Meet Thomasina Miers at mmm… Newcastle 12th July

This just landed in my Inbox so thought I’d share it with you, I’ve just bought the book as I loved the first one and loved the restaurant and I can’t wait to cook some of the fantastic recipes in it.

A top UK chef and restaurateur is set to meet a horde of her Mexican food disciples at a Newcastle deli next week after striking up a twitter debate about finding good food.

Grainger market-based ‘mmm…’ will play host to Thomasina ‘Tommi’ Miers next Thursday (12 July) after being named as one of the top suppliers of Mexican produce in the UK.

Thomasina Miers will be signing copies of her new book ‘ Wahaca – Mexican Food at Home’ from 1pm at the deli, which has a growing reputation for sourcing unusual spices, herbs, chillies and other Mexican staples.

The four-year old deli has been listed in the new book, which the former Masterchef winner is hoping will convert even more fans to the world of Mexican cooking.

Owner of mmm…, Simone Clarkin, 49, was delighted to hear that her deli had been listed in the book and even more excited to hear from Thomasina herself.

She said: “Thomasina Miers is the most mentioned chef we have in our deli and her first book, ‘Mexican food made easy’ is the cooking bible for many of our customers.

“Our conversations started last year via twitter when Thomasina bemoaned the lack of Mexican food in the UK.

“Many of our customers told her about our efforts to supply Mexican and South American food lovers in the region with those hard to get ingredients.

“We are delighted that the north east food scene will feature in the book and the news that Tommi will be coming to mmm… has seen several of our customers telling us that they are taking a day’s holiday especially to meet her.”

In her book, Thomasina Miers says: “When we first started Wahaca it was extremely difficult to find the necessary ingredients. Chipotles, tomatillos, Mexican oregano, even corn tortillas were unheard of.

“These days the Mexican food bug has spread and people are really up on Mexican ingredients.

“I have come across many of the suppliers, including mmm…, only recently – but they are doing a great job.”

mmm…, which is based at Unit 12/13 of the Grainger Arcade in the Grainger Market can be followed online at www.twitter.com/mmm_newcastle where almost 9,000  followers regularly swap foodie hints, tips, recipes and recommendations.

Simone was also the winner of the 2012 North East Woman Retail Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The deli is also one of the organisers of the first North East Chilli Festival, which is being held at Seaton Delaval Hall this weekend.

For more information call Simone Clarkin on 07801 357314 or e-mail simone@mmm-food.co.uk