Suffolkfoodie is 17 years old! The blog is noted by many for it's longevity and covers all aspects of the world of food and drink. It's hoped that you find it upbeat and entertaining; it includes reviews of Ruth's experiences when at home in Suffolk, out and about for work or when travelling for leisure. The aim is to include small independent businesses and producers, to tell you about what we've found on the side of the road or what we've enjoyed eating or cooking. If you invite paying guests to your pop-ups or to your supper club, then invite us! If you want to share a recipe or a food story send it to us. We are always on the look out for new trends, exciting new producers and innovative businesses in the world of food and drink. Ruth has considerable food and wine knowledge and as a freelance quality assessor is able to give objective and constructive feedback to producers and hospitality businesses within the industry. Ruth works with PR companies to promote new openings and food events as well as providing expert judging services for food and drink awards. We don't take bribes...but we do accept products for review and are happy to provide feedback on your product or business. Where a fee is charged or products/services gifted we make this clear.  However we do consider carefully whether products or services are appropriate for our blog.  If we like it we will tell others. If you would like more information email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There has been a revolution in food, and it isn't just about eating.  If you have been in a restaurant and seen someone taking a picture of their starter you can be pretty sure they are doing it to show someone who cares, but can't be there to taste it themselves. They might even be going to write about it later. Food blogging has taken over the culinary world and the food critics of our national newspapers are upset – until now they were the only ones allowed to have an opinion. Those of us who love food and write as well were always envious of their job – being paid to eat? We dream about work like that and the critics who have publicly moaned that too many people are getting in on the act have been inundated by indignant food bloggers. But when do they ever come out of London? Of course London has some of the best restaurants in the country but here in East Anglia we have some of the best produce, some great chefs (including Jamie and Delia...) a lot of dedicated cooks and foodies, and those of us who know where to find them want to tell everybody else.

So now anyone can do it and it's going to be big - in August there was an International Food Bloggers Conference in Seattle, featuring food sponsors, talks on blogging ethics, special diets and five course menus for breakfast lunch and dinner. I might call my blogging mates in this area and see if they want to come with me next year; because we are going to change the way you think about food.

A quick look through the thousands of food blogs that I can connect to in a moment takes me into a foodie world that was previously inaccessible.  From beautifully photographed decorated cupcakes in New York, to sushi in Japan, via a sweet-maker in Indonesia - the skill and dedication of people who cook, photograph and write about food is inspiring, and can make you instant friends with people around the world who are as passionate as you. And they have such great names – Eat like a Girl, Rate My Sausage or Kiss My Spatula anyone?  

Here on suffolkfoodie you will find gorgeous Suffolk food -  there is so much of it. I am not an expert chef but I do love cooking and eating, and nothing pleases me more than buying a pumpkin from the side of the road, or a home-made cake from a village fete, or discovering a cafe that still sells liver and bacon casserole (with fried onions and fresh cabbage) for under a fiver. I want to celebrate what comes out of my garden, from down my road and in my village. It should be easy to find, good and cheap Suffolk produce – just as easy as it is to find a simple and cheap risotto in Italy, and through the suffolkfoodie community we will encourage, not condemn.

When I worked in a Suffolk restaurant the thought of a food critic discovering us, writing amazing things and launching us into celebrity-land was always tempered by the fact that they might not get it, would write something rude and send us in a nosedive into even greater obscurity. Like a Michelin star it's as much a blessing as a curse. And although the critics still have some influence, now that anyone can have an opinion I'm sure it keeps them on their toes. Tracey MacLeod, food critic of the Independent, ventured out not too long ago to review The British Larder, a Suffolk country pub that has a food blog of the same name.

1. Tesco Groceries

2. Ocado

3. Waitrose

4.  Jamies 20 Minute Meals

5.  iBBQ

6. Nigella Quick Collection

7. Good Food Quick Recipes

8. Gordon Ramsey Cook With Me

9. Levi Roots - Sunshine Food

10. MasterChef Academy UK

Jamie's 20 Minute Meals offers a mix of video and recipes and has been described by the Observer as 'the Daddy of all food apps',  but iBBQ by itself is  worth getting an iphone for.

Don't risk the overcrowded surgery, try this secret remedy. A measure of green chartreuse well diluted with hot water and sipped over half an hour. Recommended to me by Ruth who was advised by the qualified practitioners at Peatlings in Bury. The French liquer has been made by Carthusian monks since the 1700's and contains 132 different herbs, but don't bother looking for it in a supermarket, go to the wine doctor.

Hooray! Another pop up restaurant to go to and just in time for my birthday. At the Queens Head in Brandeston with David Williams (Alimentum) cooking and only for two days. Book on their website  www.thetrufflepig.co.uk and see you there.

We don't mind if the Cradle of Filth are the face of Suffolk instead of a beach hut or a racehorse, as long as he grows his own veg.