• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MsMarmiteLover

  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
  • Travel
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • UK
  • Wine
  • Gardens
  • Supperclubs/Events
  • About
    • Published Articles
    • Books
  • Shop
    • Cart

B day: Supper Club: recipes and notes from The Underground Restaurant

March 31, 2011 23 Comments Filed Under: Food, Recipes, Uncategorized

It’s out!
My book, Supper Club: recipes and notes from The Underground Restaurant, two years in the making, is published today by Harper Collins. Within it’s beautifully designed pages (I love the smell of new books don’t you?) you will find:

  • a brief history of supper clubs/underground restaurants
  • a chapter on MsMarmitelover (my background, family, childhood, politics and approach to food). It’s probably the only cookbook that contains the word ‘anal’
  • a 12 step ‘how to set up your own supper club’ programme
  • 120 tested recipes from me, divided into cocktails and nibbles; starters/small plates; vegetarian mains, fish mains, cheese chapter and dessert. All recipes work for Aga ovens and normal ovens
  • three themed menus; Elvis night, Midnight Feast Black menu and the edible flower menu
  • a chapter of meat recipes by other supper club hosts including Nuno Mendes of Viajante, Lex Eats, The Shed, Plum Kitchen from New Zealand, Once Upon a Table’s Angie Ma from Hong Kong, Sheen Suppers, Mama Lan’s chinese supper club, Ben Greeno, Rambling Restaurant, and Casa Saltshaker from Argentina
  • guest recipes from Hardeep Singh Kholi
  •  a worldwide directory of supper clubs with notes on the ones I have visited
  • a bibliography
  • the longest list of acknowledgements and thanks in the history of mankind
  • it’s got a pink ribbon for a book mark! I really wanted a ribbon, and gold on the cover and in the binding. My mum, an artist, who has contributed some drawings to the book, always says her paintings sell more if there is a bit of gold.
You will discover the inside story of how I started a restaurant in my front room with the hidden motive that I might find a boyfriend, went up three dress sizes, remained single but got a book deal instead! 
Bon appetit!
Photo of MsMarmite with the book and a plate of marmite on toast: Paul Winch Furness

Recent posts

Cheap eats in London

October 23, 2025

Blueberry galette recipe

July 14, 2025

High protein recipes: roast tofu block

July 2, 2025

Previous Post: « The One Show
Next Post: Chocolate with Trish Deseine »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. paul

    March 31, 2011 at 7:32 am

    Congratulations Kerstin -hope the book is as successful as your supper club!

    Reply
  2. Lilly Higgins

    March 31, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Yay! Well done Kerstin! Can't wait to get my copy. It will become a handbook for many more supper clubs beginners!xxx

    Reply
  3. foodrambler

    March 31, 2011 at 8:38 am

    I just received the book – it's really stunning – congratulations! x

    Reply
  4. Jenni

    March 31, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Congratulations! I'm waiting for my copy to plop, warm and fresh, through my letter-box. Can't wait to read it x

    Reply
  5. Alexis

    March 31, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Congratulations! I'm off for a walk now going to see if I can find it in my local bookshop!

    Reply
  6. green drawers

    March 31, 2011 at 9:43 am

    well done you! Will be ordering our copy pronto. Fabulous photo of you btw – tres glamorous!

    Reply
  7. Dom at Belleau Kitchen

    March 31, 2011 at 9:47 am

    well done you! you should be so proud of yourself, you are the originator and it's bloody brilliant!… something for us all to aspire to. I'm off to Waterstones at lunchtime x

    Reply
  8. Sally - My Custard Pie

    March 31, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Can't wait to get my hands on a copy – and I'm going to give one to someone here in Dubai who keeps threatening to start a supper club. It sounds like a gorgeous tome.

    Reply
  9. Lynn

    March 31, 2011 at 10:06 am

    I'm waiting for my copy to drop through the letter box. Can't wait.

    Reply
  10. TheFastestIndian

    March 31, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Fantastic- well done you! Have put it on my birthday list, so anticipate getting a copy in around 6 weeks! xx

    Reply
  11. EyeOnDubai

    March 31, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Congratulations! You and your blog(s) are an inspiration, and Sally (above!) is all to keen to remind me that I said I'd start one in Dubai… 😉

    Reply
  12. Lynsey Drake aka @lynzinthesun

    March 31, 2011 at 11:44 am

    My copy is on it's way to me in Spain,as we speak. Can't wait. Well done, you're inspirational.

    Reply
  13. maratanga

    March 31, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    amazing! can't wait for my copy to arrive. congrats to you for all your hard work both on the book and in general for supper clubs, and staying true to yourself the whole way! x

    Reply
  14. The Curious Cat

    March 31, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    Wicked news! I've told my boyfriend he has to get me a copy for my birthday this month! Can't wait to read it! xxx

    Reply
  15. Plum Kitchen

    March 31, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    Thrilled to bits for you,what a great achievement:) Cant wait to get my mitts on a copy, exciting!

    Reply
  16. Michelle

    April 1, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    Have ordered mine and it has been dispatched. Really looking forward to reading your wise words! xx

    Reply
  17. theundergroundrestaurant

    April 1, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Thanks so much everybody and I really hope you guys enjoy the book
    x

    Reply
  18. Niamh

    April 2, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    Congratulations Kirsten. I am so pleased that it has been so well received. It looks and sounds lovely. Look forward to getting a copy soon.

    Reply
  19. Helen

    April 2, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    Massive congratulations! You must be very proud of all your hard work. The cover looks gorgeous.

    Reply
  20. Tulip

    April 5, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    Off to order mine now… so excited!

    Reply
  21. CrazyJaneDesigns

    April 9, 2011 at 12:06 am

    I received your book today and have not got a bit of work done, It's amazing and beautiful.thank you xxxxxxxx

    Reply
  22. PonchoPanza

    April 14, 2011 at 11:12 am

    I read the book from cover to cover in one night, couldn't put it down is easily the most inspiring cookbook I have read in years. Absolutely love it, well done x

    Reply
  23. Claire Hughes

    April 14, 2011 at 11:14 am

    I read the book from cover to cover in one night, couldn't put it down. Loved your story as well as the recipes, the most inspiring cookbook I have read in years. A big thumbs-up from me! x

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

MsMarmiteLover aka Kerstin Rodgers.

Chef, photographer, author, journalist, blogger. Pioneer of the supperclub movement.

This is my food and travel blog, with recipes, reviews and travel stories. I also stray into politics, feminism, gardening.

msmarmitelover

I did a private afternoon tea supper club yesterda I did a private afternoon tea supper club yesterday. Thanks to @bro0907 and @imogenrodgersofficial for their help #london #afternoontea #supperclub
I went to a pre Christmas event at @themontgomerie I went to a pre Christmas event at @themontgomeriegarden hotel in Bloomsbury last night. It was hosted by the German tourist board promoting Saxony. I saw mini workshops of crafts from Nuremberg- these little 25 point Moravian paper stars ( each one takes an hour to make), finely whittled & carved wooden Christmas decorations , @meissen_germany porcelain, smoking wooden figurines ( filled with incense, nutcrackers, authentic stollen, Nuremberg ginger bread, white mulled wine and some lovely canapés. Going to try to make a stollen myself. You must always cut it in the middle, so you can put it together so it doesn’t get stale. I found out Colditz, the famous TV drama is in Saxons. I’d love to visit. It all got me in the Christmas mood @visit_germany @visitsaxony_ @visitdresden #christmas #stöllen #germanyinlondon
Making almond chocolate dipped biscotti for Saturd Making almond chocolate dipped biscotti for Saturdays Tea party supper club. Recipe from my tea and baking book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party. #baking #london #biscotti
At the book launch for Pornocracy by Jo Bartosch w At the book launch for Pornocracy by Jo Bartosch with co-author Robert Jessel speaking, looked on by feminist campaigners Maya Forstater @hiyamayahiya and @fionamcanena of @sexmattersorg . The latter wrote Terf Island. This looks like an Old Master painting. This took place @womensuniversityclub a beautiful private members club in london for women. Historic women who’ve changed the law. Left to right: Robert Jessel, Jo Bartosch, Maya Forstater and Fiona Mcanena. #london #authors #womensrights
On the secret platform of the jubilee line at Char On the secret platform of the jubilee line at Charing Cross, now disused, we were treated to a fabulous cheese inspired fashion show by the fashion students of @ualfoundation and @3ddafoundation The cheeses featured were cantal, comté, tomme de savoie, saint nectaire, fourme d’ambert, époisses, Brills-savaging, Camembert, Brie and langres. The outfits were so creative and deeply researched by the designers. @thecheeseexplorer explained that during the tastings, some designers had never tasted those cheeses before. Anglo French @tatty_macleod came and is one of the judges. It was surreal and fun. Afterwards we were treated to a groaning cheese platter table at the bottom of the escalators. Then I joined the commuters of the london tube journeying home. Food and fashion are often opposed: to be fashionable you must not eat. This turns it on its head. @hopscotch_season #london #cheese #fashionandfood #cheesesoffrance
Sunday lunch autumn vibes: munchkin pumpkin blue c Sunday lunch autumn vibes: munchkin pumpkin blue cheese soufflés; baked fish stuffed with dates ( an adaptation of @ghilliebasan’s recipe in The Moroccan cookbook) with couscous and almonds; roast potatoes, carrots with preserved bergamot: mile high filo pear pie: open fire and candles and family #cooking #family #london #sundaylunch
Took Ophelia @ophelia.rose.2022 to @kenwood_house_ Took Ophelia @ophelia.rose.2022 to @kenwood_house_hampstead_heath for the Halloween trail. It was a little bit scary & I had to shoot & hold her hand at the same time. It’s a lit trail around the gardens and house with food, performances and set pieces. #grandma #london #outings #grandmacore #halloween #thingstodoinlondon
my latest substack post https://kerstinrodgers.sub my latest substack post https://kerstinrodgers.substack.com/p/rad-fems-by-the-seaside-filia-25 on attending the Filia feminist conference in Brighton. It was full of controversy: violent protests by trans activists, splits between feminists over anti-semitism. Also talks on surrogacy with testimony, on the Spy Cops case where women were deceived into long term relationships by married undercover cops, plus my observations of the conference.
Just had this window built by @odgjoinery and stai Just had this window built by @odgjoinery and stained glass window to match the front door by @wstoneglass beautiful work. Thank you so much. #edwardianhouse #victorianhome #stainedglass #joinery #restoration #london #kilburn
Stuffed peppers: filled with soaked fine bulgur wh Stuffed peppers: filled with soaked fine bulgur wheat, hazelnuts, sherry soaked sultanas, preserved lemon, smoky paprika, garlic, dill, coriander leaves , mint, and ground seeds, cumin,pumpkin seeds baked in the oven for 45 minutes. Serve with yoghurt. Delish! #latesummer #recipe #vegetarian #vegan #middleeasternish
My book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is now My book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is now available on @ckbk which is like Spotify for cookbooks - check it out or buy a signed copy from my website #afternoonteaparty
Next door there are 2 damson trees in the grounds Next door there are 2 damson trees in the grounds of the council flats. The ground smelled like jam. I picked a few kilos, 3 kilos after sorting through. I put them, crushed, stones included, in a clean glass container, with 1.5 kilos of sugar and 2 litres of gin ( I may add another), I’ll leave them for 3/4 weeks then filter. Damson gin for Christmas.
Fig, chocolate and chestnut tart- recipe in my boo Fig, chocolate and chestnut tart- recipe in my book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party. This is rather adult, using bitter dark chocolate ganache, chestnut flour and figs from my garden. #figrecipes #chocolate #baking
Went for an evening of Turkish music and entertain Went for an evening of Turkish music and entertainment @kibele.london Fantastic margarita cocktails, great food, generous portions and wonderful entertainment. In the end we all got up and had a go at belly dancing, #turkishfood #london #londonnights
I’ve got Covid (day3) so not much food in the ho I’ve got Covid (day3) so not much food in the house. I found some floppy- going black- carrots in the salad drawer, so I peeled and resuscitated those. Chopped them into a saucepan with a couple of cubes of vegetable stock and a litre of hot water. Then I added a couple of tablespoons of smooth peanut butter, a clove of garlic, 1 tsp of ground cumin, half a preserved lemon. Just stuff I had around. Simmered till the carrots were soft then blended in the @vitamixuk I can honestly say the vitamix is my most regularly used bit of kitchen kit. Anyway- hey presto- a high protein soup with fibre. I hope I test negative before I totally run out of food. #solo #covid #highprotein #soup
I wrote this long read for @scotnational about the I wrote this long read for @scotnational about the anti G8 camp in Stirling to protest against the G8 in Gleneagles. I partipated in the camp & protest along with my daughter @siennamarla playing in the samba band, part of the Pink Bloc. The camp was an incredible experience- the possibility of a different type of politics, of horizontal democracy. It was also a lot of fun. But our protest was tragically overshadowed by the 7/7 bombings in London. We wanted to create a new world but by the actions of a few disaffected British Muslim terrorists our positive movement for change was drowned out by hideous violence against normal ordinary people. Here is my account. 20 years anniversary #7/7 #londonbombings #scotland #antig8 #protest #gleneagles
Cheap stuff. Since the pandemic money has been tig Cheap stuff. Since the pandemic money has been tight. I shop at Lidl and aldi for food, Vinted, Portobello and Primark for clothes. The first pic is gazpacho with a banderilla from Lidl. They often have Spanish weeks and other nationality foods at a bargain price. I love those huge cartons of gazpacho- I glug it down like juice, especially in the heat. The banderillas are sold by the jar. Second pic is me in a primark vest, cardi, with an Anthropologie sale belt and old denim shorts from 10 years ago. Sorry about the mess behind, I sold a piece of furniture, a desk I found on the street, painted enamel green with ‘bamboo’brass handles which I sold on eBay for £225 #needsmust #thrift
My tea book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is My tea book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is now out on the cookbook app @ckbk it’s now out of print but you can still buy some print copies via me or Amazon. However you can see all the recipes ( like my sour cherry icecream which I served last week) on this site which is like a Spotify for cooks. Arguably afternoon tea is a meal which the English do better than any other country. #cookbooks #afternoontea #supperclubs
Saturdays midsummer supperclub was mostly a bbq on Saturdays midsummer supperclub was mostly a bbq on the @biggreenegguk I divided the meal into fragrance families: vegetal, fougere (fern), green notes, fresh: asparagus, garden artichokes on the bbq, dolmades made from my garden vine leaves. Then citrus fragrances with yuzu, 🍊 🍋 bergamot glaze, salmon, smoked tofu steaks, vegan smoked salmon carrot. Next spice which in perfume is oriental spices: bbq mini aubergines with paprika seed oil, home ground garam masala, a tahini caper dressing. Then wood and resinous fragrances using rosemary oil brushed bbq mini peppers, pine syrup on labneh, mushrooms a la grecque with juniper, finally the floral family of fragrance with sour cherry and rose icecream, lavender shortbread  hearts and orange flower water meringue kisses. It was a lively warm evening- children were welcome. There was a bonfire, lots of wine and laughter. I buy welding gloves £12 from Amazon  to use with the bbq. I also use @pomoragoodfood oils #london
With my home grown artichokes, grown from seed for With my home grown artichokes, grown from seed for tonight’s supperclub.
Follow on Instagram

Archives

Copyright © 2025 msmarmitelover