I'm back and bursting with ideas!

So, it's been a wee while since my last Goremet update and loads has happened which has inevitably stood in the way of me updating my beloved blog....

But rather than lay on the apologies, I thought I'd update with some fantastic foodie news and tasty tit bits of information.

Firstly, I'm re-thinking my relationship with food... It's what I love and am passionate about it, but it ain't doing my figure much good. I recently went on the look out for a bikini and found myself just about squeezing into my 'usual' size, but I'll admit it wasn't a flattering fit. I bought the bikini regardless and have given myself an achievable goal which must be reached before I go to Mauritius (at the end of August).... so it's bye bye carbs for a while....

Secondly, it's my birthday next week and I'm trying to decide what kind of cake I should make myself (sad, I know!)- I thought I might make a healthy hoeny and rose cake or something.... You may scoff, or even feel sorry for me, but I'd sooner slave away and make my own little labour of love than have a shop bought cake. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to show off my creative flair to all those lucky people I'm going to share it with!

Also, I'm trying to decide where I want to eat on my birthday... Matou? Etsu? San Carlo? Red Perilla? Piccolinos? I just don't know! Somewhere new and exciting that doesn't break the bank, but is just that bit extra special...

Oh yeah and I've got to start planning and financing my trip around Europe next year as well as sourcing ideas for my wedding... It's all getting a bit much! I want things to start arranging themselves, but I know that ain't gonna happen...

And finally, the time has come... in exactly one week, I'll be travelling down to the South-West to partake in the Arvon Foundation Food Writing Course and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

And that's just my social life..... work's been very busy with canape events and a fully-booked restaurant and with Delifonseca Dockside on the horizon, it's sure to get even more hectic... but do you know what? I don't think I'd like my life as much if there wasn't a million things happening at once, I just need to take a step back, along with a deep breath and FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!

With that in mind and Book it or Cook it's first birthday just a month away, I have plenty in store to whet the hungriest of appetites!

Let the feast begin!

Review- Chaophraya

Firefox, Talk Talk and Blogger have a lot to answer for, as I'd practically completed this review yesterday and in the blink of an eye, it was gone....

So here I give you my rescued, re-written review of Chaophraya (which should have been posted yesterday....)

After being granted the day off yesterday, it felt like a Sunday (as I was working on Easter Sunday). I woke up late, without setting alarm (something which I haven't done in some time) and rolled out of bed. I showered and got dressed (this is all after midday by the way!) and headed for town on the bus.

I trudged through the shops like many others, weighed down by my umbrella which is now part of my essential, everyday kit. I never leave the house with the threat of the impending rain on my newly straightened locks....

After waking up so late and having 'brunch' we found we weren't hungry at the customary times. I'd planned for some time, to take my partner out for Sushi as a treat, but unfortunately, Etsu was closed and I'm thoroughly fed up of Yo-Sushi!...

So, we continued clumping along the windy streets of Liverpool searching for somewhere good to eat. For some reason, we honed in on Liverpool One.... even after passing the San Carlo on King Street and salivating over the wide seafood selection.... We thought it was a bit too formal for our attire, so we thought we'd go down the casual route...


My boss, Candice Fonseca and my work-mate Emma Morris had been raving about Chaophraya since it opened and I can see why- Candice loves exotic cuisine (especially when they don't scrimp on portions) and Emma is a keen vegetarian and they have an extensive menu dedicated to those of us who choose not to eat meat.

Upon our arrival we were seated in the waiting area, but were quickly chaperoned to a table. You could just tell they'd had a busy lunch service, as lots of tables were being re-layed, just in time for the next influx of diners.

Before ordering, I thought I'd make use of the 'facilities' and boy am I glad I did! If you visit Chaophraya, I urge you to take a trip upstairs to the 'Royal' dining suite (the toilets also happen to be on this floor too!)

As we'd never eaten here before we decided to order from the set menu so we could sample a few different items. So we ordered the Set Sukhothai (at £25/head). This consisted of a shared starter platter including the most succulent, honey glazed satay skewers and fresh, juicy deep fried prawns.

After that colossal first course, I was genuinely quite full, but we pressed on with our mains. We were served three dishes- a beef dish with garlic and pepper, a Thai green curry and a duck stir-fry.

As individual dishes go, the beef was my favourite, by far. The meat was dark and flavoursome, not a strip of sinew in sight! The sauce was thick and tangy, without being overpowering.

The Thai green curry was excellent as well. The chicken was extremely tender, contrasting well with the crunch from the green beans. The sauce was piquant and a wonderful shade of green.

The duck was a little on the bland side, despite it being cooked to perfection, but I ate it all the same. After finishing what little I'd put on my plate (through fear of not having enough room for dessert), we asked the waiter if we could take the remaining food home. Shortly before dessert arrived, we were presented with three large takeaway tubs of food!

Dessert was light and refreshing, just what we needed after that mammoth meal! Again, this was a shared platter which consisted of; fresh fruit skewers (and a chocolate sauce to dip them in) a square of cake and a scoop of ice-cream to share.

Once we had fought it out as to who got the last strawberry, we settled up and were on our merry way....

We'll certainly be coming back to this place, as every minor detail in this restaurant has been considered. From the incredible food (and a sneaky window so you can see into the kitchen), to the tranquil water features, and baskets of towels in the bathrooms- nothing is left to chance. We were treated politely and well, and as the staff bid us farewell, one lady bowed graciously to us, which we both thought was a nice touch.

I bet you can guess my verdict... Book It!