The Botanist: August: On Our Radar

August: On Our radar

By: Frankie Mathieson

From food festivals to supper clubs, Instagram dinner parties and a must-have new recipe book, here are our hand-picked food events to tickle your tastebuds. Plus, discover a recipe from Anna Jones and a twist on a Gimlet.

Events to excite your tastebuds


From food festivals to supper clubs, Instagram dinner parties and a must-have new recipe book.

Midweek Recipes by Jess Elliott Dennison, out now

Inspired by the produce, colours, rituals and textures that each season brings, food writer and chef Jess Elliott Dennison’s hotly anticipated new cook book, Midweek Recipes, came out earlier this month. From crispy kimchi and cheddar fritters to lemon cream linguine, her latest book is a collection of easy, joy-inspiring recipes. 

Elliottsedinburgh.com

Copenhagen Cooking Festival, now until 25 August

One of the biggest food festivals in Northern Europe, the Copenhagen Cooking Festival pays homage to Nordic food culture, cuisine and players on the gastronomic stage. Celebrating 20 years of the festival, more than 100 food experiences await, including Copenhagen’s iconic long table dinners and food from their twin city of the year: Flanders.

Copenhagencooking.dk

An End of Summer Feast by Nomadic, 8, 14 and 21 September

A supper club with a difference, Nomadic events are a feast for the senses. Escape to their remarkable hidden woodland nestled among the Chiltern Hills and indulge in An End of Summer Feast inspired by wild ingredients that grow in abundance around us. Expect Botanist G&Ts and an abundance of food cooked over an open flame served family style.

Experiencenomadic.com

Abergavenny Food Festival, 21-22 September

The impressive Abergavenny Food Festival features 190 exhibitors across six venues as well as talks and debates with guest chefs and food writers (this year’s line-up includes Meera Sodha, Anna Jones, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Dina Macki, Jay Rayner and Nicola Lamb), cooking over fire sessions, a night market and a party at Abergavenny Castle. 

Abergavennyfoodfestival.com

Dinner with Friends NYC, various dates

Instagram account @DinnerwithFriendsNYC was founded on the idea that food is best when it’s shared and paired with great people and conversation. A dinner party that anyone can join, Dinner with Friends serve food family-style at a shared table in the host’s home. Each dinner is purposefully kept small to maintain an intimate and welcoming experience and to foster new friendships.

DinnerwithFriendsNYC.com

Anna Jones' All Summer Salad

A RECIPE BY ANNA JONES

Anna Jones is a bestselling author, cook and writer who believes that vegetables should be at the heart of every table.

Straightforward and pleasing to the eye, Anna's simple salads are packed with colour and flavour.

All Summer Salad


This recipe is Anna Jones' ‘blueprint for all summer long’ and is packed with tomatoes (don’t forget to salt them!) and fresh summer green veg and herbs. A great summer salad, Jones makes this on repeat through September and once you’ve tried it, we reckon you will too.

Ingredients
500g new potatoes
300g ripe tomatoes
200g summer green vegetables
100g Kalamata olives
1 small cucumber
4 organic eggs (optional) can be substituted with chickpeas or butterbeans
Capers (optional)


For the dressing
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons wholegrain mustard
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon runny honey

To garnish
Chopped soft herbs
Lemon zest

Method:
Follow along and make the recipe with Anna on YouTube.

Tomato Gimlet

THis month we're drinking

The Tomato Gimlet. Fresh and satisfyingly savoury with a hint of sweetness. The tomatoes add umami and a gentle acidity to this twist on a gimlet.

view recipe

Image Credits

Copenhagen Cooking Festival
Anna Jones' All Summer Salad: Hannah Brown