Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Liverpool set to welcome award-winning kebab store next month in the form of I am Döner

Opening in Bootle, the 1,200 sq. ft Stanley Road site will be the innovative brand’s fifth outlet and is the brainchild of chef Paul Baron, who was inspired to make the döner kebab ‘more than just a guilty pleasure’.

The team use a total of 120 ingredients in the eight kebabs they offer, as well as catering to non-meat eaters, with a host of vegetarian, vegan, plant based and gluten free options all featuring on their popular menu.

I am Döner Bootle is the first UK franchise opening for the brand as part of a multi-site franchise deal, which is in partnership with Optimum Group. The company currently operates 25 Costa Coffee stores throughout Merseyside and the North West of England, together with two Kaspa's stores in Liverpool city centre and St Helens.

CEO Dave Connor said: “We knew from the start we had to bring this brand to Liverpool. I am Döner offers something that's truly different and it’s a concept we’ve never seen before in the city, so we’re keen to showcase what it has to offer.”

The new store will recruit eight members of staff ahead of its December opening and will seat 40 capacity, plus operating a takeaway delivery service seven days a week.  

Dave added: “Although the main USP of I am Döner is a gourmet spin on the traditional kebab we all know and love, this brand has built a reputation for its ability to constantly evolve and adapt, whether that’s by highlighting product seasonality in its menu, implementing changes in technology to impact its pre-order process, or offering good value for money when people need it most.  

“With Liverpool being home to such a diverse food and drink scene, I am Döner will perfectly stamp its mark on our culinary map, and we’re really excited to welcome the city’s new neighbour.

Since 2016, National Kebab Award winner I am Döner has opened stores in Headingley, Harrogate, Leeds City Centre and Silicon Oasis in Dubai.

I am Döner was started in 2016 by Chef Paul Baron and is now also backed by Think Hospitality.  Paul started a revolution from their little takeaway shop in Headingley in 2016 inspired by a trip he had to Berlin. He want to make the Döner kebab more than a guilty pleasure for the intoxicated! We now have three stores in the UK – Headingley, Harrogate & Leeds City Centre.

Traditionally you think a kebab as a bit of doner meat on pitta bread with some iceberg lettuce, but we are no stereotypical kebab shop! We use a total of 120 ingredients in the six kebabs we make. We have ten items of salad, feta cheese, homemade bread, homemade sauces and the highest quality meats. Because of this we attract a good bunch of sober people and have a very strong lunchtime offering as well as the evening trade.   

iamdoner.co.uk.

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Bunga Bunga Launches Nonna's Attico

This December, Bunga Bunga Covent Garden, the immersive bar and restaurant, will be unveiling Nonna's Attico, a private karaoke bar and event space, with space for up to 15 people.

Styled around the classic nanna / Nonna's living room, Attico features kitsch decorations, 80s stone cladding walls, thick shagpile carpet, more throw cushions than is really needed, lace sofa covers, nicknacks, Italian souvenirs and old framed photos of la famiglia, Nonna's Attico is certain to become the destination for groups to let their hair down and sing their hearts out. 

Featuring a state-of-the-art karaoke machine, budding Bocellis and would be Pavarottis can chose from a host of hits from throughout the last 50 years. A 'press for Prosecco' button will keep those vocal cords well lubricated and a menu of Bunga Bunga's classic antipasti and 1/2 Metro pizzas will keep energy levels going for 90 minutes. A tailor made drinks selection can also be curated, from Bunga Bunga's extensive menu, upon booking with guests' very own 'Nonna's Fridge.'

Ideal for birthdays, celebrations and get togethers, Nonna's Attico is priced at £90 for 90 minutes, for groups of up to 15 guests, Wednesdays to Saturdays. Food and drink menu, including wine, Champagne and cocktails, available to order on the night (not included in initial booking price).

Located in the heart of Theatreland, Bunga Bunga Covent Garden is an Italian pizzeria and bar, serving homemade Italian fare in a fully immersive environment,  offering a bizzare and hilarious mixture of acts, food and drinks, to create a perfect pastiche of a playground fit for Al Capone.

Bunga Bunga Covent Garden

167 Drury Lane

London, 

WC2B 5PG

www.bungabunga-london.com

Twitter & Instagram: @BungaBungaLDN

Email: coventgarden@bungabunga-london.com

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

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Why Cheese Is the Recipe to Impressing Your Valentine

To many food lovers a good quality cheese has the same indulgence factor as chocolate but without the sugar. With the added benefit of cheese pairing well with beer, wine, cider and many alcohol-free alternatives, it's surely a menu must-have for Valentine's Day.

The chefs at Grana Padano PDO have some great ideas for those looking for something different with which to impress their Valentine this year.  

From waking up to freshly cooked Grana Padano pancakes, to a restaurant worthy dinner and a grown up dessert -  you can always look to the Italians (and the world's most consumed  PDO cheese) for inspiration of the romantic kind.

Grana Padano Ciabatta dumplings with avocado, Amalfi lemon and chilli dip will transport you to relaxed lunches enjoyed in the Italian sunshine. For a taste of Italian street food, cacio e Pepe pasta “frittatine” with Grana Padano are crispy, delightful and surprisingly simple to make, while Grana Padano cheese and nutmeg puffs offer a comforting start to any dinner, enjoyed with your favourite tipple.

For starter or main Aubergine Milanese with Grana Padano hot espuma is a lovely contrast of textures and flavours.

You might not want to take on anything too challenging whilst you entertain your date, so we recommend aged Grana Padano and pumpkin gnocchi as a delicious and simple main course (chefs tip: save time by making the mashed potatoes in advance). For confident cooks who really want to go to town, Grana Padano agnolotti cacio e pepe is perfect for the wow factor.

Cheese is often the perfect way to end a meal but Grana Padano also has some inspiration for those with a sweet tooth, Grana Padano Riserva soufflé with fruit mustard and poached pears is perfect for discerning taste buds. Looking to impress with your presentation?-  Grana Padano cheesecake with lemon and figs looks as beautiful as it tastes.

Seeking out this authentic and versatile ingredient is super easy too, just look for the Grana Padano yellow lozenge and PDO trademark. Grana Padano PDO is widely available in supermarkets, delis and specialist grocers across the UK. For more information, please visit: https://www.granapadano.it.

Incidentally, my wife and I love Grana Padano PDO cheese as part of our Christmas cheeseboard! 

It's Scale-Up Time for Michelin Star Food Box Company Chefs for Foodies

Michelin star food delivery box company, chefs for foodies, has launched a brand new crowdfunding campaign to scale-up its already successful operation. 

Launched during the pandemic, the brand works with UK top chefs and beloved food brands to develop luxury meal kits which can be cooked and eaten at home, along with expert video tuition.

It's already delivered 3,400 recipe kits to customers across the UK and has a Trustpilot rating of 4.8. The chefs involved so far have included Masterchef winner, Steven Wallis and Michelin Star chef Rohit Ghai. 

The brand has also forged innovative brand partnerships with food heroes KitchenAid, Landmann BBQ, Eat.planted, Thermapen and Quorn which has catapulted the brand in front of a global audience for a fraction of the usual marketing spend.

The business is launching its funding drive via Seedrs to bring more chefs on board to create an even larger variety of boxes, as well as recruit more staff to help with fulfilment.

chefs for foodies founder and CEO, James Hill, said: “We're really excited about this latest funding drive as it will really take chefs for foodies to the next level as well as help us achieve our true potential as a business. 

“We already work with some incredible names in the food industry, as well as top brands such as Kitchenaid, but a new cash injection will enable us to expand this offering further, helping us reach an even wider audience.

“Our chefs, suppliers and brand partners have access to an innovative SAS platform giving all stakeholders involvement in the growth of the brand

“The recipe box market is thriving and a brilliant investment at the moment. In 2017, it was worth £400 million, today it's £1 billion. So there there really is a clear market for chefs for foodies out there.”

James is passionate about his business model, which in essence connects chefs with foodies. When the pandemic hit, he spoke to a number of chefs and realised that they were very down and emotional. Not only had their restaurants closed, they also didn't have strong social media channels or a digital footprint. In fact, despite being top of their game, the restaurants they worked for were getting all the credit.

It was then he realised there was a gap in the market for a recipe box company that created high end recipe boxes created by top chefs that foodies could cook at home. 

Using his quarter century in brand partnerships with premium brands, James gives chefs for foodies a unique advantage and a major point of difference which can help scale CFF through purpose-led brand partnerships.

Those who invest in chefs for foodies will be contributing to the growth of a brand which prides itself in its eco credentials. They reduce food waste by using measured out ingredients which are as fresh as possible and often locally sourced from independent companies. Every single component of the recipe is carbon certified by Klimato.

To find out more about chefs for foodies' crowdfunding campaign head to https://www.seedrs.com/chefs-for-foodies/coming-soon

To learn more about CFF please visit https://chefsforfoodies.com.