Melton Mowbray pork pies straight from the oven

You may well have already guessed at least one of the food’s I’ve been devouring this week from the title of this post. It’s a bit of a giveaway really! It’s actually been a whole week of traditional English Fayre, not just pies but fish and chips and afternoon tea too. Well what can I say? I’ve simply been sampling what our country does best! I’ve also been lucky enough to enjoy a fine dining experience at the restaurant of a well known chef in Norwich where the menu featured a feast  of local produce prepared with a modern twist. Here are some of my highlights…

Earning my feed at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, home of Dickinson & Morris where they still make pork pies by hand

The Melton Cheeseboard is another one of the town’s traditional food stores. I’ve never tasted Red Leicester like the one they had here, it was bursting with flavour! The Stilton was pretty good too! Whiffy-licious!

There was a huge selection of eateries to choose from in Norwich, from stylish bistros to friendly gastro pubs. I would have worked up quite an appetite just trying to decide where to go! Thankfully the difficult decision was made for me as I was whisked off to Roger Hickman’s Restaurant by my host for the day, Mel from Visit Norwich. Although the restaurant is renowned for fine dining, it has a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the lunch time menu offers great value for menu, just £22 for three courses. I was even welcomed with a delicious amuse bouche to waken the taste buds ready for my three courses of foodie heaven!

Amuse bouche from Roger Hickman in Norwich: Ham hock with pea puree

Starter: Duck ballotine with fig chutney and fig puree

Main course: Roast chicken breast with pomme fondant, wild mushrooms and shallots

Dessert: Carrot cake with carrot caramel and creme fraiche sorbet

 And after that onslaught of culinary finery, back to basics with a delicious classic – not straight after you understand. Tastes better by the sea.   

Fish and Chips at Great Yarmouth sea front – it had to be done!

 Homemade meals on wheels. 

Bangers and beans in the camper van, see I do cook sometimes!

  Look at this! Tea, scones, cakes, finger sandwiches! It does not get any more scrumptiously English. 

Afternoon tea at Woburn Abbey where the English social tradition is said to have been invented by Duchess Anna Maria in the late 1830′s

We certainly know how to eat in England don’t we? Each week seems to be yummier than the last! Although I have to say, it will be great to get have a home cooked Sunday lunch with great big Yorkshire puds when I return from my travels! What’s your favourite English meal?