Dear Diary is where the stories spill over - the unpolished plates, the travel memories that sneak into my cooking, the seasonal produce that colours my week, and the quiet, everyday rituals that make food feel alive.

It’s less about perfect recipes and more about moments: what’s in my basket, what’s simmering on the stove, and the flavours that tell the story of where I am right now.


Think of it as the heart of Hey Lolly - part food journal, part travelogue, part love letter to eating well in every sense. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed creating and writing it.

Sunday Lunch at The Blind Bull: A Delightful Peak District Reward

Cloud 23 Manchester Review: Drinks Above the City

Burrata with Cheat’s Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Pistachio Pesto Crumb

A Mediterranean Christmas Table, Made for Long Lunches

Caravan Manchester: Not Your Average Sunday Brunch

Savoy Grill Pre-Theatre Menu Review: Dinner Before the Curtain