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KeYa Jam, Taiwan

Quelques Pâtisserie, Taipei, Taiwan

Miaolin Foods, and Boulangerie Le Goût, Taiwan

Curious Table Restaurant, Taipei, by Tim Hsu

Supercharge Your Sourdough!

Book Now! Sign Up For My Sourdough Classes in Central London

This has been a superb year for my Sourdough Masterclasses – so many happy students, so many positive comments, and most of all, so much great breadmaking! If you’d like to join me at one of my classes in central London, you can book now for the following dates in 2024 and going into 2025:

The Restoration of Nanzhuang Citrus Taiwanica

Taiwan's Ancient Forests near Nanzhuang Township

Saisiyat Restaurant Nayiluwan, in Nanzhuang Taiwan

A celebration of Nanzhuang Citrus Taiwanica (part 2)

A celebration of Nanzhuang Citrus Taiwanica (part 1)

Planting a Citrus Taiwanica seedling in the Taiwan forest

Nanzhuang Citrus Taiwanica, and the origin of today’s bitter oranges.

KeYa Jam, Taiwan

Quelques Pâtisserie, Taipei, Taiwan

Miaolin Foods, and Boulangerie Le Goût, Taiwan

Curious Table Restaurant, Taipei, by Tim Hsu

in the media

2 December 2023

Chocolate-date layer cake with peanut butter chocolate ganache

If you’re looking for an outstanding chocolate cake, which will stay moist and deliver a huge hit of flavour, with the bonus of peanut butter, this recipe of mine is for you! You’ll find it on the Good Food Australia website

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2 August 2022

Cookie cravings

danlepard

Chef 👨‍🍳 Baker 🍞 Writer ✍🏻 Photographer 📷 Author 📚 Enjoying life 🏳️‍🌈 #LGBTQ Find me in @guardian @obsfood @GoodFoodAU, Patron @MarmaladeAwards

今週末、愛媛県で開催される @dalemainm

今週末、愛媛県で開催される @dalemainmansion @yawatahama_marmalade_festival の表彰式に来ています！
🍊✨
日本やアジアの素晴らしい柑橘類の保存食作りと、もちろん美味しい柑橘果実を祝うお祭りです！世界中から受賞者が集まってきますよ～
🍊🧡
お天気も良くなりますように…！
🤞🌞
#愛媛 #マーマレード #柑橘 #八幡浜
Now in beautiful Ehime Japan for the big @dalemainmansion @yawatahama_marmalade_festival award presentation this weekend, celebrating the very best of both Japanese and East Asian citrus preserve making and of course wonderful citrus fruit! Lots of winners from all over the world will be here. And maybe even some sunshine too, fingers crossed 🤞

Back in Japan for the 6th annual @yawatahama_marma

Back in Japan for the 6th annual @yawatahama_marmalade_festival award presentation, nearly 3000 entries from every prefecture in Japan. Will be picking yuzu and other citrus, and cooking with them, for me (and you I’m sure) this will be so exciting! Really pumped to be able to try the new season Mikan mandarin that Yawatahama and Ehime are famed around the world for: the fruit sells for big bucks in Tokyo. Thank you @yawatahama_ch and @japanairlines_jal for getting me here safely. Happy marmalade everyone! 🧡🇯🇵🍊

Imagine making this sourdough loaf, from flour and

A little late in posting this, but I’m sure you’ll join me in saying congratulations to Jane Hasell-McCosh @marmaladeawards @dalemainmansion @yawatahama_marmalade_festival @australianmarmaladeawards for being recognised by Ambassador Hayashi and the Japanese Government for her work promoting the relationship between Japan and the United Kingdom through the combined efforts of the @marmaladeawards and @yawatahama_ch , and was presented with Japan’s highest civilian honour - The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays - which recognises people who have made distinguished contributions to Japan. The BBC on their website notes “Previous recipients of the award’s various grades include Bill Gates, William Hague, Olivia Newton-John, Nancy Pelosi, and Clint Eastwood”.
🍊🇯🇵🇬🇧🧡
A special thank you must be given to Mayor Oshiro and the City of Yawatahama for tirelessly supporting the festival for 6 years now, and celebrating with it the extraordinary citrus fruit and talent in Ehime, Shikoku.
🍊🇯🇵🇬🇧🧡
Jane Hasell-McCosh’s awards has enabled, supported and promoted small craft marmalade making business to start up and flourish around the world, providing employment, income, and often locally a great deal of pride and admiration for the makers. None of this would have happened without that first idea, followed by two decades of dedication and imaginative planning by Jane Hasell-McCosh and her family. Year upon year citrus preserve makers the world over tell me how their businesses existence, and the income it provides them, wouldn’t have been possible without the support and promotion by Jane Hasell-McCosh and Dalemain’s marmalade awards.
🍊🇯🇵🇬🇧🧡
We admire and applaud you, Jane, and ever inspired by Dalemain, your family and friends.

今週末、愛媛県八幡浜市で第6回デイルメイン世界マーマレードアワード＆フェスティバル・ジャパンが11月9日、10日に開催されます！ジェーン・ハッセル＝マッコッシュさんとそのご家族の代表として参加し、今年の受賞者の皆様に賞を贈らせていただけることを、とても光栄に思っています✨
🍊🇯🇵🧡
私が講師を務める柚子マーマレード作りのワークショップも開催させていただくことになり、本当に嬉しい気持ちでいっぱいです🍊 @atrium0524 さん、 @atsuko_englishkitchen さん、 @enamifarm さんには素晴らしいアドバイスとご指導をいただき、心より感謝申し上げます！
🍊🇯🇵🧡
皆様もぜひお越しください！来週末にお会いできることを楽しみにしています！🌟
🍊🇬🇧🧡
This weekend Yawatahama City in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, will celebrate the 6th Dalemain World Marmalade Awards & Festival in Japan, on the 9th and 10th November @yawatahama_marmalade_festival. I am very excited to be able to attend, representing Jane Hasell-McCosh @marmaladeawards @dalemainmansion and her family, and present the awards to this year’s winners. Also, I will be holding a Yuzu Marmalade workshop, and I am so happy we can present this. Thank you to @atrium0524 @atsuko_englishkitchen and @enamifarm for your expertise and guidance. Let me know if you will be there! Looking forward to seeing you next weekend!

Though I had planned to, at the last minute I coul

Though I had planned to, at the last minute I couldn’t meet with Taiwan’s Miaoli County Saisiyat Tribe, and the Taiwanese Government’s ‘Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’ (FANCA) @fanca_taiwan in attending the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference - @cop16colombia - in Cali Colombia. Nevertheless I’m immensely proud to support FANCA’s dedication to cultural and environmental resilience, expressed in part through their work protecting the endangered Citrus Taiwanica, the Nanzhuang Orange. Their work, from forest conservation to rebuilding the number of Nanzhuang orange trees in the wild, aims to support the indigenous community, and maintaining their shared ownership of the forest, aided by science and the best talent. Our brilliant marmalade producer friend @keya_jam_taiwan, who we showcased at London’s @postcardteas earlier this year, has done much work to show how the Nanzhuang Orange has unique characteristics that we need to wake up to and preserve.
🇹🇼🍊🌱
At COP16, Chih-You Ken, chair of Taiwan’s Saisiyat community’s forestry co-operative, Li-Hsin Hsieh from FANCA, and Paulina G Karim from National Dong Hwa University, were speaking at ‘The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI)’ side-event, and shared #Taiwan’s work alongside other projects from around the world.
🇹🇼🍊🌱
I hope their efforts become a beacon for communities worldwide, showing how tradition and sustainable action can shape a better future. Let’s celebrate and amplify the voices driving this change!
🇹🇼🍊🌱
Photos by IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder

No encuentro palabras para comprender la terrible

No encuentro palabras para comprender la terrible situación que están viviendo tantas personas en Valencia este fin de semana. Estas devastadoras inundaciones, que llegaron - junto con la esperanza de tener la lluvia necesaria para acabar con la sequía que había afectado a la zona - se han convertido en una tragedia inesperada que ha acabado con vidas y destrozado los sueños de tantos. Me duele profundamente leer sobre la lenta respuesta del gobierno y las consecuencias que esto ha tenido para quienes quedaron atrapados durante el diluvio, y después. Pienso también en los panaderos y demás comerciantes de las calles, que lo han perdido todo. Todo esto ocurre en un mundo ya golpeado por guerras y brutalidad continua, y sé que mis amigos y compañeros en España también llevan este dolor en el corazón. Mi más sentido pésame para todos los afectados.
🇪🇸🙏
Can’t begin to process the situation so many people in Valencia are faced with this weekend. These devastating floods, that came - alongside a wish for enough rain to end the drought that had affected the area - are an unexpected horror that killed and ruined the lives of so many. Shocked to read of the government’s slow response and the effect this has had on those trapped during the deluge, and after. Thinking too of the bakers and other shops on the streets, that will have lost everything. All this against a background of war and ongoing brutality around the world, and I know my friends and colleagues in Spain have been mourning this too. My condolences for all those affected.

Went to lunch at @mildredsrestaurants Soho with @j

Went to lunch at @mildredsrestaurants Soho with @jpmasclet @michaeldaks just by where I used to have two photography studios of my own back in the 1980s - one in Upper James Street, then moved to one in Silver Place - as the Soho area was then all about photography, film production, and related companies. Pretty much unrecognisable to me today, though some places like @andrewedmundsrestaurant are still there. Have been a fan of Mildred’s for only about 5 years now, when @sejalsukhadwala invited me on one of her vegetarian restaurant reviews to a new branch in Dalston, though Mildred’s has been a part of Soho for decades. Completely delicious, not too pricey (desserts oddly are a bit £££ though excellent), still cooking great food. Lovely floor staff too.

Letizia Battaglia: Life, Love and Death in Sicily,

Letizia Battaglia: Life, Love and Death in Sicily, at @thephotographersgallery London. Oh my, a shocking, brutal, beautiful exhibition around the reportage work Letizia Battaglia (1935-2022). There’s a warning TPG has on its website and at the entrance, which also serves as a neat description of what is contained: “…potentially triggering content. This includes images of guns, murder victims, dead animals, police arrests/brutality, crime, blood, nudity and scenes of poverty”. But beyond this, these images also contain beautiful compositions, considerations on where light and shadow should sit – all decided through the viewfinder for just a split-seconds in what must have been desperately harrowing and sometimes terrifying situations. I would think about what might have occurring when the photographs were taken, and the “narrative” (a brutal word in this instance) predictions Battaglia must have had to make while these situations occurred in front of her lens. A must-see exhibition, and again need to say how great the show’s hanging and design is. Thank you @jpmasclet @michaeldaks for dragging my jetlagged-arse out to see it.

Went with my old friends and photographers @jpmasc

Went with my old friends and photographers @jpmasclet @michaeldaks to see the exhibition of the late Deborah Turbeville’s (1932-2013) work at @thephotographersgallery London. It’s a beautiful exhibition, moreso as the TPG exhibition-design is always so good and suited to each artist on show. I remember Turbeville’s work very well, and as Michael pointed out, when it appeared in magazine issues (Turberville was mostly known for her fashion and advertising photography for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar) alongside quite different work by, say, Helmut Newton and Guy Boudin, the differences in style were dramatic. But here, pulled away from that contrast and, in isolation, I could both see what made Turberville’s work so identifiable and decorative, while not really feeling moved or gripped by her images today. The phrase “they look as if” as opposed to “they are” kept coming back to me, looking at the artful framing, the smudged printing, decorative scratching and torn edges, and the appearance of women looking lost and haunted in space… while, just out of frame, a fashion editor, clothes stylist, makeup and hair people, even a location van driver stood by waiting. However, upstairs from the show was another exhibition that has stayed in my mind ever since. I’ll tell you about it next.

And now back in the UK. Flew with China Eastern @c

And now back in the UK. Flew with China Eastern @china_eastern_airlines this time, was on time and as good an experience as many I’ve flown. Had a 6-hour layover at Shanghai Airport, I need to think and plan about having a better experience there, I’m sure there’s a way. I think with hindsight terminal two has more things going on than the vast cavernous empty spaces of terminal one where we departed from. And I think I’ve worked out how to get the Wi-Fi working at the airport, no easy feat. Great to be back, I am rather fond of London and England, even with all of the chaos and mess it’s in.

One last bit of fun at Narita Airport! They have t

One last bit of fun at Narita Airport! They have these self-driving wheelchairs that will take you all the way to your gate. So I had to try it out, and a good thing that I did because the gate was a good 10 minutes away. I looked on my phone and I’ve been averaging about 15,000 steps a day (on the last few days) so I was ready to sit down for a bit. There weren’t many of them available, I only saw two in action while I was there, and you do get stared at a lot by other passengers. But hey all I could do was smile!

So on my last 24 hours I managed to spend all my h

So on my last 24 hours I managed to spend all my haul of coins at @daiso_official, the yen store that has lots of inexpensive (under ¥300) things you might like but probably won’t need. Like, I got some of those wire thingys that sit in the plate to keep your karaage crisp. Then managed to pack, get the bags under-weight (just), and head off to the airport.
✈️
Now about Narita Airport. I’ve been regularly told “don’t fly into Narita, it’s such a long way from Tokyo” (a bit like Gatwick is to London), and the hint was that it was a bit grim. Well, it’s actually a great airport, and though Haneda airport may be closer to Tokyo, Narita has the edge with customer service and comfort.
🍜🌱
I had a great lunch at a vegan ramen restaurant T’s Tantan @ts_tantan_jp that was wonderful, really enjoyed it. But if that’s not your bag, then there’s lots more to choose from. For me, I think the combination of a few nights stay in Narita town, then a free bus to the airport, made perfect sense and kept me relaxed and chilled.

Stopped in at this charcoal-grill Izakaya @tsukino

Stopped in at this charcoal-grill Izakaya @tsukinoya_torijo_narita near Narita station, and it was the only time I felt what I assumed was“tourist fatigue” from the waiting staff (who bordered on unpleasant), and reading reviews they seem to have form here. Having said that, the food was great and got chatting with a New Zealand guy and his dad on the next table, and that made it really fun and enjoyable. I would go again, I don’t especially need waiting staff to be courteous as they have a tough job and sometimes it must get them down, and you end up the unlucky customer who gets the brunt of it. So here’s a toast to waiting staff everywhere who carry on working even though they’d rather be anywhere else.

Shopping mall days in Chiba. One great aspect to J

Shopping mall days in Chiba. One great aspect to Japan’s super-reliable trains and buses combined with the google maps app is that you can fearlessly in a moment make a change to your plans. So one morning I’d wanted to go out and do some shopping, and had seen a mall near the hotel in Narita. So I went to the station, did a search for some shops, and because I was looking in a wider area it showed me that all of the shops were available in Chiba, a big city not far from Narita. So with my trusty new IC card charged up (you have to get personalised IC/travel cards now, a bit of a hassle but once it’s done, you’re good to go) I just went to the platform as shown on Google Maps, and I took myself on an adventure. Chiba is a vast redeveloped commuter town only an hour from Tokyo. It has beaches, ports, vast shopping malls, as well as lots of affordable property that Tokyo workers are buying into. I walked through the supersized @aeon_japan mall, where I encountered the largest food supermarket I’ve ever seen, wondering if it’s one of the largest in the world? Then I walked on over the river, where all the famous black crows were perched. I went to the discount shopping mall, where brands like @onitsukatigerofficial have their outlet. Then I caught the amazing Chiba Monorail to do some more shopping. After that, it was an easy train ride back to the hotel. Definitely recommend this as a shopping trip!

Most people I spoke with in Japan, on mentioning h

Most people I spoke with in Japan, on mentioning how hugely popular “shokupan” (and kooky variations on Japan’s standard white bread) is around the world, are astounded. Like many foods categories in Japan there are makers considered ordinary and others considered elite, even if to my rough old palate I can’t always tell the difference. So I felt lucky that Miyazaki-san @albany_london at our @morningtoncrescenttokyo workshop gave me a loaf of @asakusapelicancafe shokupan which many consider one of the best bakeries that make it. I sliced the bread and took it with me to Narita, then made sandwiches to eat on the bed with takeaway tonkatsu from the @shinjukusaboten shop at @aeon_japan Narita supermarket. Freshly fried, crispy and warm, utterly delicious.

For my last few days in Japan I moved out to Narit

For my last few days in Japan I moved out to Narita town, as I was flying from Narita airport (and must say I love love love that airport now, my first time) and didn’t want a hellish last day traveling there with luggage. So four days before, straight after last workshop at @morningtoncrescenttokyo, I got the metro from Daimon Station to Narita Station, a bit like getting the Elizabeth line to Heathrow. Took about 90 minutes, no changes, so really easy and cost about ¥1000 (£5). Stayed at the @apahotel_official hotel, not my first choice but actually really liked it, ¥30,000 for 4 nights (about £37 per night), had an onsen that I used twice a day, open until 1am. Very taken with Narita, it’s a bit of a working town, the urban parts of it slightly reminded me of downtown Los Angeles in the 1980s, while the greener areas are very charming. Yoshi had heard that all the airline #trolleydollies make a dash for the big @aeon_japan supermarket when they stay over there, so of course I did, fantastic if you are a foreign-supermarket lover like me. Had breakfast at a supermarket chain bakery @viedefrance_official, curry-pan and a focaccia bun baked with broad beans, egg and bacon on top, plus a coffee, ¥1012 (about £5). Loved all the pre-packed foods to take away.

One of the things I most like about returning to a

One of the things I most like about returning to a city is to meet up with new friends and continue adventures together. And trying different hamburgers in Tokyo 🍔🗼is a kind of crazy adventure I like. I even got treated to a fab @shakeshackjpn work lunch at @morningtoncrescenttokyo thanks to Stacey. Last year I’d taken my friend Yoshi @yossi_jpn to the fairly newly opened @aldebaran_burger (thank you @tokyofoodfile for that great suggestion) so this year he wanted to choose somewhere. And his choice was @tyharbor_brewery @smokehouse_by_tyharborbrewery by the river, on the most beautiful night. Yoshi ordered the wagyu burger, I had a chicken burger, together with fantastic beers they brew on the site. Loved it, lovely people working there, was a wonderful evening together.

Back when I first arrived in London in 1984 I quic

Back when I first arrived in London in 1984 I quickly made friends with Peter Foster @peterfoster_m an artist who had a studio in the basement of Grays Inn Buildings, of Roseberry Avenue and Grays Inn Road. Peter was instrumental, in a roundabout way, in starting my photography career as he was already established at the House of Beauty and Culture @house_of_beauty_and_culture in London as an artist and jewellery designer. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for him that 40 years later I can walk into Comme des Garçon in Tokyo and see his work shining, glistening, looking amazingly strong and vibrant on sale there at one of the world’s top fashion houses. such an achievement, but also he’s done it with such continuity from his original style through to today. It’s still so clear that it is recognisably Peter’s work, copied and imitated of course, but that’s in itself is a sign of greatness. Congratulations Peter. And thank you, Yoshi for introducing me to your friends there. What a marvellous day we had.

The circle of life. My friend Yoshi invited me to

The circle of life. My friend Yoshi invited me to see the new pooploop 💩 #ゴミうんち art and history exhibition at @2121designsight Tokyo (not to be confused with older Unko 💩 theme park in Tokyo) that opened end last month. Yep, all about the history and usefulness of poo!
🤎
Now often when we talk about fermentation, I will “in passing” (no pun intended) mention that the bacteria and yeasts are “natural”, and ideally and quickly move on to something else. But the truth is that the source of these microbes 🦠, and even seeds that become the plants, and the soil they grow in, the water that they need, is all to some degree… a little bit funky (as the great Anthony Bourdain once pointed out). It’s something that is almost never discussed in relation to food and life, talk about the pooploop is rather hushed 🚫. But, as this fascinating and beautiful exhibition shows, it’s essential to life on earth, and we should think and talk about it more.
🐕🖤
See the beautiful black dog sculpture made of “black pebbles”. Well, they’re not pebbles but black lacquered dog poo. 😳

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events and classes

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Chocolate-date layer cake with peanut butter chocolate ganache

The reviews are in!

in the media

Two Strawberry Desserts

The cover of The Handmade Loaf

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Artisan Focaccia and a Classic Milk Loaf

Australian Gourmet Traveller

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The Handmade Loaf, in Australian Gourmet Traveller