TAKING THE BITE TO THE STREETS ///

For someone whose livelihood has ground to a halt for the best part of a year, Andrew Sheridan is in a buoyant mood whilst bouncing around the kitchen of Craft. 

"Mate, I can't wait for you to try the croque monsieur; I'm super proud of it" he tells me in his thick Scouse accent, amongst more blue language that I might have omitted to keep the quote PG. He takes the triple layered toasted sandwich of ham and cheese from the plancha, applies a rarebit topping and blowtorches it. I tuck in. It's big and rich. It's the best croque monsieur I've ever eaten. 

This is just one of the dishes you can expect to see on the Artisan Street Kitchen food truck: the latest project from a team that refuses to let a lockdown keep them quiet. When Craft first had to close their kitchen they built another restaurant – 8 – in a spare corner. Now, with lockdown 3.0 in force, they are taking the battle to the streets. Quite literally. 

Andy and co-owner Sam Morgan came up with the idea for Artisan shortly before Christmas, whilst Andy was cooking dinner at Sam's house for the extended family. As they tucked in to the steak and dauphinoise potato dinner they realised there was a gap for this style of cooking in Birmingham. They discussed a bistro - an idea they still might proceed with – and instead decided that the climate is more suited to the versatility that street food offers. They purchased the fully kitted out Airstream catering trailer that very evening. 

The menu features that croque monsieur along with croquettes, deep fried dauphinoise, French onion soup, chocolate choux buns, banana caramel French toast and the genius deep fried beef bourguignon, which is what happens when you let bourguignon and mashed potatoes set, mix them up, then deep fry. Filth. Total unadulterated filth. At the events where they can serve booze, there'll be French wine available by the glass or carafe. It's ambitious, but then this is what happens when you take a Great British Menu winner and give him free reign on a new idea. 

Wondering where you can get your hands on those deep fried dauphinoise? Yes, me too. The van will be ready at the end of this month and they have dates lined up around the country, including a stint at a well-known click and collect and some of the summer's festivals. Not only that, but Gareth Ward, Aktar Islam, and Tom Shepherd have recently been announced as guest chefs. Andy tells me it's keeping busy with projects like this which has kept him sane, and that he's looking forward to seeing how far he can take street food. Artisan might just end up being one of the best things to come out of lockdown. Va-va-voom.

Keep up to date with Artisan Street Kitchen here →

LOVE LOCKDOWN

I don’t know about you, but I quite fancy spending Valentines in the house this year. Not sure why – perhaps it’s the fines – but it just seems like a good idea. Here is my pick of the ‘at home’ packages released so far, so you can get ahead of the race to get to second base.

- The ever wonderful Hampton Manor are offering five courses for £80 per person via their Peels on Wheels delivery service 

- Delivering to Telford and Brum, Emma's Delicatessen Emma's Delicatessen is offering a Spanish feast for two for just £22

- Speaking of bargains, Top 50 Gastropub stalwart The White Post has a rather beautiful menu for two at £60 launching soon 

- At £65 for two Andy Low'n'Slow is guaranteed to make your Valentine's smoking hot (sorry Andy) 

- Great British Menu champ Adam Reid at Home is offering 4 courses for 2 people at £150

- Opus have this rather pretty menu at £75 per head including half a bottle of champers 

- Launching Friday, Beki's Brownies Valentine box can be delivered across the country and contains plenty of the sweet stuff. Prices from £20.