1. Christmas chocolate treats

In what children now laughably describe as “the olden days”, Christmas involved a carton of Roses and a tin of Quality Street.

2. food monthly's Five beers to cook with

Despite coming from a family of teetotallers, John Howarth soon developed a love of beer and found it be a remarkably versatile cooking ingredient

3. Five spirits of Christmas present

The first time I spent New Year in Glasgow I walked into the legendary Star Bar.

4. This summer’s best Ice Cream

The weather suggests we should all be screaming for ice cream – but no matter whether the sun is shining or it’s pouring down, we Brits love a cone, a 99 or a tub of the posh stuff.

5. 5 lunches at work – each for under £5

In today’s busy workplace the days of the legendary lunch break have gone hence the culture of eating at your desk. Speed and cost are crucial and here former Reading Borough Council transport boss John Howarth offers five lunches at your desk – all inside the IDR for less than a fiver (and not a baguette in sight).

6. Five Champion local cheeses

In the 1970s I came South from a strange land where there was only one cheese and it was a curious orange.

7. 5 gastro pub gardens for summer...

Eating outdoors can be a mixed pleasure. In the UK our ‘interesting’ weather means that al fresco eating is not second nature.

8. 5 musts to pack in the picnic basket

“Let’s go for a picnic.” Words to make the hearts of many a child sink.

9. Eating out with children

Eating out in a restaurant should be much more than a treat for children, it should be an education.

And it is not talking about taking them to a chain restaurant where children’s menus offer chicken nuggets, chips frozen pizza and limitless pop.

10. Dine out despite the credit crunch

Can you still afford to eat out during these financially challenged times?