Antipasto on Wood

There is something very attractive and rustic about presenting food on a beautifully crafted wooden board with the possibility turning even the simplest of fare into a feast.

A couple of weeks ago I went with three friends to the much recommended JoJo's Meze, Meat and Fish Restaurant in Whitstable Kent www.jojosrestaurant.co.uk/ located at the far end of Tankerton slopes with stunning views. What a great place from start to finish with a warm welcome and top service from all the staff to the quality of the food and the great value. We chose a mixed meze with meat and vegetarian options freshly cooked dabs with salad and a light chilled rose. The best tasting olives I have had for a long time and tasty bread completed our meal.

A few days later lunch in the sunny courtyard of Barista and Baker adjacent to London South Bank University with its fine array of sandwiches is to be recommended.

For the past two years I have been lucky to be staying in West Dorset at the time of the May Spring Tide Food Festival at Burton Bradstock Beach close to the Hive Beach Cafe www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk/ which is somewhere that deserves a visit at any time of year

At the festival I discovered the unique hand crafted wood work of Hamwood Crafts there is no web site for them but some great images available through Google. This beautiful Hamwood cheese board was just perfect for presenting a tasty late night supper.

Inspired by the Mediterranean colours and textures of our JoJo's experience August Bank Holiday entertaining led to a platter of meat and fish antipasto heartily devoured by hungry friends.

Ashford Farmers Market

It requires a degree of persistence to find your way to Ashford Farmers Market in the lower High Street.

As the entrance is flanked by the now boarded up Pizza Hut and a former soon to be closed Blockbusters it is certainly not a great advert for the historic market town but persevere it is worth the effort.

This is only the second month for the farmers market and which is small and a real gem www.kfma.org.uk/ Green and White canopies blend perfectly with the dappled shade of the towering lime trees shimmering in the sunshine and the cobbled streets, red geraniums, benches and fountain all add to the atmosphere in what is left of the old town.

You will find a good variety of food, produce and plants. Two stood out for me and both are new to the market this month. Sylvia and Terry Kentish Chocolates sylviaandterry.com/ locally sourced fresh cream chocolates, melt in the mouth macaroons and very fine samples.

I was also delighted to see Invicta Herbs www.invictaherbs.co.uk with the very knowledgeable Susan on hand to offer advice about my exceptionally thirsty Vietnamese Coriander a spicy hot salad leaf for Thai food which I bought from her a month or so ago at Godmersham Fair.

For a coffee or tea stop with a difference the fun and very reasonably priced Lil' Tea Tank "a little truck with big plans to bring tea, cake and a jolly good time to the nation" is a welcome sight.

The stalls have doubled since the July market and September 7 should be a date for your diary