As the search goes on for “The Voice” on BBC1, Oddbins has launched its own quest to find the country’s best amateur wine palate.

The independent high street wine merchant is inviting wine lovers to put their taste buds to the test to stand a chance of winning a coveted place on Oddbins’ Tasting Panel that decides which wines go into its branches and on its website Oddbins.com.

As if a further incentive were needed, the winners of “The Palate” will also walk away with a holiday of a lifetime in one of the world’s best-known wine regions.

The competition is being launched at the Oddbins Wine Fair at Victoria House in London on the 25-26 May with the first round commencing in Oddbins branches across the country (including Bristol!) the following 2 weekends (2-3 and 9-10 June.)

Each Oddbins branch will select the best palates from the initial heats according to set criteria. The competition then progresses to a regional contest and then to a national level to select the overall winners.

The competition takes place over three months, with progressively harder tasting challenges for the contestants in each round. Contestants who get through to the semi-final will be assigned a coach and attend a tasting ‘boot camp’ where they will receive a master class in tasting from the coaches who are three of the most respected wine critics in the country. With each coach selecting the best contestants to go through to the finals, the finals then become a battle of the finalist as well as the coaches.

The three overall winners will travel with the Oddbins Buying team, to sample wines before choosing the customers’ selection to be sold in store this Christmas.

The competition is open to everyone as long as they are over 18 and not employed in the wine trade.

Emma Nichols, Head of Buying of Oddbins, said: “For our customers and the wine loving public as a whole, we are offering the chance of putting your taste buds to the test in a fun, relaxed and for the winner, an ultimately extremely rewarding way.”

“No-one has done anything like this before and this is the latest demonstration of our commitment to engage with the British consumer. Inviting wine lovers to select some of our range represents a logical next step for us. The Palate contest is a fun way of uncovering the tasting expertise that exists on every street, in every town, in every region of the UK.”

Emma added: “We want to make the appreciation of wine as democratic and unstuffy as possible and to make wine buying accessible and informative. The Palate is just one way that we are emphasising our commitment to these aims”

The Wellington pub in Bristol now boasts eight boutique-style bedrooms.

The newly refurbished accommodation boasts eight stylish king-size guest bedrooms, some of which can be configured as twin rooms.   Each guest room comes with full amenities including a private, modern bathroom with shower, complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities and a flat screen TV.  Free internet access is available.

The much-loved hostelry, owned by Bath Ales, is situated at the top of Gloucester Road (North Bristol), a vibrant area of the city known for its rich variety of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, and just 10 minutes from the city centre.

The rooms were designed by local agency Simple Simon Design, who also helped Bath Ales with their recent venues Beerd in Bristol and The Grapes in Oxford. Their aim was to deliver bedrooms, broadly traditional in style but with a gently contemporary ambience, particularly in terms of overall style, colour and lighting.  What they have created is a smart, comfortable home from home.

Full English breakfast is served in the dining room, or guests can enjoy it in the outdoor seating area.

The ’Welly’ serves a classic British menu of fresh, locally sourced produce in its restaurant and, of course, a selection of the award-winning brewer’s beers, for guests to enjoy, including Gem, Barnsey, S.P.A. and Wild Hare.

The pub benefits from being five minutes’ walk to the Memorial Stadium – home of Bristol Rugby RFC and Bristol Rovers FC – 10 minutes’ walk to the Gloucestershire County Cricket Ground and a short taxi ride away from some of Bristol’s most famous attractions – Bristol Zoo, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, M Shed and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Prices start at £79 per room per night; an à la carte breakfast menu is available.  To reserve a room, visit www.bathales.com/wellingtonrooms, or call The Wellington direct on 01179 513 022.

Find The Wellington on the Bristol Bites Directory…

Bristol’s Indian restaurant 4,500 Miles from Delhi on Colston Avenue is poised to celebrate an amazing first year.

The champagne corks will be popping at a special celebration party on Saturday, June 9th, with all guests receiving a free glass of bubbly, some birthday cake and traditional Indian sweets.

Waiters in traditional dress will be serving up a selection of the finest dishes from the Sub Continent prepared by chefs specially brought in from Delhi, showcasing the lively menus which have already attracted hundreds of Bristolians to the Colston Avenue hotspot.

A DJ will be entertaining guests on the night and a dancefloor will be opened up so people can continue the party into the early hours after enjoying their meal.

Restaurant manager Murthy Ganta said: “We are hoping to see as many of our old and new friends as possible for what will be the summer party event of the year.

“We will have a DJ and traditional dress and decorations to really create a party atmosphere. We’ll be treating our guests to champagne and cake and will be offering special anniversary discounts on the night. We really hope lots of people join us to celebrate as we’ve had an amazing first year and want the party to go with a bang.

“Our positioning means we are perfect for office workers at lunchtime and also theatre-goers and those who want a bite to eat in the city centre on an evening. It’s the more the merrier for our anniversary party so if you’ve dined with us before and enjoyed it, please pop in and say hi and if you’ve never been, come and see what all the fuss is about!”

The city centre-based restaurant has already proved popular with foodies across Bristol. With a unique menu that you wouldn’t find in your average curry house, 4,500 Miles pushes the boundaries of Indian cuisine, presenting food traditionally and authentically.

Classical Indian tradition is observed and only natural ingredients incorporating fresh herbs and spices are used in the preparation of dishes. The restaurant also boasts an extensive signature cocktail menu, perfect for a night on the town.

A special three-course set menu will be available for the first anniversary party for £24.95 for adults and £16.95 for children from 7pm-11pm. Alternatively guests can come and enjoy a cocktail in the bar while taking part in the festivities. Booking is recommended.

For further information about the first anniversary party please visit http://4500miles.co.uk/bristol or call 0117 929 2224

Find 4,500 Miles From Delhi on the Bristol Bites Directory…

Another move for Zazu’s Kitchen this week! With previous incarnations having been located on Stokes Croft and then in Clifton Village, the bar and restaurant has now set up home at the old Bistro La Barrique site at 225 Gloucester Road.

Open from 7pm on Thursday, May 17th, the food menu will include many of the same Zazu’s classics. The opening menu includes the likes of rump of new season lamb with samphire and citrus new potatoes, as well as a white chocolate and ginger cheesecake with poached rhubarb.

In addition, Zazu’s will be launching a brand new tapas menu, with Merguez sausages and caramelised onions, Boccaccini with sunblushed tomatoes and morcilla, poached egg and romesco sauce just some of the delights on the new menu.

Tapas really is booming at the moment, and Gloucester Road seems like the perfect location for a business such as Zazu’s. We’ll be heading over there to try them out in the near future!

Find Zazu’s Kitchen on the Bristol Bites Directory…

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee …to some, a historic event, to others, a good excuse for a celebration! A number of national companies are getting involved with the celebrations: Bridge Farm have launched a special Jubilee cider, the deli2dine4 website features a huge Jubilee range, and Kingsmill are even rebranding some of their loaves to “Queensmill” for two weeks from May 21st.

Whatever your view of the weekend, a number of Bristol-based companies are making the most of the weekend by hosting events, special offers and Jubilee themed products to help you to get the party started! Below are a selection of some of the things that are going on in and around Bristol…

Jubilee-themed products…

• Cupcake fans should head over to Arch House Deli, where a range of Jubilee cupcakes in six unique designs will be available between June 1st and 5th.  The cakes have been made in partnership with Layla Pegado - a Bristol based master cake maker – and cost just £2.95 each. If you want to have a go at making them yourself, you can see the recipe here!

• If you’re looking for some inspiration for corporate celebrations, try Fosters Event Catering. From May 28th onwards, the Bristol-based catering company will be offering Jubilee hampers, packed with everything your office needs to enjoy the event. Full details here.

• Bristol favourite Pieminister has also joined the celebrations with the launch of their Lovely Jubilee pie: a combination of free range British chicken and a Coronation-style sauce with mango chutney, sweetcorn and coconut. The pie is available to buy now from their shops and market stalls, as well as selected pubs and delis across the country.

Pubs, bars and restaurants…

• Book now for a Jubilee Tea Party courtesy of Danielle Coombs’ Bishopston Supper Club. Taking place on the afternoon of June 3rd, guests will be treated to sandwiches and savoury snacks, scones, cakes, tarts and more – along with bubbly, tea and coffee. The afternoon begins at 2.30pm and costs just £15 per head – see here for details.

• Also taking place on June 3rd is a Jubilee Street Party hosted by The Kensington Arms in Redland. From 12-9pm, the Stanley Road pub will be offering live music from ‘The Event’ and special guests, a BBQ, Pimms bar, old school sports day and the annual Kenny Krufts. All are welcome (including dogs!) and entry is free, with donations being collected for the RSPCA.

• From June 2nd to 5th, south west coffee chain Boston Tea Party will also be joining the festivities. They’ll be serving a “proper afternoon tea”, and every branch of the cafe will be doing something different, so keep an eye on their website and social media channels for more information!

• Ronnie’s of Thornbury will be serving a Jubilee tasting menu on the evenings of Saturday 2nd and Tuesday 5th June. The price is £49 per person, and includes a cocktail on arrival and a six course tasting menu – see here for details and to book.

• The Muset by Ronnie in Clifton Village are also joining the celebrations with a 5 course tasting menu. Priced at £50 per head, a free Jubilee cocktail is included – click here for details.

• The Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant has two Jubilee options: a Jubilee Lunch on Sunday, June 3rd, and a Royal Not Afternoon Tea, available from May 1st to June 8th.

• Kids will enjoy a trip out to Tyntesfield, where Wallace and Gromit will be joining the National Trust property’s celebrations on June 4th. The day will feature screenings of their classic animated films, fun activities and Jubilee-themed food – along with a new Wallace and Gromit short film made just for the Jubilee. Keep checking their website for more details.

• Racks Bar & Kitchen in Clifton will be hosting a BBQ on June 4th, with £10 providing you with a full BBQ meal and a drink. All of the Jubilee celebrations will be up on the big screens, and there will also be live music. In addition, neighbouring Caffe Clifton will be putting on family activities for the children, with Queen Teas and champagne as well as Prince Will and Princess Kate milkshakes also available. Full details can be seen here.

• Tapas and sherry bar Harvey’s Cellars will be kicking off their celebrations on Thursday, May 31st, with a patriotic themed gallery launched, complimentary drink and food tastings and a specially designed British menu for one weekend only. Booking is advised!

• Butcombe pub The Swan, Rowberrow are running a special Jubilee menu on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd June – click here to see a copy.

Staying in Bristol…

• Future Inns Bristol has a great deal available over the Jubilee weekend. For only £60 per person, enjoy sparkling wine and strawberries on arrival, a two course dinner in their Chophouse Restaurant as well as overnight accommodation. Simply click this link for more details.

• The Bristol Hotel on Prince Street are offering a Right Royal Occasion package between May 25th and July 1st. From £109 per room per night, the package includes a double bedded room, full English breakfast, Jubilee afternoon tea and free parking – see here for more details.

Well done Guide2Bristol on painstakingly counting over 8,000 votes for the upcoming restaurant, deli and cafe categories of the 2012 Bristol Good Food Awards! According to the team, nearly 300 businesses were nominated in total, and these have now been whittled down to 93 in 24 different categories.

Throughout May and June, independent judging of each category will take place, to determine the overall winners. The judging panel consists of Head Judge Angela Mount and her team of Xanthe Clay (Telegraph), Fiona Beckett (Guardian), Mark Taylor (Evening Post), Nick Gregory (Flavour), Thane Prince (Good Food Channel), Barbora Stiess (Devilled Egg Kitchen Academy), Emily Knight (Bristol Bites), Lorna Knapman (Love Food Festival), Dan Vaux Nobes (Essex Eating) and Gemma Screen and Becci Sargent (Bristol Foodie).

The shortlisted businesses in each of the categories are as follows:

Best Restaurant

The Pony & Trap

Casamia

The Muset by Ronnie

The Pump House

Souk Kitchen

Lido

Prego

Flinty Red

Goldbrick House

The Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols

Best Family Friendly

Za Za Bazaar

The Swan Hotel

Pizza Express

Wagamama

The Lounges

Best Seafood

Fishers Restaurant

The Rockfish Grill

Noa Japanese

The Olive Shed

Loch Fyne Bristol

Best British

The Cowshed

The Clifton Sausage

The TownHouse

The Albion Public House & Dining Rooms

The Square Kitchen

Best French

Brasserie Blanc

Cote Restaurant

Bell’s Diner

Glassboat Restaurant

Hotel du Vin

Best Asian

Noa Japanese

Surakhan

Simply Thai

Water Sky

Teohs

Best Chinese

Water Sky

Dynasty

Mayflower

Zen

Wongs Chinese Restaurant

Best Indian

Brunel Raj

4500 Miles from Delhi

Rajpoot Restaurant

Raj Bari

Kohi-Noor

Best Italian

Rosemarino

Prego Italian Bar & Kitchen

San Carlo

Piccolino Italiano

Marco’s Olive Branch

Best Vegetarian

Maitreya Social

The Thali Cafe

Falafel King

Biblos

Poco

Best Pub Food

The Ship Inn Alveston

The Kensington Arms

Robin Hood’s Retreat

The Lazy Dog

The Victoria Park

Best Sunday Lunch

The Ship Inn Alveston

The Cowshed

The Albion Public House & Dining Rooms

The TownHouse

The Pump House

Best Chef

Josh Eggleton (The Pony & Trap)

Matthew Pennington (The Ethicurean)

George Kostka (Ronnies)

Chris Wicks (Bell’s Diner / Berwick Lodge)

Marcus Lang (Hotel du Vin)

Freddy Bird (Lido)

Peter & Jonray Sanchez-Iglesias (Casamia)

Louise McCrimmon (Harvey Nichols)

Ronnie Faulkner (The Muset by Ronnie)

Kai Taylor (The River Grill)

Best Chain

Cafe Rouge

Bella Italia

The Lounges

Bottelinos

Cote Restaurant

Best Wine List

Jacks Bar & Brasserie

Bordeaux Quay

Piccolino Italiano

The Clifton Sausage

The Kensington Arms

Best Fine Dining Wine List

Muset by Ronnie

Hotel du Vin

Flinty Red

Berwick Lodge

The Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols

Best Buffet

Za Za Bazaar

Cosmo

Shanghai Nights

4500 Miles from Delhi

Flavourz
 
 

Best Burger

The Burger Joint

The Urban Wood

The Lounges

Warren’s Gourmet Burger Company

The Kings Arms

Best Cafe Food

A Cappella

Tart

The Pear Cafe

Primrose Cafe & Bistro

Papadeli

Best Deli

Chandos Deli

Papadeli

Arch House Deli

Southville Deli

The Mall Deli

Best Breakfast

Rosemarino

Lido

A Cappella

The Lounges

Lockside

Best Alfresco Dining

Spyglass

The Botanist Bristol

Bordeaux Quay

Riverstation

The Olive Shed

Best Newcomer

Za Za Bazaar

The Old Bookshop

The Gallimaufry

Harvey’s Cellars

The TownHouse

Best Supporter of Local Produce

The Ethicurean

Lido

Bordeaux Quay

The Cowshed

The Better Food Company

The Nailsea Electrical annual Food and Drink festival takes place on Saturday 26th May on Gloucester Road in conjunction with 102 Cookery School.  The annual festival is free to the general public and will run from 10:30am to 6pm – a must-attend event for Bristol foodies.

The festival will showcase Bristol’s food and drink scene with a great range of stalls including paella, a hog roast, real bread, wine, olives and charcuterie, local frozen yoghurt and ice-cream as well as Bristol-roasted coffee. In and amongst these stalls, visitors will be able to see live cookery demonstrations from Bristol’s top chefs, and try and buy a superb array of delightful food and drink.

During the festival, Nailsea Electrical will be offering massive discounts off brands such as Rangemaster, Neff and Kitchen Aid. All visitors can see the equipment being used in demonstrations taking place throughout the day.

Giles Pushman, General Manager of 102 Cookery School says: “Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s event, the 102 Cookery School is proud to sponsor the festival this year. There is an amazing array of local producers and retailers on show and with them, we will demonstrate the best flavours of the South West”.

For children under ten there is a free BBQ and a chocolate fountain. Visitors will be invited to check out the new 102 Cookery School showroom which is fitted out with top of the range Samsung kitchen equipment. The whole event is to take place under cover in marquees to guard against the bad weather so the show will definitely go on!

In addition, there will be the ever popular sausage making competition, courtesy of Murray’s Butchers, that will lead to the creation of the ‘102 Sausage’ to add to the existing ‘Nailsea Electrical Sausage’ born at last year’s festival.

Ben Gilks, Director of Nailsea Electrical said: “Last year’s festival was a huge success and created a great buzz on Gloucester Road, which we are looking to repeat this year. We are an independent company with a strong belief in supporting local producers and our festival reinforces this.”

Find 102 Cookery School on the Bristol Bites Directory…

Bristol’s premier cookery school, The Devilled Egg Kitchen Academy, is proud to announce a new partnership with Riverford Organic, the organic veg box company. Together they will be running weekly classes in Clifton top help consumers get the most out of their Riverford Organic veg boxes.

These evening courses start on 22nd May at 7pm – to be one of the first to take part in these specially created courses contact Barbora on 0117 973 2823 or visit www.thedevilledegg.com for more details and availability.

Barbora, founder of The Devilled Egg Kitchen Academy, explains the new course: “We all know vegetables are good for us, but this course aims to get people excited about vegetables. You will learn how to create a range of delicious, brightly coloured, beautiful dishes that are quick and simple to make at home.

“You will learn what to do with seasonal vegetables which will ensure you get the most out of your veg box and improve your diet and satisfy your taste buds.”

For those who would like to be able to recreate the dishes at home, recipe sheets will be provided and you’ll be able to order your vegetables to arrive at your door the same week from Riverford Organic.

All the dishes will be made courtesy of Riverford Organic vegetables. Riverford Organic provides the highest quality, 100% organic produce direct from their farm in Devon to your door, saving you time and money.

The Devilled Egg Kitchen Academy is run by charismatic chef and foodie Barbora Stiess and aims to bridge the gap between ‘fine dining’ and home cooking. Founder and head chef Barbora Stiess studied at Leith’s School of Food and Wine and subsequently trained under Michelin Starred chef Michael Caines.

Classes at The Devilled Egg Kitchen Academy range from £45 to £250. For a full list of classes please visit http://www.thedevilledegg.com/.

Find The Devilled Egg on the Bristol Bites Directory…

I had an email through from the BBC this morning, alerting me to the fact that they’re currently on the hunt for entrants for Junior Masterchef 2012.

They’re looking for the UK’s best 9-12 year old culinary talent who can cook their way to the top by demonstrating their expertise through a series of challenges to stretch their knowledge and test their skills. The finalists in the first series cooked for previous presenters and judges, John Torode and Nadia Sawalha, as well as JLS and Doctor Who’s Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

Filming will take place in the summer holidays between August and early September and applications are now open! If any parents or children are interested, head over to the CBBC Be On A Show page where you can find out more information, download a form, and post the application and photo (along with parental permission) to the BBC. The closing date for applications is Friday 15th June – applications received after this date will not be considered.

Additionally, if you know anyone who may be interested in taking part, make sure you send the link to them – it would be great to see some young culinary talent from Bristol on the show!

It’s all change in Clifton Village this Wednesday, May 16th, as the old Clifton Kitchen reopens as Bistro Biere.

The restaurant at 116 Princess Victoria Street is a famous site, having been home to Keith Floyd’s legendary bistro in the 1970s. Clifton Kitchen opened in May 2010, and served its final meal on Saturday, May 12th prior to the rebrand.

In terms of its offering, the new Bistro Biere will do exactly as it says on the tin: “fusing contemporary & old school French bistro classics, Belgian, continental and world beers”. At the moment, there’s no more information than that, but keep an eye on their website and follow them on Twitter to keep up-to-date with their plans!