Sicilian Rings with a Moorish Medley

Good pasta's simple: drop it in the pot and wait ten minutes. Unless you lose yourself in the Archers or overdose on heroin (or both), dinner's ready.

Italy ain't all good

Shortly after Pavarotti branched out to the plebs, everything Italian was suddenly brilliant. Bland wines, flappy suits and shite films all won Joe Bloggs' heart simply because their producer's name rhymed with Gino Ginelli.

Food Files: Gideon

Some people eat on the hoof. This guy just eats the hoof.

Food Files: Charlie

I clocked Charlie's sporty silhouette en route to a guerrilla sports day on London Fields. Leap-frog relays, frisbee-discus, thumb-wrestling.... how does this kind of athlete maintain peak condition?

Food Files: Hector

Meet Hector.

I found this Spanish lad-about-town recoiled furtively on a curb in Old Compton Street. There was something outrageous about him... his piratical appearance... his pride in his socks... his decision to park that well-toned butt on a double-yellow line.

Pea and Broad Bean Risotto with Goats' Cheese and Za'atar

Making risotto for guests is sweaty, miserable and lonely. Like many people in late-capitalist society, that's how I feel most nights – I don't need it for a dinner party.

Griddled Asparagus with Truffled Balsamic and Old Winchester Cheese

Griddle me this, griddle me that

But the flesh needs colour

The chars bring black

- The Griddler