The cafe’s stage set interior is designed by Andres Ros and inspired by the 2011 Spring Summer catwalk collections. Collaborations with Mawi, Linda Farrow (sunglass designer extraordinaire), Harper’s Bazaar and artist Dinos Chapman will certainly add a glamorous spark, but if Erdem’s flowers, Wang’s all-white or Prada’s block colours will make their mark on the venue remains to see. Chapman’s images of Claudia Schiffer promise to be a highlight, as does the Michelin-starred food.

Sophisticated palates will rejoice that Chef Pierre Gagnaire has designed the menu, complete with sandwiches and salads as well as Sketch’s famous viennoiseries, cakes and pastries. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea will be served and if you can’t get enough of Sketch after that, head straight to Conduit Street for dinner in The Lecture Room & Library.If the pop-up is anything as OTT as Sketch HQ, you won’t be disappointed.

Catch the pop-up until 31 January 2011, when the ‘Aware’ exhibition finishes. The café follows the RA’s normal opening hours, and more information can be found here.

For more things to do check out Ooh.com.

Philadelphia Phillies Ben Francisco reacts after being hit in the head with a pitch by Cincinnati Reds Logan Ondrusek during the sixth inning in Game 2 of the MLB National League Division Series baseball playoffs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 8, 2010. Photo: Tim Shaffer, Via: Reuters

A fisherman casts his line in Moscow River, covered in frosty fog, with the air temperature at about -13 degrees Celsius (8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Moscow November 29, 2010. Photo: Denis Sinyakov, via: Reuters

A lunch at the Michelin-starred Latymer might have been part of the appeal too…

The day began with tea and cakes, and a quick brief of what we could expect of the baking class. Julian Tomlin, General Manager at Pennyhill Park, told us that this wasn’t a day to start a diet, which I had no intention of doing anyway. With the run-up to Christmas the general rule is to eat or be eaten. I prefer the former. Especially when a restaurant with four AA Rosettes is involved.

We started out in the newly opened Bakery where the Baking Team now can supply the hotel guests (and locals) with buckwheat bread, rosemary and sea salt focaccias, wholemeal bread, sourdough and baguettes. With the large viewing window guests can take a peek at what the chefs are up to, and possibly pick up a skill or two. Judging by how hard it was to roll a baguette, I would rather suggest signing up to a full 3-hour cookery class that The Bakery will be holding throughout the year.

With our apron firmly tied around our waists, we listened to Denis giving us pointers and tips on how to delicately handle the dough to preserve as much flavour as possible. You don’t want to over-work it, the key is to be gentle; a skill that Stèphane later demonstrated to perfection. Well, what else would you expect from someone who trained under Christophe Michalak at Plaza Athénée in Paris? After we had watched the process from fresh yeasts to the rising of the dough,  it was time to get our hands floured and start rolling baguettes.

When we had mastered making baguettes, we went on to mini baguettes and then rolls. You would thinking rolling a dough ball would be the easiest thing in the world, but mine were quite a disaster. Stèphane looked at me with pity in his friendly French eyes, and assured that it takes time. At the back of my head I crossed out Master Baker as a future career.

A pear and almond tart was our next challenge, with Denis in his element, showing us how it’s done. We rolled out the pastry making sure the surface was smooth, then filled a metal tin form with our labour of love; this is not as easy as it seems and I got over-excited with the rolling pin and nearly made the pastry too thin. Piping the almond cream proved a challenge too,  but I produced a rather nice coil. Lastly, we sliced the poached pears and decorated the tin – I imagine I looked pretty smug as I handed over my tart. The satisfaction of making your own pudding is over-powering.

After 2 hours of hard, but fun, work, we heard Latymer call on us (or that might’ve just been me). The tasting menu was presented in front of us as soon as we were seated, and we were ready to be wowed by Head Chef Michael Wignall’s  fine dining skills. 3 hours later, we had consumed:

Ballottine of marinated foie gras from Langres, autumn truffles, duck and beetroot consommé, Manchego, sour dough crisp and Pedro Ximenez jelly…

Poached rainbow trout, hand dived scallops, slow cooked octopus, anchovy beignets, pickled seaweed, warm seaweed tea…

Calves sweetbreads, poached langoustine, Jerusalem artichoke purée, tart fine of confit onion, Jerusalem artichoke jus…

Cassoulet of razor clams, baby squid, poached quail’s egg, squid ink gnocchi, clam velouté…

Next up was a splendid dish of pigeon, but for this I completely blanked out, devoured the whole thing and forgot to take any notes.

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Coconut parfait, rhubarb, shortbread crumble, rum espuma…

You would expect I was full for the day after this feast, but as I stood in the kitchen later that evening I couldn’t help but indulge in one of the mini-baguettes we had helped making. My flatmate picked up a brioche from my goodie bag and seemed pleased too. The pear and almond tart was devoured by my colleagues the next day.

The cookery classes at Pennyhill Park Hotel kick off next year with Bread Making being the first of many. Afternoon Tea Treats is another session I would keep my eye on, considering Denis Drame recently won The Tea Guild’s Award of Excellence 2010. Classes will last 3 hours and will cost £80pp, which includes tuition, recipes, food samples and an apron to take home.

If you’re more in the mood for relaxing, Pennyhill Park boasts a pretty impressive spa (the British rugby team paid a visit when we were there) with eight indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness suite and five-star treatment rooms. And there’s always that 10-course tasting menu at Latymer to try…

For other bakery and cookery classes check out Ooh.com. You might not find Denis Drame, but pie making, gluten-free baking and cupcake decorating are among the culinary activities listed.

Performers take part in the closing ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, November 27, 2010. Photo: Jason Lee via: Reuters

It may have been drizzling as we pulled up to the beautiful Swinton Park Hotel but the atmosphere in the Swinton Park Cookery School, in a converted stable, was relaxed and cosy. Head of the cookery school, Robert Taylor and his sous chef Amanda made us feel like old friends that had just popped round to watch them cook.

Part of a group of twelve we sat round an island in the demonstration kitchen and watched as Robert and Amanda whipped up an array of canapes. We got to taste everything that they cooked and in some cases get up and have a go. We tasted quails eggs, confit duck, crab, sea bass, pigeon, salmon, rabbit and pheasant which were all sourced locally.

Amanda had recently been on a bread making course, although judging by her skills it was an exceptionally advanced course!  As Robert and Amanda cooked for us two loaves of bread proved behind them. When baked the bread was delicious, certainly better than my ‘burnt cycling helmet’ attempts *cough*.

Our main course was Poached and Roasted Pheasant Breast, parma ham, stuffed with pear, cranberry and pork stuffing with celeriac puree, pomme puree, sprouts, chestnuts and a sage and shallot jus. The pomme puree took Amanda about an hour to make and was well worth it.

The cookery course was finished off with pear crumble with homemade vanilla ice cream washed down with a very nice glass of white wine.

We managed to pick up really basic tips, the most important for me being ‘never put oil in a cold pan’. The smoke alarm will be going off less in our house as a result.

The Husband’s thoughts;

• Robert is a great chef and had all the answers at the tip of his tongue. His knowledge, and that of Amanda the Sous-Chef, was first class.
• Style of food (canapés) was a surprise, but as it’s something I don’t do often was actually a great idea – especially with Christmas around the corner
• The hotel and surroundings were awesome.  We will definitely try to get back there for a special occasion.
• I would certainly like to go back and try out the intermediate cookery course over a weekend. And the chef’s table.
• The type of food was great – local seasonal, cooked simply and quickly. Especially loved the pheasant, pomme puree and smoked salmon and sea bass starters. I will be trying a balatine asap!
• Atmosphere was laid back, but professional and we were made to feel the focus of attention

We were given a copy of the menu and recipes to take home with us along with a very satisfied feeling. The Husband is a keen chef so he was in heaven and although not a keen cook, but an avid eater, I too thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.  I think we’ve found the perfect way to spend our wedding anniversary next year.

Thank you to www.ooh.com for letting us have the experience.

To read more about Laura’s life and adventures, check out Are we nearly there yet mummy. And to book the cookery class Laura attended at Swinton Park, click here.

Luckily, as I stepped through the doors of Pescheria Mattiucci I felt comforted that there are unique gems left. With its maritime theme and full-on Mediterranean vibe I felt as if I had stepped through the Narnia wardrobe and ended up in a seaside resort, far away from London. The place certainly has character. Pescheria Mattiucci, a family run fishmonger and fish boutique (that’s a fish restaurant for the rest of us), arrived in Notting Hill earlier this year, ready to educate the London masses on cooking, preparing and buying fresh fish.

The Italian family is very keen to emphasise that they sell fresh seafood, and that it’s organic too. In less than 12  hours from that the fish is caught in the Mediterranean sea, you can buy the catch in Pescheria Mattiucci and enjoy it fresh just like you would in Naples (where the Mattiucci’s are based). The shop gets 3 deliveries a week, which is why it’s impossible to say if you’re going to find a mackerel, tuna or prawns on your next visit.

You’ll find fresh vegetables from the Naples area, herbs and spices, anchovies, tomato sauces, and other deli products here too. Everything is made from natural ingredients and is of high quality. The fish is line-caught, which make it eco-friendly and sustainable, and you can pretty much leave with a guilt-free conscience if you leave with anything from the Pescheria, although of course, you do have to consider the food air miles since everything is shipped over from Italy.

Pescheria Mattiucci is primarily a fishmonger, however you can eat lunch and dinner here and the restaurant seats 25 guests (50 standing). It’s not your conventional restaurant venue (which is why the Mattiucci’s prefer to call it a fish boutique) and with seats in the form of barrels or high bar chairs you might not want to bring your 90-year old grandma for a long dining session. It is however, excellent for a long, lazy lunch.

Diego Simonetti runs the kitchen and is ever so passionate about his food (like the rest of the Mattiucci’s). He gives us a delicious first taste of the Mediterranean with a starter consisting of tomatoes grown from the base of Vesuvius, Hawaiian black salt, just delivered extra virgin olive oil and bread from Gail’s, up the road. The black salt, which I’ve never had before, makes a perfect marriage with the tomatoes and olive oil. It’s impossible to resist dipping the freshly baked bread in the olive oil, tucking in bite after bite.

The next plate to come in is a raw red tuna slice from Sicily, with capers, tomatoes and black salt. This sashimi-style dish is light and lovely and the tuna is so fresh it melts in your mouth. There’s no sad Tesco tuna about it. The following dish is baked anchovy with provola cheese and tomatoes. I expect this to be salty, but I’m quite surprised when all I can taste is the smoky flavour of the cheese and the freshness of the fish. The seafood here isn’t overdressed with complicated herbs or spices, and since it’s so fresh, all it needs is some grilling or steaming. Simple and natural, seem to be the key words here.

The last treat is my favourite – untreated prawns (non-sulphite) served with buffalo ricotta cream-filled courgettes and a balsamic vinegar reduction to dip the goodness in. Usually the prawns we buy at the supermarket, or even at the fishmonger’s, are treated in sulphite to make them last longer. Unfortunately, this covers the prawns’ real flavour, which, when compared to the untreated ones, suddenly taste bland.

Before we leave, Diego supplies us with fresh and sweet clementines, walnuts and a good cup of espresso. If I had been drinking wine, I would’ve stayed for much longer, enjoying the atmosphere as much as the food. Who wants to leave the imagined heat of Naples for the chilly London wind? Pescheria Mattiucci might not have the most comfortable seats, and it’s quite small if you intend to bring a big group, but have a taste of the fresh seafood and the flavour-bursting vegetables, and that soon becomes minor. Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester and Francesco Mazzei of L’Anima, use the Pescheria as their fish supplier, so if you want to enjoy a piece of fish fame, you know where to go.

Pescheria Mattiuci is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9.30am to 10pm. To find out more click here. To support Portobello Road Market join the Facebook group.

And to book cookery classes, food tours, fungi forays, and other culinary activities head over to Ooh.com.

I enjoyed lunch at Pescheria Mattiucci as a guest of the restaurant.

We turned to From Britain With Love for help. FBWL is an online guide to all things beautiful and British made, and is a perfect site if you want to support and learn more about British producers. Check out the latest events and trends, read course reviews, and browse the travel features. You’ll find designer-makers to craftspeople, food producers and retailers listed in the online directory, and we guarantee that you’ll feel inspired just after a quick glance.

The list below features products (and companies) found on From Britain With Love, and we think they would make for excellent Christmas presents indeed.

For the stylish sister grown tired of Accessorize

Who wouldn’t want a picture of the dashing Mr. Darcy hanging around their neck? Get rid of the photo of Lizzie Bennet and find an appropriate photo of your sister’s face instead. Perfect statement necklace if her boyfriend is too much of a Mr. Wickham character. £38 from Hoolala.co.uk.

For the tea-loving auntie

This Seaside mug will make your nice aunt dream of seaside breaks in Cornwall or ocean escapes further afield while she’s sipping her daily Earl Grey. You can buy it at From the Wilde and it will only set you back £16.

For the  mother in awe of azaleas

If your mother’s IKEA vases simply don’t cut it any more, these porcelain milk jugs by Hanna Rysgaard will spruce up any window sill. Colourful and quirky, you’ll be the favoured child from now on. Buy them at Not from the High Street.com.

For the brother in need of a quick slipper upgrade

If you’re sick of you seeing your brother shuffling around the house in his dirty socks, these leather slip-on indoor shoes  from Triggerfish Shoes will do the trick. Sporty, comfy and handmade in Britain, what’s not to like? Only £45.

For the Claret-inclined dad

A fine handmade wine rack from Rack and Ruin will encourage your dad to lay off the Jacob’s Creek  and hopefully invest in Pomerol wines instead. On the slightly pricey side of a Christmas present, at least it might inspire daddy to invest in a whole bar…  This particular design is yours for £295.

For the forgetful uncle

A personalised diary from Noble Macmillan will keep your uncle organised – and he won’t forget your birthday next year. The super compact pocket diary is priced at £19 and to add initials, names or dates, each character costs £2. Let’s hope your uncle’s name is Bob.

For more great Christmas present ideas we recommend browsing From Britain With Love. Keep an eye on their blog and Twitter, who knows, they might run a Christmas feature too…

To book courses, trips, tours and events for the holiday season, head over to Ooh.com.

Then Renew Fitness Retreat may have the answer: it’s a luxury fitness camp and detox retreat offering tailored weight loss and fitness courses for women who want a healthy holiday. Their outdoor activities, lifestyle therapies and holistic treatments will help you lose weight, kick start your fitness, detox, de-stress and improve your wellbeing in the surrounds of a contemporary countryside retreat in Herefordshire.

Recently attended by the lovely Dawn Porter, Renew Fitness Retreat are the UK’s only fitness and detox retreat with award-winning athletes on their team. Their nutrition assessments set them apart from other camps and retreat as they offer facial, skin and tongue analysis, and food intolerance testing, with their nutritionist.

As well as a daily schedule of activities with their personal trainers, enjoy locally sourced meals prepared by their on-site chef, holistic treatments such as Indian head massage, relaxing foot spas and benefit from a nutrition workshop and life coaching session.

Renew Fitness Retreat’s 4 day long weekend courses are great for time-strapped ladies and you’ll leave feeling like you’ve had a great weekend away with the girls – and by the sounds of things, if these guys can’t get you in shape then no-one can!

Lucky Ooh.com readers can receive 10% off a January course but places are limited so get in touch soon. Visit www.renewfitnessretreat.co.uk or call (029) 2143 2016 for a brochure and your free consultation with their experts.