Press and As Seen In…….

Karen Burns-Booth is creative freelance food writer and blogger with a passion for local and seasonal produce. Her love of seasonal food and recipes stems from her early childhood whilst observing her grandmother and mother’s cookery skills, both in rural Northumberland and whilst living overseas in South Africa and Hong Kong. She is widely travelled and has embraced all manner of foods, cookery techniques, cultures and traditions, all of which are beautifully portrayed in her writing style and atmospheric photos.

She was a regular contributor in Country Kitchen magazine, and writes regularly for numerous other British and European publications and newspapers. She regularly contributes to on-line food, travel and tourism websites as well as having several recipes in print in compilation cookbooks. She is currently working on a Historical British Cookbook and has already published a regional cookbook in conjunction with Hereford Cathedral, as well as appearing on local radio and television.

Image: Rama Knight

Lovely Mentions:

Sainsbury’s Blogger Network: Lavender and Lovage

Karen is a blogger with tremendous enthusiasm and food knowledge. Clean salads, wholesome Mary Berry worthy bakes, cheeky boxes of chocolates with chutneys, cheeses and seasonal specials line the walls of Lavender and Lovage. Readers will find comfort in the food with its air of homeliness and the kitchen-warmth of tradition.

 Evines –  The Top Twenty Five Food Blogs in the UK:

1. https://www.lavenderandlovage.com/
“Who: Karen S Burns-Booth is a freelance food writer who moved to the UK from South Africa, to be brought up in Northumbria. She shares her time between here and South West France and this blog is a blend of seasonal fragrance and flavour from her English and French kitchens.
Why: Karen was a regular contributor in Country Kitchen magazine and is also a regular contributor to on-line food, travel and tourism websites. She is currently working on a Historical British Cookbook, as well as appearing on local radio and television.” @KarenBurnsBooth

The Foodie Bugle: About the Author:

“Karen Booth is a food and travel writer, cook, photographer and food stylist and has written for a number of international magazines and newspapers, both online and in print. She was born in South Africa, grew up in Northumbria and has travelled all over the world. She now lives in North Yorkshire and the South West of France. Website: www.karenbooth.co.uk. Food blog: www.lavenderandlovage.blogspot.com Follow Karen on Twitter: @KarenBurnsBooth”

Sarah Raven’s Blog – Garlic and Sapphire:

Karen is the writer of Lavender & Lovage, and runs a cookery school in the South of France:

“My interest in food started from a very early age; I was greatly influenced by my grandmother and mother. I clearly remember tables groaning under the weight of home-baked pies, cakes, scones, tarts, preserves, jams, pickles and bread. Nobody ever left the table empty. Cooking was seasonal and I remember looking forward to the new season’s produce with anticipation and pleasure – the seasons marked the year and its feasts and celebrations.

I have always been passionate about seasonal food and local produce and I feel sad that so many of our traditional British feasts and festivals are being marginalised and forgotten, something that I am attempting to highlight and remedy with my writing, photography, recipes and food articles.”

 Sainsbury’s Money Matters:  20 Fantastic family food blogs:

“A food writer with a particular interest in traditional seasonal cooking, Karen splits her time between North Yorkshire and her cookery school in South West France. Her current project is a book about traditional British Fayre, customs and traditions. We’re sure that just like her blog, it will be a great read.”

DotComGiftshop – Food Blogs We Love:

“Born in South Africa and raised by a foodie family, Karen’s passion for good seasonal food started young. Now she lives in England and France and creates scrumptious dishes from local produce. Why not join her for a tea time treat? We’ll be having a Mexican hot chocolate, with a side order of apple and cranberry tiffin, thank you!”

Foodies 100: Best of the Foodie Blogs: Ten at Ten (28):

“Firstly, we’ll start with Karen from Lavender and Lovage who has a great recipe for Pear, Walnut and Goats Cheese Breakfast Buns. They look delicious and make a wonderful change from boring old cereal and toast. Karen also suggests that they would be great for brunch and picnics – and we agree!”

Foodies 100 – Best of the Foodie Blogs: Ten at Ten (18):

“Next on my list was ‘foraging’. At the start of the year, a national newspaper pointed out that 2012 will be the year of the foragers. If everybody does it, not many people do it as well as this person, an atmospheric blog by Karen Burns at Lavender and Lovage, Old Fashion English Elderflower Cordial“

Foodies 100 –  Valentine’s Chocolate Recipes:

“Look no further for a bit of hot stuff on the 14th February than Lavender and Lovage’s chilli based Mexican Hot Chocolate. Perfect for warming the cockles of any heart.”

 Foodies 100 – Best of the Foodie Blogs: Ten at Ten (5):

 “Next, is something newer. Very new in fact, well, to this address. It’s Lavender and Lovage. Karen’s blog has recently moved in address and I have subscribed to her gorgeous new-look blog. I commend her voracious blogging – my inbox is rapidly filling up with must-try recipes, which include lemon curd and crumpets in the last couple of days alone. I should also add that one always comes away with some interesting facts – Karen keenly shares her extensive knowledge on food history.”

Foodies 100: Best of the Foodie Blogs: Ten at Ten:

“Speaking of Mondays, I have to admit I have never heard of Plough Monday before so I was interested to read all about it on Lavender and Lovage. Karen is a font of knowledge when it comes to traditional feasts and festivals.”

As SEEN in:

As featured in: The Good Life France:

Living France: November 2012 issue:Featured blogger for My France in Food

Rural Mums:  Featured Guest Blogger – November 2012:

“Welcome to our Guest Blogger for November; the lovely Karen Burns-Booth author of the award winning blog Lavender and lovage. Karen Burns-Booth is a creative freelance food writer and blogger with a passion for local and seasonal produce. Her love of seasonal food and recipes stems from her rural childhood. Lavenderandlovage.com is currently ranked number one food blog*.  Karen creates all her own recipes, shares her time between running a cookery school in the South of France and her home in the English countryside and is a regular contributor to on-line food, travel and tourism websites. She is currently working on a Historical British Cookbook and has already published a regional cookbook in conjunction with Hereford Cathedral, as well as appearing on local radio and television.”

As Featured in Woman and Home 100 Best Food Blogs: Lavender and Lovage

– Category: Seasonal & Local
– Meet the blogger: Karen divides her time between the UK and South West France
– Why we love it: Embracing all manner of foods, it’s an exciting exploration of different cookery styles, cultures and traditions.

Blog of the Month July 2013: Morrisons Magazine

“Lavender brings a delightful flowery flavour to the humble peach in just one of the mouth-watering summer recipes on lavenderand lovage.com, a sweet blog with French and English influences and a focus on seasonal produce. Get inspired by dozens of posts sorted into helpful categories such as dairy, fish, baking and snacks.”

As Featured in: Sainsbury’s Magazine January 2014

As Featured in BBC Good Food Magazine: December 2013

As Featured in and several commissioned recipes in The People’s Friend:

Winning Recipes:

Winner – Festival Sud de France Recipe Contest:

First Prize: Cassoulet salade d’été avec confit de canard (Summer Cassoulet Salad with Preserved Duck)

Runner Up in the Forman and Field Jubilee Bake Off:

2nd Place – Lavender and Lovage for her Royal Elderflower and Lemon Curd Butterfly Cakes and Regal Pear and Chocolate Pavlova Crown

Finalist for Search for a Connoisseur & Sharp’s Brewery:

My recipe was chosen by Jack Stein, Alyn Williams and Nathan Outlaw to be in the final cook-off at the Padstow Seafood School in Cornwall; I was mentored by (Rick Stein’s son) Jack Stein. Smoked Mackerel with Hot Beetroot and Horseradish Cream

1st Prize in Fish is the Dish Photographic Competition December 2011:

Baked Cod with Butter Beans & Vine Tomatoes

Winning Recipes for Sainsbury’s British Apples and Pears Competition:

Apple Day, Victorian Orchards and Apple & Dorset Blue Vinny Scone Bread Recipe

Taste the Season with British Apples and Pears: Apple, Bramble & Pear Tray Bake Recipe

On TV:

Quarter Finalist for the North East in Britain’s Best Dish 2009:

Little Stem Ginger Steamed Puddings with Yorkshire Rhubarb Compote and Candied Lemon Verbena

 Commissioned and Published Work:

Writes for: Village Living

Writes for: Bavette

Featured Blogger at Great British Chefs

Country Kitchen Magazine 2008 to 2011:

Ma Broon’s Burns Night Tribute Supper!Burns Night – 25th January (A Guide to the Great Scottish Feast!) – January 2010

Stir Up Sunday – Christmas Pudding Day! – November 2009

St. Andrew’s Day: Patron Saint of Scotland: Celebrate Scotland’s Special Day with Traditional Scottish Teatime Treats – November 2009

Martinmas and St Clement’s Day: Two special Saint’s Feast days to revive in November – November 2009

Michaelmas – Goose Day (or Devil Spits Day!): Recipes and customs to celebrate – October 2009

Harvest Home! Seasonal delights for the Autumn table – October 2009

The Well Preserved Pantry: A Jumble of Jams, Jellies, Chutneys and Pickles! – September 2009

Picnics, Pies and Tartan Rugs: Outdoor dining feasts the old-fashioned way – July 2009

The Country Kitchen Sandwich Bar: Supporting British Sandwich Week: 10th to 16th May 2009

Baps, Bloomers and Barm Cakes: British Bread Week – 4th to the 10th May 2009

The Stinking Rose! National Garlic Day – 19th April 2009

Sarah Raven Garlic and Sapphire:

The Scented Kitchen: Edible Flowers & Summer Salads

Lavender and Lace, Roses and Salt

 A Cornucopia of Preserves in the Autumn Pantry

Autumn in Still Life: Bringing the Autumn Garden into your Home

Potage from the Potager: Soup and Stew Season

Herbal and Festive Gifts in Jars and Bottles

THE WINTER GARDEN: SNOW, FROST AND FIRESIDE RECIPES

BREAD AND AROMATICS FOR THE MONTH OF ROMANCE

A TRADITIONAL EASTER SUNDAY LUNCH WITH A CONTINENTAL TWIST

THE AWAKENING: SPRING LILAC, VIOLETS AND BLOSSOM……WITH CAKE!

A SPRING BOUNTY – BRITISH STRAWBERRIES AND ASPARAGUS

OLD ROSES, SUMMER BERRIES & A TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC!

The Foodie Bugle:

“Leon Baking and Puddings” by Claire Ptak and Henry Dimbleby

Malton Food Lovers’ Festival 2011

Interflora UK:

Cooking with Flowers: A Posy of Flowers in the Kitchen