July has been a fun one.

We kicked the month off with a gorgeous birthday party. I love these events, but this one was particularly special. Taking a Pinterest board and making it real life, building a stunning menu. A joy from start to finish. Then straight into another the very next day, this time delivered to a park. Yes, a park - you ask, we deliver. The brief was colourful, and we definitely filled it.

Then on to planning our Dabbadrop collaboration dinner. Flavours of Mumbai, gorgeous Shrub produce, my twist, and the whole meal served in dabbas. Such a lovely evening, and really fun one for me to cook.

Shortly after, I jumped on a plane to France, back doing what I started out doing: private cheffing across Europe for a few weeks. As I write this, I’m on the plane back to London for one night before heading straight to Ibiza.

This is my time of year, and not just because I love the sunshine. The produce right now is genuinely so exciting. Even an array of beautiful herbs, and I’m beyond excited. As you can see from what I’ve been cooking, I’ve made good use of them.

In between all of that, we’ve been al fresco grazing and drinking our way around East London. The stretch from Shoreditch to Hackney is a dangerous one in summer - Palm Greens to home, there is an impressive number of brilliant spots to stop for a sundowner, and we have stopped for a few.

A new try was Tiella on Columbia Road. We only snacked, but loved everything about it. There’s a good spot outside to soak up the rays. The wines are beautiful, and we were served by Dara’s dad, who collaborated on the wine menu - he was truly charming and so passionate about the wines he was pouring. The kind of enthusiasm that’s infectious. We’ve been loving Wingnut Wines in Netil Market for a while but have been keeping it to ourselves - but no more gatekeeping - a different bottle open every time you go, a great way to try different wines. And slightly off route - the newish Plaza Khao Gaeng in Borough, which I managed to visit twice in one week. That coconut tapioca dessert, a must-try.

More soon, including recipes and some reflections on dipping my toe back into life as a travelling private chef.

Kali and Mem x