Archive for December, 2009

Restaurant Asks Diners To Sign Legal Form Before Eating Christmas Pudding

by Andrew on December 17, 2009 in Eating Out with 1 Comment

neleen_straussDiners at a London restaurant are being asked to sign a legal form before they eat its traditional Christmas puddings, just in case they swallow a silver charm by accident.

The owner of High Timber, a ‘wine dining’ restaurant in the heart of the City, was warned by some of her regulars customers in the legal profession, that the complex Health and Safety regulations made serving a traditional pudding with lucky charms practically impossible…unless diners signed a legal indemnity before tucking in.

“Yes, it’s crazy,” said Neleen Strauss, owner of High Restaurant, “but when you’ve got half a dozen lawyers looking after your interests, you can’t ignore them. I had to take their advice.”

“Bureaucrats and pen pushers spend the whole of the year coming up with ways of how to take fun out of traditional things like egg and spoon races and pinning the tail on the donkey.

“If by getting my customers to sign a form before they can eat a delicious Christmas pud, then that’s what I’ll do. It’s good to keep traditions alive, even if we have to jump through hoops to do it.”

The form customers have to sign states:

I the undersigned realise that by eating this Christmas Pudding at High Timber restaurant, London, I could bite into a lucky silver sixpence or silver charm.

I absolve entirely High Timber from all blame or liability should I come to any harm including but not limited to a chipped tooth, or any injury as a result of swallowing it.

I eat this Christmas Pudding in the full knowledge there may be silver items within.

Signed………………………………………. Print Name………………………………………

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Iron Chef Coming to the UK

by Andrew on December 16, 2009 in Television, Radio, Video, Film with 3 Comments

iron_chef_ukThe famed American show Iron Chef is heading to the UK. Channel 4 are now casting for the daily cookery show and would like to open the auditions to readers of The Foodie List. Based on the hit American and Japanese shows, each episode of Iron Chef UK will see four contestants each week battle the “yet to be announced” resident Iron Chefs in a cooking competition based around a central ingredient or theme.

We’re looking for confident, charismatic, professional and amateur chefs who’re up for the culinary challenge of a lifetime. The programme is already hugely popular in Japan and the US and we’re incredibly excited about launching it here in the UK!

We’re looking for people with a passion for food and cooking. Are you or someone you know a culinary colossus….a gastronomic goliath…or king of the kitchen?

If you think you have what it takes call 0141 353 8416, email possible.contestant@iwcmedia.co.uk or head to www.meontv.co.uk You have to be available for filming between 4-26 February 2010.

The image above is an apron availble in the US from Zazzle.com and says Iron Chef in Japanese.

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Langley Chase Organic Farm

by Andrew on December 15, 2009 in Farm Shops and Markets, Online Retailers with 1 Comment

langley chase ram

I run a small organic grassland farm in Wiltshire, rearing majestic four-horned Manx Loaghtan rare breed lamb and mutton. This year my lamb won the Meat Category of the National Organic Food Awards awarding us the most tasty organic meat in the UK! My mutton was highly commended at the Awards and I have now have ten National Organic Food Awards for my lamb and mutton.

This is how our meat has been described:
- Mark Hix, Hix Oyster and Chop Bar: “Langley Chase Organic Farm’s wild looking lambs taste delicious with a little hint of game.”
- Rick Stein: “Langley Chase Organic Farm is one of my favourite sources for organic lamb.”
- Hardeep Singh Kohli, a judge of this Year’s National Organic Food Awards said:
“I am a big fan of mutton and we should be eating more, especially when it is as tasty as Langley Chase mutton. You can taste the love in great food and you can certainly taste it in Langley Chase mutton!”

Ours is a specialist, organic meat, high in taste and low in fat and cholesterol. Everything we sell, we have reared ourselves on our herb rich pastures and meadow hay. Our lamb and mutton are perfect alternatives for Turkey for Christmas, make a totally traceable organic feast for Easter, provide delicious dinner parties and fine lamb and mutton bangers and burgers for the Summer barbeque. I’ve also been developing our other delicacies including Langley Chase Smoked Lamb and Manx Loaghtan Salami.

I sell direct to customers across the country. The farm’s website – http://www.langleychase.co.uk – details everything we do, how I rear my sheep (including data on the low fat and cholesterol of the breed) and run our Soil Association registered farm. You can watch a short video of sheep and farm
here: http://www.langleychase.co.uk/film.htm

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Whisky – the perfect Christmas accompaniment

by Andrew on December 14, 2009 in Television, Radio, Video, Film with No comments

balvenie_whisky_videoWe all know that champagne sets off canapés perfectly, and that white wine and fish is the perfect partnership, but how many of us know what foods should be consumed with whisky?

Made from malted barley, water and yeast, single malt whiskies like The Balvenie have long been drunk in the festive season. But it’s not just an after-dinner drink – whisky complements starters, main courses and desserts equally well, as long as you pair it up correctly.

Different aged whiskies work better with some dishes than others and in the video below our guests explain how to get the best out of a whisky during all courses, from a smoked-salmon starter to the after-dinner chocolates. How much water, if any, should you add to your glass? What do the aromas tell you about the whisky, and how can they enhance the flavour of food?

In the following video, The Balvenie whisky expert Andrew Forrester guides you through the best dishes to pair various whiskies with, ensuring that the enjoyment of your Christmas dram doesn’t have to begin once the meal is over.

View Video: http://www.linkto.tv/iframe/show/uuid/CiVc7nfMdjw

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Fantastic New Spa And Tea Package Helps Relax Stressed Out Shoppers

by Andrew on December 9, 2009 in food, In Search Of... with No comments

momo_restaurantEscape the onset of winter blues and holiday shopping panic with a package created specifically for those in need of a break in the lead up to Christmas.

Momo, the renowned North African restaurant and café, has teamed up with the Elemis day-spa to create a relaxing ‘Rest and Revive’ Christmas package. Priced at just £90 for two people, stressed out friends and partners are treated to a joint Moroccan “Exotic Steam Rasul” therapy at Elemis’ flagship day-spa in Mayfair, followed by a Pommery Royale Champagne afternoon tea at Momo.

The North African inspired ‘Rest and Revive’ package recreates the laid-back style of North Africa and the Mediterranean in the heart of central London. Located only a short walk from London’s busiest shopping streets, guests can unwind at the Elemis day-spa in Lancashire Court, before taking a relaxed stroll to enjoy tea at Momo, the North African oasis on Heddon Street, which feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Regent Street.

About the Exotic Steam Rasul treatment at the Elemis day-spa
Enter into the exotic herbal steam temple under a 1000 stars, to take part in a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual. Different coloured medicinal chakra muds are applied to specific areas of the body, whilst one gently inhales the steam infused by pure herbs, helping to cleanse the respiratory system, smooth the skin and detoxify the body, whilst revitalising your chi energy. To complete the ritual, a warm tropical rain pours down from the dome of the Rasul and as the muds are gently washed away, so is every last drop of tension in your soul.

About the Pommery Royale Champagne tea at Momo
Momo is a mix of tradition and cosmopolitan cool. Stepping through its door, guests are transported to the sumptuous surroundings of a North African riad where they can relax for hours in Mo Café’s relaxed, vibrant bazaar atmosphere. Attentive staff will offer guests a chilled glass of Pommery Royale champagne with platters of Momo’s delicious maghrebin pastries and traditional mint tea.

The ‘Rest and Revive’ Christmas package is available from now until the 24th December. The package costs £90 for two people and includes a Moroccan Rasul treatment for two at the Elemis Day Spa, Mayfair and a glass of Pommery Royale Champagne, mint tea and maghrebin pastries for two at Momo Mo Café.

To book, please contact Elemis Day Spa on +44 (0)207 907 2780, quoting the ‘Rest and Revive’ Christmas package.

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