Co-op to serve-up new-look store in North Camp, Farnborough

Shoppers who live in the vicinity of North Camp, Farnborough who are keen on saving money in a co-operative sense will be pleased by the news that the Co-op is launching a new, improved co-operative convenience store next Monday, 4 September to serve the community of North Camp, Farnborough and the surrounding areas. 

This is after a month-long programme of works and improvements to bring about the improvements. 

The new-look store which is almost 2,800 sq ft in size, is located in Queens Road, North Camp and it will provide over 20 local jobs and will be open between 6am-11pm daily.

North Camp’s Co-op will include hot food an in-store bakery and a Costa coffee dispenser, plus a free-to-use ATM which is installed as part of the Co-Op's aim to provide access to cash in all communities it serves, plus an Amazon parcel collection services and, the online delivery of groceries through Deliveroo and Uber Eats for added ease, speed and convenience.

The store also has an improved back-of-shop storage facility to further enhance the range, choice and availability of all its fresh, healthy products; meal ideas; everyday essentials; food-to-go; Fairtrade goods; flowers; chilled beers and award winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from, vegan and plant-based products – including Co-op’s exclusive vegan range, GRO. (EDITOR: Even though I'm not a vegan nor even a vegetarian I absolutely love the GRO Onion Bhaji & Mango Chutney Sandwich!) 

Last month, August, the Co-op announced its biggest ever single investment in pricing of £70 million, as it extends its ‘member-only’ pricing across everyday essentials, launching with a list of almost 200 fixed lines including milk, eggs and bread. The move also includes retail price reductions on over 600 lines.

A funding boost is also provided locally via the Co-op’s Membership programme. Membership of Co-op unlocks additional value with personalised offers and Member pricing benefits. Also, Members are rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products which is added to their own personal Membership account balance, with Co-op giving the same amount to local causes and, community organisations. So, yes, Co-op Members really can make a difference simply by shopping at Co-op.

Said Irfan Hameed, who is the Co-op Store Manager: “It's very exciting and gratifying to be re-launching North Camp’s Co-op. Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life here and, we are really looking forward to welcoming Members and customers into their new, improved store. We've worked hard to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to serve our community, conveniently, with a focus on delivering member-value so the people who own our business, our members themselves, benefit every time they shop in their local Co-op.”

Did you know that The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, and alongside Food, Co-op operates Funeralcare; Insurance and Legal Services. Its Members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation, and enjoy a wide number of benefits including member-only pricing across everyday essentials?

More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting www.coop.co.uk/membership

(EDITOR: I'm just chomping my way through some crisps from our nearest Co-op!)

Asda celebrates a landmark birthday by giving £15m away to customers

Asda has just announced it's going to give away a cool £15m to customers throughout the month of September to mark the first birthday of its hugely popular Asda Rewards loyalty app.

Asda's launched a super and exciting new ‘Spin the Wheel’ game in its Rewards app giving customers a guaranteed Cashpot bonus every time they ‘spin’ during this month, September.

To win their share of the £15m up for grabs, customers only need to spend £5 or more in-store or online, scan their Rewards app and give the wheel a spin. Depending on where the wheel lands, 50p, £1, £5 or £100 will be added to their Cashpots.

The £15m Spin the Wheel bonus is the single biggest giveaway since Asda Rewards launched exactly one year ago. 

Over seven million customers have used the app since its  launch and they've have earned over £200m in their Cashpots, which they can use to reduce their grocery bills.

To celebrate Asda Rewards’ first birthday, from Thursday 21st September to Monday 24th September, Asda will also have a physical version of Spin the Wheel game at fifteen of its stores, including Watford, Derby and Pudsey.

Customers shopping at one of these stores can actually play the physical version of the game and will be in with a chance of winning merchandise and a range of Asda products.

Mark Baxter, who is Senior Director for Loyalty at Asda, said: “We launched Asda Rewards last year to reward customers for the simple act of shopping with us at Asda. Since then, over 7m customers have been earning pounds by buying star products and completing missions.

“At Asda, we're always exploring for  new ways to give back to our customers via our Asda Rewards, so obviously really thrilled to be celebrating its first birthday by rewarding our customers with a guaranteed Cashpot bonus throughout the month of September.”

Rewards provides customers with the opportunity to earn pounds, rather than points, each time they purchase certain products or complete Milestone Missions. (EDITOR: That makes it sound kind of glamorous, like a James Bond assignment!)   

New Asda Rewards users can also be able to take advantage of the First Scan Bonus, until Saturday 30th September.

Customers who download Asda Rewards, sign up for an account, and scan the app before 30th September will receive £5 in their Cashpot, too!

To get started on Rewards, customers need to download the Asda Rewards app and log in with - or create - an Asda Groceries account.

Terms and conditions for ‘Spin the Wheel’ and a full list of products excluded from Asda Rewards can be found on Asda's website - Asda.com.

(Image courtesy Tumisu from Pixabay)

Did you know you can now do your Morrisons shop on Amazon?

Yes, it's true. Though you will need to check for availability in your area.

Amazon Prime members in select areas/cities have delivery options available at no extra cost to them.

Just be mindful that minimum order values do apply and that extra service fees could appertain to some delivery windows.

You can opt for a wide selection of tempting grocery items and these include freshly picked goods from Morrisons - Market Street (EDITOR I love the Morrisons Market Street concept which reflects on the history of William Morrison, the founder of the company who began life as a humble and hardworking street market trader) and the rich and bold flavours with The Best range, Free From and V Taste catering for your dietary needs plus unmissable special offers, too!

Once you have filled your virtual supermarket trolley make you way to the virtual checkout and explore what delivery slots are available to you. 

They can offer same-day delivery windows for up to 24 hours in advance, though this does depend on several factors including your address/postcode and availability of your chosen delivery times/slots.

Just check them out here:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/fmc/m/30001562?almBrandId=TW9ycmlzb25z&ref=morri_dsk_sn_aboutMorris

M&S launches legal challenge against Marble Arch decision

Sacha Berendji who is Operations Director at M&S said: "Today we have launched a legal challenge against the government’s decision to reject our Marble Arch store proposal.

"We have taken this action because we believe the Secretary of State wrongly interpreted and applied planning policy, to justify his rejection of our scheme on grounds of heritage and environmental concerns.

"We find it hugely disappointing that after two years of support and approvals at every stage, we've been forced to take legal action to overcome a misguided agenda against our scheme, and we will be challenging this to the fullest extent possible."

Aldi cuts prices of fruit and veg

Already the UKs cheapest supermarket, Aldi has cut the prices on a range of fruit and veg products.

This week, shoppers can enjoy even cheaper prices on items such as strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes and spinach. 

Fruit and veg items in Aldi’s Everyday Essentials range are included in this latest price drop, which has seen items fall by an average of about 9%.

The move is the latest of in excess of 100 price cuts Aldi has introduced over the past two months.

Julie Ashfield, who is Aldi's MD of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “Every week we're working very hard to make new savings to pass on to our customers and help ensure we always offer them the lowest grocery prices we possibly can.

“We know shoppers are having to make difficult choices at the moment, so we at Aldi are doing what we can to offer the lowest prices possible. That’s why shoppers continue to switch to Aldi from every other supermarket.” 

Consumer group Which? named Aldi as the UK’s cheapest supermarket in July for the 14th consecutive month. On a basket of goods, Aldi was the cheapest supermarket at £71.22, which was £16.02 lower than the most expensive supermarket, Waitrose.

Back to school: Tasty lunchbox fillers for under £2

Making the back-to-school shop more affordable, Asda has lunchbox filler options for under £2.

From tasty sandwich fillings to snackable light bites to keep energy levels up, Asda’s fresh and delicious options are nutritious and affordable, without any compromise on taste, too.

Starting with the staple sandwich, shoppers can bag a loaf of Just Essentials Whole Meal Bread for just 45p or Asda Soft White Medium Bread for 75p. Paired with any of the mix and match cooked sliced meats, and on a 2 for £3.50 offer, shoppers can tailor their tastes to create something affordable and flavoursome.

The 2 for £3.50 offer has in excess of 20 options; including customer favourites Asda Oven Baked Dry Cured Ham (£2.25), Asda Sliced Chargrill Style Chicken Breast (£2.25) and Asda Wafer Thin Honey Roast Turkey Slices (£2.15). With this breadth of options shoppers can always try something new, keeping kids excited about what’s for their lunch.

Perfect size for a lunchbox and to keep energy levels high between lessons or-after school clubs, Asda has a 3 for £1.20 offer on packs of fruit, including ASDA Grapes (50p), ASDA Crisp and Juicy Watermelon Slices (50p) and ASDA Crisp and Juicy Apple Slices (50p).

For cheese lovers, Asda has nifty offers on Mini Babybel Light Cheese Snack (£1.50 for pack of six) and Dairylea Cheese Triangles (£1.25 for pack of eight). For the savoury snackers, the ASDA Southern Fried Chicken Bites (89p) and ASDA Caramel Rice Cakes (£1.10) are the perfect pick-me-up.

No lunchbox is complete without a sweet treat and there are plenty of fruity options available, including Hartley's Strawberry Flavour Jelly Pots (£2 for pack of six) and Soreen Strawberry Lunchbox Loaves Snack Bars (£1.75 for five).

With many of the lunchbox filers being included in Asda’s recent price drop of over 400 products, Asda’s offers mean the back-to-school shop doesn’t have to break the bank. Shoppers can shop the full range of Back to School supplies here https://groceries.asda.com/cat/back-to-school/1215685931218

www.asda.com

Tesco slashes more prices, and this time it’s good news for parents, too

Today, Tesco has  announced another round of price cuts, with prices sliced on over 50 products as it continues to pass savings on to customers.

This time round parents will be set to see some of the biggest benefits, with Tesco slashing the cost of some Pampers nappies by 16% and cutting prices across a range of branded and own-brand baby products from Johnsons Baby Shampoo to Florence and Fred Cotton buds. In total, this week Tesco is reducing the prices of almost 60 products available in its larger stores, with a quarter of the cuts in the baby aisle.

But its not just parents who can make savings. Other products seeing some of the biggest reductions are six packs of Tesco yoghurt drinks (down 17%), Tesco Garlic Mayo (cut by 14%) and Tesco Kind and Pure Facial Cleansing Wipes (reduced by 19%).

This is part of Tesco’s commitment to pass on savings to customers whenever possible. Tesco announced cuts on 500 lines in June and has continued to cut prices on hundreds of products in recent weeks, with a wide variety of products including milk, pasta, cooking oil and broccoli now at lower prices.

Tesco Chief Product Officer Ashwin Prasad said: “We're aware that household budgets remain under pressure, and so I'm really pleased to announce price cuts across a further range of products, including key products popular with young families.

“This latest round of price cuts is just another sign of our commitment to pass on savings to our customers wherever we are able, and we will continue to work with our suppliers to bring down prices on the items that our customers put in their trolley or basket week-in, week-out.”

The cuts are the latest action from Tesco to support customers amidst current cost-of-living pressures. Earlier this month Tesco announced that it was replacing more than 50 branded lines stocked in Express stores with more keenly-priced alternatives (many of them own-brand) to help save shoppers money.

Asia food innovation contest offers students $10,000 in cash prizes

University students from across Asia are being tempted with $10,000 in cash prizes if they can come up with innovative, plant-based food ideas to help grow the region’s market in climate-friendly food and nutrition. 

The competition, called the ProVeg Food Innovation Challenge,which is now in its fourth year, gives students the chance to gain valuable insights into an exciting and fast-growing industry, while channelling their creativity and skills towards solving some of the biggest challenges facing the world today. 

On top of that, there are big cash prizes on offer for the finalists! 

“We really encourage as many university students as possible, from all disciplines, to take part in the Food Innovation Challenge 2023. Not only could they end up creating a great new food for the supermarket shelves and win a lot of money, they could also make a valuable contribution to improving our food system,” Shirley Lu, Managing Director Asia and Chief China Representative at ProVeg International, said. 

“Our food choices have a significant impact on climate change, food security, animal welfare, and health and pandemics and innovative, plant-based foods can offer multi-problem solutions to these issues,” Lu added. 

Multinational companies involved

Every year, the Food Innovation Challenge draws in support from multinational companies to help support students in developing their entries. This year, more companies are involved than ever before. 

Food giants Nestle and Unilever, along with Asian startups Green Rebel (Indonesia), Haofood (China) and Unlimeat (South Korea) are all involved. Green Rebel is a rising star for investors and recently sold into Starbucks in Singapore and Indonesia. 

China's first soybean company listed on the stock market, Zuming Bean Products Company, is also taking part as well as Shuangta, one of the world’s largest plant-based protein manufacturers.

The topics students will work on include plant-based meat, poultry, seafood, and egg from convenience food to snack food and there will be much more in-person interaction with students this year, now that the Covid pandemic is over.

Students who get involved will also be able to experience exciting partner company/factory visits. 

How the challenge works

The challenge is open to students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programmes at universities and colleges in the Asia-Pacific region. Teams must have a minimum of two and a maximum of four people.

Teams can include students from different disciplines and different schools. Students can submit a maximum of two proposals or join a maximum of two teams.

The judging criteria is as follows:

Market potential (30%). The judging panel will look at the projected revenue, profitability, and growth opportunities, taking challenges and available alternatives into consideration.

Feasibility (30%) The panel will look at the feasibility of product (or campaign) ideas, including formulation, manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution.

Product uniqueness (20%). The panel will look for clear explanations of how your project is innovative and different from what is currently available in the sector.

Go-to-market strategy (20%). Entries will gain points for clear explanations on how you would introduce your products to the market.

The deadline for submission of final ideas will be on 20 November 2023. Finalist teams will be announced in the first week of January 2024.

Those wishing to get involved can email student.ambassador@proveg.com with the names and emails of enlisted team members. 

proveg.com

Urban Rhino Gin a Massive Tonic for Rhino Charity

Urban Rhino premium London dry gin has launched a formal agreement to make a UK-based rhino charity, Waterberg Rhino UK, which supports The Rhino Orphanage in South Africa, its main beneficiary.

And if it wasn't for Waterberg Rhino UK then the gin might not even exist. Because it's all thanks to a lunch on “table 8” at a traditional old English pub!

Explains Waterberg Rhino UK trustee Belinda Chaffer: “Just a few short months ago I was delighted to meet Pete Richardson, one of the co-founders of The Rhino Orphanage in the Waterberg , which is a place very dear to our hearts.

“Pete lived in South Africa but came back home in 2018 after ten years during which time he helped establish the orphanage of which he is still an active director.

“During our first meeting, at Table 8 at The Five Bells in Wickham (A wonderful English country pub), I mentioned we have previously been supported by a gin brand and it was a shame the business was possibly closing as the founders were emigrating and had other life challenges facing them.

“Following my introduction, Pete spoke to the guys concerned and the big news is Pete's taken over majority ownership of The White Rhino Gin Company Ltd!”

And now URBAN RHINO premium London Dry Gin is once again available to buy online, with Pete and his team committing to support Waterberg Rhino UK and The Rhino Orphanage in South Africa, with 10% of the profits from sales of the gin.

With only six botanicals, the gin recipe embodies simplicity and high-quality craftsmanship, and every sip of Urban Rhino Gin is a toast to the generosity, fun, authenticity, and the power to be changemakers.

Pete says: “It's thanks to Waterberg Rhino UK Urban Rhino gin can now hopefully flourish and grow, and we do have some lofty ambitions.

“If it wasn't for Waterberg Rhino UK then Urban Rhino gin would probably not exist today, and as a co-founder of the world's first rhino orphanage I'm truly delighted to be able to support the charity and The Rhino Orphanage for all the amazing work it does.”

Please check out these websites: www.urban-rhino.com and https://waterbergrhino.org.uk 

(That's Food and Drink suggests you lay a few bottles down for your Christmas cocktails!)

Salcombe Brewery Co. Celebrates Double Win at the World Beer Awards

Salcombe Brewery Co. is celebrating a double win for its Island Street Porter at the 2023 World Beer Awards. Not only did it win a gold in the porter category, but it was crowned overall 'Country Winner' too, meaning that they judged it to be the best porter in the country.

Says Jordan Mace, who is Salcombe Brewery's MD: “We're obviously thrilled with these new accolades for our Island Street Porter, which has already won a Gold Award from SIBA and a Champion Beer Award from Taste of the West.

"Its burgeoning trophy cabinet is testament to the brew team's hard work, creativity and focus on quality. Not only have they created a beer that has beaten off competition from all over the world to achieve a gold award but, it's also been recognised as the best of its kind in the country, too.”

Island Street Porter (ABV 5.9%) is a carefully crafted, velvety, delicately bitter porter with just a hint of sweetness. Eight different malts combine to suggest the tangs of dark chocolate, coffee and black cherries, while the aroma pleasingly suggests a tasty Black Forest gateau!

The World Beer Awards recognise the very best beers from all over the world. To learn more about the World Beer Awards visit www.worldbeerawards.com.

Award-winning, SALSA accredited Salcombe Brewery Co. produces a range of premium cask ale and keg products at its innovative Estuary View brewery which nestles in the Devon countryside above the world famous Salcombe Estuary. 

Salcombe Brewery's range of beers is available nationwide in pubs and hospitality venues as well as retail outlets and online. For further information on Salcombe Brewery Co. and for online purchasing, please visit www.salcombebrewery.com follow Salcombe Brewery Co. on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

(EDITOR: I'd suggest laying a few cases down for the Christmas and New Year's Eve party season!)

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Enjoy a Taste of Italy With Luscombe Sicilian Citrus Crush

Let the flavours of Luscombe's Sicilian Citrus Crush transport you to the stunning island beaches and beautiful architecture of Italy's largest island. 

A lightly sparkling citrus classic, this vibrant Sicilian Citrus Crush is lovingly crafted by Luscombe using only the carefully selected juice of organic Sicilian oranges and lemons grown in the volcanic soils of Mount Etna. 

Famed as some of the best in the world, Luscombe sources Sicilian oranges and lemons from farmers growing them in Sicily's rich soils.  

Having spent nine years living in Sicily, Luscombe's founder Gabriel knows the long days of glorious sunshine that give the fruit an intense sweetness to balance their natural acidity. In their home in Devon, Luscombe then expertly blends the juices with their own source of Dartmoor spring water, bringing a rounded depth to the zesty infusion of fresh citrus.  

Bursting with flavour and leaving the palate feeling nicely refreshed, Sicilian Citrus Crush is exquisite when paired with seafood, calamari, Dublin Bay prawns, shellfish, smoked salmon and egg dishes like scrambled egg, frittata and omelettes.

Originally created in honour of Gabriel's grandmother's favourite non-alcoholic tipple of orange juice and bitter lemon, Sicilian Citrus Crush is extremely versatile.  Just serve chilled over ice and enjoy, mix with your favourite premium spirit or use to elevate cocktails.  

Royal Warrant Holder, Luscombe's Sicilian Citrus Crush can be purchased from luscombe.co.uk in single serving bottles (12x27cl bottles, £26.50) or sharing bottles (6x74cl, £27.40). 

Like all the drinks in Luscombe's range Sicilian Citrus Crush contains nothing artificial, no artificial additives, sweeteners or concentrates and is gluten free and vegan friendly.  

Sicilian Citrus Crush is joined by other crushes in Luscombe's portfolio including Rhubarb Crush, Sparkling Apple Crush, Raspberry Crush and Lime Crush and won two stars at this year's Great Taste Awards.

Luscombe's exceptional tasting range includes premium organic fruit juices, crushes, bubblies, tonic waters and mixers plus a traditional organic Devon cider. They have been producing beautiful, lovingly crafted drinks on a farm in Devon since 1975.  

Gabriel has become renowned for his pursuit of perfection and no compromise approach to creating an elegant and multi award-winning range of drinks, which only use the very finest organic ingredients blended with Dartmoor spring water.  The team takes great pride that all of their drinks are made from gently pressed organic ingredients, picked at their ripest in the climates where they grow best.

Dangerous TikTok trends warning to parents

Parents of young children and teenagers are being warned of the most dangerous trends going around on TikTok and are advised to keep track of their kids' phone usage. 

Multiple TikTok trends have resulted in tragedy, such as the blackout and chroming challenge, rising concerns for children's safety on the app. 

According to a recent study, 42% of children spend over four hours on their phones daily, making them more susceptible than ever to being exposed to inappropriate content. 

Parents are being urged to ensure their children are not putting themselves at risk by following dangerous trends on social media.

Phone experts at SellCell have revealed some of the most concerning social media challenges and are encouraging parents to keep tabs on what their children are accessing on their phones.

This comes after research unveiled 42 per cent of children spend over four hours per day on their phone, making them more susceptible to inappropriate and unsafe content.

Although TikTok was reportedly designed to be a platform where users can share and watch entertaining short videos, the rise of challenges means young users may be encouraged to take part in dangerous tasks.

Although 88% per of parents monitor their kids’ phone use and know their passwords, with the excessive amount of videos on the platform, it’s tricky to keep track of what their children are exposed to.

TikTok has seen multiple dangerous trends which have resulted in tragedies, raising concerns for children's safety on the app and highlighting the urgent need for parental supervision.

Trends such as the blackout, chroming and Cha Cha Slide challenge have already claimed the lives of young children who were trying to get noticed on the platform by jumping on board with the extreme and dangerous trends.

With kids getting their hands on phones earlier than ever now, some even at the early ages of one to two, they haven’t fully developed critical thinking skills to accurately assess the potential risks of participating in dangerous fads.

Parents are encouraged to monitor their child's online presence, educate kids about the potential dangers on social media and use safety features, such as restricted mode to reduce mature content or family safety mode to pair the children’s accounts with theirs.

Sarah McConomy, who is the COO of SellCell said: “The pressure to fit in and be popular on social media can cloud young people's judgement, making them ignore the possible consequences of harmful trends on TikTok.

“With kids spending more time on their phones than ever before, of course their exposure to inappropriate content naturally increases.

“TikTok operates on an algorithm, pushing videos in front of kids without them searching for them, so it’s possible they'll stumble on content that is explicit, dangerous, or otherwise unsuitable for their age.

“Despite efforts to regulate content, not all inappropriate or harmful videos can be filtered out effectively.

“A combination of guidance, education, and monitoring is crucial to ensure children have a safe online experience.”

SellCell has compiled a list of some of the most dangerous trends on social media:

Borg challenge

The Borg or blackout rage gallon challenge involves filling a gallon jug with equal parts water and vodka, along with caffeinated flavour enhancers and electrolyte powders, in an attempt to create a hangover-proof drink. People assume the presence of water and electrolytes in the borg cocktail makes them less dangerous but it’s untrue. The large servings make it harder to moderate drinking, leading people to consume an excessive amount of alcohol.

Mouth taping during sleep

This trend involves using a piece of tape to keep the mouth shut to only breathe out of the nose while sleeping, claiming to improve sleep quality and prevent snoring. While nose breathing during sleep can have some health benefits compared to breathing via your mouth, using tape to close your mouth isn't a solution. Participating in this trend has several risks, such as obstructed breathing, irritation from the tape, disrupted sleep and choking hazards. It’s especially dangerous for people who have sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.

Blackout challenge

The blackout challenge is one of the most dangerous trends to hit TikTok, resulting in several deaths. The participants of the challenge are encouraged to hold their breath or choke themselves with household items until they pass out. Users post videos of the adrenaline rush they get when regaining consciousness, encouraging kids too young to grasp the risk to try the challenge.

Chroming

The chroming trend revolves around users challenging each other to inhale fumes from toxic sources, such as aerosol cans, spray deodorants, paint containers or nail polish removers. The aim of the challenge is to create a temporary high, however the participants are not aware of the dangerous side effects chroming includes. Participating in this trend can lead to serious health risks such as heart attack, seizures, suffocation, coma, choking, or fatal injury, and may even cause permanent organ damage.

Fake piercings with magnets

In this trend, people are using small magnetic balls, commonly sold as creative toys, as fake facial and tongue piercings. It can be extremely dangerous if these magnets are accidentally swallowed, as ingesting more than one means that they’ll be forced together, squeezing the intestines and bowels and threatening blood flow.

Benadryl challenge

This challenge involves taking large doses of Benadryl, an over-the-counter antiallergic drug, to trigger hallucinations. The participants take nearly double the recommended daily dosage of the medication in a short period of time and film their side effects. Consuming an excessive amount of allergy medication could lead to heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.

Cha Cha Slide

The Cha Cha Slide challenge sounds like it’s a fun and safe trend, but in reality it’s one of the most dangerous trends making the rounds on TikTok. The trend encourages teens to drive recklessly to the beat of the famous Cha Cha Slide song by DJ Casper. Drivers are swerving their cars left and right before sharply turning in both directions at the "crisscross" part of the lyrics. This can lead to careless drivers veering into oncoming traffic and causing life-threatening accidents.

The deodorant challenge

This trend sees youngsters spraying deodorant closely onto their bare skin for as long as possible to make it feel ice-cold. Following this trend can leave kids with severe and nasty burns, as the pressurised gas in aerosol cans creates a sharp cooling effect on skin, causing the skin to freeze. Some kids who have taken part in the challenge have been left with injuries that require years to heal, requiring plastic surgery.

https://www.sellcell.com/mobile-phone-statistics/#mobile-phones-child-usage-and-parental-attitudes

Although not the usual type of post on That's Food and Drink we decided that this is so important that we would publish it to help raise awareness.

(Image courtesy of Andi Graf from Pixabay)

DukesHill Launches Exciting New Wild British Game Collection

With the shooting season for grouse now underway, Royal Warrant holder, artisan food producer and fine food supplier DukesHill has launched a wonderful and delicious new Wild British Game Collection. 

A rich and robust tasting Venison Wellington and a Three Bird Roast of pheasant, partridge and pigeon are just some of the highlights of the new range. 

Established in 1985 in the West of England rural county of Shropshire curing ham using time-honoured traditional techniques, DukesHill's reputation and range continues to grow with the introduction of the new Wild British Game Collection.  

Naturally lean, packed full of flavour and guaranteed to be 100% British, the new wild game is responsibly sourced from approved British estates who ensure all game is handled and cared for properly.

Following popular demand, DukesHill's new collection of British game has been introduced after becoming the most requested product category from its customers.

DukesHill is renowned for championing artisan producers whose skilled use of unique and traditional methods create outstanding food and flavours. With an true uncompromising commitment to sourcing and creating delicious British produce with the highest regard for animal welfare, DukesHill's new Wild British Game Collection carries the British Game Assurance (BGA) stamp, and offers the very best in quality, provenance and taste.

Louisa Clutterbuck, CEO of British Game Assurance and Eat Wild said: “Compared with traditional farmed meats, wild game is astonishingly versatile; the flavour profiles of one type of bird are completely different to another, giving you plenty of room to experiment in your kitchen. It's also lean, high in protein, and low in fat, thus making it a healthy alternative. 

"What's more it's supremely free range and has a lower carbon footprint than many other meats. DukesHill's new Wild British Game Collection celebrates all of this, and better still, all the meat within the collection is BGA-assured, meaning it's guaranteed to be high quality and sustainably sourced. 

"At BGA, we ensure that shoots across the country follow high welfare standards with our independently-audited Assurance Scheme, allowing a reliable and reassuring route for game meat to make its way into the market and onto our plates. We seal it with a BGA stamp of approval; the game equivalent of the Red Tractor stamp.”

Wild British Game Collection

Venison Loin Fillet - £28 (min 450g)

Sourced from approved British estates supporting the British Game Assurance scheme, DukesHill's wild Venison Loin Fillet is of the highest welfare standards. A tender and succulent fillet, it's versatile with a delicate flavour and is perfect for frying or roasting.

Venison Wellington - £38 (min 700g)  

A luxury twist on a classic British dish, this Venison Wellington makes for a delicious dinner centrepiece with a rich and robust game flavour. Tender British venison fillet is wrapped in mushroom duxelles and buttery crisp puff pastry. 

Venison Rolled Haunch Joint - £15 (min 500g) 

Cut from the top of the hind leg, DukesHill's tender and flavoursome Venison Rolled Haunch Joint is simple to cook and easy to carve and makes a great Sunday roast. 

Three Bird Game Roast - £65 (min 1.3kg) 

DukesHill's magnificent Three Bird Game Roast of pheasant breast is stuffed with both partridge and pigeon breast along with a pork, sage, and onion stuffing. It's topped with smoked streaky bacon and a rosemary sprig and carries the British Game Assurance stamp to ensure the provenance of this meat is of the highest regard for animal welfare.

Stuffed Pheasant - £22 (min 600g) 

A British seasonal speciality, this delicious Stuffed Pheasant is lean and rich in flavour. 

It is pointed out that all game from the collection may contain small fragments of shot although every effort is made to ensure that it is removed.

https://www.dukeshill.co.uk

Aldi's Fake-away range beats Nando's!

Clever shoppers who love Aldi's bargains now have even more reasons to shop at Aldi, as they can enjoy a full Nando’s inspired range of CHEEKY starters, mains, sides, and sauces including a Wing Roulette, Mighty Peas, Peri Peri Mayo and more from 5th September onwards.

Aldi has revealed a stupendous new peri-peri chicken range to rival juicy high street favourite Nando’s. 

Launching on Tuesday 5th September, shoppers are certain to get peri hot under the collar as the selection includes everything from lemon and herb chicken thighs to scorchingly hot chicken breast sizzlers for the ultimate fake-away feast. What’s more, the range will be the first ever launch to trigger a full branded takeover of the fresh meat specials fixtures across all Aldi stores.

Aldi’s NEW Rooster’s Half Chicken Lemon and Herb (£3.99, 900g) is a deliciously, zesty dish featuring a succulent breast and leg marinated in a delightful and delicious blend of lemon, herbs, and spices. Also available in a medium heat setting(!) for those seeking a little bit more of a kick. What’s more, shoppers can save 54% compared to Nando’s prices.

Need to turn up the heat a little bit? Aldi will have you covered with a purse-friendly alternative to the popular Nando’s Butterfly Chicken. The NEW Chicken Breast Sizzlers (£3.69, 400g) come with a sizzling Hot Peri-Peri sauce. It's also available in lemon & herb recipe for those with more timid taste buds.

Or why not sink your gnashers into Aldi’s NEW Rooster’s Thigh Fillets Medium Peri Peri (£3.29, 360g)? It's an absolutely delectable combination of tender, juicy chicken thigh served with a special signature spice blend, packing just the right amount of heat to tickle your taste buds. Also available in Lemon & Herb, too.

Are you perhaps feeling braver? Well, why not walk into the wing of fire with the Wing Roulette (£4.99, 1.1kg), a lucky dip of marinated chicken wings with spice levels that vary from mild to insanely hot. Put your taste buds to the test and see if you can handle the heat!

Pair your choice of chicken with a massive host of sides inspired by Nando’s classics like: Spicy Rice (1.99, 300g), Mighty Peas (£1.99, 250g), Corn on the Cob (£1.99, 255g), Peri Peri Seasoned Fries (£1.49, 255g) and Rainbow Slaw (£0.79, 300g).

If that’s not saucy enough, try Aldi’s Peri Peri Mayo (£0.99, 170g) blending peri-peri chili spice and creamy mayonnaise, adding a vibrant and tangy kick to any dish.

But it doesn’t end there! Those looking for an alternative to meat, need look no further than Aldi, because Aldi has introduced its brand-new Plant Menu Peri Peri No Chicken (£1.99, 240g). Perfect for vegetarians, these plant-based alternatives will have even the biggest chicken fans guessing.

Aldi Rooster’s Breast Sizzlers, Peri Peri Seasoned Fries and Mighty Peas

£7.17

NANDO’S

Nando’s Meal Main with two sides (Butterfly Chicken with PERI-Salted Chips and Macho Peas

£14.20

SAVINGS: £7.03 (50%)

Aldi’s full NEW cheeky Nando’s inspired range includes:

Starters

Houmous with Peri Drizzle (99p, 150g)

Olives (£1.69, 120g)

Mains

Rooster’s Half Chicken Lemon and Herb/Medium Peri-Peri (£3.99, 900g)

Rooster’s Thigh Fillets Lemon and Herb/Medium Peri-Peri (£3.29, 360g)

Rooster’s Breast Sizzlers Lemon and Herb/Medium/Hot Peri-Peri (£3.69, 400g)

Rooster’s Wing Roulette (£4.99, 1.1kg)

Plant Menu Peri-Peri No Chicken (£1.99, 240g)

Sides

Spicy Rice (£1.99, 280g)

Mighty Peas (£1.99, 300g)

Spicy Corn on the Cob (£1.99, 255g)

Mini Garlic Bread (£1.29, 145g)

Peri Peri Seasoned Fries (£1.49, 255g)

Rainbow Slaw (£0.79, 180g)

Coleslaw (79p, 180g)

Sauces

Peri Peri Mayo (£0.99, 150g)

Aldi’s new fakeaway range will be available in store and via Click & Collect from Tuesday 5th September.

www.aldi.co.uk

Mr Lyan's Cocktails at Home by mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardan

Cocktails aren't just for fancy nights out!  In Mr Lyan's Cocktails at Home, award-winning and internationally famed and acclaimed mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan, shares 69 delicious, easy to make, classic and innovative cocktails that can be made at home for every type of occasions, be they gatherings with friends and family, romantic evenings, birthdays, Christmas or New Year's Eve parties, or just relaxed post-work and weekend drinks with family and friends.

From al fresco drinks and cosy winter warmers (thinking Christmas here?) to Friday night crowd pleasers, Mr Lyan's Cocktails at Home features nine brand new recipes besides Ryan's expert advice on ingredients and techniques. Ryan perfects classics like the well-known Old Fashioned and the Manhattan, and experiments with exciting new flavours and interesting, intriguing combinations. 

The inspiring new recipes featured include Barley Champagne, Belle Ball, Cochin Cooler, Golden Cherry Fizz, Hot Cold Tea, Smoked Sbiten, Smoked Watermelon Shandy, Vermouth and Soda, and White Port and Tonic.

Chef René Redzepi of noma, says: “Ryan has a really superb sense for flavours and the alchemy of their combinations. Deliciousness is always at the forefront in Ryan's work, but more vitally, this book projects the significance of conviviality, the approachability of cocktails made and drunk at home, and the value of sharing time with loved ones over a delicious drink (or a meal).”

Ryan Chetiyawardana is considered to be cocktail royalty and his innovative expertise is in demand across the entire globe. 

He has award-winning bars in London, Amsterdam and Washington DC, and is a member, with fellow cocktail guru Lynette Marrero, of the highly prestigious MasterClass platform in which every presenter is at the top of their game.  

Ryan has earned many awards over the years including Tales of the Cocktail foundation's International Bartender of the Year, The World's Best Bar for London's Lyaness, and Best US Hotel Bar for Silver Lyan at the Riggs Hotel in Washington DC.  He also features in Spirit, the 2023 documentary film following three world class bartenders on what it takes to be the best of the best.

Mr Lyan's Cocktails at Home is released 21st September in the UK and Europe, with photography © Kim Lightbody.

The official book launch will be held at Lyaness, Bankside, London on Sunday 17th If you would like to attend please contact melody.odusanya@quarto.com

What are people saying about the book?

"This is a really useful companion for the home bartender." - Square Meal Lifestyle

"It's filled with his signature, innovative drinks but they're done in a way that makes them accessible to the home bartender. A must for any drinks enthusiast."  - Olive magazine

"Despite his highly technical and scientific approach to drinks, he aims to show that cocktails are easy to make and accessible." - Bar magazine

"Good Things to Drink with Mr Lyan and Friends is a delight - great recipes, beautiful photographs, delicious illustrations and plenty of good chat... No home should be without it." - The Cocktail Lovers

"A treat for cocktail lovers - novice or otherwise. Foolproof recipes for Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, warming punches, and modern batch cocktails to make ahead for parties. Cheers!" - The Sunday Telegraph

"The drinks are exciting but not pompous: when it comes to making excellence seem down to earth, Mr Lyan is the main man."  - Evening Standard

“Award-winning bartender Mr Lyan provides the perfect intro to cocktail making for those who aren't at one with their inner mixologist just yet.” - Marie Claire

"Pick just three cocktails from this book to make over and over again and you'll be top of the invite list." – ShortList

The book will be published by Quarto https://quarto.com

Poor summer brings about increased red wine sales, reports Waitrose

The old saying "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good" seems to be holding true regarding wine sales, according to figures released from Waitrose.

Because the washout summer has made red wines the drink of choice, as sales soar for numerous countries including France and Chile.

A cold, crisp glass of white wine or rosé is normally a summer staple but as we experienced the sixth wettest July on record, red wine and a cosy night in seem farm more appropriate, with the biggest increases seen in classic French fine red wine, especially with Burgundy leading the way (163%) and Chilean fine red wine, too.

Over the last month we saw temperatures of 14.9 degrees and this dip in temperature is reflected in customers drinking habits with red wine from all regions seeing an increase in sales in the past month.

 In comparison, in July 2022, temperatures soared as high as 40 degrees with searches for rosé wine and white wine up 30% and 47% on Waitrose.com compared to the same time this year. 

Jamie Matthewson, who is the Wine Buying Manager at Waitrose, said: “Our customers usually love a chilled glass of rosé in the summer and who can blame them? It’s a shame it's not had its moment in the sun this year but it has been great for red wine, whether you want to enjoy a chilled summer red, or really want to hunker down and enjoy a Malbec or a Merlot. Personally, I love a glass of red whatever the season!”

He went on to say: "Our customers are prepared just in case the sun decides to make an appearance, opting for red wine that can also be chilled with sales of Santa Tresa Frappato up 86% year on year. 

"An elegant Sicilian red, which is full of delicious summer fruit flavours and can be enjoyed slightly chilled, perhaps served with grilled tuna. 

"Cocktails are also on the menu with searches for the red wine based summer cocktail Sangria up 47% compared to the same time last year on Waitrose.com.

For those who prefer a spirit as a tipple the preference has been more for a warming autumnal drink, with sales of spiced rum, single malts and cognac are up. Old fashioned season has also come early with recipe searches for the classic cocktail up 292% on Waitrose.com compared to the same time last year.

Argentina Fine Red Wine +90%

Australia Red Wine +24%

Australia Fine Red Wine +19%

Bag In Box Red +23.4%

Burgundy Red wine +163%

Chile Fine Red Wine +206%

Germany Fine Red Wine +68%

Germany Red Wine +56%

Italian Red Wine +29%

Loire Red Wine +30%

France Fine Red Wine +270%

Rhone +30%

South African Fine Red Wine 68%

Spain Red Wine + 45.4%

USA Fine Red Wine +73%

Until today, Tuesday 29th August, Waitrose is offering 25% off all wine and Champagne priced between £5 and £100, when purchasing any six or more bottles. The offer is available when shopping in branch, on Waitrosecellar.com, or online at Waitrose.com with a grocery delivery.

When taking advantage of the 25% offer on Waitrosecellar.com, customers are able to mix their own case with their favourite wines and Champagnes. With over 1000 wines to choose from on the Waitrose Cellar website, it’s the perfect time to stock up. Cases can include six or more bottles of the same trusty favourite, or a mixed selection of something new - creating your own bespoke case of wine has never been easier.

Calling all Wilko staff! Aldi wants to have a word with you about a job

The Aldi supermarket chain has issued a call to all Wilko staff impacted by the collapse of their former employer to get in touch with Aldi as there are over 6,000 jobs currently available across its UK stores.

Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket, which recently announced the creation of 800 jobs in new stores over the next coming months, has revealed that it is also recruiting for a large volume of other store roles across the UK to support its continued expansion.

Aldi hopes to offer these long-term retail roles to people who are losing their jobs as a result of the Wilko downturn, or other store staff cutbacks, with a range of Aldi positions available from Store Assistants and Caretakers all the way to Store Managers.

Kelly Stokes, Aldi's Recruitment Director said: “We continue to welcome more and more customers to Aldi stores on a weekly basis, so we're working very hard to meet the huge demand for our unbeatable value prices.

“This means we need to find thousands of new Aldi colleagues to support this growth, which will hopefully be of interest to those who have recently lost out due to closures elsewhere, such as at Wilko."

Aldi colleagues are the best-paid in the UK supermarket sector. Store Assistants receive starting pay of £11.40 per hour, whilst those based in London receive £12.85 per hour. And Aldi is the only supermarket to pay for breaks which can be worth up to £972 a year.

For more information or to apply for a job, visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk

www.aldi.co.uk

Aldi reduces plastic wrapping on minced beef

Aldi has announced it is trialling the sale of vacuum and flow-wrap packed beef mince to cut the amount of plastic packaging it users by up to 73%.

As well as significantly reducing plastic use, the changes are expected to increase the shelf life of minced beef, keeping products fresher for longer, without impacting either quality or taste.

The trials are taking place to see which packaging customers prefer alongside looking at how the supermarket can further reduce plastic waste in the future.

The aim of the trial is to understand which packaging customers prefer alongside helping Aldi the further cut plastic waste.

The new packaging removes the need for paper linings and no carbon dioxide is used in production, delivering further environmental benefits without impacting the quality or taste of the product.

In fact, the new packaging is expected to increase the shelf life of minced beef by keeping it fresher for longer.

The vacuum packaging trial has gone live across select stores in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire. (EDITOR: That's us covered, then!)

The flow-wrap trial will be rolled out in the same areas later in the year during November.

Luke Emery, who holds the role of Aldi's Plastics and Packaging Director, said: “At Aldi we're constantly reviewing ways to become more eco-friendly and reduce plastic use wherever possible.

“These trials promise a range of environmental benefits without impact on quality and it could lead to significant reductions in plastic, food miles and food waste if rolled out across all our stores.”

The move follows Aldi’s switch to colourless milk caps across all of its 990 UK stores in a bid to improve the recyclability of the bottles.

The roll out will mean a further 200 tonnes of High-Density Polythene (rHDPE) in the bottle tops can be reused to create new milk bottles. 

New deal for parents from Asda

With just a week to go before most kids head back to school, Asda has introduced a new ‘Back to School bonus’ on its Rewards app.

Customers will get 10% back on school uniforms and a £2 Cashpot giveaway when they spend £10 on other back-to-school essentials like stationary, lunch boxes and drink bottles.

Asda has launched the offer after new research showed many families are struggling with school uniform costs due to ongoing financial pressures caused by the current situation.

A quarter (25%) of Asda customers surveyed said they'd be forced buy less school uniforms this year compared on years, while 42% said they'd do their best to try to make old uniforms last as long as they could before replacing them.

To make the back-to-school shop more affordable, customers can take advantage of the following Asda Rewards offers:

10% back in their Cashpots on all school uniform clothing, footwear and accessories with no minimum spend required, until Sunday 10th September 

A £2 cashpot boost when they spend £10 on other back-to-school essentials such as stationary, until Sunday 3rd September.  

New Asda Rewards customers who download and scan the app for the first time will get £5 in their Cashpot, until midnight on Sunday 30th September. 

Additionally, Asda is also offering 10% off all schoolwear online via its George website until Monday 11th September.

Asda also has a 100-day guarantee on school uniforms, meaning that if for any reason a customer is not satisfied with their school uniform, they can simply return it within 100 days with proof of purchase for an exchange or refund.

Scott MacRae, who is Senior Buying Manager for Schoolwear at George, said: “With only a week until schools return, we're aware our customers will be focusing on ensuring their children are kitted out for the new school year. We appreciate this can be stressful, especially for our large families, so we want to help budgets stretch further with our back-to-school offers across our website and Asda Rewards.”

Asda’s latest Income Tracker reveals family disposable income remains firmly below the levels experienced prior to the cost-of-living crisis, down by £25.99 per week for the average household compared against July 2021.

The tracker also reveals those aged 30-49, are feeling the pinch the most as their spending on essentials, such as food, housing costs and utility bills, was 9.4% higher in July compared to a year earlier.

(EDITOR: But remember when you take your children to Asda to buy uniforms, school supplies, etc, Asda is still offering special meal deals in the Asda cafés, so you can feed them, too!)

www.asda.com

That's Home and Household: Allergic Rhinitis is a year round problem. But hel...

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Stanislav Kondrashov Publishes the History of Chocolate

Chocolate enthusiasts and history aficionados alike are in for a real treat with the publication of the article "The Surprising History of Chocolate" by Stanislav Kondrashov. The article takes readers on an enticing and evocative journey through the captivating evolution of one of the world's most beloved treats.

In "The Surprising History of Chocolate," Stanislav Kondrashov unveils chocolate's rich and varied history, from its beginnings in Mesoamerica to its global status as a symbol of indulgence. 

The article guides readers through each pivotal historical era, shedding light on the remarkable transformations chocolate has undergone.

Kondrashov expertly navigates the narrative, allowing readers to savour the fascinating details of chocolate's origins as a form of currency among the Aztecs. 

Who would have thought that cocoa beans were once used to buy turkeys? The article then takes readers on a voyage through ancient Mayan rituals, where chocolate was revered as a bitter, frothy beverage enjoyed by the very elite of Mayan society.

As the article continues, the story of how chocolate underwent a metamorphosis upon its arrival in Europe unravels. 

The infusion of sugar into the bitter concoction marked a significant turning point, leading to the creation of the sweet treat that we adore today. 

The Spaniards' secrecy surrounding chocolate and its eventual popularity among the European elite added layers of intrigue to its history.

The Industrial Revolution's impact on chocolate production is another captivating chapter in the article. Stanislav highlights how innovations like the conching machine democratised access to smooth, creamy chocolate, paving the way for household names like Milton Hershey, Cadbury, and Nestlé to shape the modern chocolate industry.

The article culminates in a celebration of chocolate's global significance. He showcases the myriad ways in which cultures worldwide have embraced and transformed chocolate into a universal symbol of love and comfort. 

From luxurious Belgian truffles to spicy Mexican hot chocolate and creamy Swiss milk chocolate bars, the diversity of chocolate's forms mirrors the diversity of human indulgence.

"Chocolate's journey through time and across continents is a testament to its enduring allure," says Kondrashov. "Every bite encapsulates centuries of history, innovation, and passion, making it a treat that truly transcends borders."

"The Surprising History of Chocolate" by Stanislav Kondrashov is a mouth-watering exploration of a timeless delight. Whether you're a chocolate connoisseur or simply curious about the origins of your favourite treat, this article promises to enchant and educate readers of all backgrounds.

https://stanislavkondrashov.com

(Image courtesy of Stanislav Kondrashov.)

Sustainable & Healthy Cuisine and Live Music Unite in a Virtual Culinary Spectacle

EcoHarmony Eats & Beats - UK series will be launched on September 13, 2023

In an era where memorable experiences are becoming a rare commodity, a ground-breaking event is poised to take centre stage. 

"EcoHarmony Eats & Beats - UK" a sensational blend of sustainable and healthy cuisine paired with captivating live music, is set to delight audiences and awaken their senses.

It's important to know that EcoHarmony Eats & Beats isn't just an event; it's a harmonious convergence of culinary artistry and musical magic. This unique experience unfolds in the comfort of your home through a virtual platform, every Wednesday night at 7 PM (UK time).

A Culinary Journey: At the heart of EcoHarmony Eats & Beats is a deep appreciation for sustainable and healthy cuisine. Every week, a renowned chef or sustainable cooking expert will lead a live cooking session that guides participants in crafting eco-conscious culinary masterpieces. 

Subscribers don their aprons and cook along, creating delicious and planet-friendly dishes whilst learning from the best in the field.

The Musical Interlude: Following the cooking session, it's time for the musical interlude. A talented musician will take the virtual stage, infusing the evening with soul-soothing melodies. As subscribers savour the meal they've prepared, they're serenaded with live music, elevating the sensory experience to incredible new heights.

Why EcoHarmony Eats & Beats is a Must-Experience Event:

Eco-Friendly Fare: Learning how to prepare sustainable dishes that are kind to the planet.

Healthy Living: Exploring the secrets of crafting nutritious, delicious meals.

Musical Bliss: Immersing yourself in live music that stirs the soul.

Community Connection: Joining a vibrant community of like-minded food and music enthusiasts.

Convenience: Experiencing it all from the comfort of your own home.

Special Early Bird Offer: For a limited time, subscribers can access this unparalleled experience at an early bird price of just 15 euros for the first month (it's regularly 50 euros). The event subscription includes weekly sessions, making it an incredible value.

Become Part of the EcoHarmony Community: EcoHarmony Eats & Beats isn't just an event; it's a movement. A movement toward sustainable living, healthier choices, and the joy of culinary exploration.

Join them for an unforgettable journey that will tantalise your taste buds, uplift your spirit, and foster connections within their eco-conscious community.

3FRuum is a dynamic creator platform that brings together talent from various fields to create captivating content and unique experiences. EcoHarmony Eats & Beats is just one example of our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences that resonate with our audience.

https://www.3fruum.com/stories/conversation-sustainable_cooking-ei20acq33s

SCI-MX has a wide range of premium quality nutritional supplements

UK-based SCI-MX offers a wide range of premium quality nutrition supplements at affordable prices.

SCI-MX was launched back in 2007 to help nurture, support and inspire sportsmanship in everyone. 

Based on their latest research, the products are developed in-house by its team of fully-qualified nutritionists.

SCI-MX focus on three aspects: Developing sports performance, enhancing physical appearance, and positively aiding health and well-being.

SCI-MX has a whole range of protein powders including diet protein:

Diet protein

Diet Protein (£39.99): https://sci-mx.co.uk/collections/protein-powders/products/diet-protein-1

 22g protein per serving

110 calories per serving

Low sugar

Unique blend of vitamins and minerals.

Balanced nutrition

With Green Tea, CLA and L-Carnitine

This is a diet-targeted lean protein shake formulated with added vitamins and minerals for many health benefits. The Diet Protein has the ideal balance of protein, fat, and carbs for people on a calorie-restricted diet and a health exercise regime. Available in strawberry and chocolate 

Diet Shake Meal Replacement

Diet Shake Meal Replacement (£29.99): https://sci-mx.co.uk/products/diet-shake-meal-replacement?_pos=1&_sid=4948de201&_ss=r 

25g protein per serving 

204 calories per serving 

Supports weight loss by replacing higher calorie meals 

Nutritionally balanced formula for weight loss

Provides 24 essential micronutrients 

High in Calcium and Zinc 

The Nutritionally balanced, high protein meal replacement shake is designed to contribute to weight loss and contains 25g protein, only 203 calories per serving and 24 essential micronutrients. Available in three delicious flavours: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. 

Incidentally, one key point you should remember is not only do they work well, they also taste exceptionally good, too and so are very pleasant to use.

Top tomato brand Mutti hunts for UKs top tomato cooks!

Top Italian tomato brand, Mutti, is delighted to launch its 2023 edition of the Golden Tomato Cook Competition.

This amazing yearly culinary event is aimed at celebrating all things tomato and the exceptional quality and taste of its Italian tomato products. 

To launch the search for the UK’s best tomato cook, Mutti has revealed the fascinating results from its chef survey, shedding light on their perceptions, and preferences when it comes to tomato-based ingredients. 

The eye-opening facts challenge common beliefs about tomatoes but also highlight the importance of quality, taste, and sustainable practices in the culinary world.

Kirsty Beckman, who is the Brand Manager UK for Mutti says: “It's an exciting time of year for Mutti where we begin our yearly search for our next Golden Tomato Cook. 

"To celebrate this, we thought it was a great chance to see what chefs in the UK think about tomatoes. We've unveiled some really surprising results from the survey, including tomato myths and insightful preferences. 

"We’re now calling all tomato enthusiasts to unearth the chef within them and join Mutti's Golden Tomato Cook Competition, 2023. 

"We're calling on them to show us their creative flair and craft a spectacular three-course menu featuring our Polpa Finely Chopped Tomatoes, Peeled Tomatoes, Passata, and Double Concentrated Tomato Puree. 

"With esteemed judges and remarkable prizes, this is their chance to shine. Enter now at cooking competition entry page and let your passion for great food and cooking take the spotlight!"

Tomatoes are the Indispensable Ingredient

The survey uncovered the essential ingredients chefs simply can't live without, and unsurprisingly, tomatoes and/or tomato products secured the top spot at 44%. This reaffirms the integral role Mutti's tomatoes play in elevating dishes to new heights. Salt and/or Pepper, and Olive Oil came second and third respectively.

The Fruit That Masquerades as a Vegetable

Surprisingly, 55% of chefs confessed to misidentifying tomatoes as vegetables, when in fact, they are really  fruits. This stunning admission shows even amongst chefs there's still much to learn and love about the not-so-humble tomatoes.

The survey further showcased that whilst 44% of chefs acknowledged the centuries-old (over 500 years in fact) heritage of Italian tomatoes, only half of them were aware the famous San Marzano tomatoes exclusively hail from the Campania region, adding a delightful layer of historical context to the chef's staple.

Also, 51% of chefs correctly recognised the presence of lycopene in tomatoes, known for its considerable and important health benefits; a powerful antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage. This highlights the importance of not only taste but also the nutritional value of ingredients in modern culinary creations.

Tomato Quality is Key!

When it comes to tomato-based ingredients, the top three factors that matter the most to chefs are quality (42%), product size (36%), and flavour and/or great taste (35%). This indicates that Mutti's commitment to providing premium quality tomatoes is aligned with the priorities of culinary professionals, who value excellence in ingredients above all else.

The Global Tomato Perspective

Another fascinating insight revealed the top countries perceived by chefs to produce the best quality tomatoes include Italy, India, and the USA. Italy's inclusion in the top three enhances the Golden Tomato Cook Competition, as Mutti is proud to showcase the unrivalled quality of its tomato products, made using only the highest quality 100% Italian tomatoes, as well as the products’ unique flavour profile and taste.

The Conscientious Chef

The survey also delved into ethical considerations of chefs when selecting ingredients. Over half of the chefs surveyed (51%) stressed the importance of responsibly and fairly sourced ingredients, with 57% emphasising the need for ingredients from reputable and known brands. 

This aligns with Mutti's dedicated commitment to sustainable working practices including protecting the diversity and vitality of the environment to ensure long term sustainability, which Mutti continues to educate on the importance of, for longevity and the best tomato product. Mutti also focuses on long term relationships with their farmers, paying an average 10% higher than the market average to ensure mutually beneficial relationships.

But what's more, 55% of chefs agreed ingredients must be of the best quality, something Mutti has been uncompromising on for over 120 years. The fact that 54% of chefs emphasised the significance of great taste and/or flavour reaffirms one of the central focuses of the Golden Tomato Cook Competition.

The search of the UK’s Golden Tomato Cook is now on!

Mutti's 3rd Golden Tomato Cook Competition is here, paying homage to the revered Pomodorino d'oro, where Mutti rewards the farmer who supplies the highest quality produce whilst also using sustainable and responsible practices.

Mutti's cooking contest celebrates sustainable excellence and invites home cooks to craft the ultimate three-course menu with Mutti Essentials - Polpa Finely Chopped Tomatoes, Peeled Tomatoes, Passata, and Double Concentrated Tomato Puree.

Enter with a starter, main, and bonus dish of your choice, with each recipe highlighting a different Mutti Essential and its unique characteristics. The esteemed judging panel, which includes top chefs Carlo Casoni, Nigel Barden, Ben Tish, and Gabriella Margiotta, will assess dishes based on taste, presentation, and above all, making tomatoes the hero. 

Public vote shortlists five menus, and the final three compete in a live cook off at Sauce, by The Langham in London on 19th October 2023. The grand prize is an exclusive foodie trip to Parma, Italy,  the home of Mutti, along with mentorship from Chef Ben Tish. 2nd prize is a virtual cooking class with Mutti head chef, Carlo, and the 3rd prize is a 3-course meal for 2 at Eataly restaurants. 4th and 5th place winners will receive a produce hamper from Mutti.

Contestants have until 23:59 on 26th September 2023 to create and submit their menus online, so there is no time to lose, get creating and get your entries in. To enter, visit https://mutti-parma.com/en/golden-tomato-cook-2023-entry/ where you'll be able to discover recipe inspiration and tips too. Terms and conditions apply.

(Pictures: provided by Mutti)

https://mutti-parma.com

Home frozen bananas make an excellent treat

Home frozen bananas make a nutritious, tasty and cooling treat for those hot summer days. And I offer my thanks to my wife, Anni, for coming up with this idea.

Peel your bananas, place then in a suitable freezer proof container, perhaps employing freezer boxes or freezer bags and then place them in your freezer.

Leave them in your freezer for a suitable period of time (at least several hours) and then taken them out and enjoy them as a very tasty, frozen treat.

Yes, we admit to being inspired by the folks over at Pukpip who produce very tasty chocolate dipped banana lollies. You can read about them, here https://thatsfoodanddrink.blogspot.com/2023/07/pukpip-on-path-to-rapid-growth.html.

However, my wife does have a chocolate allergy so her idea of non-dipped frozen bananas is very helpful to herself and anyone else who has a chocolate allergy. 

Frozen bananas will make an excellent sweet but low sugar snack for any time of the year and I feel they'll make a great treat for Christmas, perhaps especially if served with typical Christmas sweet spices such as ginger, all spice, cinnamon, etc. That is if you can stop people from eating them as soon as they are frozen!) 

(Image courtesy of Guilherme Machado from Pixabay)

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Feast for a Fiver as Waitrose ‘wraps’ up your lunchtimes with a new meal deal

Waitrose customers will be able to get a sandwich, a wrap, salad or sushi, plus a snack and a drink for a Fiver.

And what's more, the Waitrose Food to Go range is made without compromising quality and also adhering to high animal welfare standards.

The new Waitrose meal deal will launch on 30th August. For £5 customers can opt from over 300 products and can decide on one of their sandwiches, wraps or salads, or sushi (from a special selected range), alongside a choice of snacks from a curated selection of cereal bars, crisps and snack pots, plus a drink. 

Options available within the offer include customer faves like their Essential Waitrose Cheese & Onion sandwich, PlantLiving No Duck Hoisin Wrap, Waitrose Prawn Mayo sandwich, Waitrose Chicken & Bacon Caesar wrap, Waitrose PlantLiving VLT, Waitrose Chicken, Tomato & Basil Pasta, Taiko Crispy Duck Rolls, Waitrose Flapjack, Waitrose LoveLife Nuts, Fruit & Seeds, Deliciously Ella Cashew Cranberry Fruit Nut & Seed Bar, Waitrose Pineapple Fingers (120g), Waitrose Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice and Waitrose Strawberry & Banana Smoothie. 

Jennifer Moscardini, who is Waitrose's Food to Go Buyer, said: “We’re a nation of sandwich lovers. Sales are up almost 40% over the past three years. More people are returning to work from their offices again, and travelling more, so obviously they're looking for a fantastic meal deal option. 

“This lunchtime deal means our customers will be able to get a great quality sandwich, wrap, salad or sushi, plus a snack and a drink for £5, and if they have a myWaitrose loyalty card, and a reusable cup they can get a free cup of coffee at the same time!"

She went on to say: "And we haven't compromised on our standards, either. We use British higher welfare chicken, pork & beef in all our sandwiches, MSC prawns and salmon, and all our eggs come from free range hens. 

“This year we’ve introduced more meal deals than ever before to help our customers with the cost of living crisis, plus investing £100m in new lower prices across our aisles, too.

"Our best-selling sandwich over the last ten years has been prawn mayonnaise, followed by Egg Mayonnaise and the Classic BLT - but now wraps have become increasingly popular with one in four people buying a wrap instead."

List of top ten best-selling sandwiches 10 years ago:

Waitrose Prawn mayonnaise

Waitrose Egg mayonnaise and cress

Waitrose Classic BLT

Essential Waitrose Tuna Mayo 

Waitrose Smoked Ham & Cheese

Essential Waitrose Egg Mayonnaise

Essential Waitrose cheese & onion

Waitrose Salmon & Cucumber

Waitrose Salmon & Cream Cheese

Waitrose Chicken & Bacon 

List of top ten best-selling sandwiches/wraps today:

Waitrose Prawn mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Essential Cheese and Onion

Waitrose Essential Egg mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Steak & caramelised onion chutney sandwich

Waitrose Hoisin duck wrap 

Waitrose Chicken & Bacon Caesar wrap 

Waitrose Essential Tuna mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Salt Beef & Mustard Mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Salmon & Cream Cheese sandwich 

Waitrose Classic BLT 

waitrose.co.uk

East Horsley store relaunched as new Sainsbury’s Local

Sainsbury’s has recently opened its first store in East Horsley. This follows weeks of renovations and upgrade works to convert the premises on the corner of Kingston Avenue and Ockham Road South into a brand-new Sainsbury’s Local.

Sainsbury's has joined forces with North Guildford Food Bank as its local food donation partner, thus ensuring donations and excess food from the shop will go to local people in the community who need it the most. 

The charity joined Sainsbury’s colleagues, around half of whom are new to the store with the other half transferring from the previous store, to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening morning.

Conveniently located at the end of Ockham Road South’s popular shopping parade, the new 2,000 sq. ft Sainsbury’s will serve and help customers between the hours of 7am and 11pm, daily.

The opening will bring a carefully curated selection of Sainsbury’s great value, high-quality foods, drinks, plus general merchandise within easier reach of East Horsley residents, whose nearest Sainsbury’s store was over six miles away in Fetcham until now. 

Offering everything from fresh bread and cakes baked daily in-store to delicious fresh fruit and veg, meat, fish and meal solutions, the new store is specially designed to bring more convenience and choice to customers.

As well as a dedicated Costa Coffee machine, customers can also take advantage of a new Click & Collect service in the store, conveniently which enables them to order online from Sainsbury’s much-loved Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing brands for collection whilst they pick up their groceries.

Patrick Dunne, who is Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “It’s always a genuine pleasure to bring Sainsbury’s to a new community for the first time and we’re really pleased to have completed work on this fresh Local in East Horsley.

"I hope our customers in the village will enjoy their new-look convenience store, both for the fantastic colleague service and the high-quality Sainsbury’s products now on offer in the same convenient location.”

Ryan Thompson, who is Sainsbury’s East Horsley Local Store Manager, said: “I’d like to thank everyone in the community for all the fantastic support we’ve received leading up to our opening, particularly the colleagues that make up my new team in-store. 

"I’m really proud of how we’ve come together to make the store’s launch a success. I’d also like to thank our customers for bearing with us whilst we transformed the store, it’s great to now be welcoming everyone to experience it for themselves.”

(EDITOR: My wife and I plan on making a visit to our new Sainsbury's local store which is a short distance from our home.)

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk