An Edible Voyage

September 2020 Tucked on a corner, opposite the green, in the village of Maenclochog is the unassuming Caffi’r Sgwar Adorned with plastic table cloths and packed with long standing locals, it wasn’t a place I naturally gravitated to.  However a good friend from the next village mentioned in passing that it’s a local institution, so I was immediately sold! If I’m honest, my expectations for a flat white were fairly low, but it was up there with some of the best I’ve had.  I was also expecting a fairly small range of cakes, given the size of the café, and village as a whole, so I was pleasantly taken aback to find a counter bursting with an assortment of homemade brownies (three different flavours as well as gluten free), seasonal cakes, scones, quiches and sausage rolls.  The super fudgey brownies with the slight crunch on top are absolutely divine, and not usually a fan of cold sausage rolls, the delicious meaty, cheesy and slightly sweet taste of the generously stuffed p...

June 2020 Nestled in a pretty, narrow street on the Northern end of the centre of Oxford, among quaint pubs and hanging baskets of colourful flowers, is 2 North Parade.  A tiny but inviting blue shop front leads to a bounty of local produce.  The sweetest local farm strawberries, a vast selection of British cheeses from the very best producers, milk and yogurt from North Aston Farm, all manner of vegetables, Gatineau pastries and quiches, Cotswold beer, and sourdough loaves from both Hamblin Bread and Sourdough Revolution.  And with friendly, passionate and knowledgeable about all things quality produce owners, this the place to come to stock up for a picnic feast.  Find it on North Parade, Oxford