Eat, Sleep, Drink

We spoke with Ixta Belfrage ahead of her appearance at The Big Festival in August.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of checking out the newly refurbished Jude The Obscure in Jericho. Having been forwarded the invite from my boss with little more explanation than, ‘sounds like your cup of tea’ it became clear that I’ve developed a reputation as the staff member who’s always keen for a pub visit...  

"Shaking the 17 year legacy of the internationally renowned ‘pie pub’ has had its challenges", admits new landlord Gerard Hughes, but he now feels he has the right team to do it, after the appointment of new Head Chef, Freddie Dodson, poached (pun intended) from Soho Farmhouse.

The Tray Chic series of recipes and movie recommendations comes to us from the brother and sister team Charlie and Milly Hibbert, from Cotswolds’ gem, Thyme.  Milly has chosen the movies and dressed the trays with Bertioli by Thyme linens, all designed by their mother (Thyme’s founder, Caryn). Charlie – who’s in charge of all things food at Thyme’s Ox Barn – has put together these quick, simple and delicious recipes. 

Located in the picturesque village of Shipton-under-Wychwood just four miles from Burford, you will find the atmospheric Wychwood Inn. Not only does this boutique hotel with its five luxuriously appointed en-suite bedrooms provide a perfect location for exploring the Cotswolds but book a table for lunch or dinner and you will enjoy a selection of undeniably British classic dishes, crafted with a contemporary twist. 

When I set off to find Worton Kitchen Garden, near Cassington and only five miles north-west from the centre of Oxford, I was uncertain what to expect. Located just behind a large farm complex at Worton Rectory, I discovered what I would consider to be one of Oxfordshire’s best kept secrets if you are a foodie and love kitchen gardens, too. 

Hidden down a small track amongst hedgerows and farmhouses – a stone’s throw from Minster Lovell – Freedom of the Press typifies the kind of exciting English winery that has become prodigiously more commonplace over the past decade.

In honour of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations OX asked a special favour from a special baker: Christine Wallace came to fame as a Quarter finalist in The Great British Bake Off (2013) and has gone on to become a key figure in Oxfordshire’s renowned foodie community.