It’s a gardener and foodie's delight in my back yard. I had great fun this morning pulling the beets and harvesting the broad beans. We love beetroot and cook often with this wonderful vegetable. 

I’m a complete fool when it comes to a good macaron. I am also addicted to all pretty things in life, so my aim is not only to make my macarons as pretty as possible but also give it the professional look.

Once the blue flowers of the borage appear, followed closely by the electric orange and yellow flowers of the nasturtium I know summer is in full swing. 

Celebrity co-owner of racehorse Besties Babe, Calum Best is one of over 60 stars who have contributed a recipe The Celebrity Cookbook as part of a fundraising drive for charity The Prince's Trust.

Best has contributed a recipe for Tempura King Prawns with Chilli and Ginger Dipping Sauce - ideal nibbles for a racing picnic perhaps!

To match the floral dresses of female fashionistas, Newbury Racecourse is at the forefront of a new global trend using edible flowers to create a fresh and healthy alternative to the traditional Ladies Day lunch – The Eve Salad.

It is possible to have a picnic almost anywhere. The venue should reflect the things you want to do when you get there. So whether you choose the racecourse, the park, roof terrace, beach or even a quiet spot on a country walk, we can help you make the most of it for any size budget.

Eclipse was an 18th century British thoroughbred racehorse who was undefeated during his entire career. He won 18 races in total before retiring for lack of competition: nobody would bet on horses competing against him.

He would often finish far in front – at the time a horse that was more than 240 yards behind the lead was said to be ‘nowhere’. On placing a bet on Eclipse’s first race (May 3, 1769 at Epsom) Captain Denis O'Kelly supposedly used the phrase "Eclipse first and the rest nowhere" – a prediction that came true when Eclipse far out-distanced the other horses to storm home to victory (the win earned the Captain a part-share in the horse).

While the blend of gorgeous outfits and top quality horses is an irresistible combination for racegoers at Royal Ascot, the 2009 meeting's official cocktail ‘Royal Blush’ is also set to cause a stir.

For all you Carrie Bradshaws out there ... Introducing the UK’s latest mobile service, Text4Cocktails.

Text4Cocktails is a brand new service that allows you to receive cocktail recipes on the move. Whether you're buying ingredients, making cocktails for friends or customers, or out socialising, receive recipes instantly on your mobile phone.

Gry-Sablon Beaujolias-Villages from www.lordswines.co.uk

For a country where two consecutive minutes of sunshine constitutes a good summer we have an almost unfathomable obsession with eating al fresco. The merest glimmer of the sun’s heat and sure enough sales of ketchup boom as people resort to smearing their well-done offerings in something – anything - that will help to differentiate it from the charcoal pit whence it died for a second time…

Domaine de Pique Roque Rose from www.lordswines.co.uk

Without wishing to sound too much like a moral crusader, rosé is for all year round drinking, not just for summer.

Encouragingly, trends in the UK indicate that we no longer consider rosé as a seasonal aperitif – indeed it seems we can't get enough of the stuff. 

Premier Cru Champagne from www.rodneydensemwines.com

There are few (printable) things more guaranteed to put a smile on one’s face than to crack open the bubbly and slowly slip into a fizz induced nirvana…

Here are a few examples to try over the coming season and please don’t wait until you’ve a reason to celebrate – just get stuck in!