3 May 2012, Teddington

Heavens above they have kept me busy this month! Two new menus, planning our Jubilee celebrations, signing cheques for bunting, sourcing new ingredients, tasting wines... and then I threw into the pot we should be participating in 'The Big Jubilee Lunch'. I am looking forward to letting off steam when we start our celebrations with Alix on 1 June and getting as many family, friends and neighbours to join us for the Big Jubilee Lunch with Jazz on Sunday 3 June.

"Actually we have had great fun in the kitchen taking a trip down memory lane and dusting off the vintage cookery books at the back of the bookcase for a session of retro indulgence. We may smile at the presentation of the food in the 50s and the style of the crockery, but many of the recipes have stood the test of time. They still feature on the restaurant menus of today and remain family favourites.

So, we took on the challenge. Taking inspiration from the past we have brought a collection of recipes and dishes into the future. There is no better opportunity to raise a glass in celebration of the traditional British produce that arrives in the late spring and early summer seasons. With fresh eyes and contemporary wit, what began as a fun menu with a theme has taken us by surprise. We think we have created a menu fit for royalty... (humour me) but we will happily settle for our neighbourhood, family and friends' approval.

4 April 2012, Teddington

This month I have asked Rob Lee, from Ellis of Richmond to share some insights into our new Wine selections for The Wharf. Ellis of Richmond pride themselves on providing contemporary wines whilst remaining loyal to traditional values, which makes them a perfect match for The Wharf.

Rob Lee shares with us…

"We have worked with Ray and the team at The Wharf for many years and we were very excited (if slightly nervous) when he decided to change his menu. Then the challenge of selecting the wines began.

Ray and his team are very wine savvy with great insights into food and wine pairings. A huge advantage, as the wines that are selected need to compliment the dishes that are available on his menu. In keeping with Ray's passion for regionality, we sought to rise to that ethos in the wine list. Excellent examples of wine from regions worldwide have been selected, from Sauvignon La Vigneau from the Cotes de Gascogne to Pinot Noir 'Marions Vineyard' from the Schubert winery in Martinborough in New Zealand.

All the wines represent fantastic value for money too with a range of prices that will suit all pockets. Lastly, something you may not know. None of these wines appear in supermarkets. They are chosen by us EXCLUSIVELY for restaurants such as The Wharf.

Together with Ray's fantastic new menu and our wines, you are in for a unique experience"

1st March 2012, Teddington

We're all breathing a collective sigh of relief now that the new menu is well and truly launched. A huge 'thank you' to all our customers who've come to try it and particularly those who've given us their feedback – be they good or bad – these comments really are invaluable.

So, now my attention's drawn to Spring and with it a new exhibition. I'm always really excited when we get a new artist in. Not only for the thrill of seeing the new images arrive and working out where best to hang them to show them in their best light, but also the chance to meet the artist themselves and learn more about their life and their motivations. Often very different lives to ours at The Wharf! None more so than our new artist. No one quite comes more rock n roll than this man – photographer Denis O'Regan.

Denis has photographed them all – The Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Sid Vicious, Bob Geldof... And as if that wasn't enough he's had exclusive access to photograph some of the best music concerts of them all. Including Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985.

We're absolutely delighted to welcome him here to The Wharf. If you'd like to see his work for yourself why not come down and join us at the public view on Wednesday 14th March (find out more here). We're also offering a complimentary starter or dessert for anyone dining on the new menu that night, too.