That's Christmas 365: Make Christmas Shopping Easier with That’s Christm...

That's Christmas 365: Make Christmas Shopping Easier with That’s Christm...: Christmas should be a time for enjoying ourselves: sharing good food, exchanging thoughtful gifts and spending time with the people who matt...

Signorelli brings its Italo-English baking story to Broadgate

There is something appealing about a bakery that combines two food traditions, puts quality ingredients at its heart and makes its food from scratch. 

That is the approach behind Signorelli, the family-run Italo-English bakery and bakehouse taking its next step into central London.

Founded in East Village, Stratford, in 2015 by husband-and-wife team Rebecca and Alberto Signorelli, the business draws on both Italian and English food traditions. 

It is a combination that offers plenty of scope for delicious baking, while giving the bakery an identity rooted in its founders’ shared story.

At the centre of Signorelli’s philosophy are simplicity, quality ingredients and reducing waste. These might sound like straightforward principles, but they are precisely the things many of us want from the places where we buy our food.

Making food from scratch means starting with ingredients and giving care to the process. Keeping things simple allows those ingredients to do the talking. And paying attention to waste recognises that good food deserves to be valued throughout its journey, rather than treated as disposable.

For readers of That’s Food and Drink, this is an encouraging combination. A bakery can be somewhere to pick up a bite, but it can also become part of the rhythm of a neighbourhood: a familiar stop, a meeting point and a business people enjoy supporting.

Signorelli has spent more than a decade building its following across East London. Now, its opening at Broadgate, Liverpool Street, marks its first location beyond East London and a new chapter in the family business’s development.

The move brings its Italo-English approach to a central London setting, introducing Signorelli to a wider audience while forming the next stage of its expansion into central London and beyond.

For anyone passing through Liverpool Street, working nearby or spending time around Broadgate, the opening offers a reason to discover a bakery with an established East London story.

What makes this expansion interesting is the foundation beneath it. Signorelli began as a husband-and-wife venture, developed its following over years and is now bringing that experience to another part of the capital.

Here at That’s Food and Drink, we are always pleased to hear about family businesses taking the next step, particularly when their approach centres on thoughtful food preparation and quality ingredients.

Italian inspiration, English influences and a commitment to making food from scratch: Signorelli’s Broadgate chapter sounds like a welcome addition to London’s bakery scene for food lovers.

You can find branches at these locations:-

Broadgate, Liverpool Street

LG10 Broadgate, London EC2M 2AW

East Village, Stratford

7 Victory Parade, London E20 1FS

Stratford Cross, Stratford

15 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN

Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf

5 West Lane, London E22 3AA

Bakehouse by Signorelli

1 Fortunes Walk, London E20 1JJ

https://www.signorelli.co.uk

A Business Meeting Turned Into a Beer Festival. Wetherspoon’s Autumn Real Ale Festival Is Here!

Sometimes you pop into the pub for one reason and discover something rather more interesting is going on.

I arrived at my local Wetherspoon today for a business meeting, expecting little more than a drink and a chat about work. 

Instead, I was greatly surprised, and rather pleased, to discover that Wetherspoon’s Autumn Real Ale Festival had just begun that very morning!

And it looks like a particularly interesting one.

Running from Wednesday 7 October until Sunday 18 October 2026, the 12-day festival features a range of 30 real ales, including five beers created with international brewers.

Even better, all 30 festival beers are new to Wetherspoon.

Beer from around the world... brewed here

Five international brewers are represented this autumn, from China, Denmark, Singapore, Ukraine and the USA.

Among the more intriguing beers are Urbrew Oolong ESB, a 4.6% amber ale incorporating Chinese oolong tea, and Lion Mango IPA, a 4.5% session IPA created with Singapore's Lion Brewery and featuring tropical mango.

And I can give the Lion Mango IPA a particularly enthusiastic recommendation.

It is my favourite beer of the festival so far and, more than that, I would go as far as saying it is the best IPA I have tasted in 15 years.

That's quite a statement, particularly given the extraordinary number of IPAs that have appeared during the British craft beer revolution of the past decade and a half. But for me, the Lion Mango IPA gets the balance just right. The mango character adds something distinctive without overwhelming the beer itself. If you find it on the pumps during the festival, I strongly recommend giving it a try.

Denmark's Mikkeller has produced English Dream Pilsner, while Ukraine's Varvar Brew contributes a 5% Session Golden Ale, which uses coriander to introduce subtle citrus and spicy notes.

America's UPP Liquids Pinball Wizard also sounds particularly tempting. At 5.5%, this black oatmeal stout promises roasted coffee, dark chocolate, caramel and nutty malt flavours.

There are plenty of British beers to discover too, including Cairngorm Autumn Nuts, Otter Reggae, Loch Lomond Flying South, Oakham Dressed To Impress and Exmoor Red.

Three beers instead of one?

One of the best ideas is Wetherspoon's festival tasting option.

Customers can order three third-of-a-pint tasters for the price of a pint. That's an excellent way to explore unfamiliar ales without committing to a full pint of each, and with 30 festival beers potentially to discover, it could prove useful.

I've previously written on That's Food and Drink about how Wetherspoon pubs can sometimes feel like they're running a mini beer festival every day, simply because of the rotating selection of guest ales.

For the next 12 days, however, they really are holding one.

My business meeting certainly became considerably more interesting!

Wetherspoon's Autumn Real Ale Festival runs from 7–18 October 2026. Availability will vary between pubs, so don't necessarily expect all 30 beers to be on the pumps simultaneously.

And if you spot Lion Mango IPA, give it a go. After 15 years of drinking and discovering different IPAs, it takes something rather special to make me sit up and take notice.

This one did.

Introducing Two Exciting New Dessert Pots from Bonne Maman

Bonne Maman never rests on their laurels their Chef pâtissiers (they are chefs who are specially trained and skilled in dessert creation) who work in their development kitchens have been working hard developing new desserts.

The results of their work? Joining the much-loved Bonne Maman Chocolate Pot, new Vanilla Pot and Coffee Pot bring the same irresistibly smooth texture to two delicious new flavours.  

Presented in attractive little glass pots, these new desserts are crafted with simple, high-quality ingredients, fresh cream, whole milk, eggs and delicate coffee or vanilla flavour, for a taste of homemade. 

Ready to enjoy straight from the 'fridge, they deliver a rich, satisfying dessert experience for a delicious moment of indulgence after lunch or dinner.

Bonne Maman Coffee Pot and Vanilla Pot are on shelves now in Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons stores at £2.60rrp per pack of 2x115g. Plus available at Asda stores from 15th October.

A Refreshing New Arrival: Siren’s Sparkling Hopwater Lands in M&S

Fancy something sparkling, refreshing and a little different? Siren Craft Brew’s Sparkling Hopwater has arrived in M&S, bringing a fresh option to the growing world of alcohol-free drinks.

The Berkshire brewery’s Krush variety is now available in 440ml cans in 179 M&S stores nationwide. 

That puts this drink within reach of more shoppers looking for something beyond the usual soft drinks.

So, what exactly is hopwater? Think sparkling water with the flavour and aroma of hops, the ingredient familiar to beer lovers. 

Siren’s version contains 0% alcohol, zero calories and zero sugar, making it an appealing choice when you fancy a refreshing drink without the booze.

And while the name might suggest something bitter, Siren describes Krush as having a sweet fruit note, with a clean, effervescent finish. 

That fruity character comes without sugar, offering a different sort of refreshment for anyone keen to explore new flavours.

The inspiration for Siren’s range came during a trip to Oregon’s hop harvest in September 2023. Head brewer Sean Knight and founder Darron Anley noticed growing enthusiasm for hopwaters among American brewers and hop growers, who were exploring ways to use hops beyond traditional beer.

Siren launched its own UK range in 2024, initially producing Nelson Sauvin, Citra and Idaho versions. Now, the M&S listing gives hopwater a chance to reach a much wider audience.

Commercial director Andy Nowlan says the drink has already become a staple in Siren’s bars and an important part of its range. He also praised M&S for backing a product that remains relatively unfamiliar to many British shoppers.

For those curious to compare varieties, Citra is currently available directly from Siren online and at its venues. Nelson Sauvin is expected to return online and in venues soon, according to the brewery.

Based in Finchampstead, Siren has been brewing since 2013 and has built its reputation on modern beers packed with flavour. Its move into hopwater brings that interest in hops to a drink suited to a different occasion.

Whether you are taking a break from alcohol, planning an evening or simply bored with your fizzy drink, this could be something to pop in the fridge and try.

Here at That’s Food and Drink, we welcome more choice for people who want an interesting alcohol-free option. A sparkling drink with hop character sounds like a refreshing addition to the shelves. Will hopwater find a place in your shopping basket?

We must confess to having developed a taste for Siren's beers. As for hop water? We'll check out our nearest M&S branches soon!

Bod Café Bars. Where Coffee Shop Meets Proper Pub

There is an interesting middle ground between the traditional pub and the modern coffee shop, and bod café bars have made themselves very comfortable in it.

Created by Stoke-on-Trent’s Titanic Brewery, the bod concept was planned in 2017, with the first venue opening at Weeping Cross in Stafford in 2018.

The idea was refreshingly straightforward: create a relaxed, comfortable place where members of the local community could meet, eat, drink and socialise.

Today there are bod café bars in Stafford, Stoke railway station, Trentham, Newport in Shropshire, Stone, Alsager, Matlock and Lichfield.

What we particularly like about the idea at That’s Food and Drink is that bod doesn't seem to worry too much about whether it is a café or a pub.

And why should it?

You can call in for a locally roasted coffee, meet somebody for brunch, enjoy a pizza or settle down with a proper pint. At Stoke railway station, for example, travellers can grab coffee, snacks and cakes to take away, while those with more time can enjoy cask and keg beers, wines, spirits and other drinks.

The local emphasis is particularly welcome. Bod says its beer comes from Titanic Brewery, its ground coffee from Staffordshire-based Chartley Coffee and its crisps from Just Crisps near Rugeley. Fresh produce is also sourced from Freshview Foods in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

There is a strong sustainability element, too. Bod uses recyclable takeaway cups, offers a discount for customers bringing reusable cups, avoids plastic bottles for cold drinks and even makes used coffee grounds available to customers for garden composting.

Some of the buildings are worth visiting in their own right. Bod Trentham occupies a former NatWest bank in a building dating from the mid-19th century which was originally designed as a police station. Meanwhile, bod Newport occupies another former bank and retains features including its old vault and cash lift.

Perhaps the biggest attraction, though, is the flexibility of the concept. Coffee shop in the morning? Certainly. Somewhere for brunch? Yes. A pint of locally brewed beer later in the day? Absolutely.

In an age when so many hospitality businesses seem determined to fit into a narrowly defined category, bod demonstrates that a neighbourhood meeting place can be several things at once.

And perhaps that's exactly what the modern British café-bar should be.

Find your nearest venue and current menus at the bod café bars website https://www.bodcafebars.co.uk

Britain’s Love Affair with Italian Food Keeps Trade Flourishing

Remember being told by some anti-Brexiteers that if the UK voted for Brexit we wouldn't be able to enjoy Italian foods or wines at home? It turns out that this has not been the case.

Because from pasta suppers and pizza nights to a good espresso or a glass of Italian wine, Britain’s enthusiasm for Italian flavours shows little sign of fading. 

Now, the latest trade figures underline just how valuable that relationship has become.

Analysis from the Economic Observatory of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, updated in June 2026, shows that food, beverages and tobacco were Italy’s largest export category to the UK in 2025. 

Together, they were worth €4.56 billion, accounting for 16.9% of Italian exports to Britain. Although the category includes tobacco, the figures highlight the commercial importance of products associated with Italy’s internationally recognised food and drink culture.

The wider trading relationship is substantial, too. Bilateral trade reached €34.5 billion in 2025, with Italy exporting €26.99 billion to the UK and importing €7.5 billion of British goods. That left Italy with a trade surplus of almost €19.5 billion.

Trade has continued into 2026, with Italian exports to Britain reaching €8.64 billion between January and April, producing a further surplus of €5.93 billion.

For British food retailers, restaurant operators and importers, these figures help explain why relationships with Italian producers remain commercially important. The UK was Italy’s sixth-largest export market in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 4% of its total exports. Italy also ranks as Britain’s seventh-largest supplier, with a 3.3% share of the UK import market.

Of course, bringing products across borders involves more than finding something delicious. Businesses must also manage trading requirements and establish reliable connections. One initiative helping suppliers and buyers make those connections is OpportunItaly.

Launched in May 2025, the platform reports generating nearly 170,000 qualified leads. It offers business matching, export guidance, market reports and trade opportunities across ten strategic Made in Italy sectors, including agri-food, and 20 international markets, among them the UK.

Its “Trade Fair Beyond the Trade Fair” approach aims to keep conversations going after exhibition stands have been packed away. During 2026, it supported Italian exhibitors at LAMMA Birmingham and IFE London. Meanwhile, its Buyers Club provides tailored support, manufacturer introductions and access to leading trade events.

For food lovers, the attraction is straightforward: opportunities to discover Italian products and the people behind them. For businesses, stronger connections could help turn that appetite into lasting partnerships.

Britain’s affection for Italian food is familiar. These figures show that it also remains a significant ingredient in the trading relationship between the two countries.

Bunta Beer Reports 40% Growth as It Rethinks Britain’s Beer and Curry Pairing

Beer and curry have long been a favourite British pairing. 

But as Indian dining becomes more varied, adventurous and sophisticated, should we give a little more thought to the beer in our glass?

British-Indian alcohol-free brand Bunta Beer thinks so. Ahead of National Curry Week, which runs from 5–11 October 2026, it is encouraging diners to reconsider the familiar drinks traditionally served alongside Indian food.

Founded by Gunikka Ahuja, Bunta was created to offer a contemporary alternative to established curry-house beers. Ahuja moved to London from Los Angeles, bringing her Indian heritage and international experience to a brand designed around food, flavour and changing drinking habits.

The business reports 40% year-on-year growth, with new accounts spanning restaurants, hotels, pubs, independent shops and specialist drinks businesses. Recent additions include the Royal Albert Hall, Novotel, Pahli Hill, Mandira Kitchen, Bombay Bustle and The Gladstone Arms.

That expansion reflects Bunta’s belief that the drinks menu deserves the same attention as the food menu.

Across Britain, diners are exploring regional Indian specialities, street food, contemporary restaurants and premium meals at home. For Ahuja, this growing curiosity presents an opportunity to rethink what accompanies those dishes.

Bunta describes its beer as alcohol-free, with low carbonation and flavours developed to complement Indian cuisine. That could appeal to anyone seeking an alternative drink for their next curry night, whether dining out or eating at home.

Pairing beer with Indian food involves more than finding something cold. Bitterness, malt, body and carbonation can influence how a drink works alongside chilli, creamy sauces, fragrant spices and smoky tandoori dishes.

A rich curry and a fiery dish may therefore call for different qualities in the accompanying beer.

For National Curry Week inspiration, Ahuja recommends the comforting Saag Murgh at London’s Bombay Bustle, and the Masala Haddock Bun at The Latimer, featuring battered fish, lettuce, cheese and tartare sauce.

Her choices also include Pahli Hill’s fish curry with green mango, coconut and tamarind, plus dishes at Oudh 1722 and The Gladstone Arms.

Of course, readers can experiment closer to home too. Your favourite takeaway, a homemade curry or a regional recipe could provide the opportunity to explore an alcohol-free pairing.

Bunta’s message is straightforward: as Indian food continues to evolve, the drinks served alongside it can evolve as well.

Perhaps this National Curry Week, the most interesting change will be what you pour alongside your dinner.

Find out more at buntabeer.com.

Quorn Brings Its No Artificial Ingredients Range to the Chiller

When the family diary fills up with work, school and after-school activities, getting dinner on the table can feel like another appointment to squeeze in. 

Having a few versatile ingredients ready in the fridge certainly helps.

Quorn is expanding its No Artificial Ingredients range with two chilled additions: Quorn Chilled Pieces and Quorn Chilled Mince. 

Both are designed to make everyday meat-free cooking quicker and easier, whether you fancy something spicy, comforting or simply straightforward.

The Pieces contain just three ingredients, while the Mince contains four. According to Quorn, both products are high in protein and fibre, low in saturated fat and gluten free, with no artificial ingredients.

They also cook in under ten minutes, although the time needed for your finished meal will depend on the recipe. That makes them handy starting points for busy evenings when everyone seems to arrive home hungry.

To celebrate the launch, Quorn has teamed up again with top nutritionist, author and podcaster Rhiannon Lambert, who has created two family recipes using the new products.

Her One Pan Enchilada Rice uses Quorn Chilled Pieces alongside warming Tex-Mex flavours. It sounds like an appealing option for anyone who enjoys a satisfying dinner with less washing-up afterwards.

For those who prefer a comforting classic, Rhiannon’s Hidden Veggie Lasagne features Quorn Chilled Mince. It can be prepared ahead, batch-cooked and frozen, helping households get a head start on particularly hectic evenings.

Rhiannon’s message is that nutritious family cooking need not be complicated. Her recipes bring together protein, fibre and plenty of vegetables using familiar ingredients and achievable methods.

She also encourages shoppers to consider a product’s nutritional value and its place within the overall diet when assessing meat alternatives, rather than relying solely on labels or broad assumptions about processed food.

The expanded No Artificial Ingredients range now includes seven products. Alongside the chilled Pieces and Mince, shoppers can find frozen Mince, Pieces, Strips, Swedish Style Balls and Fillets.

The two chilled additions have a recommended retail price of £2.75 for a 200g pack, with prices set at retailers’ discretion. Quorn lists Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose as stockists from September.

For recipe inspiration, visit Quorn’s Instagram account, or explore its Mince and Pieces pages.

Whether your household already enjoys meat-free meals or simply wants more variety during the week, these chilled staples offer another way to build dinner around familiar favourites. Which would you try first: enchilada rice or a bubbling lasagne?

https://www.quorn.co.uk/products/chicken-style-pieces

https://www.quorn.co.uk/products/vegetarian-mince

https://www.instagram.com/quorn_uk

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