Archive for July, 2009

Top Chefs at Action Against Hunger’s Fine Wine Auction 2009

by Andrew on July 30, 2009 in Eating Out, Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

fergus HendersonCulinary luminaries Heston Blumenthal, Angela Hartnett, Fergus Henderson and Herbert Berger are combining their formidable forces this October to host the celebrated Action Against Hunger Fine Wine Auction and Dinner 2009.

Fergus Henderson, Chef Patron of Michelin-starred St John, has gamely posed naked in a ‘wine-filled’ bath at the luxury Sanctum Soho Hotel, to capture the event’s theme of ‘turning wine into water’; illustrating that all funds raised from the event will help Action Against Hunger fight hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

The prestigious event will take place in the stunning hall of City dining institution 1 Lombard Street on Saturday 10 October 2009, to coincide with World Food Day on 16 October.

The Fat Duck’s Heston Blumenthal said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of this amazing event. It really gives food and wine lovers the opportunity to enjoy a night to be remembered, whilst raising much needed funds for Action Against Hunger – I urge everyone to attend.”

Guests on the night will be treated to a Champagne reception and four-course meal, created specially for the occasion by the team of revered chefs. The meal will be complemented by fine wines kindly donated by Hallgarten Druitt and carefully selected by leading UK sommeliers and wine experts including Peter McCombie, Master of Wine, and Thierry Tomasin, Master of Culinary Arts.

David Elswood, International Head of Wine at Christies, will host the highly prized live auction, with once-in-a-lifetime lots up for grabs.

Lots include a meal for two at Ferran Adria’s three-Michelin starred restaurant, El Bulli, in Spain; a private dining experience for twelve at London’s Corrigans and two Jereboams of Felton Road Block 2006 Pinot Noir, worth in excess of £3,000.

In addition, luxury lingerie brand, Agent Provocateur, have donated a special one-off item to be auctioned on the night. The stunning lace kimono has been hand crafted with 100’s of finest Swarovski crystals for that extra touch of glamour. Guests will also receive a fabulous Agent Provocateur gift bag to enjoy.

Tickets are priced at £160 each. For further information or to purchase tickets, please contact Heidi Drummond on 020 8293 6133


New Launch Taste Britain Magazine

by Andrew on July 29, 2009 in In the Press with 5 Comments

taste_britain_magazineTaste Britain will be 100% dedicated to British food and drink.

Published as a bi-monthly, the first issue goes on sale Thursday 20 August and will be available nationwide in WH Smiths, Tesco, Waitrose, Borders and larger Sainsbury’s, Co-Op and Somerfield stores as well as independent newsagents.

Each issue will be packed with over 50 inspiring seasonal recipes, the best of British beer, cider, wine and whisky writing, wonderful travel features on undiscovered and favourite UK gastro hotspots, and coverage of the very best British ingredients and produce. With contributions from all the top British chefs, it will reflect the excitement and interest attached to British cooking right now.

We know the most important thing in a food magazine is the recipes. So every issue of Taste Britain will be packed with over 50 British recipes. Whether its our seasonal cover feature, four takes on a key ingredient, 10 quick and easy midweek meals, our historical ‘Eat Like a King’ series, the latest offering from top TV chefs, or signature dishes from Michelin starred restaurants, there’s a huge range of dishes for you to try every issue.

Subscriptions are available for £15 for 6 issues, or get a free cook book worth £20 if you subscribe for 12 issues. www.tastebritainmag.co.uk

Wagamama Inspires New Eastern Adventures For Travellers

by Andrew on July 28, 2009 in Eating Out with No comments

wagamama go eastFood lovers with a taste for the east can embark on the journey of a lifetime with incredible holiday adventures in the east inspired by the pan-asian influences of the Wagamama menu. The restaurant chain has teamed up with STA travel to create the portfolio of eastern food-inspired holidays, which are designed to tickle the taste buds and showcase the delights of pan-asian cuisine

There are six Wagamama food-inspired, eastern holiday adventures to choose from taking in popular destinations such as Thailand, China, Malaysia and Vietnam. Also on offer are trips to the spice land of India and the noodle fans’ favourite, Japan.

Visitors to wagamama.com/goeast can view an interactive map exploring the different regions of Asia and their influence on the wagamama menu regions, together with click-through links to STA travel’s Wagamama food-inspired travel adventures.

To tie in with the launch of the these amazing adventures, Wagamama and STA travel are also offering Wagamama customers the chance to win a trip for two in Asia. Customers will need to keep the receipt for their meal and visit wagamama.com/goeast to enter. The winner can choose between either ‘china express’, a tour around the birthplace of asian cookery, or ‘roam southeast asia’ giving the opportunity to sample the spice-infused dishes of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Both prize options can be viewed at wagamama.com/goeast.

Wagamama customers that miss out on the big prize can text ‘STA go east’ to 62233 to receive £25 off an Asian holiday when £200 or more is spent at STA travel.

NOM Yogurts

by Andrew on July 25, 2009 in food, Supermarkets with 4 Comments

nom yogurtsI’m loving the Granola version “delicious thick creamy NOM yogurt with a seperate portion of Granola”; even the delivery driver was raving about this one.

With 100% natural ingredients, the launch of NOM Naturally comes hot on the heels of completion of its new £60 million, state-of-the-art Shropshire dairy. NOM Dairy UK is the local off-shoot of an Austrian dairy company.

Under NOM Naturally comes ‘Naturally Creamy’, a unique split pot with both granola and fruit varieties; and ‘Naturally Good’, a multipack, family-friendly yogurt in smooth and layered varieties. All NOM Naturally products will be made with 100% natural ingredients.

Naturally Creamy is available in three 175g luxury fruit flavours – Senga Strawberry, Alphonso Mango & passionfruit and Morello Cherry; and two 150g crunch granola styles – Granola, and Granola and Belgian Choc Chip.

Naturally Good will deliver great tasting products for all the family, filled with everyday goodness. Again, using 100% natural ingredients, there will be two distinct varieties; layered and smooth. The layered yoghurts come in – Senga Strawberry, and Morello Cherry; while the smooth, child friendly flavoured yoghurts include Strawberry, Strawberry and Banana, and Raspberry.

The strategy behind the new NOM UK dairy and launch of the NOM Naturally brand, is that currently over half of dairy products are imported so there is a massive opportunity to add value to customers by supplying locally.

“NOM Naturally fills a gap in the market by delivering the combined benefits of great taste, dairy goodness and 100% natural ingredients at very competitive prices, ticking all the boxes for today’s consumers. The launch will be backed by a range of in-store marketing activity

Head down to Morrisons to secrue your NOM Yogurts.

Yumchaa – London’s Top Teashop

by Andrew on July 23, 2009 in Eating Out, Specialist Shops with 3 Comments

yumchaaYumchaa is a newly opened tea shop in the heart of Soho that prides its self on pouring the best loose leaf tea in London. Sticking firmly to a “No Tea Bagging Policy”, Yumchaa serves an extensive range of flavoursome loose leafed teas, from bespoke blends to old classics, mixing old world tea romance with new world flavours. Also on offer in this delightful café and shop is a range of homemade cakes, sandwiches and salads, ideal for a quick lunch or leisurely afternoon tea.

Yumchaa’s Soho teashop is spread over two quirkily designed floors. Featuring a long serving bar stocked high with the vibrant colours and flavours of Yumchaa’s packaged teas, the entrance level is a bright and airy space, perfect for relaxing over a cuppa and making use of the free Wi Fi. The downstairs space has a common room feel, with mismatched furniture, homely sofas, individual desks and big tables. The patterned wall paper and white wooden floors throughout the tea shop create a light, welcoming feel.

Owners Sean and Trinh have developed and nurtured the Yumchaa concept from the beginning with their very first market stall. Running tea shops in Camden and now Soho, as well as numerous stalls over the city, the couple are motivated by their desire to provide high quality loose leaf tea, exciting blends and techniques in a friendly, personalised and welcoming environment. Yumchaa believes that the best moments are made over a good cup of tea, and by offering good quality product in a relaxing environment, Yumchaa encourages Londoners the chance to take some ‘me time’ from their busy lives.

Yumchaa’s specially blended teas are only made and served with quality loose-leaf tea that contains the essential oils and compounds which provide the base for a good cup of tea. Unlike bagged tea, which release bitter tannins that fail to deliver the full flavour, Yumchaa’s loose-leaves allow the tea to brew and circulate in the water properly. This releases the full flavour of the tea, creating rich, full and smooth drinking experience.

Downstairs at the Soho venue, Yumchaa has introduced a series of events and regular tastings designed to educate and excite their guests about tea. A programme of spoken word evenings and book signings are also regularly scheduled, with a new Mills and Boon book club set to start up in August.

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