Flavour

Guardian food writer, Cambridge-born Felicity Cloake on her column, her new book, and why 70% of her phone memory is taken up with photos of croissants. Rosie Sykes’ advice on Christmas food preparations. Christmas and New Year at the Red Lion and Green Man in Grantchester. We visit the Pear and Olive in Hildersham, and are impressed. Presented by Matt Bentman and Alan Alder.

Niki Segnit talks about her two ground-breaking books, the award-winning The Flavour Thesaurus and the newly-published Lateral Cooking. We also hear from some of our local bakeries on their Christmas specials and about Hum-Closen’s festive cheeses and Bumble and Oak’s chocolates. We also cover Aromi’s newly launched aperitivo and, Cambridge’s first tequila bar at 2648 in Trinity Street with ten different cocktails and the opportunity to design your own.

St John’s College is at the pinnacle of academic excellence. But what’s the food like? Dr Sue Bailey speaks to catering and conference manager Bill Brogan. A local, and cheaper, version of Japanese Wagyu beef comes to Cambridge, Carri Pavitt finds out more. Plus Continental chocolatier Madame Chocolate opens in Cambridge and the Mill Road Winter Fair approaches, we hear about this year’s food and drink whats and wheres. Presented by Matt Bentman, Alan Alder and Dr Sue Bailey.

Seven Days, is the Chinese restaurant on Regent Street whose patrons have included Jimmy Choo and the late Stephen Hawking. We pay a visit, with knowledgeable advice from new Flavour team member, Lingyu Wu. We speak with Jo Kruczynska, formerly of Afternoon Tease on King Street, about her plans. Also, Calverley’s brewery’s green approach to waste and Alice Archer on Greek Wines. Presented by Matt Bentman and Carri Pavitt.

Christmas is coming, and Maurizio Dining & Co on Mill Road tempt us in with their sample Christmas menu. Sarah Lavelle reviews new cookbook ‘Black Sea’. Sam & Tom Calverley wax lyrical on a fan-favourite beer. Cambridge Chefs share ideas of things to cook with celeriac. The Petersfield Pub talk about their time established in the city so far, and the (relatively) new Ony’s Wine Bar discuss their Egyptian fusion cuisine. Presented by Matt Bentman and Carri Pavitt.

The when, where and what of Alex Rushmer and Lawrence Butler’s new restaurant and their strategies for making the small, four night a week high-quality place survive without high prices. We meet David Turner, executive chef at King’s College and hear of the work of the kitchen, and how it caters for students. On Apple Day, we bring ideas from Rosie Sykes and Tine Roche. Also, Le Cocoa Samba on chocolate and Steve Hovington on how the phylloxera bug is still affecting vineyards. Presented by Matt Bentman, Alan Alder and Rosie Applin.

Today, foraging with Steve Thompson of the Green Man in Grantchester, Thirsty’s Oktoberfest, ideas for beetroot from our top local chefs, and Hum-Closen’s Suzannah Watson on new cheeses on sale in Newnham Bakery this Sunday. We also go to Cambridge market to hear about Greek street food from Just Greek (pictured) and also about neighbouring stall Emerald Food’s entry into the coffee market with 31 single origin coffees. Plus up-to-the minute food tweets and a roundup of local food and drink news. Presented by Matt Bentman and Alan Alder.

The team talk about five new cookbooks with Sarah Lavelle from Quadrille, including one inspired by an episode of Seinfeld. There’s a look at elderberries and how to use them in cooking, with ideas from top Cambridge chef Alex Rushmer. Wine expert Steve Hovington of Cambridge Wine Academy investigates the chardonnay grape and how its expression changes in different countries. And there’s a visit Cotto to find out about the extraordinary history of chef Hans Schweitzer. Plus the Cambridge food and drink news and what’s happening on Twitter. Presented by Matt Bentman, Alan Alder and Dr Sue Bailey.

Today we celebrate gin; why people love it so much; what’s best to mix it with; the experts’ favourite gin-based cocktails; and the 132 different gins available at one Cambridge bar. And what of its dubious past? We learn about its history too. Also, we check out Mac Daddy, the winner of the Cambridge News streetfood/pop up of the year award. And we visit the Wintercomfort charity and their social enterprise. Presented by Matt Bentman, Alan Alder and Rosie Applin.

We visit a new outdoor bar in Cambridge and stagger back with our report. We also report on a new bread and cake bakery, with shop, which is opening soon in Hills Road. We investigate how easy it is to get restaurant staff in Cambridge. We also find out what varieties of plums are available locally, and get ideas for what to do with them. In addition, we have news of free food in Cambridge and we bring you up to date with the local food and drink news. Presented by Matt Bentman, Alan Alder and Dr Sue Bailey.