What's On

Leicester’s award-winning independent children’s publisher, Sweet Cherry Publishing, is delighted by the success of a recent school visit with debut author Red, the creative mind behind Ho Ho Ho! A Pirate’s Christmas for Me. All images courtesy of Steph Loake Photography This engaging event took place at Hanslope Primary School, Milton Keynes, and captivated students in years 1 to 4 with an author talk, a reading and even an interactive activity! The visit was particularly special for Red, who remembers running through those very halls when she herself was a Hanslope pupil. Now a published author, she was honoured to..

Last month, I had the pleasure of an invitation to a dining experience that has long been on my bucket list: Allium Dining. Allium at Manor Farm in Bourton is a celebration of all things local and delicious – two aspects that are of great importance to me as an avid consumer of all things edible. Situated in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, Manor Farm in Bourton is home to this gastronomic event lead by the culinary wizard that is Andy Tomlinson. As a huge fan of their daytime offering, The Larder Café, I knew that this was going..

Good Times Café Instagram: @goodtimesuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodtimescafeuk “Give me a good sharp knife and a good sharp cheese and I’m a happy man.” – George R.R. Martin Who are Good Times? Next up in Pulse’s ‘Street Food Sensations’ series are the 2022 ‘MK Street Food of the Year’ winners, Good Times Café. Good Times serve up an array of cheese-based products and a vast selection of hot drinks and local, handmade treats. Specialising in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, barista-brewed coffee and home bakes, their delicious creations are all served with a smile from their retro pistachio-green, classic Citroen HY Van...

The Rub BBQ Instagram: @therub_bbq Website: https://www.therubbbq.co.uk/ “A recipe has no soul; you as the cook must bring soul to the recipe” – Thomas Keller. The Rub BBQ is a Milton Keynes street food institution. It was founded due to the owner’s love for wood-smoked meats (especially ribs) and authentic American-inspired BBQ sauces. The inspiration he took from Stateside led him to create his own BBQ dry rub and so ‘The Rub BBQ’ was born! All The Rub’s rubs (!), marinades and sauces are made from scratch; the ingredients are often wood-smoked to create their own unique depth of flavour..

Early on this month, Pulse Magazine’s food writer Emma-Rose was invited down to try out the offerings at The Centre:MK’s new opening – ‘Pho.’ The group of restaurants was founded in 2005 after Stephen and Juliette Wall had travelled to Vietnam and fell in love with the food. They made the decision to open a restaurant serving phở while sat on high stools, slurping pho bo, in Ho Chi Minh City. Now, 18 years later, Pho is small group of restaurants dotted around the country, serving great value, healthy and fresh Vietnamese food. In fact, every product in every dish..

Milton Keynes may now FINALLY be a city, but it is absolutely littered with beautiful countryside trails. As we (hopefully!) approach the warmer, clearer weather, check out MK Pulse’s handy guide to six-of-the-best local walks, courtesy of the AllTrails App, to try out this Spring. Trail One – Ampthill and Mauldon Circular The first trail takes you through the gentle rolling landscape of the Bedfordshire Hills, providing superb views of the countryside throughout. The circular walk starts from the ruins of Houghton House, said to be the inspiration for House Beautiful in John Bunyan's ‘The Pilgrim's Progress.’ This 8.5km trail..