas and dance until dawn.
Priority tickets are available now for the postponed and much anticipated stage show of To Kill a Mockingbird. Aaron Sorkin’s play based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, directed by Bartlett Sher was meant to open last summer, but was postponed due to the pandemic. It will now open on 10 March 2022 at the Gielgud and it’s just been announced that wonderful Rafe Spall will play Atticus Finch. The show started out on Broadway where it sold out every performance – making it one of the most successful ever plays in Broadway history. Priority access is now open so get in there quick before the general sale opens to the public on Friday 9 April. Tickets here, with prices from £28.
Lighten things up with tonal dressing in shades of ecru, cream and off-white. These are the pieces to move your wardrobe (and mindset) forward into spring and summer:
Made in Tomboy Denim Jacket,
Bring some tailoring back in with this Blaze Milano Missy Everynight boucle jacket,
Ease into bare leg season with an exposed ankle. Cropped Jeans,
Botanica Long-Sleeve Gown,
The classic combination of tan leather and cream cotton make this a timeless friend that you can bring out every spring. Balloon leather bucket bag, £1950 from Loewe
We love the details of this seersucker blouse; the light frills on the arms, back and collar and the little buttons up the front. Peasant Swing Blouse,
Gucci 1955 Horsebit Leather Crossbody Bag,
A fitted high-rise waist with a more relaxed leg. Ivory Eloise wide-legged jeans, £140 from Reformation
The perfect boyfriend-style Boxy Linen Shirt,
Cat-eye Celine Sunglasses,
A pretty short cut blouse to pair with skirts and high-waisted jeans. Sessun Aditi Embroidered Blouse,
Alienina Kati Bag,
The finishing touch to any tonal outfit. Fortune Sunglasses,
100% cotton with cut-out embroidery on the sleeves. See by Chloe, English Embroidered Blouse,
For the pavements and paths only! Wool Running Shoes,
Quilted jackets are having a moment. Ultralight Quilted Jacket,
Deiji Studios Pyjama Set,
A chic pair of Kitty Clogs Backless Mules,
Dress for spring, even when the icy temperatures feel like winter in this Oversize Cashmere Rollneck,
A smart transition layer. Belted Utility Jacket,
After months of lockdown walks it’s high time to invest in a fresh pair of trainers. Veja Esplar 3 Locks trainers are a good weight for spring, £100 from Arket
International travel is still a circus, but from 17th May we should be able to stay in UK hotels again. Oh to be looked after and have our breakfast made for us…These are our favourite places to book for a summer stay.
Before it was a hotel, Barnsley House was the home of renowned garden designer Rosemary Verey and her impact can still be felt in the beautiful knot garden, Laburnum walk and deep flower beds at this Cotswolds hotel. Bedrooms are romantic and peaceful in their decoration and guests can book dedicated Spa Time, when you have the spa completely to yourself for over two hours along with a treatment. Barnsley House, Barnsley, Cirencester GL7 5EE
After a recent refurb, The Swan is now the smartest place to stay on this stretch of Suffolk coast. Set just back from the seafront with its colourful beach huts on the sand, the pub-turned hotel has an on-site Adnams brewery and distillery, restaurant and 35 colourful bedrooms. These come in differing tiers but nearly all have four-poster beds and the Family Quarters have interconnecting doors. There’s also a separate Brewers House that sleeps up to six in three bedrooms. The Swan, Market Place, Southwold IP18 6EG England
As great fans of Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes and Hotel Endsleigh in Dartmoor we’re already excited for the third hotel from Olga Polizzi that will open this summer in East Sussex. A half-timbered 16th century inn has been transformed into a boutique hotel with 30 bedrooms, each individually decorated by Olga Polizzi. The Star sits in the village of Alfriston with walks across the South Downs on the doorstep. Booking now open for stays from 17 June. The Star at Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5TA
A whole load of vintage bicycles are now available for guests to borrow at The Rose. Pick up beach towels at reception and pedal off along the coast stopping for a dip in the sea if you’re brave enough. Return home for a hot shower and then relax on the terrace with warm heaters and blankets and tuck into the new Nuno Mendes spring menu with a seasonal cocktail or glass of natural wine. A Little Bird readers will get a free room upgrade when quoting A Little Bird when booking (subject to availability).The Rose, 91 High St, Deal CT14 6ED
There’s a wonderful sense of space at The Rectory. Not only are the bedrooms and bathrooms on the generous side, there are several inviting sitting rooms, a bar with tables that spill out onto the lawn of the country garden at the end of which is a gate that leads you through the churchyard out to the fields beyond. A bonus in summer is the small outdoor swimming pool with loungers. The village pub, The Potting Shed is about 100m away. The Rectory, Crudwell, Malmesbury SN16 9EP
A long-standing family favourite on the Roseland Peninsula. All the rooms are self-contained apartments rather than bedrooms, so you can cook for yourself as well as eating at the restaurant and enjoying the hotel’s spaces like the indoor heated swimming pool, drawing room with wood burner and playroom for children. It’s just a few hundred metres to the sand. The Rosevine, Truro TR2 5EW
Bruton is a paradise for foodies. Number One Bruton’s restaurant, Osip has Michelin-starred Merlin Labron-Johnson at its helm and he’s just opened a new wine bar and épicerie a few doors down from the hotel. The Old Pharmacy will serve sandwiches, salads and coffees to tide you over until the spectacular set menu at Osip in the evening. Bedrooms in the Townhouse and the Cottages are full of artworks and objects from local artists and craftsmen. The newly renovated Forge rooms will be available to book from May, but there’s more availability generally in July and August. Number One Bruton,1 High St, Bruton BA10 0AB
A truly spoiling hotel that occupies a ‘village within a village’ in the Cotswolds. Book a bedroom, cottage or your own country house. This summer there will be an exhibition from the London florist Jam Jar Flowers, with large scale pressed botanical and flower installations inspired by the gardens and water meadows at Thyme. These will be on show in the Tithe Barn from 15th June – 12th September alongside a whole series of events including flower pressing, gardening talks and soap making. Thyme, Nr, Lechlade GL7 3NX
A little bit like The Pig but a fraction of the cost. Think roll-top baths, big comfy beds and cutting gardens to explore. 10 minutes by car takes you into Bristol; you’re on the right side of town to drive in over the suspension bridge into Clifton. Backwell House, Farleigh Rd, Backwell, Bristol BS48 3QA
On the shores of Ullswater, prepare to get outdoors into the fresh air of the fells when you stay at Another Place. There are activities galore at this contemporary hotel from stand-up paddle boarding, star-gazing night swimming, sailing, horseback trekking and more. We would happily spend hours in the enormous swimming pool. Another Place,Watermillock, Ullswater, Penrith CA11 0LP
Wild, romantic Highlands scenery outdoors and over 16,000 artworks and antiques inside. Owned by Iwan and Manuela Wirth (of Hauser & Wirth) spot Man Ray photographs as you sip your pre-dinner cocktail in the Elsa bar and find works by Lucian Freud, Zhang Enli, Gerhard Richter and even Queen Victoria herself as you explore the hotel. The service is excellent – roaring fires are lit wherever you sit down – and it’s also incredibly child-friendly. The Fife Arms, Mar Rd, Braemar, Ballater AB35 5YN
Take the Red Funnel ferry from Southampton to West Cowes and then it’s a short walk up the hill to this townhouse hotel. Bedrooms are luxurious with REN products and Roberts radios, but service is friendly and there’s a laid-back seaside vibe – dogs are welcome and you’re free to pull out the croquet set and play on the lawn or take a dip in the outdoor pool in summer. North House,30-32 Sun Hill, Cowes PO31 7TR
We haven’t used a handbag for months, but soon we will! Start anew with a basket on your arm – these are our new-season favourites.
Theses sunny yellow leather straps are adjustable in length so you can either carry in your hand or sling over a shoulder, £375 from Loewe
This Vanessa Bruno raffia tote is generously roomy, £230 from La Redoute:
We love Rouje’s new-season bags featuring pretty floral embroidery like this Alek bag with mimosa, £145 from Rouje
You can’t help but smile. Donkey basket, £450 from Anya Hindmarch
Straw London has a lovely selection of vintage and new baskets like this extra large basket made by Maison Bengal, a fair trade social enterprise that provides some of the poorest people in Bangladesh with a decent wage. £125 from Straw London
The Molly pineapple bag is made for holidays, £70 from Boden
We’re allowed to meet friends outside and the spring heatwave is on it’s way – it’s the best news we’ve had in ages. So we’re slipping out of our pyjama/jogging bottoms and investing in a new dress. These a perfect to wear now – they offer a little more warmth than a summer dress and as they’re all midis, you don’t need to worry about those legs, just yet!
Belted Puff sleeve striped midi dress,
The Scallop Prairie Dress,
Sofia floral-print midi cotton dress by Lug von Siga,
Polka dot angel sleeve midi wrap dress,
Clemence heart print dress by APC,
The juniper pansy leopard-print cotton dress by Cefinn,
Carnation print midi dress,
Flowers cotton dress,
The Summer Dress,
Nancy print midi dress,
No condition is permanent garden dress,
Rio dress,
Georgia Dress in Ocean Stripe by Pink City Prints,
Printed maxi dress by Faithfull the Brand,
Heart print puff sleeve midaxi tea dress by Nobody’s Child,
Larissa tiered maxi dress by Peter Som for Anthropologie,
A big birthday combined with the stress of lockdown has required some extra oomph in our usual skincare routine. So we’ve invested in some high-tech, new generation facial tools – here is what we discovered.
MICROCURRENT DEVICES
These small devices seem to be popping up everywhere recently and we can understand why. Microcurrent acts as a work-out for your skin, resulting in a more lifted visage. Sending tiny pulses of current to your facial muscles, microcurrent has immediate visible effects but consistent use is key if you want to maintain that lift.
Note: microcurrent devices require a conductive gel for use. Buy a big bottle as you will go through quite a bit. You can use a simple conductive gel from Amazon, but our favourite from NuFace comes in a handy pump and can be used with all the devices below.
After several months of use, this is our top pick. With ten levels, you can start slow and move up as you become more tolerant of the microcurrent. This one does cause an involuntary muscle reflex in some areas – twitching eyes or mouth – that we find rather satisfying (you can see it working!) but may be uncomfortable for some. The device can be used all over the face and allows you to target specific areas of concern. It works particularly well on the brow area, giving an instant wake up to tired eyes.
The PureLift Pro only needs to be charged once every 50 or so uses, great if you are always forgetting to plug it in.
NuFACE Trinity Facial Toning Device,
A much gentler experience than the PureLift, you might think nothing is happening when slowly moving this device over your face. But, after regular use, we really noticed a difference. Special attachments are available to get around the smaller areas of your eyes and mouth.
ZIIP Beauty Nano Current Skin Care Device,
The most portable of the bunch, ZIIP can easily fit into a suitcase for travel. The device connects to an app with targeted programs and there are videos to help you along. ZIIP’s patented nano-current technology benefits those suffering from acne as well, with a program available to keep skin clear.
MASSAGE & LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
There’s nothing like a professional facial massage to get glowing, plump skin. Whilst it isn’t always the most relaxing way to spend time at the spa, the increased blood flow has a profound effect on skin’s appearance, not to mention the general feeling of wellbeing. You can achieve similar results at home with a little training using these simple tools. Don’t forget to use a little of your favourite facial oil before starting to give the required slip.
Hayo’u Beauty Restorer Tool,
Both invigorating and relaxing, we are huge fans of the gua sha technique. Great for perking up skin, we often use it in the morning to help with any puffiness or to relieve tension across the forehead in the evening. If you want to improve your technique, we highly recommend these tutorials or Kate Brindle’s brilliant videos on Instagram.
Sarah Chapman Skinesis The Facialift,
Best for jawline and neck, simply roll and the tool does the rest.
DaVisage Face X’cercise Visager,
Manual facial exercises (sometimes called face yoga) can deliver excellent results over time, despite how silly we might feel doing them. However, how can you be sure you are doing it correctly? This is where the Visager comes in. Packaged with an LED screen of video tutorials, one side of the device is used to increase pressure when performing the exercises. The second side of the device contains a small microcurrent device for use on pressure points and to provide stress relief. Use for 5-20 minutes per day.
LED MASKS
LED, or Light Emitting Diode, has been used at spas for years and was famously developed to assist in healing for NASA. A form of light therapy, LED is revered for its ability to stimulate collagen production, brighten skin, and fight acne. Now this relaxing treatment can be done at home, with products becoming more mainstream over the past year.
Deesse Professional LED Mask Next Generation,
Said to emit 3x more LEDs than other masks giving the most professional results on the market at home.
MZ Skin Light Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device,
From well-known dermatologist Maryam Zamani’s excellent line of products
MORE BEAUTY TOOLS:
OLIVEREWILSON Cryo Ice Sticks, to get rid of puffy eyes and shrink pores
Slip Silk Pillowcase, to wake up with fewer sleep lines and banish bedhead
GloPro Microstimulation Anti-Aging Facial Tool, for at-home micro-needling and smoother, more plump skin over time.
HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket V3, to release toxins and induce well-being
Lovelee was how Lee Miller signed off her letters, playfully mixing ‘lovely’ and ‘love, Lee’ much to the delight of her husband and their cohort of surrealist friends. The pair wrote to one another voraciously in the 1930’s when she was in Cairo and there are more than 300 pages of letters documenting their burgeoning romance. Now you can hear some of these letters read aloud in a new podcast from Farley House and Gallery in Sussex.
Antony Penrose, Lee Miller’s son along with his daughter Ami Bouhassane will be delving into the archives for a new monthly blog, video series and podcast. You have to sign up to LoveLee membership (from just £3 per month, or £7 including the podcast) to access it, with each tier offering increasing insight as well as supporting Lee Miller’s legacy and Farleys. It’s also a good way to get in the mood for the opening of their exhibition, Lee Miller: Fashion in Wartime Britain that opens this May and will feature over 60 of her photographs for British Vogue from 1939 – 1944, many of which have never been seen before. Open Sundays and Thursdays, 20 May – 8 August 2021, pre-booking essential.
Copyright Lee Miller Archives, LoveLee, 2020
Letters are also the jumping off point for a new year-long exhibition at the Van Gogh House in Stockwell. Van Gogh moved to Hackford Road in 1873 when he was 20 and began working for an art dealer in Covent Garden. In one of his early letters home he quoted from John Keats’ poem, The Eve of St Mark:
‘And on the western window panes, The chilly sunset faintly told Of unmatur’d green valleys cold, Of the green thorny bloomless hedge, Of rivers new with spring-tide sedge Of primroses by shelter’d rills, And daisies on the anguish hills.’
Taken from a line in the poem, On the Western Window Pane will see a new poster go up each month for a year in the west-facing window of Van Gogh House starting on 1st April. These have been designed by 12 artists in response to the building’s history, and will be available as limited edition posters priced at £50 each. The first, by Brighid Lowe can be spotted in the window now and is available to buy here.
Finally, Charleston’s Festival Edit is going online again from 9-11 April with three events to tune in to at home. The Waves at Berwick Church will be a special collaboration between Charleston, the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra and St Michael and All Angels Church, Berwick in celebration of 90 years’ since the publication of Virginia Woolf’s, The Waves. Hear extracts read aloud by actors Harriet Walker and Vera Chok, along with the music known to have inspired her writing. 9 April, 7pm tickets £15.
Anyone who’s been to Skye Gyngell’s Somerset House restaurant, Spring or simply followed them on Instagram will know the irresistible lure of their sweet treats and cakes. In time for Easter we meet Stroma Sinclair, baker supreme and share the recipe for Spring’s iced buns.
Where did you learn to bake?
I’ve always been a big fan of dessert. Its an exciting treat at the end of a meal, and not an everyday thing. It began as a hobby; at uni I was always on birthday cake duty. I was studying contemporary crafts and ended up writing my dissertation on how I viewed baking as a form of art. I loved to repeat recipes and tweak them, constantly striving for perfection. From then I just went to as many kitchens as I could, met so many brilliant people and learnt by getting stuck in.
When did you start baking professionally?
When I moved to London after uni, I was working in a garden center. I still baked at home, and my friend who worked at Italo in Vauxhall suggested I bring in some cake for them to sell.
Italo become my first regular customer and I suddenly realised I was quite good at this and could maybe make some money from it. I started approaching more cafes to supply, so would get home from work and bake and then deliver in the morning on my way to work. I then started getting approached about celebration cakes through friends or the cafes I supplied, so Stromabakes was officially born and growing.
I was still so new to it, and eager to learn more. That’s when I discovered staging. It was amazing to me that I could get into these kitchens and learn from other bakers, which is how I started at Violet. My introduction to Claire Ptak and learning about Alice Waters and Chez Panisse was a real inspiration. From then I was hooked!
Over the years Stromabakes grew busier, and I continued to work in different kitchens and always had an eagerness to learn more. I’ve been round the world just to stage and keep seeing kitchens, meeting chefs, tasting everything, and gaining more experience and confidence.
What is it like working at Spring?
I remember when I first staged at Spring in 2015, just being in awe. I had only really worked in smaller cafes and bakeries never in restaurants. Restaurant kitchens always scared me, they seemed so fast paced and slightly macho. Being at Spring was a great way to prove those fears wrong. I was introduced to Skye’s food and ethos and also when I met Sarah Johnson. Sarah is from California and had worked at Chez Panisse. Her attention to detail and appreciation for ingredients was eye opening and made complete sense to me.
Buttermilk panna cotta with damson jelly and walnut biscuit at Spring
It started as a stage, but I kept coming back to Spring and ended up putting Stromabakes slightly to the side to be there full time. It’s full of exciting possibilities and the menu changes so regularly, I’m constantly perfecting tarts, cakes, jellies, ice creams…I feel spoilt to be able to use the best ingredients, including the produce from Fern Verrow and Heckfield Home Farm.
What’s your favourite cake invention of your career so far?
I am a real perfectionist, so still not sure if I could answer that. I think I’m still constantly working on my masterpiece!
Which are the most popular of Spring’s cakes/bakes/ice creams?
Well with desserts I can never seem to predict what the most popular ones are, it keeps me on my toes. The ice creams are a personal favourite and doing our ice cream pop up in the courtyard at Somerset House last summer was an absolute dream. There’s something so special about taking a berry that has been picked the day before and then churning it into an ice cream that is so bright and fresh and really celebrates the flavour.
Which ingredients are in season now/next that you’re loving?
Well we are currently in a lull in seasons, before we start drowning in a colourful glut of every berry you can imagine. But there’s always rhubarb. I feel a bit sorry for rhubarb as we are so grateful for it when it appears in cold, dark February – this gorgeous Yorkshire pink pop, but then by May we’re sick of it and desperate for a gooseberry to appear. But I have to say I’m loving our rhubarb sun bun, a soft buttery brioche dough filled with vanilla custard and topped with tart rhubarb.
Rhubarb sun buns
You seem to be reinventing old school puddings and cakes. Where do you get your inspiration?
I would say the old school inspiration has always been there but is definitely encouraged by Skye. We share a love for the simple done with complete precision. Like fruit jellies, ice creams, peach melba, Poires Belle Helene. We love a classic, especially one that highlights the seasons. Also I think they have such fun and whimsical potential that really fills me with wobbly jelly joy.
Elderflower and strawberry jelly
What’s your personal favourite birthday cake?
I most enjoy making summer birthday cakes. I think one of my favourites has to be an elderflower and strawberry cake. Elderflower I adore, I think it’s a magical flavour and anyone can find it in the hedgerows. So lashings of elderflower cream with the perfectly ripe British strawberries in layers of oh-so-light chiffon sponge, and knowing me, covered in colourful blooms. A complete dream!
Where do you live? What do you like about your area?
I’m a South Londoner. It’s a little bubble and it’s where a lot of my friends are. There’s also some really great food here like Silk Road and Theo’s in Camberwell. I’ve spent many a Saturday morning at Spa Terminus in Bermondsey. It’s changed a lot over the years but still has the great people and places like Puntarelle, Ham and Cheese, Neals Yard Dairy, and Ancestral wines to name a few. Although I must say that during lockdown I’ve been drawn to east London as they have an excellent selection of bakeries doing tasty sandwiches!
Do you listen to music or podcasts as you work?
I always like to have something on in the background, at work it’s mostly music. I’m a big fan of classic disco tunes and all things upbeat that I can have a lil boogie to or that keep me moving in the kitchen.
What baking kit could you not live without?
The humble spatula is a must, it does it all the stirring, folding, scraping, smoothing. I’m very particular about our spatulas at Spring, and have to keep them away from the savoury chefs trying to use them for their garlic and onions.
Could you share a recipe with our readers?
These iced buns/ sticky fingers/ finger buns are a favourite of mine and Skye’s, they have real nostalgia for Skye of Aussie tuck shops and for me of British teatimes. I’m a bit of a bun obsessive, and love the soft squishyness of this dough with the thick layer of sticky icing, YUM!
Rhubarb iced buns
Iced Buns (makes 14)
Strong white bread flour 350g
Plain flour 200g
Caster 50g
Salt 10g
Lemon zest 1
Milk 150g
Water 150g
Egg 1
Yeast dried 10g, fresh 20g
Butter, soft 60g
Activate the yeast by whisking the yeast into lukewarm milk and water mix.
Weigh out both flours, sugar, zest and salt. Add yeasty mix plus egg to the dry mix. Mix with dough hook until it comes together and starts to form a smooth dough, around 5 minutes. If mixing by hand (which requires a bit more muscle work) stir in wet ingredients until all incorporated then take dough out and knead the dough for about 10 minutes.
Rest the dough for 10 minutes, then add butter bit by bit until all incorporated.
Allow to rise for 1-2 hours.
Weigh out into 70g portions, and shape into fingers. Place on tray lined with baking parchment, allow space for them to prove. Prove for an hour, they will end up holding hands. Brush with egg wash (made with a beaten egg and a splash of milk.)
Bake at 200c for 15 minutes. Cool completely before icing.
For the icing there are plenty of different options depending on the season. Add any fruit juice like lemon, orange, blackcurrant or raspberry to sieved icing sugar. Add the juice little by little you don’t need very much at all. You are looking for a thick paste consistency to spread on top of your buns. They will tear apart beautifully.
Find Stroma at Spring which re-opens on 19th May. Meanwhile you can find her cakes, buns and ice creams for home delivery via Spring To Go.
The most insulated of any courtyard we’ve seen, stay warm at Wild by Tart and enjoy a delicious all-day feast from their charcoal grills and wood ovens. The menu will inlude plates to share like spring salad of Dorset crab, broad beans and pickled shallots, wood pigeon with white faba beans and array of pizzas as well as cocktails, wine and beers.
There are three areas to book at JOY: a heated private pavilion (each sits up to six people), beneath the partially-sheltered eaves with overhead heating or under a parasol on the terrace. There’s also a cosy new fire pit for pre-dinner drinks. The hyper-seasonal spring menu will have a new focus on seafood; think lobster, baby new potatoes and plenty of rosé.
Skye Gyngell’s heavenly Heckfield Place restaurant, Marle is launching a new restaurant on the Italian Terrace from 14th April – 9th May. Open for lunch, tea and a 5-course dinner on Friday and Saturdays, sit overlooking the lake snug beneath blankets and sheepskin rugs. Biodynamic ingredients from the gardens and farm will fill the menu with dishes like wild turbot, asparagus and hollandaise, and rhubarb tart with peach blossom ice cream. It’s just a 90-minute drive or train journey from London.
For a weekend lunch in the Cotswolds, the beautiful Ox Barn at Thyme is relocating to the south-facing terrace from 16th April – 19th May. Tables will be spread out around the garden, the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and spring plates like ricotta and nettle stuffed artichokes, asparagus and anchovy vinaigrette, and bavette steak with green salad. Lunchtime only from midday to sunset.
This smart new restaurant on will open with its courtyard first, and it’s the perfect moment given that it centres around a cherry tree with tulips and wild garlic springing up at its base. The current offering is more of a bar than a restaurant proper with a Garden Snacks menu that features small dishes, cocktails and wines by the glass. The focus is on foraged and sustainable fare; think brown crab rarebit on brioche and fermented Nutbourne tomatoes with Graceburn cheese and yesterday’s bread, and a hay ice cream affogato for pudding. Do order the Native Negroni, made using their house-made Forager’s Vermouth.
Transport to Whitstable or Southwold by way of Knightsbridge with The Berkeley’s new rainbow-coloured beach huts that open on 12th April. Book your spot now and enjoy freshly-shucked oysters, scampi and chips and extra special 99’s by calling 020 7107 8833 or emailing BerkeleyBeachHuts@the-berkeley.co.uk.
The sunny outdoor terrace behind Circolo is a generous size, so cross your fingers and you might just get a table. The new spring menu offers a slice of Sicily with Fritto Misto platters and deep friend Crocchettas.
Whilst some pavement terraces come with bus fumes thrown in, Fallow’s heated terrace is on the pedestrianised Heddon Street. The sophisticated and sustainable menu is very of-the-moment with kombucha fries, plant burgers and the must-try corn ribs with lime.
If you want to be straight out of the blocks on 12th April, book a spot at Maison Bab’s al fresco feast. The BBQ will celebrate the spring opening of their terrace on Mercer Street and includes a delicious 3-course meal of sharing mezze followed by their modern fusion kebabs with house sauce, and a pudding of rhubarb gözleme, a sweet Turkish street food to follow.
BBQ’s and eating outdoors go hand-in-hand, but let someone else do the hard work for you at Smokestak where a new awning provides a shelter over the outdoor terrace. Bookings will open on Monday 29th March via their website, and there will be space kept back for walk-in’s too. Dine on wood-smoked meats, chipotle caramel wings and buns with pastrami, pickles and mustard.
Julie’s now spills out right onto the pedestrianised patch at Clarendon Cross. It’s one of the most elegant restaurant terraces, with a smart, modern British menu. Go for dinner as the evenings grow longer, or for a treat-y Sunday lunch.
There are still a few lunchtime tables to snap up at Peckham’s Kudu. The set menu is a reasonable £21.50 per head for 3-courses of delicious South African-influenced food like farmer’s spiced biltong, parmesan churros with brown crab mayo and charred aubergine with tropea onions, black garlic and coriander. Don’t miss the Kudu bread with two types of irresistible butter.
It’s goodbye for now…
The team at A Little Bird are taking a break to recharge and make some exciting changes behind-the-scenes. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
