To blog or not to blog?

Blogging has always been in the back of my mind as a potential additional outlet for my food obsession. But until now I have always resisted. Why?  Was it the anticipated pain of coming up with a cheesy (sorry I meant to say catchy) name? Was it the feeling that blogging was definitely secondary to actually cooking  - what kind of people blog anyway? Was it the the overriding thought that who cares about what I have to say? Or is it simply that I'm just too damn lazy? Anyway, no need to answer these questions as here I am, cheesy name in hand, starting on my first blog.

Why on earth will anyone want to read another blog about food when there are so many out there? The answer is they probably won't, but having read that it takes up to three years to get anyone to actually take any notice of you, then at least I can be blissfully unaware for the time being! What are my credentials I hear you ask? Well I have run my very own pop up restaurant or supperclub or whatever you want to call it to some local acclaim. Since 2010 I have 'amazed' the diners of the Muswell Hill/ Bounds Green borders with my seasonal banquet, Dinner at the Pavilion. Catering for around 50 diners a session in the tiniest kitchen imaginable I have put on twelve of such feasts.  The main purpose of this blog is to provide a platform on which to record my recipes and give you an insight into the inspiration that has led me to approaching two decades of turning my home kitchen into a starred establishment - I'm still waiting for the booking from the Michelin inspector!

And finally, why the name The Spicy Englishman? Firstly I quite liked the way it sounded, which I think is important. Secondly whilst I don't like to categorise what I cook, it does reflect my food philosophy; top quality British produce with recipes that draw on the cultural diversity of London (where I have lived for 22 years) for their creative inspiration. That said, I also cook traditional and classically inspired food. The cultural diversity does not simply refer to ethnicity. London's cultural diversity is all encompassing.

I'll leave you with a photo of the lamb dish from my last Dinner at the Pavilion;

Essex salt marsh lamb rump and neck, summer bean ragout and spinach, roasted tomato and garlic sauce