Oxfordshire's foodie news

*Just in: The Rickety Press is open again and unrecognisable having almost doubled in size. Its second enormous renovation project has seen the former conservatory made into an all-year-round eating area. And with awards coming out of its ears, now is the time to go. It’s in Cranham Street, Jericho.

Call 01865 424581 or visit thericketypress.com

*Other news: The Hog Roast Cafe at Hogacre Common is now closing for the winter but will be back next year for more of the same seasonal vegetarian fare. Other sad news is that Ailsa at WOCA cafe on Botley Road is departing at the end of the year for pastures new, meaning now is the time to visit her amazing cafe in the community centre before it’s too late.

Some good news though is that The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon is half way through its enormous restoration project, and is due to open in November.

* Millets Farm Centre near Abingdon is going to be sizzling over Halloween with endless things for your little monsters to get their teeth into.

Children are invited to pick their own pumpkins to carve and take home. In addition, the maize maze is being transformed into a spooky world of webs and witches with activities for their Halloween Howl, which are included in the ticket price.

Also on site will be Dr Mike on his zoo bus enabling children to learn about and handle gross and ghastly creatures including snakes and lizards with the TV presenter and National Geographic Channel star.

Go to milletsfarm centre.com for information.

*Cotswold Brewery is proud to be launching its new IPA pale ale from 6pm next Thursday at The Jam Factory in Park End Street where you can taste the new beer and talk to Rick Keene, the head brewer.

The Cotswold Brewery was founded eight years ago and is based just outside Bourton on the Water. It is the longest running family-owned and run micro brewery in the UK. Rick and Emma Keene have grown the business organically and are passionate about brewing quality beer.

* Are you a convert to rapeseed oil yet? Mr Hugh’s has converted me and I haven’t bought a bottle of oilive oil since. Mr Hugh’s rapeseed oil contains half the saturated fat of olive oil, 10 times the amount of Omega 3 and absolutely no trans fatty acids. Also, with a more delicate flavour than olive oil, you can use it for anything and everything. Available in most good supermarkets, what’s not to like?

Waga-mama’s new autumn menu includes pulled pork and mahi mahi to warm your cockles. The central Oxford noodle restaurant now boasts pulled pork gyoza , alongside wagamama’s new wok-fried greens or grilled fillet of white mahi mahi fish in a lightly spiced curry sauce.

Fans of the kare lomen, pictured, will be thrilled to hear it has also return to the wagamama menu. Piled high with either grilled chicken or prawns, the creamy coconut and lemongrass soup is mixed with a bowlful of ramen noodles, bean sprouts, cucumber and garnished with coriander and lime.

See wagamama.com