Star of the Show

Thank you to everyone that came to say “Hello” at Taste Of London in Regents Park last weekend. We had a great time despite the weather.  The sometimes extreme conditions didn’t seem to put off the Great British public from participating ; umbrellas up, macs and boots on (we saw a few pairs of flip flops) and it seemed that nothing could curb the appetite for new flavors and fine wines. The star of our little show was the Ham Hock Terrine that we have collaborated with Bryn Williams Chef Patron of Odettes on for our summer picnic. The free range Suffolk hocks are slowly cooked on the stove top with spices then pulled by hand, we then add grated apple and parsley to lighten the dish up for the summer. Its potted in mini kilner jars and steam sealed – perfect for a summer picnic. My Pear Piccalilli also went down a treat and made a great “co-star”. There were also some well received “walk on” parts from the Battenberg Cake, Rhubarb canvas shopper bags (out sold all the others), Jam Drops and Regents Park Honey. Vestal Vodka Beetroot Cocktails perked us all up and we made sure our neighbour Michel Roux Jr got to approve one. All in all a very fine show.

For full details of our summer Picnic visit our website and download a menu

Taste of London

When the heavens opened yesterday morning at 7.30am just as we arrived at Regents Park with all our wonderful products to sell at Taste of London, I have to admit that I felt like turning round and heading back to our dry comfy office. However the Melrose and Morgan team had already set sail (almost literally) lead by Louisa and were on course for an 11 o’clock kick off. Fourteen thousand people were on their way to sample the delights of London’s finest chefs on a rather rainy Thursday. So with this in mind we set up shop, hung our bags on the wall, handed out some excellent Pear Picalili for people to try with Bryn William’s Ham Hock Terrine and asked James from Drinksmith to fix some Melrose and Morgan Beetroot, Honey (from Regents Park) and Vestal Vodka cocktails ; it was all very well received and was worth all the effort. So we have three more days of fun in the park to promote our summer picnics. The weather forecast is improving so, we would love to see you there. You could also have a chance of winning a Melrose and Morgan Picnic for you and 12 of your closest friends this summer, by entering our Prize Draw. For full details of the 4 day event, see the  Taste of London website. (We are on stand E2 opposite Le Gavroche and Bocca du Lupo.)

Happy Birthday Hampstead!

Our second shop in Hampstead is one year old today. We had a little party with the staff last night (after a staff training session) and said a big “thank you” to all of them. It’s been a fantastic first year and we are very pleased with the shop. We got some things absolutely right and we have made a few mistakes, but we have really enjoyed the challenge of putting good food on your table. We have a built up a loyal customer base already in the village and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support. We are listening to you and there are plans afoot to install a small eating gallery so you can enjoy a coffee and a pastry “in house” and we have ordered proper tables and chairs for outside. We  have lots of exciting recipes and delicious food to share over the summer now that the season is in full swing; wonderful full flavored tomatoes from the Isle of Wight that you will find in our new tomato soup recipe and bread salads this summer; the herbs and salads leaves from Secretts Farm in Surrey are unsurpassable; our Picnics are ready to go and the centre piece for them is the Ham Hock Terrine that we have made in collaboration with Bryn Williams at Odette’s Restaurant; and if you haven’t tried Jimmy’s Iced Coffee yet, then that’s a must for those long hot summer days.

Happy Birthday Hampstead !