That's Food and Drink Presents Lunar New Year Grazing Party Ideas: Easy Hosting Guide

Host a vibrant Lunar New Year grazing party with symbolic dishes, red and gold styling, easy prep tips and drink ideas. 

Create a festive sharing table full of luck and flavour.

A Lunar New Year grazing party is a relaxed, sociable way to celebrate renewal, prosperity and togetherness. 

Instead of a formal meal, create a vibrant table filled with symbolic bite-sized dishes that guests can enjoy at their own pace.

1. Choose Symbolic Foods

Include dishes associated with luck and abundance:

Dumplings (wealth)

Spring rolls (prosperity)

Long noodles (longevity)

Oranges or mandarins (good fortune)

Sesame balls or rice cakes (sweet success)

Keep everything easy to pick up and share.

2. Style with Red and Gold

Use a red runner, gold accents and layered platters for height. Bamboo steamers, small dipping bowls and festive lanterns add atmosphere and authenticity.

3. Keep Hosting Simple

Prep fruit, sauces and cold dishes ahead of time. Steam or bake dumplings just before guests arrive. High-quality frozen options can save time without compromising flavour.

4. Offer Thoughtful Drinks

Serve jasmine tea, sparkling water with citrus, or a simple prosecco and orange juice mix for a celebratory touch.

5. Add Interactive Details

Red envelopes with chocolate coins, a zodiac quiz or small explanation cards beside dishes make the evening more engaging.

Final Tip

Focus on warmth, generosity and shared experience. A beautifully arranged grazing table filled with meaningful flavours creates a festive centrepiece and sets the tone for a prosperous year ahead.

Valentine’s Plans Ruined? How to Save the Day with a Romantic Home Event, Instead

Bad weather. Flu. Sprained ankle. A streaming cold. Travel delays. A last-minute cancellation.

Whatever’s derailed your Valentine’s plans, it doesn’t have to derail the romance.

In fact, staying in can be more intimate, more personal, and far less stressful than fighting for restaurant reservations or braving icy pavements or sudden less-than-seasonal snowstorms. 

Here’s how to turn a disappointing situation into a cosy, memorable home celebration.

Step 1: Reset the Mood (Fast)

First, draw a line under the disappointment.

Tidy the main living area quickly (don’t deep clean — just declutter).

Dim the lights.

Light candles or switch on fairy lights.

Put on a favourite playlist.

Atmosphere matters more than extravagance. A warm glow and soft music can transform an ordinary evening into something special.

Step 2: Create a Simple but Special Menu

You don’t need a complicated three-course masterpiece — especially if someone isn’t feeling 100%.

Easy but Romantic Ideas:

Steak and chips with peppercorn sauce

Creamy mushroom pasta with garlic bread

Homemade pizza with favourite toppings

A grazing board with cheeses, crackers, fruit and chocolate

If cooking feels like too much, elevate what you have:

Order a takeaway and plate it nicely.

Use proper plates and glasses.

Add a small dessert like strawberries and cream or chocolate brownies.

It’s not about culinary perfection. It’s about sharing the moment.

Step 3: Turn It into an “Event”

Instead of just “having dinner”, give the evening a theme.

1. Indoor Picnic

Lay a blanket on the floor. Add cushions. Serve finger foods. Open a bottle of wine or sparkling water.

2. Home Cinema Night

Choose a romantic classic or a favourite comfort film. Dim the lights, make popcorn, and agree to put phones away.

3. At-Home Spa Evening

If poor health is the issue, lean into rest and recovery:

Warm towels

Gentle back or hand massage

Herbal tea

Face masks

Romance doesn’t have to mean high energy. Sometimes it means looking after each other.

Step 4: Add a Personal Touch

This is where home wins over restaurants.

Write a short handwritten note.

Share three things you appreciate about each other.

Recreate your first date meal.

Look through old photos together.

A little thoughtfulness goes much further than a crowded dining room ever could.

Step 5: Keep Expectations Real

If illness is involved, adjust the tone. You don’t need glamour. You need comfort.

Swap heels for slippers.

Trade champagne for hot chocolate.

Keep it early and relaxed.

Valentine’s isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection.

Why Staying In Can Be Better

When plans fall apart, it’s easy to feel frustrated. But some of the most meaningful evenings happen unexpectedly.

At home:

There’s no rush.

No loud tables next to you.

No taxi stress.

No late bus vanished from the timetable.

No pressure.

Just time together.

Final Thought

If bad weather or poor health has disrupted your Valentine’s plans, consider it an opportunity rather than a disaster.

Light the candles. Put the kettle on. Plate up whatever you’ve got.

Romance isn’t cancelled — it’s just moved indoors.

Vegan Chocolat Expands Professional Range with Cost-Effective Confectionery Chip Solutions

Vegan Chocolat has announced the launch of two new professional chocolate chip products designed to support food businesses seeking reliable performance, consistent quality, and improved cost efficiency without compromising on flavour or functionality.

The new additions - Dark Confectionery Chips and Rice-Based Cocoa Confectionery Chips - have been developed specifically for B2B customers, including wholesalers, professional kitchens, manufacturers, bakeries, and chocolatiers. 

Both products offer direct, one-to-one replacements for standard chocolate recipes across baking, confectionery, and dessert applications, delivering consistent, reliable performance at a competitive price point.

Built for Professional Use

Both products deliver dependable melt, set, and handling properties, making them suitable for a wide range of commercial applications including:

Baking (cookies, brownies, muffins)

Coatings and enrobing

Moulded decorations

Inclusions for ice cream, desserts, and cereal bars

Foodservice and large-scale manufacturing

The Dark Confectionery Chips provide a classic, well-balanced cocoa flavour and consistent appearance, ideal for businesses wanting a familiar dark chocolate profile at a more competitive price point.

The Rice-Based Cocoa Confectionery Chips offer a dairy-free, soy-free alternative formulated using rice-based ingredients, making them particularly suitable for allergen-aware production and value-led product lines.

Both ideal for:

High-volume manufacturers

Cafés, bakeries, and caterers

Seasonal and promotional product ranges

Businesses navigating rising ingredient costs

Pricing & Availability

Both products are available in trade-friendly bulk pack sizes with volume-based pricing.

- Dark Confectionery Chips prices start from: £12.41 per 1kg / £85.89 per 7.5 kg

- Rice Based Cocoa Confectionery Chips prices start from: £12.30 per 1kg / £84.78 per 7.5 kg

Available now for immediate order online, with fast delivery (free mainland UK delivery).

https://plamilfoods.co.uk

Chinese New Year: Celebrating with Food You Can Cook at Home

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations in the Chinese calendar. 

It’s a time for fresh starts, family gatherings and, most importantly, food that symbolises luck, prosperity and togetherness.

You don’t need to book a restaurant or master professional wok skills to mark the occasion. 

With a bit of planning, it’s easy to bring the spirit of Chinese New Year into your own kitchen using dishes that are achievable, comforting and perfect for sharing.

Why Food Matters at Chinese New Year

Food during Chinese New Year isn’t just about flavour – it’s packed with meaning. Many dishes are chosen because their names, shapes or ingredients symbolise good fortune, wealth, happiness or longevity. Meals are usually shared family-style, reinforcing togetherness and generosity as the new year begins.

Classic Chinese New Year Dishes You Can Make at Home

Dumplings (Jiaozi)

Dumplings are a Chinese New Year staple, especially in northern China. Their shape resembles ancient gold ingots, making them a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

At home tip:

Use shop-bought dumpling wrappers and fill them with pork and cabbage, chicken, prawns, or a simple vegetable mix. Pan-fry for crispy bottoms or boil for a softer finish.

Spring Rolls

Golden and crisp, spring rolls represent wealth because they resemble gold bars. They’re also one of the most familiar Chinese dishes for UK home cooks.

At home tip:

Fill with shredded vegetables, beansprouts and cooked chicken or prawns. Oven-baking works well if you’d prefer less oil.

Longevity Noodles

Long noodles symbolise a long and healthy life. Traditionally, they shouldn’t be cut before cooking.

At home tip:

Stir-fry egg or wheat noodles with vegetables, soy sauce and sesame oil. Add prawns, chicken or tofu for a complete dish.

Steamed Fish

Fish symbolises abundance and surplus, as the Chinese word for fish sounds like the word for “extra” or “left over”.

At home tip:

Steam a whole sea bass or bream with ginger, spring onions and soy sauce. Serve it whole for tradition, or use fillets if that feels more approachable.

Easy Sides and Extras

Stir-fried greens such as pak choi or Chinese broccoli for balance

Mushrooms for good fortune and earthiness

Egg-fried rice to use up leftovers and stretch the meal

Simple dipping sauces made from soy sauce, rice vinegar and chilli oil

These dishes round out the table and make the meal feel generous without adding stress.

Sweet Treats for Good Luck

Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)

These glutinous rice balls, often filled with sesame or peanut paste, symbolise family unity.

Shortcut idea:

Buy frozen tangyuan from an Asian supermarket and serve them in a light ginger syrup.

Sesame Balls

Crispy on the outside with a chewy centre, sesame balls represent wealth and happiness.

Mandarin Oranges

Not really a dessert, but essential. Oranges symbolise good luck and prosperity and are often given as gifts.

Hosting a Chinese New Year Meal at Home

You don’t need a huge spread. Choose one or two symbolic main dishes, add a couple of sides and finish with something sweet. Red napkins, candles or a simple centrepiece can nod to tradition without overdoing it. Most importantly, cook with the idea of sharing – Chinese New Year food is meant to be enjoyed together.

A Celebration Anyone Can Enjoy

Cooking Chinese New Year food at home is about more than following tradition perfectly. It’s about welcoming the new year with warmth, generosity and a table full of comforting, meaningful dishes. Whether you cook one dish or an entire feast, it’s a lovely excuse to slow down, eat well and celebrate fresh beginnings.

Tired of Tacos? Bored of Fancy Foreign Snacks? Get Down with Proper British Isles Comfort Food!

Don’t get me wrong, tacos have their moment. But if you’ve reached peak tortilla, and yet another packet of imported “artisan” snacks has left you cold (and oddly skint), it might be time to come home. Right home. To the comforting, beige-leaning, utterly dependable snacks and comfort foods of the British Isles.

Because when it comes to proper satisfaction, Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales quietly deliver.

The Joy of Familiar Flavours

There’s something deeply reassuring about snacks you recognise instantly. No ingredient list that reads like a chemistry exam. No need to Google pronunciation. Just solid, time-tested food that knows exactly what it’s doing.

Think:

Warm, filling

Salty, buttery, savoury

Designed to keep you going through drizzle, graft, and general life fatigue

This is food that doesn’t try too hard — and that’s precisely the point.

Snack Classics That Never Let You Down

When hunger strikes between meals, the British Isles have been sorting it out for generations:

Scotch eggs – Portable perfection. Crispy coating, seasoned meat, proper egg. What more do you want?

Sausage rolls – Flaky pastry + well-seasoned pork = national treasure.

Cheese and crackers – Especially with a strong Cheddar or crumbly Lancashire.

Welsh rarebit – Toast, but make it bold. Cheesy, mustardy, deeply comforting.

Pork pies – Cold, firm, unapologetic. Ideal for lunchboxes, picnics or midnight fridge raids.

And don't forget pickled eggs, pickled onions, Worcestershire Sauce, Piccalilli to add a "wow!" factor to your British snacking.  

No gimmicks. Just food that gets the job done.

Comfort Foods That Hug You Back

If snacks are the warm handshake, comfort food is the full embrace:

Beans on toast – Laugh all you like; it’s cheap, filling, and endlessly customisable.

Mash and gravy – Works with sausages, pies, or on its own when life feels unfair.

Fish and chips – Still unbeatable when done right. Vinegar mandatory.

Irish soda bread with butter – Simple, hearty, and astonishingly satisfying.

Shepherd’s pie – Savoury mince, creamy mash, baked till golden. No passport required.

These dishes don’t chase trends — they outlast them.

Why We Keep Coming Back to British Food

There’s a reason these foods endure:

They’re affordable

They’re filling

They suit real life, real weather, and real appetites

While novelty snacks come and go, British Isles comfort food sticks around because it works. It feeds families. It fills lunchboxes. It keeps pubs, cafés and kitchens ticking over.

And honestly? Sometimes a sausage roll is exactly what you need — not a fermented chilli crisp flown halfway round the world.

So Next Time You’re Snack-Shopping…

Before reaching for another over-hyped foreign treat, pause. Look closer to home. There’s a Scotch egg waiting. A slab of cheese begging to be sliced. A pot of mash that will absolutely improve your day.

Turns out you don’t need fancy.

You just need proper.

Cake it forward - International Animal Rescue Launches Campaign with “An Afternoon Tea with a Cause”

International Animal Rescue launches fundraising campaign to help save endangered orangutans.

International Animal Rescue is calling on animal lovers, conservationists and cake enthusiasts to indulge in some sweet treats this March at its Vegan Afternoon Tea event as part of its Cakes for Apes fundraising campaign.

Held on World Forest Day (21st March), the afternoon tea fundraising event coincides with International Day of Forests and will help raise vital funds to support IAR’s orangutan rescue, rehabilitation and lifelong care programmes.

Funds raised will benefit orangutans who have been displaced from their rainforest homes through habitat loss and deforestation and those orphaned or injured due to illegal wildlife trade.

International Animal Rescue’s fundraising goal for the 2026 Cakes for Apes campaign is £25,000, which will provide food, veterinary care and medicines for orangutans currently in IAR’s care.

During the afternoon tea event, guests can enjoy a selection of mouth-watering vegan cakes, freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches and a cup of tea. 

All delicious treats have been thoughtfully curated and crafted to be suitable for vegans and ethically made with the planet and its inhabitants in mind. Attendees will also receive an exclusive goody bag as a thank you for supporting the orangutans.

President of International Animal Rescue, Alan Knight OBE, will discuss the charity’s worldwide conservation efforts and what we can do to help protect endangered species worldwide. Alan will be joined by Gavin Bruce, CEO, who will provide an update on some of the incredible orangutans International Animal Rescue has rescued and stories from the rescue team on the frontline.

Event Information

Date: Saturday 21st March 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Venue: Hotel du Vin Brighton

Price: £40.00

Tickets are very limited and can be booked here: https://bit.ly/Cakes4ApesTea2026

National Allotment Society announces ‘Grow to Learn’ theme for National Allotments Week 2026

The National Allotment Society (NAS) has today announced the exciting theme for National Allotments Week 2026, taking place from 10–16 August 2026.

The new theme, Grow to Learn – Lifelong lessons from the allotment, will celebrate the educational, personal development, and well-being benefits of allotment gardening for people of all ages.

The theme highlights how allotments function as living classrooms, where learning happens through hands-on experience, shared knowledge, and connection with the natural world. Alongside practical growing skills, allotment gardening nurtures wider life skills including patience, resilience, curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork, and, of course, physical wellbeing and food security, too.

Through time spent on the plot, individuals learn to adapt to challenges, understand seasonal change, and develop confidence and wellbeing alongside their crops. These informal learning experiences often span generations, making allotments unique spaces for lifelong learning, community connection, and personal growth.

By focusing on Grow to Learn, the National Allotment Society aims to reframe allotments not just as places to grow food, but as dynamic learning environments that support personal growth, mental and physical wellbeing, and food security.

National Allotments Week 2026 will feature a national digital campaign sharing stories and reflections from allotment holders and ambassadors, highlighting the many ways allotments act as living classrooms and places of continual learning.

Further details about National Allotments Week 2026 activities, resources, and opportunities to get involved will be announced in due course.

National Allotments Week takes place from 10–16 August 2026.

The National Allotment Society (NAS) is the UK’s leading organisation representing more allotment holders and leisure gardeners. NAS provides advice, guidance, and advocacy to support people in growing their own food, improving their well-being, and connecting with their communities.

With a nationwide network of 130,000 members, volunteers, and ambassadors, NAS works to make allotments engaging, inclusive, and rewarding — supporting physical and mental well-being, social connection, and environmental awareness through the simple act of growing.

For more information, visit www.thenas.org.uk

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Feast for Two at Home

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean battling for restaurant reservations, fixed menus, or eye-watering prices. 

In fact, some of the most memorable celebrations happen at home, where you can set the pace, choose the food you truly love, and enjoy each other’s company without distractions.

A Valentine’s feast for two is about indulgence, comfort, and connection. Whether you’re confident in the kitchen or keeping things deliberately simple, here’s how to create a romantic at-home celebration that feels special.

Start with a Thoughtful Menu

The best Valentine’s menus aren’t complicated, they’re considered. Choose dishes you both enjoy and that don’t keep you stuck in the kitchen all evening.

A simple three-course structure works beautifully:

Starter: Something light, like a sharing platter of olives, cured meats, baked camembert, or garlic prawns

Main: A comforting but indulgent dish such as steak with chunky chips, creamy pasta, roasted chicken, or a rich vegetarian risotto

Dessert: Chocolate fondant, cheesecake, strawberries dipped in chocolate, or even a luxury shop-bought pud dressed up with fresh berries

Sharing dishes can make the meal feel more intimate — one plate, two forks, no rules.

Set the Scene

Atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting on Valentine’s Day. You don’t need elaborate decorations; small touches go a long way.

Think:

Candles or soft lighting instead of overhead lights

A clean table with placemats or a tablecloth

Fresh flowers or greenery, even something simple from the supermarket

Music playing quietly in the background — jazz, acoustic, or a shared favourite playlist

Turning phones to silent is one of the most romantic gestures you can make.

Drinks That Feel Like a Treat

You don’t need champagne (unless you want it). A Valentine’s feast is about enjoying something you don’t have every day.

Ideas include:

Prosecco or English sparkling wine

A shared bottle of red or white you’ve been saving

Cocktails made at home, such as a French martini or espresso martini

For non-drinkers, sparkling elderflower, alcohol-free fizz, or a homemade mocktail

Serve drinks in proper glasses — it instantly elevates the experience.

Cook Together, or Cook Ahead

Some couples love cooking together; others prefer one person taking charge so the evening flows smoothly. Both work, just be honest about what will feel most relaxing.

If you want minimal stress:

Prep desserts earlier in the day

Choose mains that can rest or stay warm

Avoid recipes that need last-second juggling

The goal is enjoyment, not perfection.

Finish with Something Meaningful

Once the plates are cleared, keep the evening going in a way that suits you both.

That might mean:

Sharing dessert on the sofa

Watching a favourite film or a romantic classic

Playing a board game or card game

Simply talking, uninterrupted, unhurried

Valentine’s Day is as much about connection as it is about food.

A Feast Made with Love

A Valentine’s feast for two at home isn’t about impressing anyone else. It’s about celebrating your relationship in a way that feels comfortable, indulgent, and personal.

Good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and genuine time together will always beat a rushed meal out — and it might just become a tradition you look forward to every year.

Celebrate Chocolate Day

Chocolate Day, Monday 9th of February, is the perfect excuse to pause, indulge, and enjoy one of life’s simplest pleasures. Whether you prefer dark, milk, or white, chocolate has a knack for lifting the mood and turning an ordinary moment into something quietly special.

In the UK, chocolate is woven into everyday life – from a biscuit with a brew to a cheeky bar grabbed at the till. On Chocolate Day, though, it deserves centre stage. 

Treat yourself to a box of truffles, bake a gooey chocolate cake, or simply savour a square or two slowly, letting it melt rather than rushing the moment.

There’s also something wonderfully nostalgic about chocolate. It reminds us of childhood treats, holiday indulgences, and little rewards after a long day. Even better, good-quality dark chocolate comes with a few feel-good benefits, thanks to antioxidants and that unmistakable serotonin boost.

So however you choose to celebrate, make it intentional. Switch off for five minutes, put the kettle on, unwrap something chocolatey, and enjoy it properly. After all, some days are made for balance – and Chocolate Day is definitely one of them.

Snacks and Drinks to Mark Propose Day

Propose Day (it's Sunday 8th of February) doesn’t have to mean grand gestures and fireworks. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen over good food, shared quietly. Whether you’re planning a proposal or simply celebrating your relationship, the right snacks and drinks help set the mood.

Sweet Treats with Heart

Chocolate-covered strawberries are a timeless choice – indulgent but effortless. Mini desserts such as brownies, shortbread hearts, or elegant pastries work beautifully too, especially when designed for sharing. A box of macarons or fancy biscuits adds colour and a touch of luxury without feeling heavy.

Savoury Snacks for a Relaxed Evening

A small cheese board with crackers and fruit is intimate and unfussy. Sharing plates like olives, sausage rolls, baked camembert, or artisan crisps keep things casual and encourage conversation. Warm bread with dips is another simple option that feels thoughtful rather than staged.

Drinks Worth Raising a Glass

Champagne or sparkling wine adds instant celebration, even in small amounts. Home-made cocktails don’t need to be complicated – a well-served classic goes a long way. For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling elderflower, mocktails, or alcohol-free fizz still feel special. And for quieter moments, a pot of good tea shared on the sofa can be just as romantic.

Keep It Simple

Soft lighting, music you both love, and unhurried time together matter more than extravagance. Propose Day is about intention, connection, and creating a moment that feels right for you – often with nothing more than a shared snack and a well-poured drink.