Mike Bartley - Masterchef 2021

08/06/2024

05/06/2024

Last chance to grab tickets for this Saturday at Caps Off!

Book here: https://www.capsoff.co.uk/our-events/an-evening-with-mike-bartley/

An Evening With Mike Bartley

Saturday 8th June 7pm start

Snack & Drink on arrival
• Sweetcorn ribs, chipotle mayo

4 Course Set Menu
• Burrata, Isle of Wight tomatoes, nduja, basil oil
• Prawn taco, avo salsa
• Lamb loin, courgette, potato pavè, mint salsa verde
• Tonka bean panna cotta, macerated strawberries, shortbread

Including Beer and cocktails matched to each course

£55 per ticket

🍻 14 Lines of Beer & Cider
🍺 Takeaway Beers
🍷Wine, Prosecco, Gin, Vodka & Rum
🍹 2 for £12 Cocktails
🐶 Dogs welcome
👶Family friendly
🚗Free parking
📍 Unit 4 Century Court, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6WA

Monday : ClosedTuesday : ClosedWednesday : ClosedThursday : 17:00 – 21:00Friday : 17:00 – 22:00Saturday : 14:00 – 22:00Sunday : 12:00 – 17:00

28/05/2024

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧 & 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬

I saw ’s reel doing this exact dish just after I had bagged my first foraging haul of chanterelles/girolles of the season a couple of days ago, and had to try it.

Corn fed chicken breast, pommes purèe and girolles with a sauce made with a little white wine, chicken stock, creme fraiche, tarragon & chives (not sure if this is how he did it - just my interpretation). Of course, it would be rude not to use if I was having a go at one of his recipes 👌

Before you ask, yes - you could taste the tarragon!

Proper good. Off to get more chants now.

22/05/2024

📣Another brilliant celebrity chef lineup is back for the Saturday at Seaham Food Festival !

Meet:
👨‍🍳 Phil Vickery TV - TV chef and cookery author of 19 books, he specialises in gluten-free products and recipes and is the National Food Ambassador for Coeliac UK.

👩‍🍳 Rosemary Shrager - TV chef and author, she has been in a a number of foodie programmes such as Netflix's Best Leftovers Ever and Fishing Scotland's Lochs and Rivers for Channel 5.

👨‍🍳Mike Bartley - Masterchef 2021 - a former MasterChef contender, he is currently working to open his own restaurant in Bishop Auckland, with a focus on foraged and locally grown produce.

👨‍🍳Chris Bavin - TV presenter who will return as the host. Chris co-presents BBC One’s popular series Eat Well for Less? and was also on the recent programme Aldi’s Next Big Thing as well as many more.

Find event details here: lnk.bio/s/TCCsffest

20/05/2024

🚨 Competition time 👀

🚨 COMPETITION TIME 🚨

Our evening with Mike Bartley - Masterchef 2021 is fast approaching, and we are giving you the chance to win 4 tickets! 🍲 🍹

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is like & share this post and tag which 3 people you’d bring!

Competition ends Friday 24th May

An Evening With Mike Bartley 🧑‍🍳

📅 Saturday 8th June 7pm start

Snack & Drink on arrival
• Sweetcorn ribs, chipotle mayo

4 Course Set Menu
• Burrata, Isle of Wight tomatoes, nduja, basil oil
• Prawn taco, avo salsa
• Lamb loin, courgette, potato pavè, mint salsa verde
• Tonka bean panna cotta, macerated strawberries, shortbread

Including Beer and cocktails matched to each course

£55 per ticket

🎟️ https://www.capsoff.co.uk/our-events/an-evening-with-mike-bartley/

🍻 14 Lines of Beer & Cider
🍺 Takeaway Beers
🍷Wine, Prosecco, Gin, Vodka & Rum
🍹 2 for £12 Cocktails
🐶 Dogs welcome
👶Family friendly
🚗Free parking
📍 Unit 4 Century Court, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6WA

19/05/2024

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐧

I had a trip up to Edinburgh on Friday to visit my pal . My side-quest while I was there was to grab Stuart Ralston’s (of and fame) book ‘Catalogued Ideas and Random Thoughts’.

The side-quest was successful and the 2 hour train journey home allowed me plenty of time to flick through and choose what to make first. It was a tough choice, mind, as this has gone straight into my top 3 cookbooks.

Here we have a confit chicken leg bao bun, with an onion mayo, onion salt, chicken skin & spring onions. Holy bejesus this is good. I’m usually terrible at bread but I was pretty happy with the outcome here. I even had enough dough and onion puree (used to make the mayo) left to make an onion brioche loaf which was also banging.

The recipe made 20 and I have tried my absolute hardest to make my way through them today, but alas I am defeated after about 15.

18/05/2024

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐬

Oh man, this was DEEEECE ( IYKYK)

Cooked on the barbecue because it’s 22°C and it would be rude not to. Peppers with chipotle, onion heaps of garlic then king prawns basted with butter. A guac made with avo and tomatillos, then a little onion and coriander salsa. You absolutely have to squeeze the heads to get all the delicious brain juice out (sounds disgusting - totally worth it).

This is on the menu at Caps Off on June 8th. Head to www.capsoff.co.uk to grab tickets!

09/05/2024

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲

This has been on my mind for aaaaages. This evening I finally got round to making it. A Thai green curry sauce, with a pan fried sea bass fillet. Hiding underneath the sea bass we have fennel roasted in sesame oil (cheers for the suggestion - the aniseed worked SO well), and choy sum. On top we have some crispy deep fried rice noodles dusted with a bit of kelp. Finally, a wee drizzle of coriander oil.

This absolutely SLAPPED and I can’t wait to get it on my menu in . Might stick it on my private dining menu in the meantime, too.

08/05/2024

There are still some tickets left for my next pop-up at Caps Off. The last event back in March was great fun and sold out, so make sure you don’t miss out on this one!

Tickets: https://www.capsoff.co.uk/our-events/an-evening-with-mike-bartley/

Saturday 8th June 7pm start

Snack & Drink on arrival
• Sweetcorn ribs, chipotle mayo

4 Course Set Menu
• Burrata, Isle of Wight tomatoes, nduja, basil oil
• Prawn taco, avo salsa
• Lamb loin, courgette, potato pavè, mint salsa verde
• Tonka bean panna cotta, macerated strawberries, shortbread

Including Beer and cocktails matched to each course

£55 per ticket

🍻 14 Lines of Beer & Cider
🍺 Takeaway Beers
🍷Wine, Prosecco, Gin, Vodka & Rum
🍹 2 for £12 Cocktails
🐶 Dogs welcome
👶Family friendly
🚗Free parking
📍 Unit 4 Century Court, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6WA

09/04/2024

UPDATE: All sorted, thank you.

Looking for some helpers for my pop-up at Bishop Auckland Food Festival next Saturday (20th)

1 chef (17:00-22:30)
1-2 food runners (18:30-22:30)

Drop me a DM if interested.

04/03/2024

Private dining availability.

Host a memorable private dining experience in your own home with private chef and BBC Masterchef contestant Mike Bartley, bringing seasonal, restaurant quality food to your own table.

From £55pp (based on groups of 6 and above). Menus and more info at www.djamkitchen.com/privatedining. Bookings available across North-East.

DM or email [email protected] to enquire.

04/03/2024

Good morning all,

I hope you're keeping well.

First up, some news regarding the opening date for the restaurant. As is often the case with these things, we've had to push back the expected opening date to August/September. Whilst I would love to get the doors open as soon as possible, I'm also conscious that I want things to be done right so that your experience is as good as it can possibly be.

I do have some pop-up restaurants in the meantime, if you're keen to sample some of my cooking. First up, at Bishop Auckland Food festival on 20th April. Tickets for this are limited and can be purchased at https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/an-evening-with-mike-bartley/

After a successful pop-up event at Caps Off Brewery last weekend, we will be announcing another date in June this year. Keep an eye on our socials at / for more info.

For those who pledged to receive a Jörd apron, I have now signed off on the design and they are currently being produced. I will be in touch to get your postal address in the next couple of days.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Best wishes,

Mike

03/03/2024

Thank you to everyone who came down to Caps Off yesterday. We had a blast in the kitchen. I hope you had as much fun as we did!

We’ll be confirming another date soon so if you missed out this time, do keep an eye out on our socials.

18/02/2024

Afternoon all.

Just caught up on emails and messages. If you're waiting on a response from me, please feel free to give me a nudge via DM/email.

15/02/2024

Back at Bishop Auckland Food Festival!

Tickets for this are always snapped up really quickly. Please don’t wait around if you’re keen!

Our very own local superstar ⭐ Mike Bartley - Masterchef 2021 is back for in 2024!

Enjoy an Evening with Mike Bartley at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 20th April at a special Pop-Up Dining Experience.

Check out the menu and book tickets now: https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/an-evening-with-mike-bartley/

12/02/2024

Pork loin, black pudding, caramelised onion purée, hasselback potato, wild garlic, pork jus.

Pork loin stuffed with black pudding, cooked sous vide then quickly flashed in the pan for colour and caramelisation. Onions cooked down until a deep caramel colour, then blended with Creme fraiche. Hasselback potatoes dusted with dehydrated wild garlic powder. Finished with a pork jus.

Took ages to make. Took 2 minutes to devour 😂😂

11/02/2024

𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐢

Well, sort of! Beef short rib cooked sous vide for 48 hours then finished on the bbq, in a sauce consisting of soy sauce, mirin, sake & oyster sauce. Hidden underneath are some onions that have been cooked way down so they’re sweet and caramelised. On top we have some pickled daikon radish and micro coriander from .

I think this pot [gifted] is the perfect size for a small dish packed with lots of flavour 💙

06/02/2024

𝐑𝐢𝐛 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐤, 𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐝

A quick, light mid-week meal. With it being a nice, thick rib-eye (, if you were wondering), the salad and dressing can be made in the time it takes to cook the steak.

Rice noodles, lettuce, radish, spring onions, toasted peanuts & sesame seeds, with a dressing of soy sauce, mirin, fish sauce, lime, sesame oil and finely diced chilli.

Nice and simple. Tasty af.

Plate from (gifted).

06/02/2024

21/01/2024

Morning all!

I’ve been a little quiet this week - started off the week with a bit of rest and finished it absolutely flat out with bookings. I’ll be catching up on messages today, apologies to those who’ve had to wait.

You might have spotted this announcement on Friday evening. I’ll be teaming up so the my pals at Caps Off for an evening of food, beer and cocktails. Tickets are already over 50% sold after a day and a half!!

An Evening With Mike Bartley

Saturday 2nd March 7pm start

Snack & Drink on arrival
• Pork scratchings with togarashi creme fraiche

4 Course Set Menu
• Smørrebrød, potato, lovage, gooseberry
• Hake croquette, dill mayo
• Short rib birria taco, black beans, feta, chipotle jus
• Chocolate mousse, miso caramel, malt ice cream

Including Beer and cocktails matched to each course

£45 per ticket

https://www.capsoff.co.uk/our-events/a-night-with-mike-bartley/

🍻 14 Lines of Beer & Cider
🍺 Takeaway Beers
🍷Wine, Prosecco, Gin, Vodka & Rum
🍹 2 for £12 Cocktails
🐶 Dogs welcome
👶Family friendly
🚗Free parking
📍 Unit 4 Century Court, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6WA

16/01/2024

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐞 @ 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐱𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰!

Dine @ Home boxes are back for a limited run this Valentine's Day!
​
Boxes are likely to sell out pretty quickly, so please don't wait around if you're looking to get one.
​
Each box contains a three course meal for two, prepped, packaged and ready for you to apply the finishing touches at home. Instructions are provided on how to finish and plate your dishes.

MENU:
- Smoked salmon mousse, creme fraiche, dill oil, pickled cucumber
- Fillet steak, potato pavé, red wine jus, lovage, roasted onion, kale
- Chocolate torte, raspberries
​
Delivery Area
Delivery is available to the following areas:
DL4, DL14, DL15, DL16, DL17, DH7, plus Wolsingham, Cockfield, Hamsterley & Tow Law. Deliveries will be made between 14:30-17:30.
​
Unfortunately we cannot deliver to Darlington & Sunderland areas on this run.

A limited number of boxes will be available for collection between 12:00-16:00 from The Fox's Tale, Newgate Street (just off the market place), Bishop Auckland, DL14 7EL.

Order at https://www.djamkitchen.com/djam-home-box

10/01/2024

Considering doing a one-off Dine @ Home box for Valentine’s Day.

Just gauging interest - would anyone be keen?

10/01/2024

𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐛 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐬, 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬

I know it’s Wednesday and therefore I have violated the sacrosanctity that is Taco Tuesday, but idc, this was my tea and I’m posting it

Beef short rib cooked slowly with dried chipotles, soy sauce and London Porter until you can pull the beef apart with the back of a spoon. I reduced the sauce down and then used it to dunk the taco into. Finished with some black beans, goats cheese, red onion and coriander.

I did a little video where I dunked the taco and took a bite but my wife said it looks ‘filthy’ and I’m not allowed to post it. So here we are with a picture instead, you’ll have to use your imagination for the rest.

🌮

08/01/2024

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 & 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Feb: 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 25th
March: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 31st

Host a memorable private dining experience in your own home with private chef and BBC Masterchef contestant Mike Bartley, bringing seasonal, restaurant quality food to your own table.

From £55pp (based on groups of 6 and above). Menus and more info at www.djamkitchen.com/privatedining. Bookings available across North-East.

To enquire contact [email protected] or send a DM.

07/01/2024

Well, that’s the Christmas/New Year rush done! 12 days off now. Thank you to everyone who booked me in 2023 and allowed me to keep doing the job that I love. I’m having a chill day but I’ll catch up on any emails/messages I’ve missed tomorrow.

I’ve still got some weekend availability in February and plenty in March. I’ll post the dates shortly but feel free to get in touch if you’d like to plan something in.

If I’ve cooked for you over the past couple of months, it would be a huge help if you could leave a review on Google or Facebook. Reviews increase my online exposure which helps me grow my business 😁

Wishing you all the best for 2024. I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one! 👨🏻‍🍳🏠

23/12/2023

Planning permission ✅

Just in time for Christmas! Looking forward to bringing you more updates in the new year!!

There’s still a couple of people waiting on video messages - if you haven’t got yours yet, please rest assured they will delivered today.

Hope you all have a good one 🎄🎄

21/12/2023

Good morning! We know this time of year may be a struggle for some families and after having our son earlier this year it really hammered home the importance of spending time together. So, with that in mind on Christmas eve (this Sunday!) Santa will be sticking around before he sets off for the night to meet anyone who either hasn't had time or is struggling to get the kids out to meet him.

Bring the family along to get a photo with Santa and a Christmas present all free of charge. We want to help give back to the community and this is our opportunity to hopefully make a few kids Christmas. From 3pm till 4pm feel free to come along. We have 60 free gifts available so it'll be first come first served.

Please do not turn up before 3pm as we will be still finishing up our regular breakfast with Santa. Please note this doesn't include food, drinks and games like our normal event, it's just designed to be a quick chat with Santa and a photo!

You can find us at 29 Fore Bondgate, we're right on the corner near the mini roundabout!

Please help spread the word!