Ella Mapes

My most cherished recipe yet - Elderflower and rhubarb sponge, buttermilk elderflower custard, elderflower and rhubarb syrup, mint and elderflower granita. @gbchefs @belvoirfarm_uk

The life cycle of a rather messy and totally inauthentic croquembouche. Yes, it turned out more of a Frankensteinian monster than a Francois masterpiece, but it tasted damn good. Filled with creme diplomate and coated in crisp melted sugar, topped with cherry compote. Yes, my hands did suffer 3rd degree burns from assembling this beast, but if pain is beauty, then this one was worth hurting for. @mapescatering #baking #patisserie

When ozempic diets are all the range, it’s nice to remind yourself that hang outs and catch ups should be, yes, for the company, but also for the food. Dalston will forever have my heart as the go to spot for food. It’s home to some great places. It’s also home to some shite. That’s life. @corrochios is definitely part of the former category and, whilst it’s no secret hang out spot, I was struck by how quiet it was on a Saturday lunch. Ladies who lunch are normally packaged with the image of a weedy, measly salad bowl and a lot of wine. I’d opt for loaded tacos and margs any day @corrochios

Been awful, awful, awful at posting on my food account recently - I’ve caught the feeling that posting food content materialises and negates the self-fulfilling concept of cooking. Not everything has to be a post. Food should be for enjoyment - when it’s gone, it’s gone. That being said, here’s a big fuck off dump of my favourite food moments over the past few months. Now that I’ve taken a little social media hiatus, I’m ready to start whoring my eats back out again. A selection of my favourite food memories, inclusive of eating & cooking 1. one of the first dishes I plated at Canteen (beetroot, baby gem, ginger crème fraiche, chives) 2. Da using his pen knife to slice into a superb chocolate and Armagnac frangipane by the canal - from @palekitchenandarts 3. & 4. Insanely big appeltaart in Amsterdam from @cafewinkel43amsterdam 5. Burrata and anchovies from @harplanedeli alongside datterini tomatoes, mint, fennel herb and obvs olive oil 5. My first time mastering crackling 6. Poached rhubarb in thyme and lemon 7. A lovely little soup and focaccia from @palekitchenandarts 8. Sea bass ceviche, marjoram, lemon and olive oil 9. Easter staff breakfast from Layla’s inclusive of an insanely good miso cookie (think malted shreddies in cookie form) 10. Black sesame, blueberry, pecan yoghurt bowl in the sun 11. Rhubarb and almond trifle 12. Veal carne crudo with capers and veal jus from Canteen 13. A very wholesome Easter brunch with @tomstrunks

@hyattregencytaghazout ! Unbelievable views for unbelievable value <3 Yes, you do expect holiday destinations to give you better value for dinners out than UK prices. That’s why we Brits love an overseas trip so much. However, most of the time you’re forking out hundreds to get to the destination alone. Flights to Morocco are £40. £40!!!!! If you’re like me and have a certain Scrooge element to your treats, now would be the time to utter bar humbug to your penny pinching ways by treating yourself to affordable luxury with this 5 star hotel, located slap bang on the beach. Even if you’re not staying here, its restaurant is worth visiting for some up market nosh. Simple, fresh and delicious, it’s only a 15 minute stroll from the centre of tagazhout, placing you quietly in the calm of beachside waves. Article on @hnmagazine1 live now @btheremagazine @mapesmakes

@hptaghazoutbay - a super dreamy stay at this 5* hotel and restaurant with @hnmagazine1 & @btheremagazine I literally will not stop talking about how good #tagazhout is. The town itself is a vibrant, gorgeous little nook of independent restaurants and stalls. I will happily spend all day curled up on the sand with a t shirt for a pillow, but luxury is required here and there. This gorgeous hotel gives that luxury, but for a super affordable price. Plus, tickets to Morocco are £50 return. Getting a bit of winter sun is a no brainer when January feels THIS BAD. Article live on @hnmagazine1 #travelwriter #traveljournalist #visitmorocco #foodjournalist

I gotta say this Moroccan breakfast really topped all Moroccan breakfasts - £4.50 gets you OJ, coffee, msmen (like a roti sorta pancake), eggs, bread, honey AND amlou, a sweet almond butter. I’ve had a few thus far, and whilst the price doesn’t vary, the quality does. Thanks to a recommendation from my new travel friend, @clemwakeman_ I have found my new fave spot for brunch. Just another reason why London SUCKS - I’ve spent more on one coffee than I did for this entire feast. #morocco #tagazhout #tagazhoute #moroccobreakfast

@dirteaworld makes some damn good shroom coffee! I’ve never been one for supplements. Popping pills just ain’t my style. But I absolutely LOVE finding ways to incorporate foods that make me feel good into other foods that taste good. Mixing dirtea with alcohol and topping it with custard and cake wasn’t counter productive. Treats are there to be enjoyed, and healthy foods can be considered as such even when they’re high in calories and low in protein. Eating good isn’t just about tracking macros, but about eating something that makes you feel happy. Couple that with great ingredients, and you’re onto a winner. #dirtea #mushroom # #dirtearecipe #tiramisù #tiramisurecipe

Article coming shortly - some yummy bites from @nipotinaristorante A Tuscan restaurant, slap bang in Mayfair. West London’s answer to the East’s plethora of Italian eateries. It’s not quite rustic taverna: think elevated homeliness. Like Grandma just came back from a very expensive culinary course in Central Italy.

@1910mexicancantina is a wonderful Mexican spot in Chelsea. It’s hard to find good Mexican food in London - most places tended to go for mediocre pricing, mediocre flavours. 1910 Cantina is on the higher side of pricing, but it’s worth it. If you are what you eat, then I’m a loaded slow-pulled pork taco. This Mexican restaurant goes heavy on the ingredients you want. Expect a mound of tuna in your tostada, and a cheese pull so serious I feared it would outshine my arm span. @btheremagazine #Mexican food #mexicanfoodlondon #londontacos #tacosinlondon #besttacos #londoneats #londonhotspots #wheretoeatlondon #tacoslondonbridge #tacoschelsea #tacoslondon

@rabbit_resto 📍Chelsea - one of those places that doesn’t feel like London. Which is a rare treat at these times, particularly when rush hour seems to be hitting all that harder amidst the lingering cold. A truly beautiful venue, with truly beautiful produce. Natural wines are starting to get a bit of a funky rep, but The Rabbit don’t go for bottles because some art grad designed a Damien Burst inspired label. They stock wines with grapes grown in Somerset. The Best of British, without having to wave the flag. Pictured (in order) Mushroom profiterole Goats cheese tartlet Grouse breast, mushroom and plum salad Scallops with radicchio Venison and greens Chargrilled winter veg Fresh fruit tart Simply some of the best food you can have in West London. #Farmtofork #slowfood #slowfoodlondon #naturalwines #naturalwineslondon #somerset #somersetsupplier #indeoendentlondon #independentrestaurants #foodwriter #eestaurantslondon #restaurantschelsea #kingsroad #kingsroadlondon #sundayroastlondon #londonfood #londoneats #londondinjg

Article for @magicmomolondon at @namlonglondon is now live on @btheremagazine ! Head over to read all about this wonderful hidden gem <3