Catering for Euro Football Parties at Home

As the excitement of the Euros grips the nation, there’s no better way to enjoy the matches than by hosting a football-themed party at home. 

Whether you’re cheering for England or simply enjoying the spectacle, having the right food and drink can make all the difference. 

Here’s how to cater for a fantastic Euros viewing party with friends and family.

Planning the Menu

1. Finger Foods and Snacks

Football matches are long, and guests will want to graze throughout the game. Opt for a variety of finger foods that are easy to eat without missing a moment of the action.

Sausage Rolls: A quintessential British snack, easy to make or buy, and always a hit.

Chicken Wings: Flavour them with BBQ, peri-peri, or honey mustard to add some variety.

Mini Pies: From steak and ale to chicken and mushroom, these are hearty and satisfying.

Vegetable Sticks and Dips: A lighter option, perfect with hummus, guacamole, or sour cream and chive dip.

2. Main Dishes

For something more substantial, consider dishes that can be prepared in advance and easily served.

Pizza: Always a crowd-pleaser. Make a few different toppings to cater to all tastes.

Sliders: Mini burgers are perfect for a football party. Offer a selection of beef, chicken, and veggie options.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Slow-cooked and full of flavour, these can be prepared ahead and kept warm in a slow cooker.

3. Desserts

No party is complete without something sweet.

Brownies: Rich, chocolatey, and easy to eat with your hands.

Fruit Skewers: Refreshing and healthy, a great balance to the heavier snacks.

Football-Themed Cupcakes: Decorate with your team’s colours for a festive touch.

Drinks

1. Beers and Ciders

A staple at any football gathering, offer a selection of local ales, lagers, and ciders to suit all preferences. Consider providing some non-alcoholic options as well.

2. Cocktails

Mix up some simple cocktails that can be made in batches. A classic Pimm’s is always a hit, or try a football-themed punch with fruit juices and a splash of rum or vodka.

3. Soft Drinks

Ensure there’s plenty for everyone. Offer a variety of fizzy drinks, flavoured waters, and perhaps a homemade lemonade.

Setting the Scene

1. Decor

Create a festive atmosphere with flags, bunting, and team colours. Consider setting up a big screen or projector for optimal viewing.

2. Seating

Make sure there’s enough comfortable seating for all your guests. Scatter cushions and bean bags can provide extra spots.

3. Viewing Area

Arrange the seating so everyone has a good view of the screen. If space is tight, think about different viewing zones with multiple screens.

Final Tips

Plan Ahead: Prepare as much as you can the day before to minimise stress on the day.

Keep It Simple: Choose dishes that are easy to eat and don’t require much cutlery or crockery.

Enjoy the Game: Don’t get too caught up in hosting. Make sure you take time to enjoy the match with your guests.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to hosting an unforgettable Euros viewing party. With great food, refreshing drinks, and the right atmosphere, you and your guests will be able to fully immerse yourselves in the excitement of the tournament. Cheers to a fantastic Euros campaign! 

Pizza is good for anxiety?

Yes, apparently it's true. According to new research commissioned by Chicago Town Pizza pizza can  calm you down.

It’s been scientifically proven by Chicago Town that cooking / eating a pizza can genuinely reduce your anxiety when you’re watching the football (perfect timing with the Euros starting up!)

It came on the back of survey results from Chicago Town showing the overwhelming majority (92%) find aspects of watching the game stressful, with around 4 in 10 (42%) suggesting pizza has a feeling of comfort while it's cooking.  

Football vlogger Theo Baker (who’s taking part in this year’s Soccer Aid) trialling the test himself by measuring his blood pressure, heartrate and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) both before and during some of the most iconic nerve-wracking moments in footballing history. Both with and without pizza.

Just before the Euros, Chicago Town joined University of East Anglia’s Professor Oli Buckley to conduct a biometrics study, testing if pizza could reduce nerves before and during football matches.

Pitchside podcaster, Theo Baker, was hooked up by the professor measuring his blood pressure, heartrate and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) both before and during some of the most iconic nerve-wracking moments in footballing history.

The study, in partnership with the UK’s most popular frozen pizza brand, used the brand’s Takeaway Weekender Stuffed Crust Salt and Pepper Chicken pizza, concluded that while in the vicinity of fresh-rising dough, cheese, tomato and tasty toppings, Theo showed less signs of nerves ahead of a crunch game, with the pizza providing a calming and relaxing effect.

Theo said: “Football is, by far, the thing that brings on the most nerves for me in life so when I had the opportunity to see if getting stuck into my favourite food could help with that in any way…I jumped at it."

I wonder if this is one of the reasons that pizza is so popular with hard pressed students during those tense, stressful exams? 

https://www.chicagotown.com

Traditional English Breakfast set to be dish of the day

Sunday morning promises to be the biggest breakfast of the year as football fans gather around their TV sets in the hope England can finally bring it home. 

Waitrose shops have stocked up on bacon, eggs, sausage and English fizz ready for the kick off on Sunday morning. Searches on Waitrose.com for ‘brunch’ are already up +54% on the previous week, and that's a sure sign families and friends will be gathering together to cheer on England. 

Searches for their Lion Birthday cake are up +45% this month, compared to last - indicating it’s become a go to treat for all football celebrations. 

Nathan Ansell, Waitrose's Customer Director, said: “All the ingredients for a great brunch will be flying off the shelves quicker than a Lauren Hemp strike. Customers are already looking to celebrate with cooked breakfasts, -and some chilled fizz in readiness for a potential win, too. “We expect Deliveroo and Uber Eats to be busy with enthralled fans unable to tear themselves away from the action to secure their last minute snacks.”

Customers at John Lewis department stores are also getting themselves match ready. Sales of children’s football boots have more than doubled since last week, while sales of TVs have climbed by 25% on last year.

In contrast to 1966 - when an England team last reached a World Cup Final - we expect more people to be watching the final at home with family and friends this Sunday. Fifty seven years ago fewer people owned TVs and customers crowded into their TV departments to watch the big match. An extract from their archives written by one of their Shop Floor Partners in 1966 describes the day in one of their London shops.

"Partners and customers from the elderly and sedate to the Mods (or Rockers)' sat on the floor to watch the World Cup Final in the TV department.... I even chatted to them and collected their lighted cigarette stubs when they asked for Ashtrays.... I suppose it was about a thousand to one that a television set would be sold whilst the match was on...but after about five minutes a SOLD ticket was placed on the top of the set..."’ 

Breakfast of Champions with Asda

Asda's launched a special Breakfast of Champions bundle to accompany the women’s football tournament in Australia.

Complete with Vegemite, the full English with an Aussie twist has been designed to elevate early-morning fixtures for fans who would usually watch down the pub.

Asda’s Breakfast of Champions is available online here  https://groceries.asda.com/product/bacon/womens-world-cup-breakfast-bundle/9999999113385

Our breakfast tables aren't  the usual settings to watch the game, but with the final taking place at 11am Sunday 20 August, footie fans are more likely to be tuning in with their morning coffee than putting away pints in the pub.

To enjoy alongside the Lionesses’ efforts to take home the trophy, Asda's launched a breakfast bundle designed to elevate the morning fixture, with bacon sandwiches rather than pints of beer.

Asda’s Breakfast of Champions is a full English with a delightful Aussie twist, complete with Australia’s favourite savoury spread as a nod to the tournament hosts. Australia’s answer to Marmite, Vegemite is perfect for spreading on half-time toast, or, for the more adventurous, cheering on the girls with a bacon and vegemite sandwich.

The bundle also contains full English favourites like smoked back bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and bread, along with OMV! No Pork Chilli Sausages as an equally tasty meat-free alternative.

For those wanting to lean into the celebratory atmosphere, there’s even Extra Special Prosecco Brut and smooth orange juice to make a morning mimosa to toast to England’s success.

Whether watching at home with friends or over a team breakfast at work, Asda’s Breakfast of Champions makes the perfect accompaniment for the morning viewing. Or, if you’re feeling generous, why not surprise a fellow fan who’s tuning in to watch the big game and send a Breakfast of Champions to their door?

The Breakfast of Champions bundle feeds six, and is available for just £24.70 here now until the end of the tournament on Sunday 20th August.

Follow the Flower: M&S launches Eat Well campaign as summer of football approaches kick off

The countdown to the summer of football is in full swing, and today as part of M&S Food’s Eat Well Play Well partnership with the home nations’ football associations, the leading retailer is launching a national campaign to encourage customers to Follow the Flower in M&S stores to spot healthier food choices.  

The campaign features a number of the leading star female players from across the four nations, alongside returning favourite Ian Wright. 

This is the newest step in M&S Food’s Eat Well Play Well partnership with the England, Scotland, Cymru and the Northern Ireland National Football Teams to use the power of football and the influence of some of the UK’s biggest footballing heroes to help families make healthier choices.  

M&S’ latest Family Matters Index recently showing that healthy eating is a growing priority with 30% of families looking to eat more healthily in the coming months, and the campaign encourages customers to Follow the Flower whilst in store.  

M&S recently announced it had reduced or even locked the price on over 50 Eat Well products to support customers in choosing a balanced diet, from M&S Select Farms Mangetout (260g – cut by 15% to £1.70) to Pineapple Chunks (150g – cut by 15% to £1.70). 

Sharry Cramond, who is the Marketing Director M&S Food and Hospitality says: “With a Summer of football ahead of us, we felt it was the perfect time to supercharge our Eat Well, Play Well partnerships with the home nations football teams, show our differentiation to other retailers through the partnership, and really focus on our Eat Well healthy options in store. 

"So, we’ve brought back former England star, and all-round popular legend, Ian Wright to once again star in our TV adverts,  alongside some very familiar footballing faces from all corners of the entire UK." 

Sharry went on to say: “As well as championing women’s football this Summer, our main aim is to help families eat healthier. Through the advert Ian explains our Eat Well proposition and how easy it is to ‘Follow the Flower’ in store for healthier choices. We've got everything in our stores from steaks to sandwiches and cereals, too! Fingers crossed for a Summer of success for Eat Well as well as the England team!” 

The campaign kicked off with an advert on ITV which will run across VOD, YouTube and social across throughout the Women’s World Cup in July and August.  

M&S customers will also see the campaign extensively promoted via M&S Foodhall’s with yellow flower signage throughout, plus selfie stands and kids puzzle sheets to help promote Eat Well and healthy choices.  

England legend Ian Wright added: “Growing up, no one taught me about healthy eating and learning what was and wasn’t healthy came later to me in life. That’s why I’m delighted to be working with M&S Food again on their Eat Well, Play Well campaign. It’s a topic close to my heart and this campaign is all about making healthy eating as easy as possible. 

“We’ve filmed a great new TV ad showing people how to do just that. Plus it features some of our countries best footballers, as we go into a huge summer of women’s football. What's not to love?” 

You can see the advert here:- 

Asda brings you a Pizza the action

With Summer in full swing, the Lionesses about to take on their biggest football tournament yet, and families looking for ways to treat themselves for a bit less, Asda has unveiled its latest pizza counter meal deal, live from 24th July, for a stunning £6.00.

Shoppers can visit the supermarket's pizza counters in store and pick up two medium sized pizzas and one medium sized drink, whilst saving a whopping £4.00 compared to if shopping without.

With 14 pizza options to choose from, on either thin and crispy or deep pan bases - there is something for everyone. 

The varieties, which include family favourites like the Medium Stonebaked Thin & Crispy Mighty Meat Feast, Medium Deep Pan Pepperoni Feast and Medium Stonebaked Thin & Crispy Aloha Hawaiian. As well as the option to create their own with up to four toppings.

And vegetarians will not be ignored, as they'll also be able to take advantage of the deal too, with the following options-

Medium Stonebaked Thin & Crispy Very Veggie Supreme

Medium Deep Pan Very Veggie Supreme

With vegans able to opt for vegan cheese on their pizzas, so they can enjoy it too!

Once customers have selected their delicious pizzas, they'll also be able to choose a drink to wash it down with from the following tasty options:

Coca Cola, 1.5L

Diet Coke, 1.75L

Fanta Orange, 1.5L

Coca Cola Zero, 1.75L

Sprite, 1.5L

Besides making some fantastic savings, customers will also be able to enter to win one of six £100 Ticketmaster e-gift cards per week (between 24.07.2023 to 15.10.2023). They'll just need to scan the QR code on marketing materials and complete the online form.

Get ready for summer evenings at home, to enjoy whilst catching up on the football with friends and family or just stock up the freezer at asda.com or your nearest Asda pizza counter.

Kick off the Women's World Cup in Aldi style

Mornings in the UK will be getting off to an exciting start with the Women’s World Cup hitting screens throughout July. 

You'll be able to kick off the World Cup in style with your own brunch grazing board from Aldi for less than £15.

With prices starting from as little as 45p, these fantastic bites won’t have you footing a costly bill. 

From waffles and pancakes to eggs and bacon, Aldi has shoppers covered for all those morning get-togethers this World Cup season. The full brunch shopping list can be found here and is available in all Aldi branches stores nationwide now:

Six British Free Range Eggs – £1.29

Everyday Essentials Smoked Bacon – £1.45

Specially Selected Smoked Salmon Slices – £3.49

Natures Pick Ripe and Ready Avocado – £0.99

Everyday Essentials Cream Cheese – £0.83

Village Bakery Toasting Waffles – £1.49

Village Bakery Scotch Pancakes – £0.49

Everyday Essentials Raspberries – £1.49

Everyday Essentials Sliced Wholemeal Bread – £0.45

Bucks Fizz – £2.49

Total: £14.46

Erdinger Forges Partnership With the Anfield Wrap for Next Phase of Consumer Campaign Featuring Jürgen Klopp

The deal with award-winning fan media organisation, The Anfield Wrap, sees ERDINGER Weissbräu as the lead partner of their new five-episode documentary series named 'JÜRGEN'.

JÜRGEN includes 35 feature-length, one on one interviews from across four different countries with The Anfield Wrap speaking to those who know the German manager best, including Steven Gerrard, Adam Lallana, Sir Kenny Dalglish and many others close to him. 

The first three episodes were released before Christmas in the domestic football void created by the World Cup, and a further two will be released in March.

Felix Durchdewald, Head of Sales & Marketing at ERDINGER Weissbräu said “Since Jürgen Klopp was announced as an ERDINGER ambassador in 2020, the association between the two has become firmly established. Many consumers have been engrossed in the campaign that has encouraged people to 'Never Skim an ERDINGER' and not to forget the 'Best Bit' and this has translated to robust sales in both on and off-trade.

“The campaign has highlighted ERDINGER Weissbräu's pursuit of quality, driven awareness of the ideal pour for a wheat beer and has contributed to ERDINGER being named #1 imported wheat beer in the UK off-trade” said Felix.

“With the playful instructions shared by Jürgen and his enthusiastic bartenders in the original adverts a team of new fans have taken the beer and its perfect pour, including swirling the bottle to collect all the yeast before pouring, to their hearts. A new pack format of 4x330ml bottles has been introduced into the UK with the original listing in Sainsburys now extended to selected Tesco stores from March 2023.

 This follows achieving #1 status in rate of sale in their respective off-trade categories for ERDINGER Weissbier and Alkoholfrei, with the former gaining most share in the speciality beer category.  

“The partnership with The Anfield Wrap is a perfect match that sees the two businesses align with Jürgen, with all three being driven by passion, determination and a desire for success. The level of perfection and passion that The Anfield Wrap has shown in producing this docuseries correlates very closely with how ERDINGER Weissbräu produces its beers.”

Craig Hannan, Head of Brand and Marketing at The Anfield Wrap, said: “This is The Anfield Wrap's most ambitious work yet and we were only ever interested in working with a partner that aligned with the project and our brand. ERDINGER Weissbräu ticks those boxes.

“From the strategy to the creative, everything within this project has been produced in-house at The Anfield Wrap. But having the support of ERDINGER Weissbräu helps scale up our plans and ideas and we are really excited about what we're about to achieve with them, both in the UK and across the world as there is a real synergy between both brands.”

ERDINGER branding features on all five episodes of the new documentary series and the brands will work together on brand marketing activity and collaborative events in England and Germany.

https://uk.erdinger.de.