New experience offered by Steven Edwards at etch.

etch. by Steven Edwards has silently opened a stylish speakeasy experience to non-diners, following the success of its subterranean bar among its diners since it opened a year ago, last November.

The restaurant was reopened following an extension last November, with diners able to enjoy pre and post dinner drinks in the bar. However, Steven had always hoped to open up to those looking for a sophisticated drinking experience on a night out.

Named as a nod to the tattoo bar that formerly occupied the premises, Ink is a modern, minimalistic take on the basement speakeasy concept. 

The cocktail bar is situated immediately beneath Steven Edwards' flagship restaurant etch, in Brighton and Hove. The bar has an intimate décor with flashes of neon in its artwork created by Ben Slow.

Bar manager Bethany Pogson and her dedicated team have created a menu that breathes new life into the classics, plus creating some new and original serves. 

Cocktails include the ever popular 'etchspresso' Martini that elevates a modern classic using butter almanac and walnut bitters and a vodka-based Old Fashioned enhanced with a comforting Horlicks infused cream. 

A unique range of non-alcoholic alternatives are also available as are olives and smoked almonds which are complimentary when one orders drinks.

Steven said: “With our extensive local inspired drinks list, Ink is the perfect spot for an intimate after-work drink, a romantic date, birthday, intimate festive celebration or a late-night cocktail. It's proving really popular with those who know etch already and they are bringing new people to try the etch experience which really has to be a good thing.”

Ink is currently open on a temporary event notice and non-diners must book a table in advance in order to access the bar. The bar is open from 6pm until 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday and from midday until 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

To reserve a table at Ink visit: https://www.etchfood.co.uk/home#/ink/

What is etch? It serves a 5, 7 or 9 course tasting menu with a focus on local, ethically sourced produce and the restaurant is famous for the marmite bread, served with seaweed butter.

The restaurant was ranked 58th in this year's National Restaurant Awards and to quote a review in the Independent, Steven has "found a way to make dippy eggs exciting. No, that's not even the right word for it… he's made them sexy. Jammily, gloriously sexy, which is certainly not something I ever thought I would say about a soft boiled egg and a bit of toast.” 

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Asda makes "massive" change to its own brand tea bags, making them much greener

Asda has made a massive change to its own brand tea bags with the introduction of new, plant-based packaging, meaning that the 550 million tea bags Asda sells sells every year can be disposed of using  kerbside food waste bins, which are sometimes called caddies. 

The new tea bags are specially created using PLA which is derived from corn starch, which is a natural, plant-based material and will replace the non-renewable oil-based plastic bags which Asda previously employed.

Asda will be phasing in the new bags over the next half-year across its entire range, from Just Essentials to Extra Special brands.

Jon Wells, who is Asda's Packaging Technologist, said: “We know our customers want to do all they can to reduce their environmental impact and we want to make that as easy as possible for all our customers.

“Let's face it, tea is a staple in most customer’s households so for us to make a change which can make such a difference is a big moment for us.”

Adam Herriott, Sector Specialist, Resource Management, WRAP, said: “It’s very positive to hear of further moves by Asda, a founding member of The UK Plastics Pact, to make innovative moves on their products and tackle plastic waste. 

"We must continue to go further, and ensure we bring in more changes that benefit shoppers and the environment”.

You can check out Asda at www.asda.com.

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Grab some snacks the Proper way!

PROPER Snacks, The UK's top better-for-you snack brand, has launched the absolutely sensational 'The PROPER Dropper'; which is a life-sized arcade claw in London's Shoreditch, which will see players strapped in and dunked into a pit of 16,000 snacks and thousands of pounds worth of prizes!

Open today and tomorrow only (28th and 29th of October) The PROPER Dropper has been launched in response to research showing that nearly 70% of us are looking to seize new opportunities, and 68% are open to trying something they've never tried before.

Members of the public will have the chance to take home bags of PROPERCORN and PROPERCHIPS, plus new PROPERCRISPS, besides special hidden prizes including high-end fashion rental platform ByRotation, where you can hire out a show-stopping look for less, exclusive merch from iconic fashion brands FILA and NICCE, and Roam speakers from surround sound connoisseurs, SONOS.

Said Cassandra Stavrou, co-founder of PROPER Snacks: “PROPER is a brand that's always been about bringing fun and creativity to every day life. So, we decided to turn up and give the public something unforgettable.”

“Whether it's building a giant popcorn cement mixer or wallpapering London in popcorn pattern, we've always done this the 'PROPER way'. The human claw goes right to the heart of our brand, which is  another moment where we totally reimagine a childhood arcade game, and stop people in their tracks with our creative ambition. We're so excited to bring the Human Claw to life this Autumn!”

The activation is the latest in a long line of bold moments in PROPER Snacks' history, including popcorn-wrapped London buses and a 33ft pink cement mixer tour around the UK.

Also, the brand has a long history of championing iconic up-and-coming designers and artists, with many contributing to its now infamous on-pack designs. 

The decision to launch a (literal) 'pick-me-up' attraction in collaboration with iconic designer Toby Triumph, was taken to inject the same creativity and fun seen on its packs, back into the city.

The PROPER Dropper opens on Friday, 28th October and will run till Saturday 29th, October at Ely's Yard, Shoreditch, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL, London. Sessions will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and at random through a 'spin the wheel'. 

Sessions are limited between the hours of 11:00 and 20:00 and are completely free. Pre-booking is unavailable. The ride is available for those 18+, and surrounding activities are suited for all ages. Prizes are allocated at random and issued at the discretion of the provider. For further updates, follow @proper on Instagram and @propersnacks TikTok and search #properdropper to find out more.

PICTURED: Tash and Amy demonstrate the 'PROPER Dropper', the UK's first human claw arcade machine.

It's opened at Ely's Yard, Shoreditch for two days only, The arcade machine contains a pit of 16,000 bags of PROPER Snacks, as well hidden gold packs with prizes from brands such as NICCE, ByRotation, FILA, and SONOS. The photo is courtesy of Jonathan Hordle/PA Wire.

Asda announces new vegan range for Christmas

From mains that have the festive wow! factor, to luxurious desserts to delectable and morish party nibbles, Asda’s new range of vegan Christmas treats means there will now be something for everyone this festive season.

Asda’s 97-product-strong range of vegan Christmas treats launches just in time for World Vegan Month this November.

Shoppers can enjoy Christmas classics such as pigs-in-blankets and a succulent turkey crown, all with a clever vegan twist.

Asda’s new vegan offering comes as part of the store’s largest Christmas range to date, with in excess of 100 vegan and free-from products and 326 new items across the store. 

A spokesman for Asda said: "No one should have to compromise at Christmas. And with Asda’s new vegan Christmas range, no one needs to.

"Coinciding with World Vegan Month and forming part of Asda’s largest Christmas offering to date, the new vegan range boasts 97 delectable items, which are ideally suitable for whatever occasion the festive season has to offer."

Are you going to host Christmas drinks and nibbles for a friend or family member who eats plant-based meals? 

Why not serve up Asda’s Breaded Vegan Brie with Sweet Chilli Dip (£3.50)? These creamy vegan cheese bites are coated in a golden paprika and herb crumb and come complete with a sweet and spicy chilli dip for dipping. So making them the perfect indulgent vegan starter to wow non-meat-eaters and carnivores alike.

For those hosting the big day itself and catering for meat-free loved ones, Asda’s Plant-Based Vegan Turkey Crown with Umami Stock (£5) will be the veritable star of the show. 

The succulent soya-based turkey crown is topped with a flavoured crumb for that crispy-skin texture and finished with an insanely savoury umami butter to stand in for those mouth-watering savoury turkey-basting juices.

Not forgetting vegan chocolate lovers, the Extra Special Vegan Chocolate Baubles (£4.50) are 100% perfect for serving up as a unique Christmas dessert. Just use a spoon to break open the Belgian dark chocolate baubles to reveal a delicious vegan chocolate mousse and cookie crumb, oozing with sweet caramel sauce.

As well as catering for vegans, Asda is also making sure that guests who need "free from" Christmas products are well catered for, Asda has an extensive range of free-from-Christmas products available this year so shoppers can enjoy festive favourites no matter what their special dietary requirements might be.

Highlights from the Asda free from range includes top Christmas classics like Asda’s Free From Mince Pies (£2) and Extra Special Free From 6-Month Matured Luxury Christmas Pudding (£2), plus treats like the Extra Special Free From Blood Orange Enrobed Cookies (£2.20).

The new range is a part of Asda’s largest Christmas range to date, with over 100 vegan and free-from products.

Many of Asda’s new vegan Christmas range will be available to buy online and in-store from 24th November, with further items released over the course of the month.

www.asda.com.

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Bumper Harvest at Sandridge Barton, the Devonshire Home of Sharpham Wine

Sandridge Barton, the home of Sharpham Wine, is thrilled to be toasting a bumper harvest.  With the help of paid workers and community volunteers, in excess of 80 tonnes of grapes, that's enough for about 80,000 bottles, were picked over a month-long period.

It's been an utterly momentous year for the Devon-based wine producer, its new visitor centre, winery and restaurant situated in the countryside which is on the east bank of the River Dart launched in June. 

Since then, the estate has gone from strength-to-strength, welcoming visitors for tours and tastings, and some truly stunning foods at the on-site restaurant Circa and overnight stays at the gorgeous self-catering accommodation, too.

Besides that, the vineyard has now had a bumper grape harvest. Duncan Schwab, who is CEO and also Head Winemaker at Sandridge Barton, says it is going to be “one of the best vintages to date. The grapes have a great fruit intensity, high sugars and balanced acidity.” 

The estate invited community volunteers to help take part in two days of picking this year, on 24 September and 15 October. Around 80 volunteers joined in the fun, with people of all ages, including individuals, couples and families all getting involved. Fantastic weather on both days made the event even more enjoyable.

After all of their hard work, the volunteers were treated to a barbecue and a glass (or two!) of wine and took home a bottle at the end of the day for all their efforts. 

Duncan commented on the year so far, “The number of visitors is growing following our move over the river from the original Sharpham Wine site. Feedback on our new home has been incredible, with tours and tastings taking place in beautiful surroundings and buildings. 

“The weather over the summer certainly helped attract visitors with our south-facing courtyard and is proving a real success. Another huge hit is our new restaurant, Circa, which is wowing customers with its stunning menus featuring foraged food and produce from the estate, as well as fish and seafood from nearby Brixham Fish Market.”

Vines were first planted at Sandridge Barton in 2008. Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Chardonnay, Madeleine Angevine and Pinot Gris are now grown in the vineyards which spread across 32 acres of the 450-acre estate. 

The Sandridge Barton estate is positioned just south of the village of Stoke Gabriel, which is a few miles upriver from the ever-popular town of Dartmouth and a few miles downriver from Totnes. Rich in history, most of the land falls into the South Hams AONB.

A vineyard called Stony Field, which is on a limestone ridge, was also recently planted. Some of the premier wine districts in the world are planted on limestone and this, coupled with the increase in the  popularity of English wines, sets an exciting future for the bottles produced at Sandridge Barton.

On 24 September, the enthusiastic and willing community volunteers were busy picking four tonnes of Madeleine Angevine. A white grape variety which grows well in cooler climates and can be eaten as well made into wines, which are typically light, dry and crisp with pleasant acidity. 

On 15 October, it was onto Pinot Noir for the community harvest, with six tonnes picked in a day. Pinot Noir is a red grape that also thrives in cooler climates and is one of the three main varieties used to make Champagne and English Sparkling wine (along with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier).

There's so much to experience at Sandridge Barton estate. Enjoy wine and cheese tastings and tours, from casual self-guided options to in-depth guided tastings where you'll learn about the processes used in the vineyard and winery. 

acked with world-class local produce at Circa at Sandridge Barton restaurant, open Thursday-Monday 10am-4pm, and Friday evenings 6pm-9pm. 

Extend your visit and stay at Sandridge Barton's self-catering accommodation in three unique properties. The 12-person Sandridge Barton House is perfect for larger groups, the secluded four-person Boathouse is ideal for rural retreats, and the newly-renovated six-person Lower Well Farmhouse is available for those who want to be close to the action.

To find out more please visit them at  https://sandridgebarton.com and to stay up to date 'like' or 'follow' Sandridge Barton Wines on Facebook, 'follow' @sandridge_barton on Instagram and @SharphamWines on Twitter.

Not only can you visit their online shop and purchase their wonderful wines you can also buy some gorgeous cheeses, too, so it is an ideal place for your Christmas shopping. Also, there's a wide range of gifts for sale and also gift vouchers, too.

Babingtons Blends Earl Grey Imperial, Wins Highly Commended at the Great British Food Awards

Babingtons' version of the world's most famous black scented tea, the Imperial Earl Grey, is an intense and citrussy, yet extremely well balanced, all-natural blend. 

A traditional, intense blend of black tea and bergamot, enriched with lemon peel and vibrant flowers.

When creating the Imperial Earl Grey, Chiara and Rory wanted a bergamot tea in which the flavour of the tea wasn't overwhelmed by the scent of the other ingredients.

As a base they chose a Ceylon black tea from Sri Lanka to which we then added bergamot essence, lemon peel and flower petals, to make our blend delicious and good looking for tea lovers everywhere.

About Babingtons Blends

Since 1893, Babingtons Tea Rooms at the foot of Rome's iconic Spanish Steps, has been serving fine teas to the world's most discerning tea connoisseurs, always with a dash of British eccentricity, wit & style.

In 2021, Babingtons Blends was launched in the UK, by descendants of the original founders, Chiara Bedini and Rory Bruce.

“We don't sell tea; we serve the unique Babingtons experience and story in a cup”

Earl Grey Imperial Tea Bag Formats

18 biodegradable pyramid tea bags in a stunning caddy, £12.99

18 biodegradable pyramid tea bags, £7.99

Sustainability

All Babingtons Blends teas are sustainably sourced, hand blended and are 100% natural with no artificial colourings or flavourings whatsoever. Plus, all packaging is biodegradable.

Tea Formats

Pyramids (x 18) from £7.99, Pouches (Loose leaf) from £6.99, Caddies (Loose Leaf) from £11.99, Caddies (Tea Bags) from £12.99

www.babingtonsblends.com 

@babingtonsblends