Raise a glass to Stein

Had the pleasure of hosting a signing for the lovely Rick Stein last month. He was in Waterstone's Nottingham signing copies of his new cook book / travel 'guide' Rick Stein's Spain, a promo tour to coincide with the BBC2 series of the same name. I'd timed the signing to follow smartly on from the Nottingham Food & Drink Festival which saw venues in the city open up to all sorts of special demonstrations, tasting sessions and offers - with the Old Market Square filled with fine food purveyors and stalls of the finest local fayre.

Delighted to report that Mr Stein was as adorably passionate and charmingly genuine as he is on TV. Very nervous that he wouldn't match that perceived persona. What a gent! Lot of marketing for the signing meant a big 100+ crowd and plenty of sales.
I had prepared a sample spread of Nottingham produce in the green room: sourced from our dear independents Delilah & The Cheese Shop: Colston Bassett Stilton, Lincolnshire Poacher, Mrs King's Pork Pie, fresh bread washed down with Belvoir Vale Elderflower cordial.
All of this he enthused about. Stating his delight that the area has some of his favourite goodies, and how lucky we are to have such yummy abundance.