THE REGIS DIRECTORY NOVEMBER 2009
OLIVE OIL, OLIVES AND TAPENADE, Great for all occasions
Living on average 600 years but often reputed to survive for thousands of years, the leaves of the olive tree are a recognised symbol of peace. These trees cannot grow at height and thrive when grown on land close to the sea. Flowering starts in mid April until end of June, when the tiny green olives start to evolve. The harvest begins in November and can last until January, depending on the weather and region. Olive trees need dry weather, especially during the blooming season. The later the olives are left on the tree the blacker in color they will become. Olive Facts • This is a fruit from the olive tree (olea europaea) • 5 kilos of olives are needed to produce 1 litre of olive oil • Kalamata in the southern Peleponese produces the famous olive of the same name and has its integrity protected with a recognised Proof of Designated Origin. • Olive oil is a fruit juice At least a dozen different styles of olives are available at Simply Delicious, including various stuffed olives and some fantastic plump whole olives soaked is some lovely infused olive oils. Selecting Olive Oil can be tricky but a couple of hints will help you select the perfect blend. The less acid an oil contains, the higher the quality. Oleic acid is normally classified from 0.5 to 4 percent. Nowadays olive oils are judged by professional tasters who compare the bouquet, texture and flavour, in the same way you would for a good wine. Extra virgin olive oil is from the first cold press and can have up to 1 percent oleic acid, normally around 0.5 percent. Tapenade is a popular spread made with black olives, capers, anchovies, fresh basil, olive oil, garlic and coarse salt. It is served as an appetizer on a toasted bread. At Simply Delicious we stock both Kalamata Tapenade and Green Tapenade.
The Regis Directory, October 2009
Chutney derives from a word for a type of spicy accompaniment for a main dish and comes from India. Chutneys usually contain fruit or vegetables and spice in a mix that compliments one another.
Traditionally, Chutneys are wet, having a coarse to fine texture. Vinegar insures that the mix lasts for a long period if correctly stored and they are often preserved with sweeteners. Served with curries, fruit chutneys are also delicious with cold meats and a great compliment to many cheeses. In fact different cheeses are enhanced with chutney. Try Beetroot Chutney with a well matured cheddar like Holmbury, a 14 month matured cheese or Spicy Mango Chutney with sliced Sussex Free Range Ham, or a Pear Chutney with a salty soft blue cheese like a creamy Dolcelatte or an English award winning Colston Bassett Stilton Often with a vibrant colour, chutney is an eye catching addition to a plate and will encourage diners to enjoy sampling new tastes and textures.
At Simply Delicious we supply a wide and varied range of these cheeses and meats and with years of experience in catering, we would be delighted to advise you on which chutney is best suited to your requirements.
Mango and Coconut Chutney Ingredients 1 1/4 pints white wine vinegar 1.25kg caster sugar 900g dark brown soft sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 large onions, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 350g coconut 50g root ginger, chopped 2.6kg chopped, ripe mangos 50g flaked or chopped nuts (optional) Preparation 1. In a large saucepan combine vinegar, caster sugar, brown sugar & salt. Bring to the boil; & boil for 1/2 an hour. 2. Stir in onions, garlic, coconut & root ginger and boil for another 1/2 hour. 3. Stir in mangos (and nuts if using), reduce heat to low and simmer for 1/2 an hour. Pour mixture into sterilised jars, to 1cm (1/4 in) below lid level, and seal. Refrigerated, this will keep indefinitely in a sealed jar.
The Regis Directory, August 2009
EXTRACT FROM THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS SECTION
Simply Delicious was opened in November 2008, after leaving a senior position with an international media company based in Richmond, Surrey and moving full time to the West Sussex coast. I set the business up with my husband Damon and our vision was to create a vibrant, modern delicatessen in the heart of Bognor which I thought was well overdue in this area.
It was hard starting in the winter and the worst recession for a generation, was a challenge that only hard work and the delivery of a truly fantastic offer has overcome. I want customers to visit Simply Delicious for specialty products and advice on what items are best suited to their requirements. Selling fresh meals to take away, which have no additives has been extremely well received and customers regularly ask me to telephone them when a particular dish is next on the menu so they don’t miss out!.
The local support and praise for Simply Delicious has been phenomenal with most of our customers coming from recommendations. It has been a huge change of pace for me working in a retail environment but one I relish because of the lovely people that I meet each and every day.
The Regis Directory, February 2009
Simply Delicious
Damon and Maria Parkinson would like to welcome you to their food emporium in Lennox Street where, after their successful opening last November, they are already increasing the range of delicious, quality food.
Stocking local Sussex produce has proved very popular and they are constantly on the look out for unusual additions to their top-class stock. Damon, a fully qualified chef, creates home-cooked, delicious, quality meals at affordable prices. He and Maria are aware that their customers want good value but are looking for something a bit different. A look at their website will give you an idea of their passion for food and the lengths they have been to, to source interesting food and drink.
As soon as you walk in you get a warm welcome and the service is first class. It’s bright, clean and modern inside and once the warmer weather arrives you will be able to sit outside too.
Damon and Maria moved from London and live locally. Opening Simply Delicious is a dream come true for them and they can’t believe that all the research, travel and planning has come to fruition after that day trip to Bognor Regis nearly 10 years ago!
Simply Delicious is open: Monday to Friday 8.30am until 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am until 4pm.
Bognor Guardian 7 January 2009
New deli brings best of Sussex to Bognor
Two self-confessed foodies have sealed their love affair with Bognor Regis with a delicatessen.
Damon and Maria Parkinson are the proud owners of Simply Delicious in Lennox Street. They have no doubts about spending several tens of thousands of pounds opening their business amid the nation's worst economic recession for decades. Maria said, "People have always got to eat. Damon's a fully qualified chef who is preparing home cooked food to show that good quality meals don't have to be expensive."
The couple took the plunge to run their deli and fine food emporium after Maria resigned from a senior position with a top publishing group and Damon left his job with one of the country's top catering groups. He is putting those skills to good use with a range of meals, soups and his special sausage rolls. "It was a long-held dream of Maria and I to have our own food emporium selling traditional high quality specialities," explained Damon. "We are tapping into the rich vein of food and drink that is produced in Sussex and its surrounds, while also stocking products from many other British artisian producers, plus specialist suppliers from around the globe.
About 25 per cent of their outlet's goods come from Sussex. These include honey, bread from Slindon Bakery, cheeses, chutneys and apple and pear juice. The mouth watering array is complimented by an extensive range of food and drink to take away as well.
The couple were delighted with the response from their official opening at the end of last year. About 120 people went along to sample the extensive range of fare. Simply Delicious opened a couple of weeks earlier and quickly achieved it first office booking. "The feedback has been so strong that we have several others booked for the weeks ahead," stated Maria. She and Damon have moved to Felpham, within walking and cycling distance of their outlet. She added: "We fell in love with Bognor on a day trip seven years ago and decided to quit the rat race and sell our home in the London suburbs. Bognor is all the things I thought, as an Australian, that an English seaside resort would be - the seafront, nice apartments and the good walking along The Esplanade. We simply couldn't resist coming here."