Meet the team
Get to know some of the crew at Salt Media who create Food Lifestyle, discover their guilty pleasures and the hidden gems they’d rather not share
Abi Manning, features writer, Trencherman’s editor
Most memorable dining experience?
Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Berkshire – snail porridge, edible sand, culinary magic, and dry ice aplenty.
The South West hidden-gem you’re reluctant to share?
The Farmers Arms at Woolsery is a lovely find in the depths of the north Devon countryside.
Pineapple on a pizza: genius or blasphemy?
Genius. I’ve got a serious case of sweet tooth.
The cocktail that sums you up?
On a good day, a zippy and sweet Mojito. On a less good day, a Dark and Stormy.
Jo Rees, director
God-tier office snack?
In winter it’d be a huge navel orange that’s cold from the fridge. In summer, a Marks & Spencer’s coconut and pineapple ice lolly – they’re a fave with the team when it’s sweltering in the office and there’s usually someone happy to do a lolly run.
Dream dinner party guests?
I’m picturing a trip back in time to the 1950s and a glamorous dinner at The Savoy Grill with Winston Churchill (for historical insights and generous pourings of Pol Roger), David Niven, Cary Grant, Margaret Rutherford, Joyce Grenfell and Elvis.
The South West hidden-gem you’re reluctant to share?
Tramping about on Exmoor in autumn and then going to The Luttrell Arms in Dunster. A glass of stout by the fire in its ancient bar is timeless and lovely.
The food/drink trend you couldn’t get on board with?
Drinking out of jam jars comes to mind.
Nick Cooper, director
Most memorable dining experience?
Visiting Gidleigh Park many years ago when Michael Caines was head chef – we were doing a review for Food Magazine. The tasting menu with matched wine flight was simply flawless.
The recipe on repeat in your kitchen?
Slow cooked Colorado-style chilli con carne, with three different types of pepper – using beer instead of water is the secret.
Your death row meal?
My mum’s steak and kidney pie with mashed spuds and peas.
Your perfect Sunday
It’s sunny and warm, it’s being in the kitchen with the family making poached eggs and avocado on sourdough with a flat white, listening to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. Then off for a surf at one of north Devon’s beaches (probably Woolacombe), followed by barbecued sardines in the dunes and a game of cricket on the sand.
Claire Fegan, marketing specialist
Dream dinner party guests?
Rick Rubin, Michelle Obama and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Most memorable dining experience?
Anything that involves foraged seafood cooked outside with a beautiful view.
The crisp flavour that doesn’t exist but should?
Salt and pepper squid.
Your perfect Sunday
Being outside in a beautiful place – preferably getting the best wave of my life after being kissed by dolphins – and followed by a cook up on the beach with friends.
Selena Young, online editor
Most memorable dining experience?
I spent a lot of time as a youngster in Saudi Arabia and the spiced flavours of Middle Eastern mezzes have never left me – all those family feasts centred around shish kebab meat, tzatziki, tabbouleh, labneh, baba ganoush and warm pitta bread.
The recipe on repeat in your kitchen?
Yotam Ottolenghi’s spiced cherry fettucine from Simple is a weekday winner.
The food/drink trend you couldn’t get on board with?
Biscoff everything.
Fave staycation destination?
Stokes Croft in Bristol – where I lived when I was at uni. It’s an exciting, magnetic place because of its diverse indie shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
Rosanna Rothery, features editor
Most memorable dining experience?
The very first time I tasted just-off-the-boat John Dory in a simple lemon butter sauce. Up until then, fish had always been overcooked or horribly messed about it with. What a revelation that unadulterated fresh fish could be that stunning. I was dining in a humble village restaurant in Cornwall with the wind lashing at the panes and surrounded by noisy fishermen who had just come in from the daily haul. Bliss!
The South West hidden-gem you’re reluctant to share?
I really can’t have too many people discovering The Glorious Oyster, a seafood shack in Instow. My Sunday tandem ride along the Tarka Trail for cider-steamed wild Appledore mussels is one of life’s little rituals.
Scones: cream or jam first?
Are you kidding? I grew up in Cornwall and now live in Devon so keeping well out of that one. My 12-year-old nephew’s solution is to do one half of the scone the Cornish way and the other a la Devon.
The food trend you couldn’t get on board with?
Ridiculously huge portions. There’s a sweet spot when dining out … tip over that and you’ve either into food waste or stomach-ache territory.
Tamsin Powell, production director
Fave South West getaway destination?
St Mawes – nowhere else comes close. My granny lived there and all my childhood summer holidays were spent sailing and crabbing off the harbour.
Cocktail that sums you up?
One at The Dark Horse in Bath called ‘Six O’Clock Somewhere’.
The recipe on repeat in your kitchen?
River Cottage’s veggie chilli.
The South West hidden-gem you’re reluctant to share?
My favourite I won’t divulge, but Pedn Vounder in Cornwall is pretty special.
Richard Bailey, finance and accounts
Dream dinner party guests?
Dave Grohl, Paul Gascoigne and Adele – although I might be the lightweight in the drinking department at that table.
The crisp flavour that doesn’t exist but should?
Pickled cabbage.
Your death row meal?
Fillet steak with dauphinoise potatoes and green veg.
The food/drink trend you couldn’t get on board with?
Gin.
Dale Stiling, graphic designer and illustrator
Most memorable dining experience?
Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at Sanderson London.
The South West hidden-gem you’re reluctant to share?
Twin Oaks Shepherd’s Hut in Chulmleigh, Devon. It’s a total getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and perfect for a short break that’s a digital detox.
The cocktail that sums you up?
Dirty Chai White Russian Martini.
Dream dinner party guests?
Matthias Dandois, Eva Mendes, Robin Williams, Shigeru Miyamoto, Stephen Fry and Frida Kahlo (not sure how they’d get along but it would be a fun dinner).
Lara Watson, features writer
The South West hidden-gem you’re reluctant to share?
Electric Bakery in Bude. Avoid the town centre and get your coffee and carbs to-go from Kings Hill Industrial Estate instead.
God-tier office snack?
Pippin & Co doughnuts.
The crisp flavour that doesn’t exist but should?
Banana curry.
Your perfect Sunday
The kids sleeping in, a large cafetiere of coffee and total silence.
Charlotte Cummins, production assistant
Most memorable dining experience?
Fresh fish cooked with friends at a simple beach restaurant on the tiny island of Malapascua in the Philippines.
God-tier office snack?
Pastel de nata.
The food/drink trend you couldn’t get on board with?
Wildcard crisp flavours.
Describe your perfect Sunday
A run or a walk on the beach and some yummy food. Later, relaxing by the fire, watching something good on the telly.
Jeni Smith, marketing specialist
The cocktail that sums you up?
Champagne cocktail. It has to be served in a Champagne coupe glass, of course. Take a sugar cube soaked in a few drops of angostura bitters, add a dash of brandy and a touch of lemon rind and top with bubbles.
The crisp flavour that doesn’t exist but should?
French onion soup with gruyère cheese.
Chocolate: fridge or pantry?
Fridge in the summer; pantry in winter.
Your life is a movie, what song is playing in the opening credits?
Golden Brown by The Stranglers.
Tom Hampton, graphic designer
Most memorable dining experience?
Seven-course Indian taster menu at the Hotel de France in Jersey. Honourable mention to the Pigeon steaks at Tassili Restaurant (also in Jersey).
The cocktail that sums you up?
Whisky sour.
Perfect Sunday?
Roast dinner at a local, followed by a few ales and some form of sport on in the background.
Dream dinner party guests?
Sean Lock, Miriam Margoyles and Mohammad Ali.
Melissa Morris, features writer
Recipe on repeat in your kitchen?
Fudgy date brownies – no sugar or sweeteners, just organic wholefood deliciousness – my guilt-free Friday-night treat.
Perfect Sunday?
Walk the dogs on the coast with my husband, cook a roast for the family, then settle down with my charcoals to sketch the gulls that hang out at our house.
Fave staycation destination?
The beautifully remote and sheltered Hawker’s Cove near where I live in Padstow. On a sunny day, when its warm but the crowds are yet to descend on Cornwall for the summer, my husband and I pack a picnic and walk out there to spend the day lazing on the beach, swimming and imagining we’re on holiday.
Most memorable dining experience?
My wedding day, surrounded by love and laughter – what better way to enjoy good food?