If you are a real foodie and need some inspiration in the kitchen then Riverford will change your life! The company began as a vegetable box delivering organic produce from local farms and now they offer recipe boxes where you receive all fresh ingredients and a step by step guide on creating delicious tasty meals at home. When the box arrives I was very impressed with how all the ingredients were labelled and put into sections by recipe. Even the fridge items arrived in a cooler bag which was handy. I found that this was the easiest way to cook using all fresh produce as most of the time I am unsure on what to cook or just lack inspiration! I chose the try out the vegi recipe box which meant that I received all the ingredients to make these tasty meals…

A few weeks ago I visited one of the most talked about restaurants in the North West, Manchester House. I have always wanted to visit since it opened in 2013 but never got round to it. When I was invited to try out the lunch menu I was very excited to discover this amazing place, ran by Aiden Byrne, the youngest chef to bag a Michelin star at the age of 22! The venue is located on The Avenue in Spinningfields next to Neighbourhood in the heart of Manchester and the food certainly lives up to its reputation. I was very impressed by the service received by all the staff, the attention to detail was second to none and it was clear that the staff has been well trained which you would expect in a fine dining place like this.

Since I moved back to Manchester there has been so many new restaurant openings that I can’t keep up with them. Victor’s in Hale is one that I been meaning to try for a while as I am on a mission to find the best restaurants in Manchester! I have tried out quite a few of the restaurants in Hale but haven’t found anywhere that I would be rushing back to. Victor’s is certainly different and offers an American version of international cuisine with a varied menu including small plates and sushi to Sunday roast and classic British dishes, reading the menu is enough to make your mouth water! The restaurant has the most beautiful interior from whitewashed brick walls, plush leather chairs and pale wooden tables, described as a relaxed eatery but more like a fine dining atmosphere!

My mum and I recently visited The River Restaurant in the Lowry Hotel, a 5-star luxury hotel on the edge of Manchester overlooking the river and a stones throw away from Spinningfields. I have to admit I’m always a little dubious when it comes to hotel food especially big chains, needless to say the whole experience and exceptional service levels exceeded my expectations! Now onto the food…For starters we went for the honey glazed smoked duck and the gin cured salmon. The presentation was incredible, like something you would see on Masterchef! The duck was served with plums and wasabi creating a slightly oriental taste.