Tom Aikens: Food Spy - ES Mag - Food Spy - Evening Standard
       

Tom Aikens: Food Spy



The J Sheekey Oyster Bar opens in November, next to the West End restaurant. The menu is seasonal, with oysters from West Mercia Island and the River Blackwater in Essex, the Cornish and Northern Irish coasts and Marenne d'Oléron in Southwest France. Dublin Bay prawns, Cornish crab, Devon cock crab, Arbroath smokies and Shetland mussels are also on the menu. Champagne, of course, plays a leading role, too, being a natural accompaniment to oysters and shellfish (www.j-sheekey.co.uk).

This is one of the best times of the year for oysters. If you want to order your own, I have a couple of good tips. One is Wright Brothers at Borough Market (www.wrightbros.eu.com); the other good option is to buy direct from Falmouth fishery online (www.falmouthoysters.co.uk).

The Hummingbird Bakery has been bringing high-quality American baking to London for nearly five years now. I don't have a hugely sweet tooth but I stop by their South Kensington shop sometimes to indulge in their delicious varied selection of cakes, pies and puddings. For Halloween, their 'frightfully' inspired cookies (£2.50) and 'devilicious' cupcakes with chocolate and orange buttercream frosting (£2.50) and gruesome designs are the perfect thing for trick-ortreaters (www.hummingbirdbakery.com; 020 7584 0055).

Turnham Green is a small independent business owned and run by avid foodies, committed to environmental and Fairtrade principles. They create unique and delicious hampers, with everything from preserves to scented candles and baked goods. For a present this winter, I like the look of the £40 'Condimental' hamper, with mustards, chutneys and preserves; 'Stars & Splendour' is a good Christmas present, with Port, bath salts, biscuits and much more (£175); or you can create your own hamper from their wide selection of products (www.turnham-green.co.uk).

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