Soko Patisserie Launches a Halloween Chocolate Collection, by Michelin Star Chef Andreas Antona & Bharat Chandegra

Soko, the Birmingham-based chocolaterie and patisserie supported by Michelin-starred chef Andreas Antona and headed up by Bake Off: The Professionals finalist Bharat Chandegra, has launched a new range of artisan chocolates for spooky parties and trick-or- treating fun.

Finest ingredients

As much an artform as a culinary creation, each chocolate is handmade and takes three days to produce.  The moulds are carefully crafted and painted with the finest cocoa butter before the product is painstakingly layered, the silky-smooth chocolate complemented by sumptuous fillings sourced with equal care and passion. 

Following the launch of the debut range, Bharat and Andreas have plenty of ideas for future selections.

“We're delighted to be launching a selection of enrobed in all-milk chocolate, a Christmas bonbon range with the option to add Champagne, and a limited-edition festive hamper,” said Bharat.  

Soko's Halloween Bonbon Selection, Available Now for Nationwide Delivery

Soko's artisan bonbon selection features six contemporary flavours and is available in boxes of 12 (£16) or 24 (£28)

Peanut Butter & Blackcurrant Jelly, With a Ghost Design 

This is a classic American pairing that is bound to be popular during Halloween. The chocolate brings together peanut butter, with a homemade peanut praline and a layer of blackcurrant jelly to help cut through the sweetness - all enrobed in milk chocolate. 

Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Gory Design

A surprisingly delicious combination of pumpkin purée, pumpkin and cream cheese ganache with a digestive biscuit base. This playful combination brings out the sweetness of pumpkin with hints of vanilla and a white chocolate casing. 

Toffee Apple & Popping Candy

Has the eye-catching colours associated with apple bobbing often played at Halloween. The chocolate is made using caramelised apple to create a purée, then added to apple ganache and a layer of white chocolate mixed with popping candy to surprise and delight all ages. 

Raw Materials

The team has been careful to obtain their chocolate from a reputable and trusted source. Cacao Barry prides itself on using only the highest-grade beans, produced sustainably, and is aiming to be deforestation-free and carbon positive by 2025. 

A Perfect Gift

Developed from exclusive recipes to the highest of standards, the chocolates make a luxurious gift - the perfect present for any discerning friend or family member who appreciates the finer things in life. 

For special occasions, corporate, retail or hospitality orders, Andreas and Bharat can create bespoke chocolates, tailored to a customer's specific requirements.

To discuss the options or order a selection, visit www.sokopatisserie.co.uk.

Christmas Collections

New Soko collections include a Christmas chocolate bon bon range and Christmas Hampers.

www.sokopatisserie.co.uk.

Nationwide UK Chocolate Delivery

Orders placed before 12noon are dispatched the next working day. Please allow 2 days for delivery. Please be advised any orders placed on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (before 12noon) will be dispatched on Monday.

Soko Patisserie, Birmingham Collection Address: 

SOKO Patisserie, Unit 14, Radway Road, Solihull, Shirley, B90 4NR.

Top Vegan & Gluten-Free Brand Positive Bakes Launches Across All London Whole Foods Stores

Top vegan and gluten-free e-commerce brand Positive Bakes is genuinely thrilled to announce it has launched a range of delicious gluten-free and vegan bakes in all Whole Foods Market stores across the  London region.

This is the first retail outlet to stock products by the award-winning, family-owned brand, since its launch in early 2020.

Positive Bakes was begun by husband and wife team Aatin and Helen Anadkat, after they learned that  their son had a dairy allergy. 

Their mission was to produce the most delicious free-from, natural and handmade products available in the UK, whilst also having the least impact on our environment.

Currently available at all seven of the Whole Foods stores across London are a range of Positive Bakes products including seasonal pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, and a range of delicious loaf cakes including carrot cake and chocolate cake, plus the brand's best-selling brownies and blondies. All Positive Bakes products are packed in 100% plastic free packaging.

Positive Bakes co-founder Aatin Anadkat BEM said: “We are thrilled to see our products on the shelves of Whole Foods. Taking our brand to the premium retail market gas always been a part of our master plan, and to have Whole Foods to become our first retail brand partner to stock us, is a huge achievement.

"It took us many months of hard work and new product development by our awesome team, and we are really pleased with the results we have achieved. It's a great step forward for us as we continue to expand our brand.”

Positive Bakes products are free from dairy, gluten, soya, eggs, palm oil, preservatives, flavourings, yeast and GMOs and produced in the brand's dedicated and fully energy-efficient bakery in Leicester and delivered in plastic-free compostable packaging.

Aatin added: “Positive Bakes is a truly purpose-led brand. We take our commitment to sustainability and the planet very seriously and have done since our inception in 2020. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, from our energy efficient bakery to our ingredients and compostable packaging.”

To learn more please visit www.positivebakes.com.

Women loses 30kg in 9 months with a ‘miracle’ lifestyle change!

Doli Hiralal, 36 is a banker from North West London. She no longer enjoyed dressing up and always found  excuses to avoid social events.

She had a consultation with her doctor which highlighted her high blood sugar levels, and she realised immediately that she needed to enact a drastic change to her diet to get her health back on track.

 Speaking exclusively to plant-based drinks brand, Plenish (https://www.plenishdrinks.com) Doli reveals how changing her lifestyle habits has made her feel the best she ever felt in her life.

Describing her pre-diet as extremely carb-heavy, Doli had a couple of key factors that made her reconsider her diet and overall wellbeing. 

“Pre my body transformation I had a very carb-heavy diet. I would typically eat whatever I felt like with little knowledge of Macro contents. I would also rely on a lot of takeouts and easy meals. I had a lot of snacks, sweets, chocolates, and socially drank alcohol.”

She went on to say: “A couple of key factors made me reconsider my diet and that of my overall wellbeing. All my clothes were becoming tight, I no longer enjoyed dressing up, and would find myself making excuses to avoid social events.

"My NHS doctor had also pointed out my blood sugar levels were high which was putting me at risk of  developing diabetes (and we have a family history of this which did, of course, cause me concern). I’d tried a number of fad diets which hadn’t really benefited me. 

I ended up on a body transformation coach’s Instagram and booked a call. 24 hrs later, I’d signed up! 9 months later 30kg down! Best decision I’ve made in my life! And I’ve sustained it!”

Doli was already leading a vegetarian lifestyle and she knew Plant-based was the best option for her, based on how her body reacted.

“I was already a veggie and plant based in the main.. Working with my body transformation coach made this easier for me as all my meal preps were pre-planned. As the months progressed I grew an interest in food types, macros, and what suited me and my gut, best. As I said, I knew plant based was best for me, based on how my body reacted.” 

Changing your lifestyle habits can be a challenging process, but Doli was lucky enough to have her friends and family supporting her on every step of the way. 

”The most challenging part was sticking to a plan, and actually having to make adjustments to socials. I still went but made different choices with food and drink. It was hard to explain to people what I was doing and why I was doing it, but I am truly blessed to have some fantastic people around me who understood and helped me!”

“Positively, I feel the best I have ever felt! I’m more confident and more aware. I have more energy, I’m calmer and happier. It took me a solid year to drop the weight, and then to ustain it, but I believe in learning and growing everyday, so my habits are evolving as I learn more. It’s fantastic to see that my changes have had a ripple effect on those close to me, also taking their health and well-being in their hands!”

Finding the time to prepare fresh, healthy meals can be a difficult task after a long working day, but Doli made sure she planned her meals prior, stopping her from any unhealthy temptations. 

“Being healthy can be expensive at times. What’s worked for me is planning and batch cooking some of my meals. Not only do I save financially but it keeps me on track and ensures I’m not tempted to make poor decisions when I’m tired after a long day at work!”

“I want to feel good and I want to be in control of my health. Eating well, and training helps me feel good.”

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'First Past the Pot!'- Kabuto First Noodle Brand to Go B Corp

Kabuto, maker of Kabuto Noodles, is now part of a community of 5,575 global businesses who have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK, representing a broad cross section of industries and sizes, comprises over 950 companies and include well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.

Kabuto Noodles founder Crispin Busk said: “This is an incredible achievement for the Kabuto team who have been laser-focused on achieving B Corp status. 

"We've been striving to make our business as sustainable as possible in recent years, not only for the company but also as a responsibility to our customers too. 

"As a family-run business it's vitally important to us to leave a legacy which means our products had as little impact on the planet as possible.  Becoming a B-Corp is a great validation of the ethos we've always had at Kabuto, that a company should be about more than just money, but trying to operate in a way that's good for our staff, customers and planet. 

"We've always aimed to be leaders in the competitive world of instant noodles, both in taste as well as environmentally, and now we've proved quality instant noodles needn't cost the earth.”

Achieving B Corp status has been the culmination of a number of actions made by Kabuto over recent years, including creating jobs that incorporate social and environmental issues that are regularly reviewed, ensuring workers are paid above living wage, and were the first instant noodle brand to have a 100% recyclable product, offset of carbon emissions, as well as the highest level of customer service.

A recent reformulation of the entire Kabuto Noodles range to a 100% Vegetarian, non HFSS ingredient list aimed to recruit the more health-conscious customer to the instant noodle category. Kwoklyn Wan, TV Chef and Author, recently worked with the Kabuto Team to create a series of recipes with the pots, turning them into wholesome home-cooked style meals. Kabuto is now sold in all major retailers.

Founded in 2010, the company now employs a team of 7 in Bristol and has sold over 23 million pots to date, and launched in the US in 2019 under the brand name Kusari.

A keen and dedicated foodie, Crispin started off on his food career with Bristol-based success story Pieminister as a Sales Manager for five years. Constantly scouring the supermarket shelves for new ideas, he saw a gap in the market between the ready noodles stocked in supermarkets and the noodle dishes available in restaurants. 

"We've all been through an 'instant-noodle phase', often when we're students and Busk's mission was to catch people who are considering giving up on noodles and give them another reason to carry on eating them - with grown-up flavours, and premium, authentic ingredients.

www.kabutonoodles.com.

So what are B-Corp businesses? 

"Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Unlike other certifications for businesses, B Lab is unique in our ability to measure a company’s entire social and environmental impact."

https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification

 

Say "Cheers" to Devonia's Successful Summer, this Christmas

Devonia, the Devonshire-based fully sustainable spring water company is celebrating a bumper summer of sales. Plus the fact that it saved almost 150,000kg of glass from going to landfill. 

So why not "Say cheers" with a delicious South Devon Southside cocktail recipe, featuring Devonia sparkling water?

Devonia spring water company enjoyed an impressive summer. The company, which puts sustainability at the centre of it's entire ethos, sold 250,000 bottles of water and reused an impressive 201,000.

It's the only spring water company in the south of England with a business model focusing exclusively  on reusing glass bottles time and time again. 

Washing and refilling the bottles uses just 6% of the energy required to recycle glass, reducing CO2 by 94%. And of course, there's no plastic pollution going into the world's oceans, too!

Over Devonia's 18 years in business, the company has saved an amazing 144,995kg of glass from going to landfill, by collecting and reusing its bottles from hotels, pubs, cafes, restaurants, special events and private customers across Devon.

And it's not going to stop there. After adding 35 new trade customers to its books this summer, including 15 wedding and events venues, Devonia is on track to double the size of its operations in 2023. The company wants to move to a larger facility that will allow for more organic growth and is looking to hire new staff, as well as purchase new vans and machinery.

The Telegraph has recently declared Devon the greatest county in England, according to science. With the winning combination of the great outdoors and delicious local food and drink, it's hard to argue with that.   

Devonia's water ticks both boxes. It's bottled at source from a spring that bubbles up on the edge of a meadow near the villages of Beeson and Beesands, which are less than a mile from the sea. With a natural soft taste, both still and sparkling products are available in 330ml or 750ml bottles.

As well as being a sustainable business, Devonia supports the Dartmoor Rescue Group's Ashburton team, of which owner Neil Graham has been a full member for a number of years. By purchasing Devonia water,  customers are also supporting the incredible work of the mountain rescue team.  

Recipe: celebrate Devonia's summer successes with a South Devon Southside cocktail

A little Devonshire twist on a Rum Southside cocktail, enjoy this delicious drink made with fabulous local rum and sparkling spring water.

Ingredients – serves 6

12 large mint leaves, plus 4 large sprigs

1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

120ml freshly squeezed lime juice (approx. 4 limes)

120ml simple syrup (1:1 water and sugar)

240ml Devon Rum Co spiced rum

330ml Devonia sparkling water

1/8tsp salt

Large handful of ice, plus more for serving

Method:

Add the mint leaves and 2 lime wedges into a pitcher and muddle them (if you don't have a muddler, a long-handled wooden spoon will do).

Add the lime juice, simple syrup, rum and ice and stir 40 times (exactly, we're counting!) with a long-handled cocktail spoon (or your trusty wooden spoon).

Add the sparkling water and salt and stir well.

For each drink, fill a tumbler half full with ice, add a mint sprig and a wedge of lime, and pour your cocktail.

Stir gently and serve ice cold.

For further information about Devonia, please visit www.devoniawater.co.uk, follow on Instagram: DevoniaWaterCompany or 'Like' Devonia Water on Facebook.  

We would suggest laying some bottles of Devonia down for your family's Christmas this year?

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Glebe Farm The Purest British Oats

Rebecca and Philip Rayner

Yum! Glebe Farm Purest British Oats are PureOaty and are pure tasty!

Its creamy and enriched with added calcium and vitamins and tastes absolutely delicious!

But there's much more to it than that. It's ideal for people like my wife who have been diagnosed with coeliac disease because their oat milk is guaranteed to be 100% gluten free.

The sister and brother team who own and farm it, Rebecca and Philip Rayner, proudly point out that they are the only farm in the UK that grows and processes the gluten free oats they grow into porridge flakes, oat flour and their absolutely delicious gluten free oat drink, PureOaty.

They are fully involved in every step of the way, growing, milling and manufacturing their own oats, so they can guarantee that they know exactly what goes into everything they produce.

In fact, from their farm in Cambridgeshire they are reputed as being the number one supplier of gluten free oats throughout the whole of Europe and supply customers and manufacturers all over Europe and even the rest of the world.

Their PureOaty is milk is great by the glass, in coffee, in hot chocolate, in smoothies, in hot tea or in cooking, too. 

You'll find some delicious recipes on their website at https://www.glebefarmfoods.co.uk/living-gluten-free.

In fact, we aim to use PureOaty in Christmas treat baking and making for this Christmas. A tasty oat milk Chirstmas pudding? Yes, that sounds quite good!

Saving money whilst cooking

Energy bills are increasing at the moment so we could need to reduce spending on how much fuel we use, especially in cooking.

I read a book many years ago which gave advice on how to cook whilst using reduced energy. 

The key point I can remember was that the author suggested not pre-heating ovens when cooking and just starting the cooking process from cold.

What other methods of saving energy during cooking can you employ?

Use microwave cooking if you can, plus try the combination oven setting on the microwave.

Look at buying a halogen oven which can help you save energy when you are cooking.

Think about using a slow cooker to cook stews, soups, casseroles, etc. 

Cook several items at once in your oven to save on energy usage. 

Don't overfill your kettle when you are needing to boil water.

Use ambient temperature to defrost foods that you have removed from the freezer rather than using the defrost setting on your microwave.

Check the energy settings on whatever electrical appliances you use, such as fridges, freezers, cookers, etc.

Use vegetable steamers to cook your vegetables, which will help save money.