October-Autumn Newsletter 2025

October 22, 2025

October …

A six-hour flight ahead of me gives ample time to put pen to paper – but facing a blank page always fills me with apprehension. Although, at this time of year, with autumn offerings in abundance, writing about the fruits of the woods, orchards, and farmers’ markets should be the most inspiring of all seasons … and indeed they are! On both sides of ‘the pond’ I have found apples and pears of all shapes and sizes, quince, the last of the plums and figs, the first or the artichokes (both types), a few remaining sweetcorn, and then, of course, pumpkins and squash galore, pomegranate … and so much more!

Pop-ups and other ‘busy’ …

This month has not only been action-packed at the Restaurant, Campden Street Shop, and Clarke’s Corner Cafe, but also due to my first ever ‘pop-ups’

The beautiful menu at Sally’s first pop-up ‘Clarke at the Park’! The Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Being late to the party on pop-ups, I had no clue as to what this meant until I was kindly invited to curate and oversee 2 beautiful menus.
The first, at The Park Hotel in Kenmare, Ireland, as a guest of owners, Bryan and Tara Meehan. I cooked alongside their team to produce a gloriously autumnal menu, showcasing the local fruits, fish, shellfish, and meats of the season. A gorgeous part of the world – so easy to get to and so comfortable …

Next up …

… was a lunch in London at Christie’s in St James’s to celebrate the upcoming sale of one of David Hockney’s masterpieces. It was enormous fun to put my chef’s jacket and apron on again – and both events made me realise how much I miss being a prep chef (my favourite job) – and working with chefs on the line. Thank you, both, for such lovely invitations … [read the rest of the October/Autumn newsletter, here]

David Hockney at Christies