Well here I am on the Falkland Islands. After four months of interviews, work permits and medicals I have finally arrived via RAF Brize Norton. I have discovered some incredibly tasty new fish and produce and all sorts of innovative recipes. I am particularly fond of Toothfish Cheeks. A Toothfish can grow up to 10 metres in length and live until it’s 50! It’s an absolute privilege to be here and even though the Military call the Islands Dartmoor by Sea in a derogatory sense, I can’t think of any place more lovely.
My first major catering event was a watercolour course run by the very talented Richard Cockwell. In between prepping Balmoral Chicken, Toothfish cheeks and STP I managed to join in for an hour of painting. Form the gardens of the Lodge the views over Mount Usbourne are simply breaktaking. What I most like about painting is it gives you the chance to look and watch the clouds skating past the hills. The winds here are deceptive and although the weather can look beautiful from my kitchen window it’s quite often blowing a hooley when I step outdoors.
www.darwin-house.com
I have also found a funny little book called recipes “Fit for FIDS” It was written in the 1950’s by a interesting character who is spoken of very highly on the Islands. I have eaten smoked Sea Shag in Iceland last year and very good it was too but I am a good deal more wary about seal brain and penguins!
