Dishing up my monthly column of local hospitality news and my personal diary as a Derbyshire food blogger.
New Champagne Terrace at Fischer’s at Baslow Hall
My favourite fine dining restaurant and multi-award-winning boutique country house hotel, Fischer’s at Baslow Hall has just opened a gorgeous new champagne terrace. With stunning views over their manicured gardens and stunning Peak District scenery beyond, this is set to be the place to be this summer.
I was lucky enough to be invited to the media day and soft launch earlier this week. We delighted in a range of canapés created by Head Chef, Adam Thackeray, perfectly paired with champagnes from Möet Hennessy and English sparkling wine from Gusbourne.
Monsal’s Enchanted Emporium
There’s a delightfully quirky new addition at Hobbs Café at Monsal Head. The Enchanted Emporium has a separate entrance and is a spell-binding room full of magical sweets, treats and ice creams. The ice cream is particularly special, carefully sourced from family owned farm, Snugburys, a brand many will be more than familiar with.
Hobbs Café has also seen some exciting changes to its menu. There’s a talented new baker on the team who has been introducing a delectable array of delightfully different sweet treats.
Hobbs (and the Enchanted Emporium) are one of the blog’s sponsors this Spring – so please do check them out.
Industry News
Mark Aisthorpe’s innovative menus at the Bulls Head at Holymoorside have seen the pub awarded it’s third AA Rosette, whilst the Tickled Trout at Barlow (probably my all time favourite place to eat, ever) has just been awarded its first AA Rosette. Both establishments are ambassadors for the North East Derbyshire Food Trail, which continues to go from strength to strength.
4 Eyes Bakery have just scooped Best in Category for their bubbly focaccia in the International category of Britain’s Best Loaf.
Pub Tours scoops yet another award!
In addition to their recent tourism awards, Pub Tours have recently been awarded another accolade, Pub Tour Operator of the Year for 2024. I recently enjoyed a brilliant day sampling the delights of the best Peak District’s pubs with Pub Tours and can’t recommend them highly enough.
New Summer Menu at The Maynard
The Maynard have just launched their new summer menu, and have a very generous 30% off, if you’re quick! Offer expires Saturday 18th May and terms and conditions apply. They’ve also just shared the recipe for, and fascinating story behind, their ever-popular cheese soufflé, a dish I couldn’t get enough of on my last visit to The Maynard.
My Derbyshire food diary
Here’s the most notable dining I’ve done since last writing this column. Firstly, an absolutely incredible sharing board of charcuterie at Sette Coffee in Clay Cross. Sette have quickly established a great reputation for their barista coffees and inventive menu of light bites (pistachio croissant anyone?).
On Good Friday I took my daughter to Electric Daisy, Derby’s community garden. She devoured a pizza (I wasn’t allowed any bar the crusts!) – but Electric Daisy is definitely worth checking out for the vibes alone.
My husband had some time off work so we enjoyed a couple of breakfast dates, at Dunston Hall Bistro and the Peacock at Barlow.
A brilliant day out with Pub Tours
One of my favourite days out was courtesy of Pub Tours. A VIP chauffeured experience around half a dozen of the Peak District’s best pubs. I enjoyed a delightfully spicy chicken burger (and triple cooked chips) at the Ashford Arms. I didn’t partake – but the pizzas at Thornbridge Tap Room looked incredible.
I’ve had another epic brunch at Ninety Four on Chatsworth Road (highly recommend).
At the other end of Chatsworth Road is Libby’s, a delightful café serving up some of the best scones in the Derbyshire. I’ve been a couple of times lately, organising my Instagram Made Easy workshop I’ll be running in June in the beautiful setting of The Walled Garden Workshop, a dedicated private events space behind Libby’s.
We’ve also had family meals at Giorgio’s and Sicily – the food at both is good, but I think Sicily knocks it out of the park for their warm welcome, the care with which Monica looks after her guests and their incredible specials. Sicily is actually going to be shut from 20th May to 3rd June – so get in quick or book in advance.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this column. If you have, why not join my Derbyshire Food Lovers Facebook group?
Got some Derbyshire food news you’d like to share? Get in touch via LinkedIn or drop me an email.
See you next month,
