The Great Bath Feast begins today!

The Great Bath Feast in association with The Bertinet Kitchen returns this weekend. The gastronomic festival celebrates the best food and drink in the South West, as well as taste sensations from further afield, appealing to culinary connoisseurs everywhere.

Their 2023 Chef’s Theatre line-up features a host of Bath’s renowned and much-loved food personalities stars from Richard Bertinet, Masterchef Champion of Champions Ping Coombes, James Golding, Group Chef Director of The Pig Hotel and Michelin starred Chris Cleghorn and Garry and Dan Rosser from The Scallop Shell. The Great Bath Feast also welcomes top chefs from further afield including the legendary Mark Hix and Gifford’s Circus Chef Ols Halas. 

Find out more at greatbathfeast.co.uk

OUR OCTOBER ISSUE IS OUT NEXT WEEK!

You'll love our fabulous October magazine which features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses. Features include an interview with Ken Loach on his new film The Old Oak, a conversation with Jay Rayner about his jazz sextet, and Mary Beard gives us her fresh take on the Roman Emperors. We really hope you'll enjoy the read! 

Every month we deliver 15,000 copies door to door, but if you don't get a copy at home then you can pick up a copy at many places around town and from our floor stands at: Waitrose, Sainsbury [Green Park], M&S Foods in Twerton, Tesco in Weston Village, and at The Holburne Museum. 

Click here to enjoy our current issue!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

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Words by Melissa Blease

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Melanzane? Aubergines, innit! And the best of the season are trending right now. As for the Parmigiana element: what doesn't taste better baked with cheese?

This recipe is a lovely alternative to lasagne without going down the mincemeat-substitute/pasta sheet route. Layers of aubergines, courgettes and peppers in a rich tomato sauce topped with melty mozzarella and sharp Parmesan result in a heavenly, comforting combination, perfect for a casual autumn supper.

Ingredients (serves 4)

2 large aubergines cut into 1cm thick rings (or long slices)
2 large onions, peeled and finely chopped
2 large red peppers, deseeded and diced
2 large courgettes, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
1 tbsp dried oregano
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
1 tsp caster sugar
125g mozzarella, thinly sliced
50g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Olive oil

Method

Preheat a griddle (or frying) pan to a medium-high heat and brush the aubergine slices on both sides with olive oil. Griddle in batches until each slice is soft and slightly charred. Set to one side.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and sauté the onions, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the peppers and courgettes and continue to sauté for around 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are turning squidgy, adding the garlic and oregano for the last 2-3 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and caster sugar to the pan, stir and season well (plenty of black pepper is a must), bring to a gentle boil and simmer for around 10 minutes until thickened.

Pour around 1/3 of the tomato sauce across the base of an ovenproof (lasagne sized) dish. Top with 1/3 of the aubergine slices then add another 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat until the final layer is sauce, then top with the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.

Cook in the oven for 30-40 minutes until golden and bubbly on top. Allow to settle for 5 minutes before serving with a well-dressed green salad.

Spotlight: Bodegas Martín Códax

Spain has the greatest area under vine of any wine producing country, and the diversity of wine styles is immense. This week, we're taking a look at the winery Bodegas Martín Códax in Rías Baixas, where Atlantic influences enhance crisp acidities to the spicy undertones. 

This winery focuses both on innovation and the traditional, creating a range of fresh and exciting wines. Here are a few of our favourites: 

Albariño - Bodegas Martín Códax
Bright and clear. The nose is intense and elegant with hints of fresh herbs, green apples, lemon and grapefruit. On the palate, it is persistent, rounded and full-bodied, with a light petillance that gives the wine an impressive and vivacious sense of freshness | £18.85

Orange Wine Albariño - Bodegas Martín Códax
Amber coloured with iodized reflections. Nose with medium intensity, ripe fruit notes such as candied orange and orange jam with crushed flowers (roses) and herbal notes. This wine is structured and tannic and has a broad and round feel | £22.00

Alba Martín - Bodegas Martín Códax
Intense yet elegant aromas of white peach and blossom. The vineyards' proximity to the sea gives the wine freshness and saltiness, and the granite soils enhance its natural minerality. Rounded and full-bodied, with a light petillance that adds to its vivacious sense of freshness. It has impressive persistence on the finish | £16.65

'Cuatro Pasos Black' Mencia - Bodegas Martín Códax
Intese cherry red color. Medium-high intensity where prevails the bouquet varietal of black fruit (blackberry, prune, cassis). Fruit harmoniously assembled with toasted raisings, spices and smoked. Mineral background. Powerful and glyceric, with very well integrated friendly tannins. Balsamic aftertaste that invites to a second drink | £18.85

Discover more Spanish wine at greatwine.co.uk

Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?

Click through to browse our full Delicious Guide!

Black+Blum Explorer Bottle | £35

A handy insulated water bottle with Black+Blum's 100% leakproof sealed top which is fully lockable to avoid any unwanted spills. Keeping drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12 hours, it's ideal for all-day adventures as well as the daily commute. Built from high quality stainless steel, it's durable, dishwasher safe and fits easily into standard bike bottle cages and car cup holders.

Available in Silver and Orange from finisterre.com

Introducing Hai at Whistles

Immersed in optimism and steeped in nostalgia, we are proud to reintroduce Hai at Whistles. Available now from whistles.com and in selected Whistles stores.

The collection comprises 16 modern styles and three staples that have been refreshed in a violet colourway exclusively for Whistles: the Hai Velvet Sienna Dress, the Dupion Scrunchie and the Puff Gina Bag - all of which feel utterly unique for Autumn Winter 2023.

Outremer Eau de Toilette

This light eau de toilette is housed in an exquisite Art Deco-inspired glass bottle that recalls the bucolic landscapes and bustling cityscapes of France, where each unique Outremer fragrance is conceptualised and distilled.

The Bergamote is fresh, with notes of tangy lemon and orange above a bright floral bouquet.

To shop, go to anthropologie.com

Discover the beauty of the Jaipur Collection

Every piece of Marco Bicego jewellery features a combination of fine Italian craftsmanship and creativity. The designs are based on three signature features: multi-coloured gemstones, the finest detailing and hand engraved 18ct gold.

Inspired by the Pink City in northern India, the Jaipur collection combines exquisite craftsmanship with nature's superior-quality gemstones and is characterised by its multi-coloured, rose-cut gemstones. Whether rings, earrings, bracelets or necklaces, each piece is characterised by its prism-cut gemstones and epitomises the understated elegance that the jeweller is famous for.

Marco Bicego Jaipur 18ct Yellow Gold Yellow Quartz Pendant | £790

Click here to see the Jaipur range and more from Marco Bicego at Mallory

Curated by Daniel McCabe

The Autumn DAZED ‘Beyond Borders’ issue is just out in a range of covers, although sadly we can’t offer you the K-Pop icon Jungkook (BTS) cover which sold out immediately on release. So we’ve gone here with the fabulous Rosalía and we’re still stocking all the others – Little Simz, Queen Blackwell and Spice – in what is a truly packed and well-balanced issue. If you are a K-pop collector, there’s more content with Rowoon in the current AnOther and Ateez in next month’s Altered States. On your marks... | £5.99

magalleria.co.uk

Extraordinary Earth Day at Bath Abbey brings climate issues into focus

Bath Abbey is hosting Extraordinary Earth Day on 30 September, an event focusing on making a positive impact on climate change. Bath Abbey and partners Transition Bath, BANES, CaféBANES and Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE), are running the open day to inspire visitors and families to make a difference and take action to live more sustainably.

Extraordinary Earth Day is part of the ‘Treasuring Creation’ Festival being held at Bath Abbey from 18 September - 29 October, with Luke Jerram’s sculpture of planet Earth, Gaia, taking centre stage. The Treasuring Creation Festival focuses on appreciating and caring for our planet. 

Visit bathabbey.org for more details

Bath Phil for Free is back!

Enjoy a thrilling live performance from the region’s leading professional orchestra for free!

Building on the success of their #BathPhilForFree scheme, in which over 10,000 tickets have been gifted to local residents, Bath Philharmonia offers local people a free ticket for their concert at The Forum on 3 October 2023, the opening concert of their 23/24 season.

Featuring internationally renowned concert pianist Peter Donohoe, the orchestra will perform not just one but two piano concertos (Mozart’s simply delectable Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor and Shostakovich’s witty and gloriously beautiful Piano Concerto No. 2) in a programme of classical music that includes excerpts from Beethoven’s most epic and exciting symphonies and music by one of Britain’s most celebrated young composers, Ayanna Witter-Johnson.

Bath Philharmonia is opening up the concert hall to those who may have never heard the magic of a live orchestra before or want to try something new.

Learn more about Bath Phil at bathphil.co.uk

Combe Grove Metabolic Health Programmes

Imagine a life where you have the power to rewrite your health story.

The Metabolic Health Programme at Combe Grove is designed to reset, restore and replenish the fundamentals of your life. 

From nutrition to movement, sleep to mindset, Combe Grove provides the ideal natural environment to make measurable and sustainable improvements to wellbeing. 

Optimum Health Metabolic Reset - October 2, October 30

Prevent & Reverse Prediabetes - October 16, December 11

Master Menopause - November 20, January 22

Visit combegrove.com or call them on 01225 834 644

Bath City FC's Community Day Match

It’s Bath City’s annual Community Day Match on Saturday 23 September at Twerton Park. The top-of-the-table side takes on Dover Athletic and invites everyone along to the game and pay as little (or as much) as they want to watch. Plus there’s a free face painter, inflatable beat-the-goalie, ice cream van and half-time entertainment.

Bath City are the league’s highest scorers so it’s likely to be an entertaining afternoon. All are very welcome!

You can pre-book tickets and select what you pay, or just donate by cash or card on the gate.

Find out more at bathcityfc.com

The Lost Summer Sea Shanty Sunday

Join The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew for a family afternoon of sea shanty fun in the autumn sun at the Boathouse, Newbridge on Sunday 1 October.

The event is a charity fundraiser in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Enjoy guest appearances from popular local shanty groups, the Barnacle Buoys, the Frampton Shantymen, the Severn Whalers and the 85ers, whose collective assorted experience includes international festival and overseas performances, movie appearances and even singing for King Charles at his Coronation!

The large garden and riverside location at the Boathouse make it the perfect location to unwind and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of family fun – and hopefully the sun will shine for everyone at the Lost Summer Sea Shanty Sunday!

Visit @pobshantycrew on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok to learn more and stay up to date

Will you give the gift of life this Organ Donation Week?

This week (18-24 September) is Organ Donation Week and the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant, is calling on local people to register their donation decision and support the campaign to recruit 25,000 new organ donors nationally. 

Throughout the week, everyone, including the staff at the RUH, are being encouraged to go pink – the colour of the NHS Organ Donor Card - to show their support for the campaign. This could be by wearing a pink item of clothing, baking pink cakes or perhaps even colouring your hair pink.

RUH staff will also be joining in the national Race for Recipients, which aims to encourage us all to get fit and celebrate the gift of organ donation.

Visit organdonation.nhs.uk to find out more

Richmond Hill, Bath

Offered for sale by Bath estate agents Cobb Farr.

1 Richmond Hill is an elegant Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, 1 of 8 in a splendid terrace on Bath’s sought after northern slopes, enjoying a fine southerly aspect and beautiful elevated views over the city. This beautiful property has recently been substantially redecorated internally and fully externally and now offers vacant possession.

With flexible accommodation arranged over 4 floors the property retains a wealth of fine period detail, on the ground floor is formal dining room to the front which is linked via wedding doors to a well equipped new Ashgrove kitchen to the rear.

The entrance halls lead through to a rear lobby and a large utility room with an original period Welsh dresser, along with a family room / snug or home office.

On the first floor there is a majestic formal drawing room to the front with 2 floor-to-ceiling sash windows which lead onto the balcony and verandah, there is also an elegant period fireplace and impressive period cornicing detail.

The drawing room is linked via wedding doors to the withdrawing room to the rear. In addition, there is a pretty mezzanine level double bedroom and a family bathroom.

The master bedroom is on the 2nd floor to the front, enjoying wonderful views and has a beautifully appointed ensuite bath and shower room. There are also 2 further double bedrooms and another bathroom to the rear.

Externally to the front there is an impressive ornamental walled par terre garden and pretty paved sun terrace that spans the width of the property to the front while to the rear is a small courtyard garden that enjoys gated access onto a private lane which leads to the Richmond allotments | £1,700,000

For more images and details click here to see the property on the Cobb Farr website.