Anna Jones’s Favorite Foodie Finds in the UK
15 April 2024
Anna Jones may be able to walk down the street with relative ease as she doesn’t do much television, but her reputation in the world of food is exceptional. Having started under Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen program, where she stayed and worked for seven years, Anna quickly established herself as a fantastic chef in her own right. A Guardian contributor, she used her writing to espouse her deep love of vegetables. A staunch vegetarian, she places verdure at the forefront of her work, continuing on to write some bestselling cookbooks. One: Pot, Pan, Planet and The Modern Cook’s Year grace many a kitchen bookshelf across the country, and her latest release, Easy Wins, is set to do just as well. Regaled as the voice of modern vegetarian cooking by many, Anna is graceful, very understated, and a delight to interview as we sit in her beautiful Hackney home.
Easy Wins: A Culinary Approach
Easy Wins is broken down beautifully into 12 different chapters, each showcasing different key ingredients that Anna admits she can’t live (or cook) without. She tells me, “Easy Wins is all about how I cook now for my family. I always want my food to be quick and easy yet unreasonably delicious for the time and effort I put in. I tried to look at the reasons why I think food tastes good and realized it’s because I rely on these flavour-packed, everyday ingredients. I use them in interesting and unexpected ways to boost the flavour of the meals we eat at home.”
“These are the things I just can’t cook without, and I see them as the easy wins,” explains Anna. From lemons to capers, miso to mustard, olive oil to onions, these items “are all in your pantry or on the top shelf of your fridge. They ask nothing of you,” she says. “They amplify flavour quickly and give you a gorgeous meal. They are relatively affordable and easily available and they add a tremendous boost of flavour.” Moreover, the recipes Anna shares are far from plain, featuring dishes like smoky mole-spiced confit tomatoes and sweet pickled pie, koftas with lime buttered rice, and confit garlic Caesar salad.
Top Restaurants to Visit
Hearth at Heckfield Place
Anna describes her visit to Hearth at Heckfield Place as a heavenly experience. She admires the cooking of Skye Gyngell, stating that “Skye’s cooking is so intuitive and uncomplicated, celebrating ingredients with each dish.” Hearth is centered around cooking over fire, and the combination of that and the incredible ingredients they grow on their farm is stunning.
Who Comes Here
Fans of Skye flock here, as do those seeking a luxurious weekend away, while others simply come to enjoy a great meal. Additionally, the restaurant attracts art lovers due to its incredible artwork collection.
Dish to Order
Anna remembers enjoying a wedge of squash with brown butter and sage, saying it was “10 out of 10 perfect.” She emphasizes that she has been a vegetarian for nearly 15 years, and appreciates how chefs today celebrate vegetables just as much as meat.
Malverley’s Farm and Dining
Malverley’s is a delightful spot led by head chef Hugo Harrison, who previously worked with Anna at Jamie Oliver’s, helping her test recipes. The meal Anna experienced was outstanding, with a lovely setting alongside the countryside garden, making it a perfect dining destination.
Best Time to Come
Although it’s a couple of hours from where Anna lives, she asserts that she would drive there just for lunch.
Dish to Order
Hugo’s menu showcases fresh ingredients, many of which he grows in the restaurant’s garden. His thoughtful cooking style emphasizes seasonality, featuring dishes like incredible ricotta gnudi with courgettes and a lovage oil.
Grace and Savour at Hampton Manor
This refined restaurant near Birmingham, Anna’s homeland, is a special treat. The head chef, David Taylor, draws on Nordic cooking influences, infusing pickles and ferments into his dishes, showcasing a deep passion for fresh ingredients.
Dish to Order
The fermented mushroom broth offers deep, multi-layered flavors that are unforgettable, making it a must-try when dining here.
Sonny Stores, Bristol
Sonny Stores is a friendly neighborhood restaurant that captures the essence of uncomplicated yet delicious cuisine. It thrives on a cozy ambiance that feels like dining at a friend’s house, where each dish is exceptionally flavorful.
Best Table in the Restaurant
Anna prefers the window seat, enjoying the lively atmosphere outside while dining on delicious food.
Upstairs at Landrace, Bath
Landrace is an unassuming gem known for its seasonal cooking. Anna appreciates the cosy atmosphere and the excellent baked goods available downstairs.
Best Dish to Order
Landrace’s bread and butter, served with pickles and ferments, is unparalleled. It’s a standout, along with other delightful menu offerings like fresh turbot and seasonal vegetables.
