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Food and Drink | Wine, Beverages, Events, Restaurants
Leicester’s fair trade shoppers help world’s poorest producers
Douglas Alexander last week visited Leicester city centre to officially mark the re-location of an award winning fair trade shop. The International Development Secretary praised Leicester’s commitment to fair trade and congratulated the staff of ‘Just… fair trade’ for their efforts to help farmers and producers out of poverty.
Head out (to your kitchen) for a curry
Why is it we always feel that we have to go out to get a delicious, authentic-tasting curry? Whether it’s the neighbourhood Indian restaurant that knows your favourite dish by memory or the local curry house that you have on speed dial, there’s something that keeps you from trying to prepare the food yourself.
Price comparing - A British obsession
Price comparing has become an obsession with British parents looking to get through the crunch, with a study by Dalepak showing a radical change in the way that families are shopping to counteract ever shrinking budgets.
Quick and easy avocado recipes for the whole family to enjoy
Many Brits avoid avocados because they wrongly believe them to be a bad ‘fatty’ food. But it’s time to dispel those myths - because in reality they contain ‘healthy’ monounsaturated fats that actually help to lower cholesterol levels.
The milkman goes online to offer milk and more
After 150 years of the Great British milk delivery service, it’s plain to see that milkmen have come a long way since the late 1850s when demand caused them to pick up a low-wheeled cart to make deliveries from door-to-door. Yet in principle, the very essence of the milkman - as a reliable fixture in the local community – has remained the same throughout the centuries.
Mueslis that make a world of difference
A bowl of muesli is one of the healthiest starts you can have to your day, but now you can help more than just your health at the breakfast table.
The sweet taste of chutney comes to Covent Garden
Café Chutney, the exciting Indian food emporium which mixes classic and contemporary Indian cuisine with an environment heavily influenced by Asian fashion and design, has recently opened in the Market Building, Covent Garden.
Having your meat and eating it too
We all know times are tough, but that doesn’t mean the meat you eat has to be too. Smart shoppers throughout the UK have been hording discount aisles and experimenting with cheaper cuts of meat in recent months to make household budgets go that much further.
National food is out of flavour with British kids
Traditional English home cooking is being shunned by the UK’s younger generations in favour of European and Oriental dishes, a new survey has revealed, with one in five kids today not knowing the main ingredient in toad-in-the-hole.
Croc Odor countdown reveals top smelliest foods
Croc odor, a leading kitchen care expert, has unveiled the results of a new survey, designed to sniff out the nation’s smelliest foods.
A muesli with green credentials
So you think muesli is muesli is muesli? Well not anymore - Alara’s new Organic Date with Cacao Muesli not only tastes great, but its jam packed full of healthy ingredients - and its green credentials make it much more than your average breakfast cereal.
A real food stop-off for Londoners
The Covent Garden Real Food Market, now firmly established as a top, weekly foodie stop-off for Londoners, is to extend its tenure on the Piazza to run throughout the year from springtime through to Christmas.
Come rhyme with me - how to cook fish and chips
Despite increasing numbers of celebrity chefs, cooking shows and campaigns to improve the nation’s diet, research reveals that 27% of Brits still don’t feel confident in the kitchen. In fact, one in 10 of us admit we simply can’t remember the ingredients for British classics such as Yorkshire puddings.
Levi Roots adds some Jamaican spice to teatime
Add some flavour to teatimes with new Reggae Reggae Chicken Chargrills, made with the famous sauce from Levi Roots, who has teamed up with Birds Eye to add some Jamaican spice to the range.
Phil Vickery makes Knickerbocker Glory
Everyone has their favourite pudding but not everyone knows how to make them! However, help is here in the form of Celebrity Chef Phil Vickery and Carnation. Phil imparts his pudding wisdom to help you create scrumptious desserts, with a new pudcast each month. This month please join Phil as he gives step-by-step instructions on how to make a simple and delicious Knickerbocker Glory.
Wok your way to good health
Whether it’s quick meals that need fitting into a hectic schedule, a colourful and exotic culinary spread to impress friends and family or additional help in maintaining a balanced and healthy diet, Chinese cuisine offers something for anyone’s lifestyle.
The perfect summer desert – Pear and Almond Tart
The ideal summer dessert is one which can be made using the very best of our fabulous British fresh fruit when it is at its best. Home grown pears are one of the most under-rated fruits – they are so versatile and their delicious texture can add interest to so many dishes – sweet and savoury.
Sensational summer salsa
What better way to spend a summer evening than by cracking open a bottle of crisp white wine and tucking into a bag of tortillas, accompanied by one a delicious salsa.
Hearty Halloween food
Cooking for the family on Halloween needs to be easy and delicious, especially if the children are itching to go out trick or treating. This slow cooked chicken curry made with Total Greek Yoghurt takes just a few minutes to prepare and then it can be left in the oven for 2 ½ hours to slowly cook.
Discover Wales' best kept food secrets
British Food Fortnight shines a vital spotlight on the great quality and variety of food and drink which can be locally sourced throughout the UK.
Have an Argentinian style Bank Holiday
Everyone must be praying for good weather this August Bank Holiday, a chance to finally dust off the barbecue after a summer of watery sunshine and showers. Forget the burnt sausages and burgers, make this final barbecue one to remember, with an Argentinian inspired ‘asado’ (meaning cooked on the grill).
Afternoon Tea for chocoholics
Chocoholics will love taking Chocolate Afternoon Tea in The Winter Garden at the luxurious five-star deluxe Landmark London in September 2009. Afternoon Tea is a sumptuous affair and is served under The Winter Garden’s soaring palm trees within the spectacular eight-storey, glass-roofed central atrium.
Diwali dreams
Diwali, the ‘Festival of Lights’ is a pan-Indian, five-day celebration that coincides with the Traditional Pure Basmati harvest, which this year it falls on 23rd October (the dates vary according to the lunar calendar).
Discover seasonal food on your doorstep
The National Forest has such a fantastic choice of locally produced food but how do food lovers find out what is available? Well, help is at hand with the summer issue of The National Forest Food Guide.
Heston Blumenthal grills kitchen inventors
Heston Blumenthal is at the forefront of the final stage of a nationwide culinary competition to find the most innovative Brit, who will transform our kitchen experiences.
Seven days of chocolate heaven
Chocolate Week (12-18 October) is going from strength to strength, and Divine Chocolate, the company co-owned by cocoa farmers, is once again delighted to be co-sponsoring this nationwide celebration of fine chocolate.
You are ‘how’ you eat
New research has revealed that as a nation, we are guilty of a multitude of food faux-pas; from pinching food off our partners’ plates (25%), to picking out the bits we don’t like with our fingers (one in five).
Milk industry is made of the white stuff
The dairy industry looks set to smash targets for cutting the impact producing dairy products has on the environment. One year after launching the Milk Roadmap, first indications are that the industry is well on the way towards the first set of milestones in 2010.
Economy gastronomy – Eat better and spend less
A major new weekly primetime BBC series ‘Economy Gastronomy’ start yesterday, with an accompanying tie-in book. ‘Economy Gastronomy’ is about eating better and spending less. It’s about cutting your weekly shopping bill whilst making the most of your ingredients.
New relish is nobody’s fool
Famed for its array of award-winning chutneys, relishes and pickles, Tracklements has added a new and fantastically flavoursome Gooseberry Relish to their seasonal range.
The MacBook is the new cookbook
Most of Britain’s kitchens have a designated place for recipes – be it books on a shelf or a page torn from a magazine; the vast majority of us have turned to them at some point – for inspiration, novelty or to impress that certain someone.
Bangers and beans get a makeover
Forget property expert Sarah Beeny and fashion guru Gok Wan, frozen-food specialist Dalepak has today completed the definitive style makeover on the classic British dish - bangers, beans and mash!
Experience the unique taste of Salt Marsh Lamb
For many years, the sweet, tender and distinctly flavoured meat of lambs grazed on coastal salt marshes has been regarded as a fine delicacy, particularly in France.
Get stewed!
A new company, heading into Ocado and Waitrose at the end of August and early Autumn respectively, ‘stewed!’ is all about delivering hand-made, gourmet, ready-made stews that are funky yet wholesome, interesting and convenient.
Classic British dishes get a modern makeover
Most of us love our national signature dishes – but with a little imagination they can be transformed into more contemporary versions that are arguably an improvement on the original.
I carried a watermelon?
UK supermarket giant Tesco have teamed up with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage to celebrate National Watermelon Day on Tuesday 4 August by offering lucky shoppers the chance to win holiday of a lifetime to North Carolina USA, plus tickets to see the hit West End production at London’s Aldwych Theatre.
Apple crumble tops national pudding poll
Apple crumble and custard has officially been voted Britain’s favourite dessert according to a new national perfect pudding poll released today. Second in the list was the summer favourite, strawberries and cream, closely followed by profiteroles with chocolate sauce, chocolate fudge cake & cream and lemon meringue pie with cream.
A passion for oysters in Cornwall
The Wright Brothers, the UK’s leading Oyster and seafood specialist has added a new string to the South Western arm of its growing oyster business.
Phil Vickery makes strawberry and almond trifle
Everyone has their favourite pudding but not everyone knows how to make them! However, help is here in the form of Celebrity Chef Phil Vickery.
It’s raining, forget the bikini diet and enjoy!
The dreamy chocolate brand hailed as the most indulgent and deliciously creamy chocolate has developed the ultimate chocolate bar, Galaxy Cookie Crumble. The new bar is set to be a massive hit among chocolate lovers everywhere. Prepare to lose yourself in creamy chocolate heaven.
Barbe-nicking – A new trend to sweep Britain?
A new trend is set to sweep the UK this summer - ‘barbe-nicking’- a combination of barbecuing and picnicking as Brits combine two of our nation’s favourite credit crunching, al fresco activities, according to research – bringing a new element to the staycation.
Cadbury Dairy Milk launches this season’s ‘must-have’
To celebrate the return of the Caramel Bunny, Cadbury Dairy Milk has teamed up with renowned fashion accessory designer, Jo Blake, to create a limited edition run of pink bows that will hit shop shelves this summer.
New growth and jobs for local butcher
One of Cornwall’s leading wholesale butchers says he’s seen a significant increase in business and the creation of new jobs since the opening of a new abattoir supported by South West insurer Cornish Mutual.
Are food labels telling us porkies?
Do you always check where the meat you buy comes from? As a nation we are more aware than ever of the need to know where your food has come from – both to support our local farmers and to ensure that the meat we feed our families has been raised to the proper animal welfare standards. But can we always assume that meat labelled as ‘British’ is both reared and produced in the UK?
Chocolate master joins the Squires Kitchen team
Mark Tilling, the UK Chocolate Master 2006–2009, has joined Squires Kitchen as master chocolatier and tutor. Mark will be creating amazing chocolates in Squires Kitchen’s brand new, specially designed chocolate studio and will be involved in product development and the design of SK’s innovative chocolate products.
Seasonal Spanish food ideas
The Picota cherry has been produced for generations by family run Picota farms in the Jerte Valley, in Extremadura of western Spain. It is protected by Denomination of Origin status. The unique stalkless Picota is widely available in the UK during its short season from the middle of June to the end of July.
Ross Kemp to host Great British Menu banquet
Ross Kemp will host the banquet for this year's finale of Great British Menu. The special one-hour documentary, on BBC Two on Tuesday 16 June at 8.00pm, follows the remaining four chefs, after eight weeks of intense national and regional rounds, as they cook and serve their winning dishes to the troops returning from Afghanistan.
BBC re-commissions Saturday Kitchen Live
BBC Daytime has commissioned a further three series of Saturday Kitchen Live for BBC One. The new commission takes the series up until early 2012. The weekly show presented by James Martin features top chefs cooking live in the studio for a celebrity guest along with edited highlights of some of the best of the BBC's cookery archive.
Keep your cool with Cornish ice cream
Put on your flip-flops, don your shades and enjoy a deliciously decadent scoop this summer. With fingers crossed for a scorching summer this year, Kelly’s Ice Cream is sure to be the perfect treat.
Traditional recipes in Vogue as recession bites
The eating habits of the nation are changing according to one of the UK's top recipe websites. MyDish.co.uk has been monitoring recipe downloads of its 105,000 regular monthly users during the last 12-months and the ongoing recession appears to be impacting the types of dishes individuals and families are preparing and eating at home.
Kiwi chef on menu for Australian TV show
One of New Zealand’s most talented award-winning chefs will star on SKY’s Food TV this weekend as a guest chef on Paul Mercurio’s cooking show Mercurio’s Menu.
Enjoy fish - it’s only natural
Sometimes the best things in life are simple and just come naturally - bangers and mash, bubble and squeak and now Young’s Naturally Delicious Fish.
Chinese revealed as nation's favourite cuisine
An Indian curry has long been assumed as the nation's taste of choice when it comes to eating ethnic cuisine. However, a report from Mintel* suggests the nation's most popular ethnic food is Chinese, beating its nearest rival Indian cuisine by 12%.
Celebrity Chef Cooks Somerset Curry Dish
A pork vindalho recipe from Exmoor caterer Mignon Johnson could soon be sweeping the nation after celebrity chef Antony Worrall-Thompson cooks it on prime time television.
Celebrate Thai New Year With Sharwood’s
With over 1,200 Thai restaurants in the UK, Thai food has never before enjoyed such popularity as it does today. But you no longer have to go out to enjoy a delicious Thai meal as with a little help from Sharwood’s, you can now be the creator of an authentic Thai feast in the comfort of your own home.
This Valentine’s Day, Give Chocolate With A Heart
This Valentine’s there’s a Divine new opportunity to delight your loved one(s) with a chocolate gift they will find irresistible. Divine, the leading Fairtrade chocolate in the UK, is made with love, from cocoa grown and harvested, fermented and dried by the farmers who co-own the company. And in 2007 Divine will become even more desirable.
Need A Helping Hand From Cupid?
It is that time of year again when you want to tell that someone that they are indeed very special, or hear from someone that you are special to them. But we all know how forgetful people can be when it comes to buying Valentines gifts, so Rococo chocolates has enlisted the help of a stray cherub to play Cupid this year.
A Fruity Recipe Idea For Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday (February 20) is the perfect opportunity to experiment with some fruity new pancake recipes! Fruisana Fruit Sugar has devised a delicious, easy-to-prepare, Buttermilk Pancake batter which can form the base for either sweet or savoury toppings……or both!
Get Saucy This Valentines Day
Wine and dine your loved one this Valentines Day with some truly unique and original treasures from Mortimer & Bennett, one of London’s leading delicatessens.
Have An Exceedingly Good Easter
Springtime is in the air, lambs are bouncing in the fields and the Easter bunny is about to make his much anticipated annual appearance. To help celebrate this special time, treat your friends and family to the irresistible fruity flavoured seasonal treats.
Quality Ready Meals From Michelin Chef
Findus has joined forces with one of the best-loved faces in food, Jean Christophe Novelli, to create a restaurant-quality range of ready meals.
Sweet Success For Café Bronte Delights
Leading Livingston-based food manufacturer, Paterson Arran scooped a top ‘Food from Britain’ award for its Café Bronte brand at ISM in Cologne (28-31 January 2007) beating off stiff competition from some of the world’s leading biscuit and confectionary brands.
A Book For Lovers Of France & French Food
Having proposed to his French girlfriend, food writer William Black revisits the France he fell in love with as a young man. Travelling with his native guide from Paris to the districts, Black meets the most interesting characters and places, giving him a glimpse into the French soul. Full of wonderful travel writing, historical anecdotes and essential, traditional recipes, this is the book for everyone who loves France and French food.
Healthy Chinese New Year Cooking By Ken Hom
With our ever-expanding waistlines becoming more and more of a focus, it’s good to know we can still get into the Oriental spirit this Chinese New Year with no need to worry, as Ken Hom has created some tasty, but healthy recipes for your very own banquet at home.
Just Falafs To Open New Soho Shop
The new site, at 155 Wardour Street, Soho, W1, will compliment their busy compact unit in the market at Covent Garden. The new 750 sq.ft outlet will allow the team to really express the brands true values. Included will be the awesome herb-packed falafel wraps, incorporating a juice section with the emphasis on Acai & Acreola smoothies, a wider range of inspiring salads and healthy convenience foods, along with the usual organic fair-trade coffees and teas.
Ivy League Recipes For Clarence Court
Needing culinary inspiration? Fed up with churning out the same meals? Then look no further. Clarence Court, the brand of eggs laid by rare and traditional breeds of hens, is announcing that Mark Hix – Chef-Director of The Ivy and Le Caprice – has created a series of seasonal recipes to tempt and tantalise the taste-buds.
Don’t Stick This Pancake Day
Rather than just sticking to the same old lemon and sugar pancakes on February 20, why not indulge in one of the new crêpes from the Findus Jean Christophe Novelli range? Bored of plain old pancakes? Then why not take off the apron, put down the pan and reach for the freezer on Pancake Day instead?
Put Romance Back On The Menu This Valentines
It’s official - we’re overworked and under sexed! Not only do the English work the longest hours in Europe but statistics show romance is at an all time low with couples putting jobs before their sex lives. It seems partners are suffering from a growing ‘Work Widow/Widower’ trend where loved ones are arriving home late and exhausted frustrating their partners, providing a recipe for relationship catastrophe!
A Divine Fair Trade For Lovers!
Divine, the delicious, farmer-owned Faitrade chocolate, knows that it’s never really all fair in love and war – but on the new Divine website at divinechocolate.com they have created an opportunity for a bit of romantic fair trading with your loved ones.
Ethical Easter Eggs From Abel & Cole
This Easter, Abel & Cole are stocking tasty Easter eggs by The Chocolate Alchemist. Made from the finest organic Belgian chocolate, the range includes White Chocolate Raspberry Speckle and Ginger Dark Chocolate Jewelled Eggs.
Quality Time In The Kitchen Can Set Kids Up For Life
Parents are wasting precious time with their kids watching TV rather than spending quality time teaching them life skills such as cooking or playing active games outdoors, a new survey by home baking expert, McDougalls, reveals today.
Cheesemakers’ Webcam Captures World’s Imagination
The website cheddarvision.tv has proved to be a real winner with viewers across the world. Since its launch on 1 January 2007 a staggering 280,000 visitors have logged on to the round-the-clock webcam site to watch a handmade-on-the-farm West Country Farmhouse Cheddar maturing.
Divine Chocolate Launches In The USA
Divine Chocolate Ltd, the farmer-owned Fairtrade chocolate company, this week celebrates the launch of its sister company in the US with headquarters in Washington, D.C. Divine Chocolate Inc. has been built on the same principles as the UK company. It uses a unique business model which gives Ghanaian cocoa farmers a significant (38%) share of the company, a meaningful input into decisions about how Divine products are produced and sold, and a share in any profits.
Love Your Weekend
We all live for the weekends but Easter is a real treat – the first official four-day weekend of the year and a good excuse to get together with your nearest and dearest.
Carte D’Or Launches Delicious Addition
This summer, transport your taste buds to a heavenly place by indulging in the sensational new Carte D’Or Strawberry & Yoghurt Délice. This gorgeous addition to the much loved Carte D’Or range is made with deliciously smooth yoghurt ice cream, swirled with real strawberry sorbet, blended and topped with an indulgently fruity strawberry coulis.
How Do U Tiramigü?
It is a well-known fact that tiramisú in English means ‘pick me up.’ Taking their cue from those suave Italians, the chocolate extremists at Gü Chocolate Puds have created a perky pick me up pud with a twist – New Tiramigü.
Morrisons Supports Fairtrade Fortnight
Morrisons is introducing Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance freshly ground coffee into 110 of its cafes nationwide to support Fairtrade Fortnight. The Fairtrade and Rainforest alliance coffee, which guarantees a better deal for small producers in the developing world, will be available in all Morrisons cafes (320) by the end of the year, complementing the organic Fairtrade tea already available.
Hula Hula With Healthier Hula Hoops
Hula Hoops, the hoopiest of snacks, just got healthier without compromising on their great taste. Hula Hoops now have a total of 80% less saturated fat compared to Hula Hoops from 2005, that’s a further 55% on last year’s reduction.
Al Fresco Or Indoor Recipes From Fruisana
The problem with the “Great British Summer” is that we never know quite when it will begin. Sometimes we can find ourselves eating “al fresco” in the garden by Easter, while in other years we have to wait until the second May bank holiday or even later for the clement weather.
Ice Cream To Feel Good About
Vanilla Toffee Crunch has been satisfying ice cream lovers for 25 years, so to celebrate its jubilee anniversary Ben & Jerry’s re-launched the flavour in the UK. And now Ben & Jerry’s are sweetening the offer for 2007 – Vanilla Toffee Crunch is to go Fairtrade.
Morrisons Meets Demand With Polish Range
Morrisons is establishing itself as one of the UK's largest retailers of Polish food, with its authentic range now boasting 55 products, from traditional specialities to everyday favourites. There are an estimated 600,000 Poles living in the UK*. 283 Morrisons stores nationwide are now selling a selection of own label and branded products from the impressive Polish foods range.
Easter Pleasures From Harvey Nichols
It is that time of year when we celebrate the joys of chocolate in all its glory. This Easter, Harvey Nichols presents a selection of the most lavish and exclusive treats, wrapped in beautiful packaging and made by the very best producers, guaranteed to delight adults and children alike.
Give Guylian This Easter
Easter giving is all about an indulgent treat that shows you care and there’s no better way than the gift of a Guylian chocolates. Whether it’s for family, friends or loved ones, Guylian, the world’s favourite Belgian chocolates, has the perfect Easter treat. Check out the Guylian 2007 Easter parade!
A New Take On Old Classic - Cheese & Onion
No one understands more than Kettle Chips the importance of great tasting food. The classic combination of cheese and onion has always been a national favourite but as always, Kettle Chips wanted their version to be just that little bit better. After months of searching for the perfect ingredients they’ve succeeded, with the new Soulmate Cheeses with Onion.
Brits Trust Celebrity Chefs Over Government
It’s official, an independent survey carried out on behalf of IFE07 has revealed consumers listen to celebrity chefs over the Government, when it come to food issues. 17% of those surveyed stated that they would rather listen to the likes of Jamie Oliver and celebrity chefs about food matters. Worryingly 63% said that they do not listen to anyone at all (the Government is low on the list for consumers where food is concerned).
The Perfect Way To Pamper Your Mother
Divine Fairtrade chocolate and Neal’s Yard Remedies have got together to create a perfect Mother’s Day treat. Divine Dark Chocolate will be available to sample at all 26 stores nationwide right up to Mother’s Day.
Rhodes Across India
UKTV Food, Britain’s leading channel dedicated to the love of food, has commissioned a major new series for 2007 featuring celebrity chef Gary Rhodes. Celebrating the continent’s rich cuisine and culture, Rhodes Across India will be shot on location in India and will premiere on UKTV Food to coincide with the 60th anniversary of India’s Independence in August 2007.
Kids - Eating More Fruit Is Healthy & Fun!
Do you find it a nightmare trying to encourage your children to try and eat their 5 portions a day of fruit and vegetables? Giles and Posner have come up with the perfect solution that allows your kids to have a nutritional treat whilst introducing new and exciting fruits into their diets…. use a home chocolate fountain!
Michelin To Launch Tokyo Restaurant Guide
The French bible of gastronomy is making its entry into Asia with the publication of the first edition of the Michelin guide Tokyo, scheduled for release in November 2007. After Europe, where 20 countries are covered, and the United States, the Michelin guide is pursuing its international development in Japan.
Pont Gâr Triumphs At World Cheese Awards
One of Wales’ latest soft cheese ranges - Pont Gâr - is adding to its already impressive silverware collection. The Carmarthenshire Cheese Company, established less than a year ago, won the ‘New Cheese – Blue’ award and the Welsh Assembly Government Trophy for the Best Welsh Cheese for their Pont Gâr Blue at the recent World Cheese Awards.
Mortimer & Bennett Cracks Easter
Celebrate Easter in style with Mortimer & Bennett, West London’s leading independent delicatessen. Stacked full of interesting Easter goodies sourced from around Europe, Mortimer & Bennett is the perfect destination for those in search of the more unusual Easter gift.
Add A Little Delight To Your Life
We could all do with a little delight in our lives, and now it’s as easy as opening a packet. Blackpool-based Tangerine Confectionery, the UK’s largest independent sugar confectionery firm, is launching two irresistible product ranges this month – offering bags of indulgence.
The Secret To Making The Perfect Curry . . .
Check out the spice company taking the UK's culinary scene by storm, The New York Delhi Company. Co-founder, and Barnes resident Nina, recently left a successful career to follow her passion: bringing authentic Indian cuisine to a wider market. Jewel in the crown of the Magic range is the incredible Magic Masala, which shows how attention to detail and authenticity make the firm stand out from the crowd.
Dinner At Buckingham Palace
Charles Oliver worked at Buckingham Palace from the reign of Queen Victoria to that of the present Queen. Based on his diaries, “Dinner At Buckingham Palace” is an extraordinary collection of photographs, recipes, anecdotes and menus.
Gourmet Food Online From Mount Sushi
Sushi, nigiri, maki, sashimi...just the names of different types of Japanese food are enough to leave anyone but a qualified sushi chef well and truly confused. But Japanese cuisine need not be so daunting – in fact, you can get started making your own delicious sushi today, thanks to the fantastic range of Japanese food products now available to buy online at Mount Sushi.
A Healthy Summer Addition - Australian Macadamias
If you fancy adding an extra dimension to your barbecue recipes and accompaniments, opt for a handful of Macadamias or two. Australian Macadamias have a unique sweet and buttery flavour, are crisp in texture, have a melt-in-the-mouth finish, and are suited to both sweet and savoury dishes.
'Deeply Dark' From Cadbury
Cadbury, the makers of such well loved British institutions as Crème Egg, Flake and Dairy Milk, has launched a new Bournville dark chocolate mix ‘Deeply Dark’, said to be the smoothest dark chocolate ever.
A Revival For Extinct English Dishes
Eminent Food Historian Caroline Yeldham today encourages the revival of extinct English recipes using English fresh produce and calls on people to learn how to cook them. The comments come as England celebrates St. George’s Day, which was declared an English feast day in the 15th Century.
Treat Your Wedding Guests To A Taste Of Dorset
Wedding cake specialist Lisa Notley has launched a new national delivery service for her home-made on the farm, individually designed wedding cakes. Lisa started her company, Wedding Cakes by Lisa Notley, six years ago in her picturesque farmhouse in Pulham, Dorset and her reputation has been built on the flavour and texture of her cakes as much as the beautiful, classical, contemporary or innovative designs.
Summer Celebration At La Maison Du Chocolat
In November 1977, at 225 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, Robert Linxe gave material expression to his passion for chocolate by creating the first La Maison du Chocolat shop. This summer, La Maison du Chocolat on Piccadilly, is joining its 11 sister stores across the globe to celebrate 30 years of creating elegant, luxury chocolates.
Selfridges' Summer Vegetable Patch
This summer lovers of fruit and veg have a new arrival in their produce basket. Selfridges is working with traditional produce growers to introduce the cucumelon to the UK.
Divine Chocolate Goes Live With New Website
Divine, the leading Fairtrade chocolate company, has redesigned its website, which went live this week. Designed and implemented by The Brewery, it brings alive the new brand design launched earlier this year and introduces many more dynamic and interactive elements to the Divine online experience. The site is at Divinechocolate.com.
No Nuts For Stringfellow's Celebrity Guests
Specialist food manufacturer, It's Nut Free, has recently supplied products to go in celebrity goodie bags distributed after the opening of Peter Stringfellow's latest nightclub venture in London. Celebrity guests, including Caprice, Bianca Gascoigne, Brendan Cole and the Cheeky Girls, were able to sample delicious nut free flapjacks after the Yorkshire based company was asked to contribute to the party bags given out to guests at the opening of The Wardour club.
Everything You Need To Know About German Food
Picture the perfect picnic. Delicately wafer-thin black forest ham, juicy cornichons and soft, creamy cheese on a hearty chunk of fresh farm bread, washed down with a smooth, refreshingly cold beer. Welcome to the world of German foods - easy to access at the newly launched Foodsfromgermany.co.uk – your online guide to all the food and drink Germany has to offer.
Melt In The Mouth Summer Recipes From Carte D’Or
Carte D’Or has created two simply aD’Orable recipes to tempt your taste buds this summer, Carte D’Or Summer Pimm’s Sundae and Carte D’Or Sweet Bruschetta. Both feature the latest exciting addition to the Carte D’Or range, Strawberry & Yoghurt Délice.
Luxury Summer Yogurt Ices
Cool down on hot summer days and sultry summer evenings with Yodel – fresh, handmade luxury yogurt ices from Criterion Ices. Yodel yogurt ices are made from pure, natural ingredients and their base is live, low-fat organic yogurt and fresh double cream. Fresh fruit flavours are added with just enough sugar to lift the flavour while letting the yogurt tang tickle your tongue…
Organic Al Fresco Eating
Summer time is all about freedom – fresh foods, outdoor eating and entertaining. Barbecues, picnics, parties and feasts with family and friends in the sunshine. Summer food is all about simplicity: quick, easy cooking and relaxed eating.
Bombe Au Chocolat Is A Mighty Explosion!
Gü Chocolate Puds takes its role as chocolate extremists very seriously indeed. New Bombe Au Chocolat is the first frozen chocolate dessert from the team that brought you brownies, soufflés, sticky toffee pudding, ice cream and … we could go on and on.
Have A Sexy Suma Summer
If you want to feel and look good this summer, you might want to take a leaf, or more accurately a root, out of the Brazilian’s book. Suma is a herb that grows in the rainforests of South America. Its root has been dried and used medicinally for thousands of years by the natives of Brazil, where it is known as ‘Para Todo’, meaning ‘for all things’, as its medicinal properties are thought to be so far reaching.
Harrods Launches Gourmet Picnic Menus
As the days get longer, and the sun begins to have his hat on, our thoughts turn to the Great Outdoors. This is where we will head for the hills, and in true British tradition, go on a grail like search for the ‘Perfect Spot’ for a picnic, be it a tree for shade; a fantastic view; a space to play; or somewhere to watch the world go by - it will take an age to find, and tempers will fray, so why add to the stress by trying to remember whether you packed the salt and pepper? Let Harrods prepare it for you.
Ben & Jerry’s Battle Against The Belch
Ben & Jerry’s first embarked on a campaign to ‘Lick Global Warming’ back in 2002 and now they’re on a mission against emissions, and we’re not just talking carbon emissions. Yes, the ethical ice cream makers are tackling a whole herd of different gases by facing up to the fact that its Friesian friends’ flatulence contributes to global warming.
This Water - A Refreshing New Drink From Innocent
If you want something that’s natural and thirst-quenching when you’re on the go, grab a bottle of This Water, a new combination of water and pure squeezed juices from the people who brought you innocent smoothies.
Father's Day Is Japan-Easy With Mount Sushi!
It’s easy to please dad this father’s day, with an authentic sushi kit from Mount Sushi. Let him discover Japanese cuisine and become a sushi pro overnight. The Ambassador Special Sushi Kit is the perfect way of rewarding your dad for everything he’s done over the years, from cheering you up with silly jokes, giving you away at your wedding and even embarassing you with his dancing.
Dine In Style This Summer With Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason are dedicated to making this season’s menus as tantalising and exciting as possible. With their range of summer-inspired dishes, antipasti, dressings and marinades, Fortnum’s is sure to be your first port of call for any occasion this summer.
Harvey Nichols Launches Summer Dining Guide
Launching this week, Harvey Nichols’ new guide to Summer Dining brings together a vast cache of products, produce and people to create an exhilarating seasonal menu of food and drink ideas. The handbag sized booklet will be available to pick up free of charge in store and at Harvey Nichols Restaurants, including OXO and Prism.
Going Bananas For New Icecream Flavour
A Welsh ice cream maker has created a brand new flavour using bananas that are actually grown in Wales. Llandeilo-based artisan icecream makers Heavenly are behind the first icecream to be made from Welsh bananas.
Looks Good - Tastes Sublime
Harrods Food Halls are launching a new range of gourmet essentials and luxury treats. Launching in September, the new range has been developed by foodies for foodies, and draws inspiration from the original Art Nouveau architecture of the Knightsbridge Food Halls.
Morrisons Launches New Pasta Range
Exclusively available from 4th July 2007, The Best Pasta range is made in Italy to a traditional, authentic recipe providing exceptional flavours and taste. The four varieties, Rigatoni, Linguine, Pappardelle and Orecchiette perfectly compliment a range of sauces, seafoods and meats.
The Saturday Kitchen Cookbook
Saturday Kitchen has become the mainstay of Saturday mornings on BBC ONE with its popular blend of James Martin’s quick and easy recipes, celebrity chat and fantastic recipes from an impressive cast of guest chefs.
New Flavours Of The Lebanese Table
The food of Lebanon has long been rated as one of the great cuisines of the world. Healthy, simple to prepare, full of fresh flavours and sensual aromatics, it makes great use of grains, vegetables, pulses, fruit, nuts, grilled mead, fish, olive oil and yoghurt.
Small Organic Farm Business Enjoys Tesco Breakthrough
Well-known organic livestock farmer Helen Browning has secured listings in 300 Tesco stores for her organic Speedy Sausages. “We’ve sold almost 1,000 tonnes of these sausages in the past six years, from our glorious pigs, and I am delighted to be able to offer them to the millions who visit Tesco every day”, said Helen this week. “I think they will love them.”
Whip Up A Cool Summer Bargain With Mulberry Hall
Mulberry Hall, York’s most beautiful shop and renowned for its online store selling everything from fine china and crystal to cutlery and cookware, has lined up the cream of kitchen gadgets for its much-anticipated summer promotion.
Discover The Tantalising Tastes Of Thailand
A delicate balance of hot and sour, sweet and salty, lightness and richness – Sharwood’s new Thai range invites you to explore the diverse flavours of Thailand. Thai food has never been more popular and now, thanks to a new range of delicious and easy-to-use Thai food from Sharwood’s, everyone can cook up restaurant quality Thai meals at home using ingredients readily available from their local supermarkets.
Gü Goes Bananas With Nü Chocolate Banoffee Puds
Banoffee pie – as far as classic puddings go, it’s up there with fellow long-time Brit favourites Black Forest gateau, boozy trifle and baked Alaska. But sometimes it’s worth shaking things up a little, which is why we reckoned it was high time this pudding-trolley lovely got Gü-ed.
English Cherries Are The Pick Of The Crop
As of now, English cherries have blossomed onto the shelves at Morrisons, two weeks earlier than they did last year. The unseasonal warm weather has provided optimum growing conditions, allowing Morrisons to bring their customers the season’s best British cherries two weeks ahead of schedule.
Britains Wise Up To Food Labels
A new survey released today shows that 83% of British shoppers now read the labels on food packets to check ingredients. The statistics, commissioned by Kerrygold, the 100% pure Irish butter, prove that recent awareness campaigns educating the general population on food issues have paid off. Today, the vast majority of British consumers are seeking information about what’s in their food.
Recipe Of The Month – Peach And Raspberry Crumble
The British weather is notoriously unreliable, as recent record rainfall and flooding have demonstrated. The delicious soft fruit available at this time of the year lends itself perfectly to a summer fruit crumble just as much as it does to the more traditional summer desserts.
Simple Pleasures From The Village Bakery
Whoever said a ‘little bit of what you fancy does you good’ must have had The Village Bakery in mind. The Village Bakery is launching its delicious cake slices range into selected London Waitrose stores. The tempting range includes Brownies, Date Slices and Apricot Slices - pure simple pleasures.
Wake Up To An Organic Breakfast
The Soil Association is calling on the nation to wake up to an organic breakfast during the Soil Association Organic Fortnight 2007. The Fortnight runs from 1–16 September 2007 and provides the perfect opportunity for individuals, communities and businesses across Britain to celebrate all things organic.
New French Bread Pizzas From Findus
Findus Ltd. is adding new toppings to its much-loved French Bread Pizza product. A family favourite for over 30 years these delicious pizzas are convenient and versatile, which is why they’re still a popular choice with families, students and anyone looking for an easy-to-prepare meal option or a hearty snack.
Winning Snack Gives Energy Boost
A unique bakery company says its handmade flapjacks are the perfect snack for people on the go and those involved in sports or leisure activities who need an energy boost.
Honey Creates A Buzz In The Food Market
If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise. Well, Paddington bear would do at least, as according to latest research from Mintel, his favourite food, marmalade, saw sales drop 10% between 2004 and 2006.
Foodies Rejoice As Waitrose Launches New Food Networking Site
These are exciting times for Waitrose in cyberspace. Commended by Which? as the UK’s Best Broadband Provider 2007, the re-launch of Waitrose.com on 4th July will also see the retailer unveil an ambitious bid to become Britain’s premier food networking site, with the launch of a new ‘open to all’ Food Forum.
Holiday Homecoming Marks A New Career At Arran Dairy
Five years ago John Anderson started working at Arran Dairies as a delivery driver. A former engineer living and working in Glasgow, after a substantial windfall he decided to take some time out from work and head back home to Arran.
Stelios Brings easyPizza To London
Stelios the serial entrepreneur and founder of easyJet has introduced one of his more recent easyGroup businesses to London. easyPizza is a pizza delivery business and is now operating three London sites based in the Earls Court Road, Uxbridge Road, and The Vale in Acton, delivering pizzas to their local communities.
World Cuisine Inspires New Ready Meal Range
Favourite recipes from around the world have inspired Cauldron to create a medley of new meat-free modern classics including Aubergine Moussaka, Vegetable Enchiladas, Tuscan Bean Cannelloni, and Sweet Potato and Aubergine Balti.
Rhodes Across India
Top British chef Gary Rhodes embarks on the culinary adventure of his life as he heads off to vibrant India to discover the culinary secrets of this mystical subcontinent. Rhodes Across India, a 10 part series exclusively on UKTV Food, is a tantalising celebration of Indian food in the year that India celebrates the 60th anniversary of independence.
A Decadently Delicious Recipe From Magnum
The Iced Magnum Moccachino celebrates the launch of two indulgent new additions to the ever-tempting Magnum range, Ecuador Dark – lavished in chocolate made with 62% cocoa and Colombia Aroma - with a rich coffee sauce swirl made with authentic Colombian coffee beans. To make the most of their arrival and ensure the most intense chocolate experience yet, the Magnum team has created this unashamedly indulgent chocolate cocktail.
A New Generation Of Organic Meat Free Burgers
The food team at Cauldron like nothing better than coming up with new and inspiring ideas for their imaginative range of meat-free recipes. Their latest creations - Organic Mushroom & Wensleydale Burgers; Organic Mushroom & Stilton Burgers; and Organic Tofu & Aduki Bean Chilli Burgers – are true to form.
No More Soggy Lunches
Fed up with limp, soggy crisp bakes? Try Cauldron’s new Organic Shiitake Mushroom & Tofu Crisp Bakes. They are crispy all over, as a crisp bake should be, and make an irresistible treat for lunch or supper.
The Easy Way To Seriously Super Summer Picnics
We Brits just love to picnic and whether it’s sandwiches by the sea or a more sumptuous affair, even the smallest amount of pre-planning will transform any picnic into perfection.
Conwy Sausages Set To Go With A Bang At Tescos
Traditional banger lovers will be in for a treat as award-winning butcher Edwards of Conwy launches a new range of products with Tesco at the Royal Welsh Show (July 23-26). This Welsh company already supplies Tesco with pre-packed sausages, and this latest deal will see six new products appearing in the retailer’s loose counters, giving customers even greater choice.
Festive Goodies For Fairtrade Foodies
Cafédirect, the UK’s leading Fairtrade hot drinks company, has teamed up with The Gluttonous Gardener to provide the perfect Christmas gift for green-fingered gourmets. The ‘Coffee Lovers Crate’ is sure to be a winner with coffee connoisseurs and garden goddesses alike.
Freedom Food Organic Salmon Launches At Morrisons
Morrisons has become the first retailer to stock Freedom Food labelled salmon that is also certified organic, into 164 of its stores nationwide. Organic Boned Scottish Salmon Fillet and Organic Smoked Salmon comes from farms that are assessed to strict RSPCA welfare standards.
Stelios Launches easyPizza In The Midlands
Stelios the serial entrepreneur and founder of easyJet has introduced one of his more recent easyGroup businesses to Coventry. easyPizza is a pizza delivery business and is now operating three Coventry sites based in Bedworth (Mill Street), Earlsdon (Spon End) and Wyken (Hipswell Highway), which means that anyone in Coventry and Bedworth can now order an easyPizza meal.
Ready Steady - Lesley's Out Of Time!
Ready Steady Cook favourite Lesley Waters has run out of time in the charity challenge to find Britain’s favourite British turkey recipe. Her recipe for Turkey Koftas, using red onion, red pepper and cranberries for colour, was judged by visitors to Britishturkey.co.uk , but failed to find enough voters to keep her in the contest.
Hell's Kitchen Returns With New Chef At The Helm
Marco Pierre White will step back into the kitchen for the first time in seven years when he takes over the reigns at TV’s most exclusive restaurant and puts a team of celebrities through their paces. Hell’s Kitchen is returning and the first ever British chef to achieve three Michelin stars - before handing them back - is in charge.
Break Bread To Get Ahead In Your Relationship
New research by Old El Paso reveals that many modern relationships are in need of a good feed. In fact, the age old adage that; ‘people who eat together, stay together’ rings more true in 2007 than ever before. It’s time to get ready to switch from tray to table if you want to keep your personal relationships on track.
Go Organic And Online This Christmas
Take a succulent, organic bronze turkey, add delicious organic chipolata sausages, mix with award-winning, dry-cured, organic streaky bacon and you have the finest ingredients for the perfect Christmas lunch – all delivered direct to your door. With a festive meat hamper from Eversfield Organic, this year you can relax and enjoy a stress-free, gourmet Christmas.
Eatsomewhere.co.uk Counts The Hits
Online local specialist Infoserve has reported a 19% surge in hits for recently revamped website eatsomewhere.co.uk - one of the UK’s most comprehensive eatery directories which incorporates around 300,000 restaurants, cafes and pubs.
Delicious Potato Recipes For Autumn
The humble potato is delicious and comforting, nutritious and versatile. Here is a selection of potato recipes from Naturally Best using the famous Vivaldi or the wonderful new variety Almera. Both varieties are available all year round and renowned for their exceptional taste.
A New Logo For Fine Food
Provenance, traceability, trustworthiness, excellence in food and above all, great taste. At last a logo you can trust! It stands for ‘Proven Fine Food’. The Great Taste Awards is the recognised mark standing for excellence in fine food, provenance and great taste.
The Facts Behind The Hype Of Organic Foods
The Organic food market in Europe grew by an average of 25% each year between 1990 and 2000 to a turnover of around £6 billion in April 2000. The growth in the United Kingdom has been especially strong with a five fold increase in the last five years.
Italian Flavoured Pastas Exclusively At Harvey Nichols
A new range of gastronomic Italian flavoured pastas are now available exclusively from Harvey Nichols. Available in six exciting flavours such as Chocolate, Basil, Chilli & Garlic, Truffle, Castelmagno Cheese and Strawberry & Barolo, each strand of pasta is handcrafted using the finest quality durum wheat, kneaded with fresh eggs and contains no additives or preservatives.
Welsh Ice Cream Producer Gets Gold Mark
A Welsh ice cream company has become the first producer processor to qualify for the prestigious ‘Gold Top’ quality standard. Carmarthenshire based Cowpots, is run by the Bowman family, who use the rich creamy milk from their farm’s pedigree herd of Jersey cows to create a delicious range of premium ice cream.
Sing For Your Supper! Autumn Lamb
Autumn lamb sets to be the hit of the season following the discovery of a unique palate pleasing performance from a man who names himself as the number one lamb fan. Forget Meatloaf, opera singer James Davey, has recorded a patriotic tribute to the dish of the season in the hope that others will join forces in singing for their supper and enjoying the fruits of our farmers’ labour.
Back To School With Healthy Snacks
Whether your children are starting at a new school or just starting a new academic year this autumn, you can start them off with the best intentions. As well as making sure that their uniform and school kit is all ready for action, spend some time resolving to boost their energy and brainpower levels by providing them with a healthy diet.
Dole Out Healthier Lunches
It’s back to school time again—but it’s not just the children who have their work cut out! Packing a healthy lunch with kid appeal can be a real challenge, but help is on hand. Dole Fruit Pots has teamed up with leading dietitian Lyndel Costain for some top tips to help keep you and your family on track.
Lifting The Lid On Lunch Boxes
A few years ago the biggest decision surrounding lunch boxes was whether to go with Post Man Pat or My Little Pony. Now the back-to-school ritual is much more complex, not only has there been massive changes in the style of lunch boxes but the conundrum of what you should and should not put in a lunch box continues to get increasingly complicated.
UK Organic Sales Hit £2 Billion
Organic food and drink sales in the UK nudged the £2 billion mark for the first time in 2006, with a sustained market growth rate of 22 per cent throughout the year.
Jean Christophe Novelli Awarded Honorary Doctorate
Celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli has awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Bedfordshire in honour of his outstanding achievements in the culinary arts and broadcast industry.
UK Consumers Urged To Continue Buying Fairtrade Bananas
UK consumers are being asked to continue to buy Fairtrade bananas by farmers in the Windward Islands who supply the UK Fairtrade market and have been severely affected by Hurricane Dean.
Survey Reveals British Breakfast Habits
As part of a UK-wide organic breakfast campaign, Rachel’s Organic, Britain’s leading organic dairy commissioned a YouGov survey to look into the nation’s breakfast habits. The study of over 2000 GB adults sought to gauge attitudes to organics in what is often regarded nutritionally as the most important meal of the day.
Irresistible Winter Warmers
Winter may well be closing in and with it, the urge to stay in watching videos and eating chocolate! However there are few excuses not to stay healthy - despite the cold and the rain - as The Food Doctor has something to tempt everyone this winter with their Just Steam Meals range.
Morrisons Serve Up A ‘Delizioso’ New Range
Now you can serve up authentic Italian style pasta dishes with restaurant quality at home, with a little help from Morrisons new The Best range of Pasta Sauces. Produced in Italy and using only the very best ingredients, Morrisons have created four new and exciting sauces based on authentic Italian recipes. The only thing we can’t help cook up is the romance.
7 Reasons To Buy British Meat
With the cost of meat likely to rise due to increased animal feed costs, the organisers of British Food Fortnight, which takes place 22nd September to 7th October, give consumers seven reasons to buy British meat.
Eight green steps to an organic Christmas
This year's organic Christmas is set to be bigger than ever as organic food and drink sales in the UK nudge the £2 billion mark for the first time. Sales of organic products through box schemes, mail order and other direct routes increased by a staggering 53 per cent last year.
A you Game for it?
Food lovers will be spoilt for choice this Autumn with the wide variety of game available at the start the new game season, in particular, venison, partridge and pheasant. Look out for the exciting range of convenient cuts now available that enables you to use game in a wide variety of everyday dishes from spaghetti bolognaise using venison mince to curries using pheasant breasts.
Cooking With Chocolate Is Divine
Absolute Press, in collaboration with leading Fairtrade chocolate company Divine, is publishing “Divine Heavenly Chocolate Recipes with a Heart” this month.
Morrisons Celebrates Organic Fortnight
To mark the UK’s biggest celebration of organic food, Organic Fortnight, Morrisons have reduced prices by a third on over 100 of their own brand organic products. The Soil Association’s annual drive to promote the benefits of eating organic produce runs from the 1st to the 16th September and Morrisons are holding staggered promotions in store throughout Organic Fortnight, encouraging customers to try a great range of organic products.
Welsh pâté producer honoured by UK food industry
From kitchen table dream to global success, Margaret Carter’s work as founder of one of Wales’ top food companies has been honoured with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Great Taste Awards.
A hunger for English apples
September 18 marked the official start of the English Apple season with the arrival of the major English varieties in retailers, more than 7 days earlier than last year. The taste of the apples this year is excellent and demand is greater than ever. However, whilst demand soars, many consumers are confused about which apples are actually English.
Run of success for Welsh chef’s marmalade
A chef from Hay on Wye has received one of the food industry’s highest honours - the award for Best Welsh Speciality, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government, at the 2007 Great Taste Awards. Mike Carnell’s Grapefruit and Ginger Marmalade proved a massive hit with the judges, who also awarded it the much sought after three star Gold award.
Support your local deli and taste British gold
The Taste British Gold campaign runs for three weeks from 28th September 2007 in local delicatessens, farm shops and small independent food retailers. It will give consumers the opportunity to sample the most exquisite artisan foods recently awarded gold in the prestigious Great Taste Awards.
An Italian vegetable delight – grown in Britain
Generations of Italians have appreciated cavolo nero as a versatile yet tasty vegetable. A member of the brassica family along with kale, cavolo nero is a popular ingredient in many classic Italian meals from soups to vegetable dishes. But British grown cavolo nero is now available in the UK!
Pete Doherty beats Posh to organic nosh
Pete Doherty has come out on top for once, but as the celebrity most in need of an organic breakfast, according to a new poll commissioned by the Soil Association. The poll of 1,000 UK mums on mumsnet.com asked which celebrity most needed to wake up to a hearty organic breakfast and poor old Pete came top of the list with 37% of the vote.
Fairtrade Grapefruit becomes available nationwide
The world’s first Fairtrade grapefruit are now available in more than 500 Co-op stores across the country, replacing all the non Fairtrade red grapefruit in these stores. The fruit has been imported by Fairtrade fruit pioneers and specialists AgroFair UK.
A new addition to the fruit bowl for October
October sees the start of the Spanish Persimmon season, the shiny, firm, tomato-shaped fruit with a sweet apricot taste. Morrisons stocks Persimmon fruit when in season, from October until early December. Delicious in oriental cooking using pork and lamb, it is also perfect for salads, cakes, desserts, and can even be made into jam.
Brits rekindle love affair with Sunday Roast
'How to’ website VideoJug (videojug.com) has seen a dramatic rise in viewings of their Apple Crumble video recipe and other classic Sunday lunch dishes. Each Sunday for the past month VideoJug, the world’s most popular website for factual video content, has recorded a massive 100% surge in the number of views to their “How to make Apple Crumble” video. There have been similar rises in the views of other classic British recipes including how to make Roast Beef, Roast Potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding.
American style breakfast delights
Eating a hearty breakfast can help maintain a healthy weight, not forgetting that it also does wonders for your energy levels. If you are working during the week give your laborious breakfast a bit of a zing, plan something really romantic for you and your partner and what could be better than a stimulating breakfast in bed to put a spring in your step.
Crisps – the Kettle way
Kettle Chips is celebrating the launch of four exciting new seasonings. Kettle chef Chris Barnard chose the UK’s most popular crisp seasonings but did them the Kettle way, using all natural flavourings and no MSG – which some crisp makers use to enhance the to flavours artificially. Using his knowledge of natural taste combinations, he worked to create seasonings that scored top marks with crisp fans.
Britalia rules the wafers
Rule, Britalia! The Italians gave us Pinot Grigio, we gave them Pimms, they gave us Pavarotti, we gave them Paul Potts - now you can have a taste of both nations with KitKat Cappuccino, as the UK’s favourite chocolate bar gets a taste of Italy.
Local loaves, the best thing since sliced bread
Morrisons has become the first retailer to offer customers in store produced ‘regional’ bread, using wheat grown in the surrounding area of the store. The four types of bread: Checkerboard, Cracked Wheat, Seeded Wheel and Coburg Cob, are available in selected stores in Yorkshire, Wessex and East Anglia. The fresh, rustic-style bread is produced from scratch by Morrisons instore bakers, using wheat that is grown locally.
Female fishmongers fillet as well
The fishmongery trade may be strongly associated with men, but new research - launched to coincide with Seafood Week (5 -12 October) - and Morrisons’ 186 trained female fishmongers would disagree.
Cranberry sauce – the perfect autumn ingredient
You don’t need to wait for Christmas before opening that jar of cranberry sauce. Ideal with a whole host of meats and cheeses, cranberry sauces are perfect as both an ingredient and an accompaniment to your favourite dishes all year round. To show just how versatile cranberry sauce can be, Sophie Grigson has come up with some inspired recipes to keep you creative in the kitchen.
New book reveals the highs of dark chocolate
The forthcoming book by cognitive scientists Simon Wootton and Terry Horne - ‘Teach Yourself Training Your Brain’ – reveals that dark chocolate can give you a buzz and boost your brain speed, without the fatiguing side-effects of caffeine. The book also reveals that dark chocolate contains a cannabinoid brain chemical which is known as the “bliss chemical”, because it is produced in the brain when you feel good.
Tesco launches 'Greener Living' in store and online
In a bid to make greener living even easier, Britain’s favourite supermarket has launched a new environmentally friendly brand entitled Greener Living, which includes a new Greener Living website, loaded with practical tips and ideas for anyone who wants to lessen their impact on the environment along with advice from green-fingered celebrities like Dick Strawbridge and Matt James.
Ethical fish fingers
Young’s, the UK’s most passionate ambassador for seafood, is proudly introducing a cod fish finger made with MSC-certified, line-caught, 100% sustainable, wild Alaskan Pacific cod.
Try Quorn for a healthy hearty meal
As the winter nights draw in, there’s nothing more appealing than a hearty roast meal with all the trimmings. So why not try the new Quorn vegetable roast, for a healthy treat that the whole family can enjoy?
The changing role of modern mums
Modern mums are unmarried, older and refuse to give up work to become traditional housewives, according to new research. In 2007, only 29 per cent of UK mothers gave up work when they had their first child.
Christmas treats from Hotel Chocolat
This Christmas treat your loved ones to the very best! Be it a stocking-filler or a full on Christmas hamper, have a truly indulgent festive season with chocolates from British luxury chocolatier – Hotel Chocolat. Hotel Chocolat combines the finest ingredients with expertise from leading chocolatiers around the world, to offer truly sumptuous gifts for family & friends or an indulgent treat just for you.
Start planning a Divine Christmas
Divine has excelled itself with chocolate treats for the Christmas season. With sensational new additions to the Divine gift range as well as an enhanced range of the seasonal favourites, Divine will never have been more perfect for giving, and sharing, celebrating and indulging.
Grana Padano launch Riserva at Harvey Nichols
Following its award win at the World Cheese Awards earlier this year, Grana Padano in partnership with Harvey Nichols launches its premium offering, the Riserva, in the UK. Matured for a minimum of 20 months, the specially selected wheels represent the oldest vintage and are richer and fuller in taste than younger Grana Padano.
Only natural ingredients for Milkybar kids
The Milkybar Kid is moseying on back into town and this time, it’s with supplies of the all natural Milkybar! From October, Nestlé Milkybar will contain all natural ingredients, while keeping that well-loved, smooth and creamy taste we all remember from our own childhood.
Cuisine judged Best Food Magazine in the World
New Zealand's Cuisine magazine has been judged the best food magazine in the world at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards. The awards, considered to be the Oscars of the food world, were announced at a gala presentation in Adelaide, South Australia, on Saturday night (20 October), when “Gold Ladles” were presented to the winners.
Festive tips from Antony Worrall Thompson
Even celebrity chefs have short cuts to ease the pressure of catering for family and friends during the festive season. Here, celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson shares five festive tips and foolproof fast snack recipes that take just five minutes to prepare – perfect when guests pop by unexpectedly.
Game to eat this Christmas
If you’re tired of the same old Christmas lunch and fancy tantalising your taste buds with something different give game a go this Christmas. Whether you choose pheasant, venison or partridge the wonderful flavour of game will make for a very different but successful Christmas lunch - and there’s the added bonus that you are making a healthy choice.
Bacon is Brits’ favourite butty filling
An independent survey conducted by The Sandwich Factory, has revealed that bacon is the number one sandwich filling - although banana is not far behind. ‘The Great Scoff Sandwich Survey’, set out to discover the nation’s favourite sandwiches and more than 25 per cent voted bacon as a necessary filling for any shop bought sandwich.
Deck your tables with Little Venice Christmas Cakes
Little Venice Cake Company has launched its Christmas Cake Collection for 2007, with a choice of exquisitely decorated cookies, Canape Christmas Trees, individual Christmas character cakes and larger table centre cakes for all to share.
Morrisons launch range of festive puddings
Morrisons have launched its most delectable range of Christmas puddings to date with a selection so scrumptious you’ll be spoiled for choice. It’s enough to make your mouth water just thinking about them.
Novelli’s still on the Market
Jean Christophe Novelli may be off the dating market, following the announcement of his engagement to Michelle Kennedy, but you can still get your hands on his amazing Findus ready meal range.
Fill up on Free From at Morrisons
Due to its popularity with shopper, Morrisons are extending their range of ‘free from’ products to over 130 lines, of which 40 are Morrisons own label. The full range, which will be in stores by the end of November, will offer an even greater choice of everyday essentials and tempting treats to food intolerance and allergy sufferers.
Chefs go around the world in 60 dishes to support cancer charities
Top celebrity chefs, including Gordon Ramsey, Brian Turner and Delia Smith, have donated recipes to a cook book produced by BUPA to raise funds for three cancer charities and celebrate the company's 60th anniversary.
Anglesey sea salt joins gastronomy’s elite
The only sea salt from Anglesey has joined the ranks of the food and drink elite in a recent competition judged by Michelin-starred chefs. The highly-acclaimed Feria de Gastronomía voted the range of sea salts from multi-award winning company Halen Môn, as one of the world’s top five gastronomic products.
Melton Mowbray pork pies crowned
Melton Mowbray pork pie baker Dickinson & Morris was last week crowned with a top quality award from leading food industry experts. Dickinson & Morris received the award for best pie at the Quality Food Awards at a prestigious ceremony held in London.
Adults crying out for jellie babies
Jelly babies are the nation’s favourite childhood sweets, according to a national poll from Taveners Proper Sweets. The classic treats, which will be 90 years’ old next year, beat chocolate éclairs, fruit pastilles, wine gums, chocolate limes, American hard gums, flying saucers, sherbet lemons and aniseed balls in a survey of nostalgic treats.
Have a blue and white Christmas
Rococo Chocolates have long been famous for their exquisite packaging and now they have produced items with the fabulous design for Christmas 2007.
Australian Christmas puds impress Londoners
Pudding Lane’s (puddinglane.uk.com) sumptuous handmade festive dessert range attracted crowds of food lovers at London’s BBC Good Food Show last weekend (16 to 18 November 2007). Visitors were on fine foodie form at the show in Olympia, west London, as they shopped ‘til they dropped for Christmas treats, presents and dinner party goodies.
Taste the sweet life at Harrods
A favourite of Winnie the Pooh, and a firm breakfast favourite served with toast: honey has been a popular staple since Egyptian times. With the launch of Life Mel honey, priced at £50 for 113g, this product is now being elevated to a luxury food, with fans including Sienna Miller and Kylie Minogue.
Morrisons launch a cheese-lovers heaven
Cheese lovers will be racing to the seasonal aisle at Morrisons this Christmas with the launch of The Best Cheese Butter Biscuits range. With three tempting flavours, all ideal for sharing, parties or just as a treat you certainly won’t be stuck for tasty nibbles to offer this festive season.
Taste the finest chocolate from Madagascar this Christmas
Malagasy, the first Equitrade chocolate for real connoisseurs is now stocked in Sainsbury’s across the UK – with sensational award winning taste and so much more.
Aldi takes on the big four
Aldi, the supermarket renowned for quality groceries at affordable prices, struck Gold on the 28th November, 2007 at the Quality Food Awards.
Banish burns on Pancake Day
Pancake Day is a great opportunity to have family fun flipping pancakes and creative time making fillings and toppings. But take care to avoid hazards such as burned fingers from touching the pan and burns to the hands and forearms from poorly flipped pancakes.
Balsamic vinegar is all white for 2008
Mediterranean specialist Belazu has launched a delicious White Balsamic at Sainsbury’s to add a twist to dressings and sauces. Carefully developed by the company’s quality balsamic producer in Modena, the White Balsamic Condiment was originally created for chefs who wanted the rich taste, fruit and aroma of a balsamic vinegar but without the dark colour.
Channel 4 launches The Big Food Fight season
Channel 4 launches The Big Food Fight - a season of programming which aims to raise awareness and encourage debate about food production, animal welfare and healthy eating.
A cool new concept in food retail
Food Inc., the fun food market retail store, is to open as part of the re-branding of Whiteleys in May 2008. Created by Harvey Nichols Foodmarket and Restaurants founder Dominic Ford and business partner Pat McDonald, Food Inc. aims to delight customers by bringing ‘a restaurant approach to elements of food shopping.’
A recipe to spice up your diet
A chunky winter soup is like a meal in a bowl. Not only is it warming and delicious, but full of goodness and low in fat – perfect for countering Christmas over-indulgence. What's more, this comforting dish is quick and easy to prepare in about half an hour.
A tasty weekend brunch
Tasty little baked florentines are perfect for a lazy weekend brunch with your loved one. Delicious and yet quick and easy to make – simply place spinach and succulent chunks of canned wild Alaska salmon into individual buttered dishes. Pour over a mixture of beaten egg, milk and crème fraiche, sprinkle with cheese and bake in the oven until golden brown.
Award-winning Indian cuisine moves into delis
Award-winning Indian food producer Mignon Johnson is moving her Moorkhana range of meals into specialist delicatessens across the Westcountry.
A romantic twist on cheese
Cheese is a natural aphrodisiac*, so what better way to get in the mood with your loved one this Valentine’s Day than by trying ‘Tickler with…Love’, exclusive to Morrisons.
Fancy Nancy - Grand Finales for every occasion
Couture cake designer and maker Juliet Sear has left Little Venice Cake Company in order to set up her own venture. Fancy Nancy creates individually designed cakes of the highest quality and is the next big thing in the couture cake world.
Fresh inspiration from celebrity chef Nick Nairn
If you feel in need of fresh inspiration in the kitchen then look no further than these three new recipes from celebrity TV chef and top cookery school owner Nick Nairn.
Harvey Nichols launches exclusive range of Olive Oils
From January 2008, Harvey Nichols will exclusively launch a range of naturally aromatic olive oils created by Ferran Adria of El Bulli Restaurant, priced at £6.50 (200ml). In partnership with expert Spanish oil-maker Borges, the Michelin starred chef has devised eight different infused oils and dressings to accompany an assortment of dishes.
Novelli to hit the table at Genting Stanley Casinos
The nation’s favourite French chef and TV personality Jean-Christophe Novelli today announced the signing of an exclusive partnership with Genting Stanley to continue its drive to premiumise its restaurant offer across the UK’s largest casino operation.
Multi-million pound success for Findus and Novelli
Following the multi-million pound success of the Findus Novelli frozen meal solutions Britain’s favourite French chef and Findus are proud to announce the launch of a limited edition range of indulgent dishes available in select Tesco stores from February 2008.
A healthier way for ‘fast food’
More and more frequently, busy lifestyles are making us turn to junk food as a convenient and quick alternative to preparing a proper meal, but there is a hefty price to pay. According to a recent study by Linkoping University*, people who regularly eat junk food are in danger of damaging their livers in as little as one month.
SoCo soul food
The month of February is party time in New Orleans and as the annual carnival - Mardi Gras - hits the streets with thousands of revellers celebrating the last day before Lent, Southern Comfort is bringing a taste of New Orleans to the UK in February with their SoCo Social Mardi Gras month, including a series of free parties bringing the sounds, sights and flavours of Mardi Gras to London, Manchester and Glasgow.
Something to celebrate
Rococo Chocolates is moving into its 25th year with a brand new website. The Rococo Chocolates website and online store, Rococochocolates.com, has had a complete redesign!
Divine flies high with Virgin Atlantic
Divine Chocolate muffins are now available as an exclusive complimentary snack on Virgin Atlantic flights worldwide. Divine, the leading Fairtrade chocolate brand, which is co-owned by cocoa farmers, has been chosen by Virgin as an exclusive treat for its passengers on all Atlantic flight routes. The airline is aiming to offer two million muffins over the course of the next year.
Britains love Parma Ham
It must be love: the British devoured over 12 million packets of Parma Ham last year, making us the biggest consumers of pre-sliced Parma Ham in the world outside off Italy! Our love affair with Parma Ham is truly extraordinary with a huge increase in sales year on year with a 27% increase in 2007.
The ultimate cheese on toast!
Love cheese on toast? The nation’s most satisfying snack is about to get even better thanks to restaurateur and celebrity chef Brian Turner, who has revealed his secret for creating the ‘Ultimate Cheese on Toast’. His delicious recipe and many more are available to download at Cathedralcity.co.uk.
Have a Dubbly good fair-trade Easter
This Easter look out for new speckled Fairtrade chocolate eggs from Dubble - great for Dubbly good easter egg hunts! Available now for Easter, Dubble Speckled Eggs are the perfect choice for Easter Egg Hunts - kids will adore these multi-coloured miniature treats.
A passion for cheese in London
London is now home to a wonderful new shop, La Cave a Fromage, offering the very best of primarily French and British cheeses. Owned by Eric Charriaux and Amnon Paldi who are both passionate about cheese and in particular some of the cheeses matured by their wholesale business, Premier Cheese, such as a 12 month old Berkswell and Cerney.
Grow your way to a healthier future
Britons can now go green and healthy and get their five-a-day dose of fruit and veg without a trip to the supermarket - thanks to a leading mail order gardening business. Spalding Plant & Bulb Co. has launched an ambitious nationwide campaign to help families grow their way to a healthier future.
Get your oats online!
Naturally nutritious, oats are one of nature’s healthiest foods and thanks to the new look website from nairn’s you can buy all varieties of nairn’s oatcakes, oat biscuits and oat bakes online and learn all about their health benefits.
Waitrose goes nuts for Liberation
Waitrose is the first UK supermarket to stock new Fairtrade nut brand, Liberation. These delicious packs of mixed cashew nuts and peanuts, baked with just a light drizzle of oil, are available in 2 flavours – ‘lightly salted’ and ‘with a hint of smoked’ flavour.
Egg-elicious this Easter
To celebrate Easter this year, Marc Demarquette has introduced a range of hand-painted Art Deco style Chocolate Easter eggs which have been infused with Lavender, Ginger, Coffee, Orange, Cinnamon and Wild Peppermint. The pop-art eggs are presented in either a funky selection of colourful half-dozen egg boxes or by the dozen in a stylish porcelain tray.
If Very Lazy is good enough for Delia
It’s not only us mere mortals who know we are onto a good thing with a jar of Very Lazy in the kitchen cupboard. Saint Delia herself also uses them – and is proud to say so.
Slimline Indian at MS Life
Award winning food writer Mridula Baljekar will be demonstrating her skills in creating fat-free Indian dishes at MS Society’s national conference at Manchester Central, held on 29th and 30th March.
Tasty new talent at BBC Two
BBC Two has commissioned two new primetime food programmes for 2008. Culinary explorer and chef Valentine Warner is set to combine cooking and natural history to take us on a journey through the best seasonal autumn food.
Chocolate overtakes religion at Easter in the minds of the UK
As one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar fast approaches, it may come as a surprise to many that the majority of the nation does not see Easter first and foremost as a religious festival.
Sir Stelios delivers tasty toppings to London
Pizza lovers across London are set to enjoy top value meals following the announcement of the expansion of easyPizza.com throughout the Capital. News of the pizza service comes from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, serial entrepreneur and founder of the easyGroup companies (easy.com).
A sizzling seasonal taste sensation - The BBC Good Food Show
For mouthwatering aromas from sizzling barbecues and all the best ideas for sensational picnics and sophisticated summer dining, visit the BBC Good Food Show Summer at The NEC from 11-15 June. This summer taste celebration is taking place at the BBC Summer Festival which also incorporates BBC Gardeners’ World Live and dedicated Good Homes and Countryfile magazine areas, as well as a brand new central feature bringing a sustainable future to life.
Zingy summer salads
If you thought soy sauce was just for stir fries, now is the time to stir up your ideas and think “outside the bottle”! With a dash of Kikkoman Soy Sauce, you can pep up everything from soups and sauces to shepherds pies (Delia does!), but did you know it’s also the perfect ingredient for a salad dressing with a difference? Made with just four natural ingredients – soybeans, wheat, salt and water – Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce has a delicate, smooth flavour which doesn’t overpower, making it perfect for blending with other dressing ingredients.
Jamie Oliver and Sainsbury's team up to feed cash-strapped families
Jamie Oliver and Sainsbury's team up to put affordable nutritious meals for four on the table for a fiver."Feed your family for a fiver" drive, fronted by Jamie Oliver, offers hearty, nutritious recipe ideas for families of four. Sainsbury's offers fresh meal ideas with ingredients at better than 100-year-old prices.
There’s nothing fishy about Friday
Hungry Brits will spend more than £7,500 on fish and chips over their lifetimes, according to new research commissioned by Young’s Seafood*. Yet sadly nine out of ten people won’t be eating any fish this Friday as the Great British tradition disappears.
Sell out shallots
Shallots have steadily grown in popularity over the last few years, and sales are rising at such a pace that British shallot growers are struggling to keep up with demand. Sales in the first quarter of 2008 are up over 13% in volume on the same period last year1. Shallots are a naturally grown product, subject to the unpredictability of the British weather.
Award winning patisserie moves home
A North Wales husband and wife team, who have been baking award winning cakes and desserts from their home in Mold for the last five years, are to move into new commercial premises in Flint in May.
Lemony loveliness
“Another tasty treat just in time for Spring? How perfectly marvellous,” we hear you say. Yes, Frü Fruity Puds, the fruity little sister of Gü Chocolate Puds, has made another perfect pudding just for yü. Like the first swallow, new Frü Lemon Cakes herald the beginning of the spring – and you’ll want to take more than one swallow of these darlings!
Celebrity chef Phil Vickery cooks up a pudding storm
Everybody loves a good pud! From homemade apple pie to granny’s spotted dick or mum’s treacle tart, everyone’s a winner. But how often do you make home-made puds and do you really know where to start? Well don’t panic! Celebrity chef Phil Vickery is here to save the day. Over the coming months he is welcoming you in to his kitchen to take you through the simple steps to create 6 classic puddings.
Love England – Love fish and chips
St George's Day, Wednesday April 23rd, is an excuse to celebrate all things English and to mark the occasion Young’s Seafood asked the nation which dish they would most like to be tucking into to celebrate their Englishness.
Online shopping is even sweeter
Every celebration calls for something special, but where do you start? From inspirational bakeware to edible sparkle dusts, squires-shop.com – Squires Kitchen’s new website – has it all. Squires-shop.com stocks everything you need to prepare and present your food, including those hard-to-find products such as garnish tools, edible diamonds, gold and silver leaf and chocolate roses.
Spring lamb – The very best of British
There’s something so special about the taste of spring lamb – with its delicate, pale and tender meat with a fine grain and white crumbly fat to keep it succulent. It is meltingly tender to eat, and represents the very best of British seasonal fare.
Organic trend knocks on door of wedding scene
Blue Strawberry, the leading society wedding and party caterer, has launched its Organic Weddings Service in the UK. In line with the ever-growing consumer demand for organic, locally grown food, Blue Strawberry is recognising a new wedding trend for brides and grooms and party hosts in general, asking for organic, locally grown, sustainable weddings and parties.
Waitrose launch new Delicatezze range
Briton’s mealtimes are becoming increasingly influenced by the informal dining of the Mediterranean. This tradition of relaxed meals made up of dishes to share has inspired the launch of Waitrose Delicatezze.
Loch Fyne – The world’s their oyster
Loch Fyne Oysters have won the Retail Award for Fish and Seafood at the Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2008, widely acknowledged as the “Oscars” of the industry. The Excellence Awards judge not only the quality of food and drink products but also companies’ environmental and sustainability policies. Loch Fyne Oysters’ ethos is based on sustainable enterprise and rigorous maintenance of the highest levels of care enabling them to be recognised as a leader in their field.
Divine takes centre stage
Divine, the leading Fairtrade chocolate, have announced that you will now be able to have a Divine experience as well as watching a great show at all 23 of the Ambassador Theatre Group venues across the UK. All four of Divine’s 45g bars – Milk Chocolate, Dark 70% Chocolate, Orange Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate – are now available as a delicious theatre-going treat from the Savoy and Piccadilly Theatres in London to the Theatre Royal up in Glasgow.
Rainforest Cafe supports National Allergy Week
According to Allergy UK, 1 in 3 of the UK population are affected by allergies at some point in their lives and 40% of children currently suffer from an allergy. Their 2007 survey ‘Stolen Lives’ highlights how people that suffer from food allergies consider their lives “stressful and nobody seems to understand”.
Figures add up at priceyourmeal.com
The figures are adding up at priceyourmeal.com, the revolutionary food auction website, which has hit its £250,000 turnover target two years after launching in Glasgow in Spring 2006.
Sweet like chocolate
Chocolate lovers can now satisfy their sweet tooth and help protect the environment, thanks to The Chocolate Truffle Company and their new 48g Chocolate bar containing cocoa sourced from a Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM farm.
Healthy diet with your personal chef
The stressful city life can make it difficult to find the time and cook a well prepared dinner in the evenings. To support your healthy diet, All in Hand, the supplier of high-calibre chefs and waiting staff for private and corporate clients in the UK and abroad introduces the “personal chef” service.
Ready, veggie, go!
Giving up meat and becoming a vegetarian is a major lifestyle decision - more of us than ever before are taking the veggie pledge. In some cases people go even further and take the Vegan route cutting out fish and dairy products too.
The sweet life
Antony Worrall Thompson is one of the UK’s best loved chefs. Appearing regularly on popular TV shows such as ITV’s Daily Cooks Challenge, BBC2’s Food and Drink and Ready, Steady, Cook. AWT as he is fondly known also has several leading restaurants including the celebrated neighbourhood restaurants Notting Grill and Kew Grill, as well as being a winner of the Meilleur Ouvrier de Grande Bretagne (MOGB) - the chef's Oscar.
An Olympian effort to promote breakfast
Kellogg’s has revealed plans for its second challenge to increase the nation’s consumption of breakfast cereals with a new celebrity face and a major tie up with a digital brand. Wake Up To Breakfast 2008 will see Kellogg’s invest £2 million in a two month long promotion fronted by Olympic champion, Kelly Holmes, and delivered in alliance with Microsoft Live Search.
Chill out with a cool Smooze this summer
Smooze Fruit Ice is a new kind of lolly that offers maximum refreshment with minimum guilt – perfect for people who watch what they eat and like to live healthily. There are three flavours to choose from: Mango and Coconut, Pineapple and Coconut, and Pink Guava and Coconut. Smooze Fruit Ice is made from 100% natural ingredients, with real fruit purees and juices (not from concentrate and with no added preservatives) and is rich in vitamin C.
Brits bin food to feed 19m people
Brits cook enough extra food at dinnertime to feed at least an extra 19 million mouths. 39% of us admit to cooking enough extra food to feed at least one other person and 36% suffer from 'waste worry' over the amount of food they waste each week.
Celebrity chef Phil Vickery cooks up a pudding storm
Everybody loves a good pud! From homemade apple pie to granny’s spotted dick or mum’s treacle tart, everyone’s a winner. But how often do you make home-made puds and do you really know where to start? Well don’t panic! Celebrity chef Phil Vickery is here to save the day. Over the coming months he is welcoming you in to his kitchen to take you through the simple steps to create 6 classic puddings.
Divine wins Observer Ethical Business Award
Last week, Divine Chocolate, the leading Fairtrade brand co-owned by cocoa farmers, was named top ‘Ethical Business’ at the prestigious Observer Ethical Awards, presented in association with Ecover.
Perfect picnic food
Young’s Seafood has developed a brand new selection of easy to prepare recipes perfect for the whole family, whether packing for a picnic or filling hungry tummies at lunchtime.
Will the British barbeque be a wash out?
Saturday August 2 is expected to be the biggest barbequing day in Britain according to research, but it could well be a washout – more than three-quarters (78%) of us have had a barbeque rained off in the last year, and weather tops the list of things which stops us eating outdoors.
Get ‘UP’ and go for breakfast
UP Box, which stands for Urban Picnic is an exciting new environmentally friendly upmarket take out concept, recently launched in Ludgate Circus. The stylish City shop launched in May and has proved a hit with locals for its delicious, well-balanced offering and a great alternative to the usual gluten and carbohydrate-heavy high street lunch options.
Chupa Chups celebrates 50th Birthday
The world’s favourite lollipop turns 50 this summer with parties and a Chupa Chups road show planned across the UK. Kick-starting a summer of celebration is a 1950’s retro branded Chupa Chups bus that will tour key cities and events across the country over the next four months. ‘Chupa Chicks’ will be dancing to the sounds of the 50’s and sampling lollies to members of the public, targeting an estimated 1.5 million people at concerts and festivals.
New CEO to head up nationwide roll out of easyPizza
Online pizza delivery service easyPizza.com, part of Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s easyGroup, has appointed David Sweeney as its first CEO. David brings with him significant expertise in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and franchise sectors and will be responsible for supporting existing easyPizza franchisees as well as expanding the network nationwide, providing a top quality, low cost pizza delivery service to an even wider customer base.
Top 10 ultimate dinner party faux-pas
Damian Clarkson offers his expert advice on how to avoid a disastrous dinner party. Dinner party etiquette can be a minefield of trip-ups, and with the Christmas party season fast approaching many will be planning intimate dinner parties, albeit with dread creeping in case they don’t pull it off.
Booths launches the ‘caviar of beans’
Flageolet Beans, often referred to as the ‘caviar of beans’ for their superiority and quality are now on sale exclusively at Booths. Unlike imported Flageolet Beans from Italy, which are dehydrated and preserved, these frozen beans are grown by Yorkshire producer, Scholes, and fast frozen to preserve their quality and taste.
The humble vol-au-vent gets an overhaul
The credit crunch might be throwing us all back to the 1970’s but some things can be improved on - the humble vol-au-vent just got an overhaul – wave goodbye to egg mayo and coronation chicken and say hello to the Jus Rol Sweet Bite.
Chocolate spheres for the festive table
These completely edible Chocolate Spheres from Squires Kitchen look like beautiful Christmas baubles. They would look stunning on your festive table, on cakes and desserts at any time of year, or as edible wedding favours with a difference.
A spicy way to add some fish to your diet
For those trying to add more fish into their diets, wild Alaska seafood is a great choice. Try this Moroccan inspired recipe for a fast, easy way to prepare sustainable and nutritious wild Alaska canned salmon.
How to eat British during the Credit Crunch
With food prices accelerating at their fastest rate since records began, fuelling a rise in the average family’s shopping bill of £750 a year, the organisers of British Food Fortnight, which takes place 20th September to 5th October and is the national celebration of the diverse and delicious food that Britain produces, have put together some tips on eating British during the credit crunch.
Plan a vegetable garden this Christmas
More and more people are including fruit and vegetables in their gardens as they experience the superior taste and health benefits of home grown food. But growing vegetables has traditionally needed more experience than picking out plants from a garden centre. Many crops need to be grown from seed, spaced correctly and ‘rotated’ in groups to prevent the build-up of pests or loss of soil nutrients.
Mitch and Matt’s Big Fish
Does the thought of cooking with fish send you into a panic? If so tune into Mitch and Matt’s Big Fish, sponsored by Young’s Seafood, exclusively on UKTV Food. Top restaurateur and fishmonger, Mitch Tonks and international rugby star and celebrity Masterchef winner, Matt Dawson, are packing up their camper van and embarking on a delicious and fishy road trip around the UK this November on UKTV Food.
Dining out is out
Just-Eat.co.uk, UK online takeaway portal have announced a 69.5% increase in sales during the last six months compared to the previous six months, proving that the Credit Crunch is not affecting the takeaway food industry.
Artisan du chocolat launches new concession at Selfridges
Artisan du chocolat is set to launch their second and long awaited shop on 10th November, a luxury concession at Selfridges on Oxford Street situated on the ground floor in the confectionery hall.
Out with the caviar and in with the corned beef?
With the credit crunch biting, office workers don’t have to resort to corned beef to keep their stomachs full. iVillage.co.uk, the UK’s leading women’s web site, has devised the “Credit Lunch” - five easy recipes for each day of the week that have been devised to help keep the pounds in your wallet and not on your waist.
Some like it hot - UP Box launches winter menus
UP Box, the environmentally friendly take out in Ludgate Circus has just launched a great new range of delicious, nourishing winter dishes prepared by their new chef, Ron Laity, who hails from Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow.
Don’t know what to do with a sack of spuds?
Research out this month revealed only four in ten adults know how to cook jacket potatoes. Well that’s probably because they’re all eating McCain Winter Herb Wedges, where all the hard work has been done for you. Now there’s no need to fuss over a bag of spuds - potato wedges are the new jackets! The humble spud is being passed over for something that packs a bit more punch.
The Clissold Grocer opens in Muswell Hill
Just opened on Fortis Green in Muswell Hill, The Clissold Grocer is a great new delicatessen and grocery shop from the owners of The Clissold Arms gastro pub next door. A great addition to the local area, The Clissold Grocer will specialise in the highest quality produce and home made speciality food, stocking everything from seasonal organic fruit and vegetables, various artisan produce and freshly made dishes from The Clissold Arms.
Christmas crackers from Jamie Oliver
The Jamie Oliver range of kitchen kit is bursting with ideas for festive feasting and gourmet gifts this Christmas.
Sophie Michell’s nutritious, quick easy family recipes
The ‘Glamorous Gourmet’ and star of Channel 4’s Cook Yourself Thin, Sophie Michell has revealed how to create speedy, inexpensive and healthy dinners that all the family will love, using Uncle Ben’s range of cooking sauces which are free from artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives and contain high quality, wholesome ingredients, including fragrant and aromatic spices.
I’m dreaming of a Booths Christmas
This year, celebrate Christmas in style with Booths. The foodies’ favourite food stores have everything you’ll need for the festive season, from Mince Pies and Stollen to Christmas Pudding and a range of Hampers.
Funnel cakes are taking hold in London!
Original American Funnel Cakes started to be imported into Europe last year and after a very busy summer at numerous events and fairs, many people have now started selling them in pubs, catering trailers and restaurants, across the UK, however Hampstead people seem to enjoy them the most.
Reducing the carbon footprint of frozen food
The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) and the Carbon Trust have reported the launch of their first joint project for the frozen food industry. The project ‘Reducing the Carbon Footprint of the frozen food industry’, examines the opportunity for potential temperature efficiency improvements within the frozen food industry based on the current legislative parameters.
Fresh Salmon market leaps 22%
The popularity of fresh salmon in the UK is leaping with an additional 40 million meals being enjoyed over the last two years. As shoppers feel the effects of the credit crunch, new figures from TNS Worldpanel report that the consumption of fresh salmon meals in UK homes has jumped from 179 million in 2006 to 219 million in 2008, an increase of 22%.
The perfect recipe for a green Christmas
Christmas might be one of the busiest times of the year but the good news is it seems our green habits don't melt away as the festivities start. According to new research by Marks & Spencer, we have already started planning the little things to ensure this Christmas is a green one. Seven out of ten of us plan to recycle Christmas cards and the vast majority - about 9 in 10 - take time out to recycle used wrapping paper.
Cold comfort helps mums beat winter freeze
There's a burning dilemma facing Britain this winter: heat or eat. Energy bills are at a high and set to stretch household budgets to the limit - not good for the majority who feel pressured to maintain a nutritious and plentiful standard of food for their families. However, many are finding that while luxuries may be out, a common sense approach to the weekly shop can do much to restore the balance.
Nutmeg Frog opens festive food pop up store
This festive season renowned bakery, Nutmeg Frog, hosts their first pop up store in Covent Garden. Stock up on homemade mince pies, stollen, pannetone and Christmas cakes all made with organic Cotswold flour, Sussex butter and Fairtrade spices, while soaking up the festive atmosphere of the historic Piazza. With a variety of delicious delicacies and festive fare, Nutmeg Frog is a one stop shop for all your Christmas needs.
Dinner for one?
One and two person households are the UK's fastest growing demographic - and it's causing problems in the kitchen. The number of people living alone has doubled since 1971 and it's predicted single households will outnumber family households by 2031.
We all love a little Italy
We might be proud to be British but the fact is, we’d still rather be Italian. Of all our European cousins’ lifestyles, it’s La Dolce Vita we envy the most, citing the glorious Italian weather, people-friendly work-life balance, peerless sense of style and mouth-watering cuisine as the reasons why. While Italy is famed for its rich traditions of art, theatre, cinema, literature and music, it’s perhaps for its food that people know it best.
Valentine's Day breakfast in bed for 'cereal' romantics
Mymuesli has launched a limited edition Valentine's Day 'Love Crunch' for ‘cereal’ romantics wanting to tantalise their lover's taste buds between the sheets this Valentine's Day.
Welcome to Barny’s Place
Barny’s Place has marked its arrival in The City of London. Barny’s is a quick service restaurant concept, serving healthy but hearty hot food using the latest fast food technology from America, but replacing frozen, fried and processed ingredients with fresh natural ingredients. This unique project promises to change the popular notion that fast food and the machinery used to produce it has to result in greasy and unsavoury cuisine that is bad for you.
Booths backs RSPCA 'Freedom Food' scheme
Booths has become Britain's first food retailer to ensure that 100% of its Lakeland Herdwick lamb is "Freedom Food" accredited. Freedom Food is an independent charity set up by the RSPCA in 1994 to improve farm animal welfare, insisting on higher welfare standards than other UK farm assurance schemes.
Savvy savings for ‘cook at home’ Brits
Britons could save more than £830 each year by cooking curry at home rather than ordering from a takeaway. Curry fans are totting up an average of £42 for every takeaway meal ordered, an eye watering 320% more than the same meal cooked at home.
Church leaders cook up mouth watering recipes
Church leaders from across the UK are supporting a fundraising cookbook, which will comprise recipes supplied entirely by them and members of the public.
A taste of South Africa
South Africa is a hot holiday destination for Brits in 2009, but don’t fret if you can’t make the trip - a taste of SA is coming your way This year has seen a growing trend among Brits to visit exotic holiday destinations. Partly it’s because of the exchange rate, but mainly it’s because we’re hungry to be somewhere dramatically different.
Brits spice up home cooking
Tales of economic woe might mean we are holding back on expense by dining out less but saving money doesn't mean we have to save on quality and flavour. In fact, whilst we are eating out less as a nation, new research shows that we are also becoming more adventurous in the kitchen.
Slow Food UK to take up London HQ
Slow Food UK is to make a fresh start and take a big step forward. The Slow Food movement was founded in the 1980s by charismatic Italian Carlo Petrini and has members the length and breadth of the UK championing the cause of good, clean and fair food.
‘You be the judge’ says organic food company
Alara Wholefoods Ltd, one of the country’s biggest organic muesli producers, were the world’s first accredited organic cereal company, the first fair trade cereal company and have just become the first zero waste food business in the UK.
Local mama wins search for Italian food ambassador
The wisdom of Italian Mamas is recognised throughout the world and who better to pass on this knowledge to the nation than the women themselves. Giovanni Rana has recently undertaken a nationwide search to find a team of women who represent the epitome of Italian mamas.
UK's best cuppa and bacon sarnie revealed
Four independent venues have been awarded titles for their bacon sandwiches, tea and toilets in the first ever AA Patrol Approved UK awards.
Curry company in ‘cool’ new deal with Tesco
South Wales ready-meal producer, The Authentic Curry Company, is ‘hotting up’ freezer cabinets in Tesco stores across Wales.
Alara Wholefoods win Camden Eco Award
Alara Wholefoods have just won the Outstanding Achievement Award 2009 for Environmental Excellence in Camden.
Cooking for the perfect night in
The time-honoured tradition of having a big night in - which many of us feared was being lost - is high on people's agendas again. It seems we all want to gather our family and friends and get them over to ours for a night in of delicious dinner, but just don't think we can.
A matter of taste
Have you ever wondered why certain combinations of flavours work so well together whilst others will leave you unsatisfied? Why do we love to eat the foods that other people hate and hate to eat the foods they love? According to new research, it’s all down a subtle combination of taste, smell and, most importantly, our individual memories and emotions.
iPhone your way to gourmet dining
Building on the success of the ‘Michelin guide Restaurants’ iPhone applications for France and Europe, Michelin has announced the launch of four new titles in Europe covering Germany, Spain & Portugal, Italy and the United Kingdom; and two in the United States for New York and San Francisco.
How parent power makes a difference to kids’ diets
When it comes to our children, we always want what's best for them, be it from what they eat and drink, to education, to where they play and what they watch on TV. It may not always be possible to check everything they eat and drink and many of us may worry that they are consuming all the wrong things.
Celebrate the flavours of summer
As the sun splits through the sky, and a gentle breeze blows through your blinds, close your eyes and pretend you are abroad. Even just for a moment, as you let the gentle aroma of summer inspire you to make a delicious recipe.
The world’s most romantic cocktail?
London’s CC Bar, at the Renaissance Chancery Court hotel is launching the ‘World’s Most Romantic Cocktail’ to celebrate St Valentine’s Day. A mix of ingredients from the most romantic destinations in the world, the cocktail is likely to make love blossom as guests are wowed with this romantic mix.
Glasgow restaurant invites you to think global & eat local
At Stravaigin it’s about the food, the service and the people. And the company ethos is simply - think global and eat local. Their culinary approach is to take incredible fresh ingredients from Scotland’s stunning larder and cook them with a global twist.
Rosé isn’t a cliché on Valentine’s Day
It’s time to make a change – put down the roses, step away from the chocolates and forget the stuffed toys forever. This year, put the sparkle back into your Valentine’s Day with original, inspiring and sophisticated sparkling rosé. As Bordeaux’s finest sparkling rosé, Reserve de Sours will turn an evening of lacklustre romantic tradition into a special night that will excite your senses.
Warm yourself with a mug of Spiced Chai Latte
For all those seeking a little warmth and comfort from the January freeze - take a moment to wrap your fingers round a warm mug and inhale the intoxicating aroma of Spiced Chai, from Drink Me Chai, a luxurious warm blend of sweetened tea, milk and exotic spices.
A fusion of fashion and food
London’s Ambassade de l’Ile restaurant has joined forces with exclusive members’ fashion boutique Rous Iland to host “Sense Sessions” - a veritable ‘banquet for the senses’ - on 3 March. The event will fuse fashion, music and cocktails with taster portions of creations from two Michelin-starred chef, Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex.