Bernice Hurst

Depending on how far you want to stray from the motorway, one of my all time favourites is The Crazy Bear at Stadhampton. Only a few miles but well worth it if you like Thai food (although there are also good bar snack and "modern English" menu offerings.) Book a table in the bar - it's good fun, very quirky and nowadays pretty popular all week long. The two restaurants are worth having a look at though, as is the garden (where you can eat in summer).

Try writing your own press release and posting it (for free) on www.food4media.com.

This won't help you until late Jan but there is a brand new place opening in Great Tower St called GRAZING that will have bacon and/or sausage sarnies from 7am to be followed by roast meat sandwiches for lunch. All made to order from ingredients sourced and cooked with more TLC than any foodie in their right mind could ever want. (And yes, I do know the owner extremely well so feel free to contact me for updates nearer the time.)

I still love Oxford, never run out of interesting walks and multiple choice of places to eat, some cosier than others. This time of year there probably aren't too many tourists but would recommend avoiding the modern shopping part of the city centre at any and all times.

Can't offer firsthand advice but have heard excellent reports of the cafe at Valvona and Crolla, the renowned Italian deli. Mazel tov on the wedding, have a great honeymoon. Bernice

One of my all time favourites is The Crazy Bear at Stadhampton. Fun, quirky and excellent food - choice of either Continental or Thai which is especially good. You can see a bit of their stuff at www.crazybeargroup.co.uk or contact them for information about booking and child-friendliness. They have a great garden so long as you don't let the little one climb into the pond with the koi. Enjoy. Bernice

When I first looked for someone to do a spit roast in Oxfordshire, I went to a Q Guild butcher who knew someone. The other alternative is to check out a nearby farmers' market - there's generally one there or someone who knows someone. Or find yourself a good pig farmer and ask him/her. There was also a lady on Radio 2 last week talking about her company that goes round all over the place - may have been the Steve Wright show, not sure, but an email to them may provide a name. Best of luck and enjoy.

I had dinner at Drake's Hotel in December and thoroughly enjoyed it. And after much eager anticipation was somewhat disappointed by Momma Cherry's. Maybe because I'm American and had eaten many of those dishes better cooked at home or maybe because my friend and I just talked too much after not having seen each other for 20 years. Bernice

Can't remember whether this is in the right part of Cornwall for you and it is almost four years since I've been there but the Driftwood Hotel (www.driftwoodhotel.co.uk) is in a beautiful location with dining room overlooking the sea and we had an excellent dinner. The owner/host was lovely and very friendly. As it hadn't yet been listed in all the guides (may still not be yet for all I know, haven't checked lately), they weren't too full of themselves and their glory. It was also reasonably priced in August and the other diners jolly and chatty.

The pub itself seems strangely lost in a timewarp. The tables and chairs are as rickety as in any pub, but where is the bar? Supposedly although it has been a pub for hundreds of years, they just never got around to adding a bar. Most of the business these days is based on the restaurant The Crooked Billet has never had a bar. The first time I went there, 35 years ago, the front area was a kind of sitting room. Nearly everyone was a regular. Nor has it ever had a bar since becaming a restaurant and "destination". I've eaten there occasionally over the past 10 years or so - as you say, Duncan, largely for "research" purposes but have to admit that I have never understood the rave reviews of either friends, fellow diners or professionals. It has never been bad but never, in my own experience or opinion, great. But I am hugely impressed to know that they supply food to the local school. That is something I shall definitely find out more about as kids, schools and food are subjects as dear to my heart as making sure that adults with spending power choose wisely and well.