Europe My Way - Henrietta Green
Food writer, broadcaster and consultant Henrietta Green is widely acknowledged as the leading expert on Britain’s local and regional speciality food producers.
In 1995, she ran the first FoodLovers Fair, which today continue as hugely popular showcases of the best food and drink that Britain has to offer.
In 2007, Henrietta launched www.FoodLoversBritain.com, the definitive gourmet guide for those who want to eat, shop, learn and live British.
What was your first holiday in Europe?
In the South of France when I was five years old and my parents rented a villa in Cannes. It was so exciting and even though I didn’t go aboard for another five years – back to Westgate for me – it was life changing and probably inspired me about food. I remember the feel of the hot warm sun for the first time in life, being taken to market by the cook Caroline and tasting food bursting with flavour – the smells the sounds – and having my hair cut in a chic bob and being bought an achingly cute fig leaf bikini – so much more stylish than the wretched swimsuits of those days
What was your last?
Last summer to stay with friends in Normandy. It’s an annual fest and get-together of French, English and half-and-halfs who all rent or own houses in and around Barfleur. We cycle, swim, shop, eat and then eat some more, drink, go in and out of each other’s houses, walk, picnic and generally laze about. George, my Lucas terrier comes too and it is always such a great break. The weather may be c… but it never seems to matter – it is so good meeting up.
What do you love about Europe?
Down South the weather and architecture, Further North the sense of space – All over the joie de vivre, the great produce and the sense of history and connection with the terroir
Favourite hotel?
Le Meurice in Paris but I’ve only stayed there once. The bathroom was gorgeous, their breakfast is the best ever, with croissants that flaked into the bed but what did it matter when there were clean sheets every day.
Worst Hotel?
Don’t even go there. I can't remember its name and don’t want to dredge it up.
Favourite city?
Paris.
Favourite beach?
A cove found by chance in Capri. It had everything you’d want – sparkling sea, great swimming, a sandy beach with no-one else on it and a café up the cliff serving the best fritto misto ever.
Favourite restaurant?
Tricky one that. One of my fondest memories was eating in the Travestere area of Rome on Easter Sunday, just having been blessed by the Pope during his open air mass. I had thick wodges of San Danielle ham served with a salad of barba di frate and carciofi alla guidica - deep fried baby artichokes. All of this sitting in the open air whilst England was freezing and lo, there in my eyeline was the gorgeous Christophe Lambert who was starring in Tarzan at the time. What more could a girl want?
Who / what do you never leave home without?
My mascara. It’s old fashioned cake mascara by Longcils Boncza that not only makes lashes thick and lustrous but it doesn’t sting the eyes and is more or less waterproof. It's the only make of mascara I've ever used. I started when I was 16 and have remained faithful to the brand ever since.
What do you never leave Europe without?
Depends which country I've been to – it may be anchovies or fennel pollen from Italy or lustrous honey from Greece – so I suppose the answer is that I will always trawl for a special foodie ingredient wherever I am.
Ferry, ship, plane, train, or car?
It depends where I am going and who is coming with me. If it’s George, my Lucas terrier, it has to be by car as taking him by plane is such a schlep and even no-go with the cheapo carriers.
What is your worst European travel memory?
Missing the ferry on Samos on the way to Patmos, thereby being forced to stay the night in some god-forsaken dump. The following morning I woke up with – and we counted- 123 mosquito bites all over me, whilst my then partner had not one. Life can be so unfair sometimes particularly as they all itched like hell.
What is your “golden rule” of travel?
Take a spare travel bag to allow for shopping
What’s keeping you busy at the moment?
My website www.FoodLoversBritain.com has become so popular with people wanting to find the best food and drink producers, shops, markets, courses and places to stay that it keeps me fully occupied but at the moment. Somehow, I'm also fitting in recording a new ITV1 series called Taste The Nation, which runs for six weeks from 16th March.
In the South of France when I was five years old and my parents rented a villa in Cannes. It was so exciting and even though I didn’t go aboard for another five years – back to Westgate for me – it was life changing and probably inspired me about food. I remember the feel of the hot warm sun for the first time in life, being taken to market by the cook Caroline and tasting food bursting with flavour – the smells the sounds – and having my hair cut in a chic bob and being bought an achingly cute fig leaf bikini – so much more stylish than the wretched swimsuits of those days
What was your last?
Last summer to stay with friends in Normandy. It’s an annual fest and get-together of French, English and half-and-halfs who all rent or own houses in and around Barfleur. We cycle, swim, shop, eat and then eat some more, drink, go in and out of each other’s houses, walk, picnic and generally laze about. George, my Lucas terrier comes too and it is always such a great break. The weather may be c… but it never seems to matter – it is so good meeting up.
What do you love about Europe?
Down South the weather and architecture, Further North the sense of space – All over the joie de vivre, the great produce and the sense of history and connection with the terroir
Favourite hotel?
Le Meurice in Paris but I’ve only stayed there once. The bathroom was gorgeous, their breakfast is the best ever, with croissants that flaked into the bed but what did it matter when there were clean sheets every day.
Worst Hotel?
Don’t even go there. I can't remember its name and don’t want to dredge it up.
Favourite city?
Paris.
Favourite beach?
A cove found by chance in Capri. It had everything you’d want – sparkling sea, great swimming, a sandy beach with no-one else on it and a café up the cliff serving the best fritto misto ever.
Favourite restaurant?
Tricky one that. One of my fondest memories was eating in the Travestere area of Rome on Easter Sunday, just having been blessed by the Pope during his open air mass. I had thick wodges of San Danielle ham served with a salad of barba di frate and carciofi alla guidica - deep fried baby artichokes. All of this sitting in the open air whilst England was freezing and lo, there in my eyeline was the gorgeous Christophe Lambert who was starring in Tarzan at the time. What more could a girl want?
Who / what do you never leave home without?
My mascara. It’s old fashioned cake mascara by Longcils Boncza that not only makes lashes thick and lustrous but it doesn’t sting the eyes and is more or less waterproof. It's the only make of mascara I've ever used. I started when I was 16 and have remained faithful to the brand ever since.
What do you never leave Europe without?
Depends which country I've been to – it may be anchovies or fennel pollen from Italy or lustrous honey from Greece – so I suppose the answer is that I will always trawl for a special foodie ingredient wherever I am.
Ferry, ship, plane, train, or car?
It depends where I am going and who is coming with me. If it’s George, my Lucas terrier, it has to be by car as taking him by plane is such a schlep and even no-go with the cheapo carriers.
What is your worst European travel memory?
Missing the ferry on Samos on the way to Patmos, thereby being forced to stay the night in some god-forsaken dump. The following morning I woke up with – and we counted- 123 mosquito bites all over me, whilst my then partner had not one. Life can be so unfair sometimes particularly as they all itched like hell.
What is your “golden rule” of travel?
Take a spare travel bag to allow for shopping
What’s keeping you busy at the moment?
My website www.FoodLoversBritain.com has become so popular with people wanting to find the best food and drink producers, shops, markets, courses and places to stay that it keeps me fully occupied but at the moment. Somehow, I'm also fitting in recording a new ITV1 series called Taste The Nation, which runs for six weeks from 16th March.
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