I’ve been sitting at work today and was wondering “what have I missed in the foodie world since I have been in lockdown?!”
For the past 4/5 years I’ve been going to the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham and I was due to go in 2020 but then COVID hit so ended up getting my money back. I miss going to food festivals in the summer, just being out in the sun and obviously trying all the food samples! BBC Good Food Show have two a year, one in the summer and one in the winter. I usually go to both as they would be selling seasonal things.
The one in the summer is huge as it includes the BBC Gardening Show and that is included in the price of the Good Food Show ticket. There are so many different stalls, there is something for everyone! For the people who like their drink 😉 there are plenty of stalls round the back of the hall where you can test the alcohol samples. The first time I went to the summer show I got rather tipsy! I’m usually there for the weekend; I arrive at the hotel on the Saturday and then leave on the Sunday. I scout out the things I want on Saturday and then buy them all on Sunday. It’s just a lovely weekend for a foodie.
If you are mad about chefs like I am, there are also live shows and talks by chefs. I’ve met so many of my favourite chefs and it’s so strange when you meet them in real life. I’ve met James Martin, Michel Roux Jnr, The Hairy Bikers, Michael Caines and Ching He Huang. They were all so lovely! The next time I go to a show, I will take plenty of photos and videos for you all to see.
The other thing I miss is trying new restaurants around where I live or just going to restaurants on the whole! It’s just nice to meet up with friends and family and catch up over a nice meal. I was lucky enough in February 2020 to go to Bath with a friend before the pandemic hit and we tried an amazing place called The Botanist, read about it here https://theorientalfoodie.food.blog/2020/02/18/the-botanist/. I think that was the last restaurant I went to. Places are still open for delivery but it always tastes better when you are sat in the restaurant. You know what I mean? Also it’s nice to not wash up after eating haha.
The one that I think most people miss are the Christmas markets. Now, I’ve been to quite a few now around England; Southampton, Bath, Bristol, Winchester, Brighton, London and Salisbury. The ones that aren’t local to me (Bath, Bristol, Birmingham and London), I did in a week with a good friend of mine. I love the atmosphere when it comes to Christmas markets and also the amazing hot chocolate and Baileys; this is my go to drink whenever I go to a market. You have a hot drink in your hand and just walking around the stalls thinking what to get your friends and family. It’s just so cosy but I don’t miss the crowds and being bashed into; crazy Christmas shoppers!
The last thing I miss and the most important is missing my family; my parents, my sister and her family and my cousin. I see my parents and my sister every year when they come over to England and we would go out for meals for when we miss out on the big celebrations (Mothers and Fathers Day, birthdays etc). With my cousin, I see her maybe once or twice a month for a catch up and I miss her cooking. I missed out on Christmas 2020; where we would have so much food that we won’t be able to move afterwards! I am also missing out on some baby cuddles from her as she gave birth to a baby boy in February. I see photos and videos but it’s not same as real life cuddling, so hopefully this year once I have been vaccinated I can have those baby cuddles!
So yeah, I miss a lot of things but it’s better to stay safe. Once myself and the other half have been vaccinated we will be holidaying within the UK and also have our first date!! (we met just before lockdown so haven’t had a proper date yet!)
Are things you miss? Comment below and let me know.
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