Give the Gift of Artisan Beer This Father's Day With Empress Ale

This Father's Day, British artisan beer brand Empress Ale is offering the perfect gift for dads everywhere. 

Empress Ales are premium craft British beers made using the finest natural ingredients, sourced as locally as possible, wherever this is possible. 

The range, which includes a Pale Ale, an IPA, and a Pilsner-style lager that's gluten-free, organic and vegan, are smooth, light and easy to drink and are designed to be enjoyed whatever the occasion.

They're stocked in venues and restaurants all over the UK, including City Social by Jason Atherton, the Goodman Group, and Adams in Birmingham, plus in branches of Waitrose.

But the perfect way to get a gift direct to a dad this Father's Day is to order from the Empress website, treating the beer fan in your life to a selection of the Empress beers or perhaps a few bottles of their favourite?

To celebrate the occasion, Empress is giving an extra 10% discount for online orders for Father's Day, along with free shipping. 

Entrepreneur Surj Virk set up Empress in 2016, growing it into a premium brand stocked in some of the top hospitality venues across the UK.

A dad himself, he said the range makes the perfect gift, on Father's Day or all-year round, - because of the personal touch that's gone into creating it. 

“Empress is a hugely personal beer brand," he said. “The whole range has been created with love - a British-made beer using old English recipes for inspiration, but also with a nod to my Indian heritage and some very personal tributes to members of my family.

“Our Pale Ale, IPA, and Pilsner-style Lager are all proving hugely popular - both when served with food in restaurants across the country, and when bought direct from us to either go with food at home, or to drink with family and friends.

“That means they make great gift options for any occasion, and for Father's Day we're offering a special discount code to treat the dad in your life. Just add FATHER2023 when at the online checkout and you'll get an extra 10% off and free shipping when you spend over £45.”

For more information and to order online, visit www.empressale.com.

Save Your Wallet and Your Waistline - Home Made Plant Based Milk from Milky Plant

The trend for plant based milk is showing no signs of slowing down, with one in three of us Brits choosing plant based alternatives to dairy.

Milky Plant is a brand new appliance which makes plant based milk at home from nuts, seeds, cereals and water.

Simply add the chosen ingredient to the blender, fill the water tank and within three minutes a litre of plant based milk is produced.

This is an even healthier alternative to supermarket bought milks which contain preservatives, emulsifiers, seed oils and gums.

What's more, making plant based milk at home saves cash at 30-90% per serving compared to buying it ready made.

The Milky Plant machine costs £290 and it takes an estimated180 uses to recoup the costs of the machine, depending on which ingredients are used to make the milk.

Creating milk at home also reduces the volume of tetra pak containers which end up in landfill, (they can't be recycled as of yet) that's nearly 300k per year. If they were placed end to end the line would stretch from central London to Milton Keynes. 

Said Nadina Grigoras, founder of Milky Plant: “A few years ago I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and wanted to make healthy changes to my diet. I quickly realised supermarket bought plant-based milks aren't as natural or healthy as they claim to be as they are high in saturated fat, additives and preservatives. Making plant based milk at home was very messy and time consuming, so I set about creating my own appliance to remove all the hard work!"

She went on to explain: “Milky Plant offers a healthier, cheaper and more sustainable alternative to shop bought plant based milks. I love adding maple syrup or dates along with my nuts or seeds to add natural sweetness to the milks and there are so many other recipes and ways to drink Milky Plant milk, the possibilities really are endless.”

Milky Plant uses patent-pending technology to strain out the seed, nut or cereal pulp from the final milk. This feature means no more messy blenders or squeezing cheese cloths or nut bags, making it much simpler and easier to use at home. And far less fiddly! The pulp is stored in an easily accessible compartment at the front of the machine. It's almost dry and can be re-used in other recipes such as homemade granola or smoothie bowls, or even for composting. (EDITOR: How about used for baking? There's a thought!)

Milky Plant has recently been enrolled in the Amazon sustainability accelerator scheme which is an exclusive programme for just 15 sustainable businesses per year.

https://milkyplant.com.

Demand for draft opinion that restricts plant-based dairy labels should be torn up, says Alliance

A draft opinion that would place restrictions on the labelling of plant-based dairy alternatives should be torn up, the Plant-based Food Alliance UK (PBFA) has said today.

The opinion, drafted in February 2022 by an ad hoc and unaccountable group of trading standards officials, called the Food Standards and Information Focus Group (FSIFG), states that phrases such as “mylk”, “m*lk” , “not m*lk” or “alternative to” a dairy product should be banned. 

If published, the guidance could lead to products being pulled from the shelves if a complaint is made about the labelling on a product that falls within its scope. 

Despite repeated concerns expressed to Defra by the PBFA late last year about the guidance, Defra told PBFA members this month that responsibility for the issue lies “solely with local authorities and the Trading Standards Officers acting on their behalf”.

The PBFA, which represents the UK’s plant-based food sector, wasn't consulted during the drafting of the document and is now pushing for it to be withdrawn.

“The guidance was drafted behind closed doors and without the consultation of the plant-based food sector,” Alliance CEO, Marisa Heath, pointed out.

“Not only was this developed in an undemocratic process, it's also highly anti-competitive as it restricts consumer choice and seeks to curb a booming industry,” Heath added.

Total unit sales for plant-based milk increased by 17% between 2020-2022, whereas conventional milk unit sales decreased by 6% between 2020 and 2022, according to Nielsen data published by the Good Food Institute Europe.

Consumers are not confused

The guidance is based on the unfounded belief consumers are confused by names such as “plant-based butter” or “not milk”. But in the US, draft guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued this year stated that the word “milk” could be used for plant-based drinks precisely because consumers were not confused by such labelling. 

The EU chose not to impose similar restrictions on dairy descriptor names in 2021 when the European Parliament voted down Amendment 171, which would have censored terms such as “creamy” and “buttery” for plant-based products. 

“Not only does the UK guidance assume consumers are stupid, it goes beyond what is enforceable in the EU, which is ironic bearing in mind that the UK voted to leave the EU on the basis that it wouldn't  be tied down by European regulations,” Heath said. 

Jeremy Coller, President of the Alternative Proteins Association in the UK, said: “Civil servants must have a rather dim view of British consumers if they think shoppers find labelslike “vegan cheese” and “soya mylk” unduly confusing. 

"People have been successfully buying such products for years now, without the need for officials to explain oats and almonds don’t come from cows. And these latest proposed rules set an unfortunate precedent for the alternative proteins sector as a whole. If the government is serious about growing the economy and supporting business in the UK, it should be letting consumers make up their own minds rather than patronising them.” 

The guidance also goes against efforts by the UK government to make society more sustainable. The production and consumption of plant-based foods emits half the amount of greenhouse gases as animal-based foods, so governments need to be bringing in measures that actively enable societies to shift to more plant rich foods to help tackle climate change.

The Plant-based Food Alliance UK is a coalition of organisations including Oatly, Alpro, Upfield, The Vegan Society, Good Food Institute and ProVeg who have come together to create a strong voice for the plant-based food sector in the UK.

Home | APA | Championing Alternative Proteins (alternativeproteinsassociation.com)

Morrisons is bringing back “More reasons to shop at Morrisons”

Morrisons is bringing back “More Reasons To Shop At Morrisons” including a rework of the iconic jingle.  Created with Leo Burnett, the major new advertising and brand campaign debuted on Coronation Street.  It will celebrate the real and motivating reasons why customers choose Morrisons, in a funny, yet relatable way.   

Following research into Morrisons distinctive brand assets, the campaign will see the return of the “More Reasons To Shop At Morrisons” strapline, which was introduced when Sir Ken Morrison was in charge and still resonates very strongly with consumers despite last being used in 2006. 

The “More Reasons To Shop At Morrisons” jingle also showed a very high level of brand recall and salience in the research and so it's been refreshed with a modern twist, while retaining all the familiarity and nostalgia of the much-loved original.  The visual identity, including the green and yellow colour duo and tree logo also remains central to the new campaign after performing strongly in the background research.

At the very heart of the campaign, a series of seven 20 second adverts focus on a different ‘reason’ to shop at Morrisons in a vox-pop and humorous style, direct to camera.  The down to earth and unmistakably British films all end with the catchy new jingle and highlight Morrisons Market Street counters like the freshly-baked doughnuts (make sure the jam doesn't escape!) the freshly baked bread,  the 100% British meat sold on Morrisons butcher counters, (looked after by qualified butchers) the fresh produce, the ‘iconic’ salad bar and the popular café.

A further ‘reason’ is the new More Card loyalty programme which can be used as a physical card or app and has been trialled in a number of stores over the last few weeks.  Customers will now be able to earn points on selected products and counters in store and online as well as earning five points for every litre of fuel purchased in a Morrisons petrol filling station. (But not franchised filling stations) Once customers have saved 5,000 points, they'll receive a Morrisons Fiver which can be redeemed on a future shop, in store or online.  Morrisons programme of market leading exclusive offers which launched last October for loyalty card members will remain a key feature of the new scheme. 

Rachel Eyre, Morrisons Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, said: “Besides the launch of the new loyalty programme, we're also very thrilled to announce our new brand campaign, “More Reasons To Shop at Morrisons”. 

"Our customers tell us there are so many distinctive and motivating reasons to choose Morrisons, such as helpful tips from our expert butchers and fishmongers, our commitment to British meat and produce or our fan-favourite freshly baked doughnuts, and so despite not being used for a long time, “More Reasons” still really resonates. 

“We’ve brought it back in a major new campaign which has had marketing effectiveness front and centre throughout the whole planning and development process, across creative and media. The result is a campaign which celebrates customers' real reasons for choosing Morrisons, in a funny and relatable way. And yes - even the iconic jingle is back!”

Mark Elwood, Executive Creative Director at Leo Burnett, said: “I’m so excited about this brand campaign. “More reasons to shop at Morrisons” and the accompanying ‘jingle’ are both iconic. Bringing back both for a new audience is a total pleasure, with a new brand identity to boot. This campaign highlights the real reasons that our customers shop at Morrisons, time and time again. It’s a funny human campaign that will hopefully be something that resonates with the nation.”

The adverts were directed by Tom Speers of Smuggler and will feature on network TV spots that include Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Britain’s Got Talent. In addition, and in partnership with ITV, the broadcaster’s continuity announcer will be adding a note on how much they love the jingle to their regular update on scheduling across the weekend of 27th May.

The wider campaign will run across TV, radio, press, digital display, social media and out of home as well as in Morrisons stores and online, with media planning and buying led by Wavemaker. 

Sian Runnacles, Client Managing Director at Wavemaker UK, said: “More reasons to shop at Morrisons” ran for nearly 20 years, it captured everything that made Morrisons so distinctive.  We’re extremely excited to be bringing it back, celebrating all the reasons why customers across the UK love what Morrisons has to offer. We’re creating a grand entrance for its return, whilst ensuring the length and breadth of Britain get a deeper understanding of what makes Morrisons great.”

Kickstarting on launch day, an advertising roadblock will ensure everyone ‘catches’ the jingle. Featuring channel takeovers of The Global Traffic Network, the Daily Mail, and Twitter, the campaign will reach nearly 50% of the UK within the first 24 hours.

(EDITOR: I think most older customers still unconsciously hum that jingle when they shop at Morrisons. I know I do! I had no idea that it's not been used by Morrisons for 17 years.) 

Darts Farm Thrilled to Announce That New Restaurant, the Farm Table Has Just Been Voted 'Best Newcomer'

Darts Farm is genuinely thrilled to announce that its new restaurant, The Farm Table, has recently been voted 'Best Newcomer' by readers of Food Magazine readers.

Michael Dart, who runs Darts Farm alongside his two brothers, James and Paul, comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this award, which recognises the huge effort that has gone into creating The Farm Table. 

"It was during lockdown that we first dreamt about opening a restaurant that would showcase the best produce available from our farm and food hall. Last summer this dream became a reality and, less than a year after opening the doors, we're thrilled to have our achievements recognised by our customers with this fantastic award.”

Michael's son, George, has been instrumental in bringing the original concept of The Farm Table to life and creating the new flagship restaurant. He explains: “Our aim with the launch of The Farm Table was to create a restaurant that would celebrate the simplicity of beautiful ingredients grown, reared, caught and crafted on our doorstep. 

"Produce that can not be sourced from the farm is provided by our vibrant community of like minded artisan producers, farmers and fisherman who share our passion for flavour. Since we opened last summer, we have had lots of fantastic feedback from our customers but this award is the icing on the cake. It is great to know that they love The Farm Table as much as we do!”

The Food Magazine Reader Awards have championed the South West's best independent food and drink businesses for nearly a decade. The Awards are an opportunity for readers to celebrate their favourite indie venues and products. Over 100,000 votes were cast over two rounds of voting across 13 categories this year. The winners were announced at a ceremony at Nancarrow Farm in Cornwall on May 15.

The Farm Table is open seven days a week for lunch (12-3pm) and for dinner (6-9pm) Thursday to Saturday. The menu includes Darts Farm's iconic Ruby Red beef, dayboat fish and seasonal vegetables, all cooked over charcoal and accompanied by a huge selection of wines, beers, ciders and spirits from the cellar.

For further information on The Farm Table and Darts Farm please visit www.dartsfarm.co.uk and follow Darts Farm on Facebook and Instagram. 

Ticket - a Truly Differentiated, Low-No Beer That's Championing the Functional & Flavour Benefits of Saffron

As the most expensive spice in the world, it's fair to suggest anyone who dabbles with saffron would have to be absolutely convinced by the various compelling health benefits of this mineral and vitamin rich ingredient.  

The UK Low/no category is growing as more and more consumers seek to either curb or abstain from alcoholic consumption, either as part of either a healthier living, evolving lifestyle or saving money agenda.

The simple reality is growing numbers of millennials no longer see alcohol to be a lynchpin of their health-conscious lifestyles, opting instead for regimes of light yet fulfilling functional foods, gyms and active outdoors existences.

Ticket pale ale is a young craft beer provider and low/no trail blazer whose unique pale ale with its distinct saffron twist was recently shortlisted to make the finals of this year's free-from awards

Such is the proliferation of best-in-class, low/no beers and wines that it is becoming increasing tough to differentiate a beautifully balanced low/no craft beer from its everyday alcoholic peers. 

Says co-founder Ali Porushani: "Ticket Pale Ale is based on a traditional non-alcoholic Persian pale ale that was once very popular in old-school Iran, a beer famed for its meticulous small batch production and the use of best-in-class, locally sourced Persian saffron. 

"As with so many spheres of food and drink, an increasingly cluttered marketplace means it isn't easy to stand out, although latest trade feedback suggests distinctive flavour profiles, exoticness & inbuilt functional benefits are key drivers when differentiating 'category heroes' from 'support cast' beverages."

Ticket pale ale involves pairing saffron with floor-malted barley to produce something that is genuinely refreshing and distinct.  

The increasingly well-appreciated functional benefits associated with saffron means it provides a worthy substitute for alcohol in terms of positively affecting people's moods and energy levels, combining a beneficial mood lift in tandem with a truly refreshing drinking experience.

 One of the leading lights of Alcohol Change certainly thought so with his recent upbeat review of Ticket's first foray into UK craft beers.

 "After tasting (quite literally) hundreds of alcohol-free drinks, we've come to one conclusion: if you're going to make a beer with no alcohol, it must be something else to make it really memorable. This Ticket pale ale certainly has that. Uniquely (we think) it's made with saffron and lavender.

"It comes in a great looking bottle: in purple and gold with a swirling pattern like electromagnetic waves. The saffron gives the beer a striking yellow hue like no other. There are plenty of citrusy hops and the lavender adds extra floral notes. It may be a bit too much if you're looking for a straightforward light beer – it's definitely one for those who appreciate a flavour-packed pale ale."

But there's more! Later this summer Ticket will be launching their second low-no proposition, which is an equally special lemongrass infused lager.

t-cket.co.uk

Salcombe Gin Launches Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength' in Partnership With the Royal Ocean Racing Club

The absolutely perfect collaboration of two outstanding nautical brands, multi-award winning Salcombe Gin is delighted to have partnered with the Royal Ocean Racing Club, to develop Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength'.  

Born of a love of adventure on and around the water, this special edition sees Salcombe Gin's highly decorated gin 'Start Point' distilled to an 'offshore strength' creating the ultimate sundowner for sailors to enjoy after a day upon the water. 

Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength' is available in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Cowes and London Clubhouses as well as on rorc.org, salcombegin.com and in Salcombe Gin's Dartmouth and Salcombe stores.  Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength' is available in a 70cl bottle, £50, ABV 50%. 

Inspired by the wonderful coastal vitality of Salcombe and its shipbuilding heritage, internationally acclaimed Salcombe Gin creates their exceptional gins at its waterside distillery on Island Street in Salcombe, one of the world's only distilleries directly accessible by boat.  

Distilled with an unrivalled passion, care and attention to detail, this special higher strength London Dry Gin is expertly crafted to an 'Offshore Strength' of 50% ABV, instead of Salcombe Gin 'Start Point's usual 44% ABV. 

A classic, citrus led London Dry gin which is exceptionally smooth, distinct and complex, Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength' pays homage to the cargoes of fresh citrus fruits and spices once carried by the fastest ships of their day, the famous 19th century Salcombe Fruiters.  

This new higher alcohol strength version, brings a much richer, fuller flavour to the distinct citrus notes of red grapefruit and heady juniper which are synonymous with their 'Start Point' gin. 

With a love and respect for the sea at the heart of everything they do, Salcombe Gin is thrilled to partner with the Royal Ocean Racing Club.  

The collaboration perfectly captures both their shared passion for ocean racing and voyages, alongside their belief in the critical importance of supporting the regeneration of life in our seas.  With their '1% for the Ocean' initiative, every bottle sold of Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength' will contribute to making our oceans healthier, through the donation of 1% of the revenue to ocean recovery projects. 

In addition, the special release gin, like all the products in Salcombe Gin's portfolio, contains no plastic packaging and has biodegradable cellulose tamper proof seals.  

Founded in 1925, the Royal Ocean Racing Club was established to encourage long distance yacht racing and the design, building and navigation of sailing vessels.  A world leader in ocean racing, the Royal Ocean Racing Club is the principal organiser of offshore yacht races in the United Kingdom, including the world renowned Rolex Fastnet Race. At approximately 700 nautical miles this event is prestigious, exciting and gruelling - a maritime 'Everest' for Corinthian sailors. 

Howard Davies, Co-founder and Director of Salcombe Distilling Co. comments on the partnership: “As a lifelong sailor I can't put into words how thrilled I am for Salcombe Gin to be partnering with the Royal Ocean Racing Club; an organisation that I have admired since a young age for their highly challenging offshore races and superb clubhouses in London and Cowes.”

Howard continues: “The idea behind Salcombe Gin began with a sundowner G&T after a day's sailing, so to create this 'Offshore Strength' version of our award winning 'Start Point' gin for sailors to enjoy after competing in some of the most famous offshore races in the world is something that we're seriously excited about. 

"There's a certain magic that happens at the end of a tough race and sharing stories of the day's adventure over a G&T is almost as precious as the adventure itself. With the Royal Ocean Racing Club joining us in our 'One percent for the Ocean' initiative, these special moments after a day on the water will also support ocean conservation projects through our partnership with the Marine Conservation Society.”

Jeremy Wilton, Chief Executive at the Royal Ocean Yacht Club adds "It's a privilege for the Royal Ocean Racing Club to partner with an organisation that shares our passion for the ocean both as an environment for adventure, but also important conservation initiatives through their relationship with the Marine Conservation Society and share our passion for innovation with the development of “offshore strength”, a new sector in the highly competitive gin market. 

"This is just the start of what will be a fruitful long-term relationship. Through the evolution of the partnership, we look forward to seeing an increasing presence of Salcombe Gin at many of our future prestigious events, races and initiatives."

Jeremy went on to say: "Through the launch and sale of Salcombe Gin's RORC 'Start Point Offshore Strength' we are also delighted to support Salcombe Gin's investment in ocean recovery projects, through their 1% for the oceans scheme, an important initiative to all work together on."

Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength' joins Salcombe Gin's outstanding line-up of Salcombe Gin 'Start Point', Salcombe Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie' and their exclusive Voyager Series. 

For further information about Salcombe Gin, visit www.salcombegin.com, follow SalcombeGin on Instagram and Facebook. For further information about the Royal Ocean Racing Club visit www.rorc.org or follow Royal Ocean Racing Club on Facebook.

Hampshire Food Festival 2023 Goes Big!

Hampshire Fare is thrilled to be able to announce that this year's 21st Hampshire Food Festival will be  even bigger with a whole summertime of events running from 1st July to 31st August.

Says Tracy Nash, who is the Commercial Manager for Hampshire Fare: “The Hampshire Food Festival has always been one of the most ambitious in the whole country in terms of scale and reach. 

"However, this year we've decided to make it an even bigger celebration of food and drink running across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight throughout the entire summer. 

“People love local! We have seen a growing interest in provenance and an increase in staycation experiences which means that there is a huge hunger out there for food and drink events and experiences. 

"Hampshire Food Festival's engaging and exciting programme is just what everyone needs! The Festival is this summer's must-visit with a great line-up of top chefs, involvement from Hampshire's buzziest cafes, pubs and restaurants, and a showcase of some of the best food and drink from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

Hampshire Fare's award-winning Hampshire Food Festival has been helping to put Hampshire on the map as a foodie destination for over two decades, providing farmers, growers, makers and producers with an opportunity to showcase their produce to a wider audience through a varied programme that includes tours, tastings, chef demos, markets, menus, workshops and more. 

This year's Festival features two brand new events organised by Hampshire Fare. These are Celebrate Hampshire, a two-day event (1st-2nd July) hosted by Festival Place, Basingstoke, that launches the Festival and is centred round a lively Chefs' Kitchen, and the first ever Winchester Food Festival (9th July). 

To be held in the Cathedral's Outer Close, Winchester Food Festival includes a produce market, demos by local chefs, among them Lenny Carr-Roberts, who is a familiar face due to his television appearances on James Martin's Saturday Morning show on ITV, plus there's a spotlight on creating delicious budget-friendly and healthy dishes with nutritionist Mary Needham of social enterprise, Munch.

Altogether there are over 230 diary dates with events for everyone from foodies to families, those looking to upskill, as well as others who want to chill to a relaxed party vibe. The diverse range of events includes Shakespeare in pub gardens, supper clubs and sausage-making demos. There are BBQ masterclasses, brewery and vineyard tours, farm open days wild foraging experiences, pop-ups in cherry orchards, a special tasting menu in an art gallery, plus the brand-new New Forest Food Festival.

Tracy Nash, concludes: “This year the Hampshire Food Festival is bigger than ever and packed with new events and great fun entertainment. The Festival has become a well-established highlight of the summer calendar and gives everyone, locals and visitors, a delicious opportunity to discover the area's cities, countryside, market towns and villages through the region's exceptional abundance of food and drink.

“Thank you to all our partners and supporters, in particular the Festival's headline sponsor this year, SoCal BBQ Kitchen. This event wouldn't be possible without their generous assistance.”

A digital version of the Hampshire Food Festival Programme is available on the Hampshire Fare website (hampshirefare.co.uk/local-produce/publications). Festival events will also be posted on the Events page of the website and highlighted by #HantsFoodFest23 across social media.

Hampshire Food Festival was established by Hampshire Fare in 2000 with an ambition and scale not seen elsewhere. It ran for a fortnight during summer and included walks, talks, tours, tastings and cookery demonstrations as well as produce markets and special menus. By 2008 it had evolved into a month of activities during July. This year, for the first time, the programme of food and drink-related activities runs across two months, July and August. 

Hampshire Fare works strategically with Hampshire County Council, along with Corporate Partners: Clarke & Son, Festival Place, Fuller Smith & Turner, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Ideal Collection, Rownhams House & Gardens, SOCAL, Southern Co-Op, Starfish Creative Design, and our Corporate Friends: Bankbrokers, Harvest, Menzies, NFU Mutual New Forest, Bournemouth & Isle of Wight, and Upham Group. Business South, University of Portsmouth and Breckenridge are Strategic Partners.

Hampshire Fare is a not-for-profit CIC working with nearly 400 members. These encompass food, drink and craft producers, and hospitality businesses, including cafes, caterers, pubs, restaurants and retailers such as box schemes, butchers, farm shops and village stores. They all share a commitment to sourcing local, supporting their communities and contributing to a sustainable future for the county's food and farming industries. 

Hampshire Fare was established in 1991 with an evolving role to champion local food, drink and craft, increase awareness among the public and trade of the wide range of local produce available, encourage high standards and best practice, assist producers to compete as viable enterprises, and foster all members' development. This is achieved through business opportunities, routes to markets, events, marketing and publicity.

This week is British Sandwich Week

So, what exactly is British Sandwich Week? It's a special week-long celebration of the world's greatest food to go and quite possibly the most iconic British culinary invention, the Sandwich.

The sandwich is celebrated in all its towering glory during British Sandwich Week and year-on-year the buzz around the week seems to grow, with more and more companies using the week to promote their business. 

#BritishSandwichWeek trends across Twitter during the week and newspapers, magazines, TV shows and radio programmes join in celebrating what is a staple part of the British diet.

Sandwich manufacturers and retailers all over Britain all have their own unique and special ways of celebrating this fantastic food item, many are offering special promotions and new ranges during British Sandwich Week. 

Several are also building on their charitable links by donating some of their proceeds or even having buy-one-donate-one initiatives for customers to take participate in.

On the theme of celebrating, the sandwich industry also holds its annual Awards, the Sammies, where the best New Sandwich, Sandwich Retailer of the Year and many more are crowned. Like the Oscars, we recognise that there’s so much that goes on behind the scenes, with awards in technical, marketing and environmental categories.

Visit the Sammies Awards Website to learn more awards.sandwich.org.uk.

Yorkshire Pudding Beer back at Aldi following huge success

Malton Brewery was one of seven suppliers to be awarded a massive, life changing contract in Channel 4’s hit show Aldi’s Next Big Thing.

Back on shelves nationwide from 25th May, it was the supermarket’s fastest selling product of the entire series.

Aldi is bringing back Malton Brewery’s Yorkshire Pudding Beer (£1.75, 500ml) following its sell out success last year.  

The delicious ale, made with real Yorkshire Puddings, hit the headlines following its big win in Channel 4’s ‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing’ a six-part series which gave small businesses a chance to be listed on Aldi’s shelves nationwide.  

Father and son duo Harry and Howard Kinder wowed Julie Ashfield, MD of Buying at Aldi, with their intriguing creation, which was described as ‘deliciously creamy’.  

A solid favourite with Aldi shoppers, it virtually sold out within the first week.

Promising to be a popular choice once again as it hits shelves from 25th May, (that's two days time!) the beer is made in the foothills of North Yorkshire with real Yorkshire puddings, to give its creamy, light quality that is both soft and delicious on the palate. 

Julie Ashfield, says: “The innovation behind Malton Brewery’s Yorkshire Pudding Beer is really outstanding. Our shoppers absolutely loved its unique taste, so it’s only right that we have returned it to our stores.” 

Howard Kinder, of Malton Brewery and creator of the Yorkshire Pudding Beer says: “Appearing on the show was absolutely life changing for us. Not only did we land our biggest contract ever, supplying one of the nation’s favourite supermarkets, but orders also went through the roof. It catapulted us into a whole new chapter.” 

The launch comes as Channel 4 confirms a second series of Aldi’s Next Big Thing.   

The supermarket is calling on suppliers of all shapes and sizes to get involved. Applications can be made via https://www.aldi.co.uk/next-big-thing. Entries close on 12th June.   

Malton Brewery’s Yorkshire Pudding Beer will be available in stores nationwide and via Click & Collect from 25th May, while stocks last. 

www.aldi.co.uk