I love restaurants. I love good food and drink. I was hoping someone would start blogging about restaurants in the Leicestershire region. Eventually the penny dropped that I should do it myself and I started this blog in 2009.
At the time I had been restaurant critic for Metro newspaper in the East Midlands for five years, but in their wisdom the paper’s owners decided to end its regional editions. Over several years I was also a judge in restaurant awards for Leicestershire and Rutland and for Nottinghamshire.
In October 2012 the Leicester Mercury kindly named me of their Leicestershire Food heroes and called this blog “a savvy guide to where to eat and drink in the county”. In September 2014 the Mercury asked me to contribute a weekly restaurant review column, which I did until summer 2017 when they decided they would take the reviews “in-house”. You’ll find a good few of the more interesting reviews from that period posted here.
In 2016 I authored the Leicestershire and Rutland Cookbook, published by Meze Publishing. This was a collection of profiles and recipes from the areas leading restaurants, retailers and food producers.
Please do comment, I want to hear from anyone with a passion for food and for restaurants.
Oh and the nickname refers to where I live, but feel free to call me Tim.
Eyes on the prize 
Dear Tim,
I am contacting you with regards to ITV’s national cookery programme, Britain’s Best Dish – a cookery competition celebrating the good home cook/ passionate foodie and above all local produce.
I’m currently working on the 4th series and we’re gearing up for our auditions of which I am trying to generate interest in and our around the Midlands to find people to represent their region who could go on to win £10,000 as the overall prize.
If you know anyone that this might be of interest to please feel free to send my details on or alternatively they can apply directly to bestdish@itv.com or call on 0871 62 66 222.
With kind regards,
Christina Chung
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Hay very interesting blog.. Reading your reviews on restaurants in the midlands. I am trying to cover web design and menu design for restaurant based in midlands.
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Hi. I’m not a computer novice but I don’t see that there is a way of recieving your latest posting direct to email inbox. Not normally a problem but would probably have gone to Smeeton Westerby cookery school open day if I was aware of it in advance. Not your fault as I should probably have checked your blog after the E. Mids show. Somewhat ironically I drove up to the School of Artisan Food on that day and signed up for a pork butchery course.
Still enjoying the blog. Was also wondering if you are aware of the number of visitors to your blog. Just curious. Keep up the good work. Dave
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Hi – If you scroll to the very bottom of the home page you should find a tag cloud and a few links to selected restuarants and suppliers, and just below thhose there should be an option for an email subscription – I know I’ve got about seven people who have done this. If you don’t see it let me know and I’ll look into it further. Glad you’re liking the blog – you are one of a small but loyal band. I average about 20 visits a day. I’m just coming up to a year of running it and the grand total is approaching 6,000.
Tim
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Hi. Still enjoying the blog. I do think it captures the local food/restaurant scene very well. Any news on the Gelateria on London Road or the Italian on Market Street? Keep up the good work-Dave
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Aw thanks. I did find out that Lupa di Roma on Market Street is an initiative of Casa Romana, the rather hidden, long-established place on Albion Street. They tried to do a cheap and cheerful version on Market Corner, but like everyone else gave up rather quickly. Went past it today and no indication of opening day yet.
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So pleased to have come across this fantastic food blog. I will definitely have to spend some time trawling through it and check out some of your recommendations!
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Thanks Leah – not been able to spend much time on it recently but hope to get back to more regular posting soon.
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[…] thrilled to be included, also there was Tim for his blog and Matt for the fab Great Food magazine, celebratory beers were called […]
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