Waitrose launches first British cheese washed in English sparkling wine

Their Leckford Wash cheese is lovingly made by Nettlebed Creamery, a family run, organic farm in Henley-on-Thames, owned by Rose Grimond - which is on the family-run farm her great-grandfather bought in 1901. Their herd of cows produce organic milk which is used to create this delicious, creamy cheese.

Waitrose Leckford Sparkling Brut is added to a brine solution and each cheese is individually and carefully washed by hand. This process is repeated twice weekly to build the depth of flavour, texture and colour, creating a delicious rind which encases the creamy, semi-soft cheese. 

Sarah Miness, Cheese Buyer at Waitrose, said: “We’ve been selling our own label French cheese rind-washed in alcohol since 2013 when we launched Saint Vernier, washed in white wine followed by Berthaut's Epoisses AOP, washed in Marc de Bourgogne. 

"Being big supporters of British produce, we wanted to create a British rind-washed cheese, to offer our customers variety for their cheese boards and what better to wash the cheese in than our very own Leckford Sparkling Brut?”

Will Torrent, who is the Senior Development Chef at Waitrose, said: “We had fun with the team at Nettlebed experimenting with cheese and different flavour combinations. Wine and cheese is obviously always a winning combination and once we had tried with our fizz we were so excited with the finished product, obviously we wanted our customers to try it, too!

“This cheese takes a total of three weeks to make and everything is all done by hand, so you can be sure your cheese has been made with time, care and a little bit of love.  For the best results, customers should let the cheese soften up at room temperature, so the flavours and texture can develop and enjoy by itself, or for a real treat, eat it with a glass of Leckford to enhance the flavours even further.”

The tradition of washing cheeses originated back in the 16th century when French monks used the method to preserve their cheese, preventing bad rinds from developing.

Wine-washing is also common in Northern Italy, the lack of olive oil inspired cheesemakers to preserve wheels in wine instead, with Ubriaco al Prosecco being a traditional ‘drunken’ cheese in Italy. Rind-washing encourages the growth of desired, good bacteria and leads to a strong aroma and flavoursome cheese. 

English wine is still a relatively youthful industry compared to the rest of the world but others are also starting to experiment with the ingredient in their food with Waddesdon Wines putting English sparkling wine into their jam. Top chefs including James Martin have also made a classic dessert a bit more grown-up by adding it to jelly.

Waitrose has their own vineyard, at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, which produces a Brut and a Blanc de Blanc from vines planted in 2009.  

They increased the vineyard at Leckford by 50% in 2017 to cope with increased demand, and it’s one of the ways they are firmly committed to investing in the future of English wines. 

They grow three grape varieties on their 4.7-hectare vineyard; Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. The grapes are turned into Leckford Estate Brut by the award-winning winemakers at the Ridgeview Wine Estate which is based in Sussex. The stunning Leckford Estate Brut has aromas of toasted brioche and hazelnuts, which give way to a creamy palate with apple and peach flavours.

Waitrose No.1 Leckford Wash Cheese (£6.50/150g) - available to buy in 281 shops and online from 26th July

Theyhold over a 40% market share in English wine and have the largest supermarket range of English and Welsh wines available to buy on Waitrose.com and Waitrose Cellar.

Nettlebed Creamery also produce Bix and Highmoor cheese which are available to buy at Waitrose as part of their No.1 range.

That's Food and Drink believe this cheese and wine will make excellent combinations for your Christmas cheeseboards.

www.waitrose.com

Finding alcohol free options is even easier at Waitrose

Demand for low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks is growing at such a rapid rate that  the Waitrose company is working with Diageo to introduce bold, dedicated areas in 253 of its shops across the UK to make it even easier for Waitrose shoppers to find Waitrose’s full range of over 70 low and alcohol-free drinks from beer and cider, to wines and also spirits.

Over the past year sales of low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks have grown by 20% at Waitrose, with sales of beer continuing to grow the fastest. The introduction of specialist, dedicated areas means 60% more space will be given to low and alcohol-free drinks across their shops.

Research commissioned for Diageo learned that seven in ten UK adults want to be able to find low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks more easily.

Kantar data found 99% of UK shoppers have bought both low and alcohol-free drinks and alcohol over the past year. 

Separate Kantar research found almost half of UK adults (47%) are switching between alcohol and low and alcohol-free drinks at the same occasion, and two-fifths (40%) of adults say they feel a desire and need to moderate their alcohol consumption. 

Pierpaolo Petrassi, who is the Master of Wine, and Head of Beers, Wines and Spirits at Waitrose said: “Demand for low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks is growing at a phenomenal rate. It’s now the norm for customers to be buying both.  We expect this year to be the biggest year to date for sales and we are preparing for a strong demand at Christmastime.

“We belief this growth is due to our customers feeling a need to moderate their alcohol consumption, but is also heavily driven by the creation of new, great quality drinks like Guinness 0.0, Tanqueray 0.0 and Gordon's Pink 0.0. We’ve also added 10 new low and alcohol-free products this year and will launch more before the Christmas period.”

Nuno Teles, MD at Diageo GB, said: “We know UK drinkers are becoming more sophisticated and thinking more about how much they drink, the alcohol-free and low-alcohol categories play a critical , vital role in providing quality choices for those looking to moderate, without compromising on experience.

“However, barriers still exist when it comes to finding and understanding the options that are available. We are proud to partner with Waitrose to make it easier for consumers to know where to find alcohol-free and low alcohol options in store. 

"Diageo has a long-standing commitment to promote responsible drinking and this partnership demonstrates what is possible when brands and retailers work together to enable greater consumer choice and experience.”

Neil O'Brien MP, who is the Minister for Primary Care and Public Health welcomed the initiative saying: “The government wants to create a supportive environment to help individuals who want to reduce their alcohol consumption, including through encouraging substitution of alcoholic drinks with no and low alcohol alternatives.

“We welcome this initiative to increase the availability and to improve signposting of no and low alcohol alternatives in stores.”

 You can check out Waitrose here https://www.waitrose.com

Water charity Hope Spring marks International Cat Day

Hope Spring eCards, the charity fundraising platform that (innovatively!) raises money exclusively for water poverty alleviation, marked International Cat Day with a series of free cat-themed greeting cards. The Hereford-based charity announced the free ecard offer on their blog, just in time for International Cat Day. The International Cat Day, organised by a cat care charity, is held on August 8 each year.

International Cat Day was created to promote awareness of cats, how to treat them with care and compassion, and how to care for them. The event has been going on for many years and tends to attract the support of cat owners and non-cat owners. The vast majority of organisations which participate in the event tend to be professionals that work in animal health and welfare, such as vets, animal rescues, and animal hospitals.

According to cat owner and Hope Spring trustee Temi Odurinde "You do not have to own a cat to participate in International Cat Day, but for those of us who do, it is a day for us to look at our feeling friends in a new light and learn how to take care of them even better than we do already" He added that "Hope Spring eCards decided to mark International Cat Day this year by putting a dozen new cat-themed ecards online. You can send any of our cat ecards free of charge by WhatsApp or email".

Hope Spring eCard is expecting many of their platform users to send the new cat eCard range to celebrate International Cat Day. To make the range even more popular and widely sent, non-Hope Spring eCard users are also able to send it free of charge. You can find out more about this free ecard offer by visiting Hope Spring website and social media pages.

http://www.hopespring.org.uk

(Image courtesy of bess.hamiti@gmail.com from Pixabay)

Swiss Butter's Secret Sauce - The Case Against Franchising

CEO and Founder Eddy Massaad

Swiss Butter's philosophy brings a fresh perspective to an industry where the pursuit of profits often overshadows the customer experience.

Because Swiss Butter Embraces Authenticity and Long-Term Brand Value, Rejects Franchising Model

In the fiercely competitive restaurant industry, franchising has traditionally been considered a surefire strategy for rapid expansion and enhanced visibility of brands. But Swiss Butter, a rising star in the culinary world, is defying conventional norms and is striding ahead, forging its own distinctive and unique pathway.

Rather than choosing the franchising option, Swiss Butter is clearly dedicated to establishing a genuine connection with its customers while upholding its core values.

Under the leadership of CEO and Founder Eddy Massaad, Swiss Butter is committed to delivering the true Swiss Butter experience to every single patron. Massaad states: "Our brand ethos is deeply rooted in providing the Swiss Butter experience, which is an experience that places customer happiness above all else."

This unconventional approach sets Swiss Butter apart from all its competitors and drives its decision to forgo the allure of rapid expansion through franchising.

Franchising, while seemingly enticing for swift growth, can inadvertently dilute a brand's vital essence. 

Massaad explains his thinking on this: "Franchising, while appealing for rapid expansion, comes with its fair share of pitfalls and problems. One significant issue is the potential dilution of brand quality and standards due to decreased overall control.”

He added: “Discrepancies across outlets can begin to surface, tarnishing the brand that the owners worked so hard to create. Another challenge is franchisees often tend to prioritise short-term profits over the brand owner's long-term vision, which could lead to cost-cutting measures which would tend further compromise the customer experience.”

“Moreover, disputes at the franchisee level can significantly damage the brand’s reputation, eroding customer trust and happiness. Whilst franchising might seem an attractive proposition on the surface, it doesn't always serve the best interests of the brand, aka the customers."

Swiss Butter's decision to forgo franchising reflects a broader shift in focus from immediate profits to the cultivation of long-term brand value. Massaad emphasises, "Whilst the prospect of quick profits and rapid expansion is obviously very tempting, we chose to prioritise the long-term value and authenticity of our brand, as we consider ourselves the guardians of our brand. We don't merely operate; we nurture, protect, and preserve the Swiss Butter experience."

However, Swiss Butter's stance doesn't indicate resistance to growth. Rather, their expansion strategy revolves around controlled, sustainable growth.

Massaad reveals, "Instead of franchising, we occasionally partner at the local level. We handpick partners who align with our brand values and who fully understand our Swiss Butter ethos.”

In an industry where many brands prioritise profits over the customer experience, Swiss Butter stands out with its unwavering commitment to its brand and customers. "As we continue to grow, we promise to remain true to our roots and the beloved Swiss Butter experience our customers know and also cherish."

Swiss Butter's philosophy brings a fresh perspective to an industry where the pursuit of profits often overshadows customer experience.

As Massaad aptly states, "We aren't  sprinters; we are marathon runners. We are dedicated to preserving the Swiss Butter experience for the long haul." By eschewing franchising in favour of authenticity and long-term brand value, Swiss Butter is forging its own pathway to success in the restaurant industry.

https://swissbutter.com/

What is Swiss Butter? "Your friendly neighbourhood steakhouse."

Food shopping made simpler and easier as Asda displays daily fuel prices online

Food shoppers looking to fill their car boots with groceries at the same time as they fill their car with fuel, will appreciate the latest idea from Asda, as Asda's become the first supermarket in the UK to publish local fuel prices online, thus empowering and enabling motorists to check the price of petrol or diesel before they even get in their car.

Asda's confirmed fuel prices at each Asda filling station will be available alongside other key information on the Asda Store Locator pages https://storelocator.asda.com.

The latest fuel prices will be available on the store locator page from 10.30am every morning and will show the previous day’s closing price, too.

Asda is continuing to develop a system to display real-time pricing and it expects that this will be working in the coming months.

Asda is also continuing to work collaboratively with the Government as they develop an industry-wide fuel finder scheme.

A spokesman for Asda said: “We at Asda are very proud to be the price leader in fuel costs and by sharing our prices online, customers will be able to find the best value at the pumps before they get in the car.”

www.asda.com

Celebrate National Prosecco Day with a Witt pizza

Why not raise a glass to National Prosecco Day this Sunday 13th August with the perfect pairing, delicious authentic Italian homemade pizza and bubbly Prosecco?

Pop open a bottle of fizz, gather your friends and family members, and host a Prosecco filled pizza party with the help of Witt pizza curators of the impressive pizza oven range which is taking the UK by storm this throughout this summer.  

Says Geoff Johnson Witt Sales Director, and Pizza Guru at Witt UK & Ireland: “The crisp, aromatic flavours of Prosecco makes it a suburb partner with even the more traditional types of pizzas. 

The sparkling fruit nuances and light balance of Prosecco really create a wonderful contrast to the denser tones of cheese and sliced meats, and its clean, refreshing punch partners especially well with seafood toppings such as prawns and shellfish.”

https://www.wittpizza.com/

(Image courtesy of Nicole_80 from Pixabay)

Great news from Aldi. Over 30 products have reduced prices

Even though Aldi is already the UK’s cheapest supermarket, it's cut the price of over 30 household grocery staples.

From now on, Aldi shoppers will pay even less for fresh produce items including apples, oranges and peaches.

Essential items covered include butter, spread, canned food, personal hygiene products and pet treats are also included in the latest price drop, which has seen items fall by an average of some 7%.

The move is the latest of over 130 prices Aldi has reduced over the past two months across its entire range.

Consumer group Which? has named Aldi as the UK’s cheapest supermarket in July for the 14th consecutive month. On a basket of goods, Aldi was the cheapest at £71.22, £8.37 cheaper than Tesco and £16.02 lower than Waitrose. On average, shoppers save 12% on a basket goods by shopping at Aldi compared with the traditional Big Four.

Julie Ashfield, who is MD of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “Our promise is that we will always offer the lowest grocery prices and we’re doing everything we can to pass savings on to our customers. As Britain’s cheapest supermarket, shoppers are switching to Aldi from every other supermarket.”

www.aldi.co.uk

Tesco’s 'ambitious' net zero targets validated

Tesco has outlined an 'ambitious' plan for emissions reduction across its own operations and value chain as it becomes one of the first retailers globally to have its net-zero science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the official body that validates climate targets.

Tesco’s targets include stretching interim commitments to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its own operations by 85% by 2030 from a 2015 baseline year, absolute Scope 3 emissions from energy and industrial sources by 55% by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year, and absolute Scope 3 emissions from FLAG emissions by 39% by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year. 

Tesco is also one of the first companies globally to have specific, SBTi-validated targets focused on greenhouse gas emissions originating from ‘forests, land and agriculture’.

The validated targets will see Tesco working towards its commitment to become carbon neutral across its own operations by 2035, and value chain by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C. 

The retailer has set out its emissions reduction priorities through its Planet agenda. Activity will be grouped across six areas: Improve Products; Decarbonise Transport; Reduce Store Emissions; Support Sustainable Consumption; Eliminate Waste; and Protect Nature. 

Activity are to include the scaling up of deforestation-free feed sources; further roll-out of agricultural innovations such as low carbon fertiliser; and the continued decarbonisation of Tesco’s store estate and transport networks. 

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO said: “With the effects of climate change upon us, we’re committed to achieving our target of net zero by 2050. It will require us to transform the way we operate our business, from how we produce our products in partnership with suppliers, how we run our stores and transport network, and how we encourage our customers to make healthy and sustainable choices. 

“We’ve led the way on action on climate change, from adopting 100% renewable electricity across the whole Tesco group, to scaling innovations in our supply chains. We must work even harder, in collaboration with suppliers and business partners, to achieve our goals. These ambitious targets, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative, now provide us with a clear roadmap of action over the next ten years and beyond.”   

Tesco has led the way on tackling climate change, becoming the first business globally to set a net zero target in 2009, and in 2017, the first FTSE 100 company to set science-based targets for both its own operations and its supply chain.

That's Christmas: Cosy Autumn and Winter Bliss Awaits you and your f...

That's Christmas: Cosy Autumn and Winter Bliss Awaits you and your f...: Dreaming of an Autumn or Winter staycation full of country strolls, roaring fires and hearty pub lunches? Then you need look no further than...

Nurishh offers tasty plant-based alternatives this summer

This summer it’s time to transport your tastebuds to the Med with the latest addition to the Nurishh range of plant-based alternatives to cheese; Plant-Based Greek Style Cubes. Packed with flavour and a delightfully delicious salty kick, the tasty cubes make it easy to say “OPA!” to plant-based dining! 

With the Mediterranean diet hitting headlines and Mediterranean food long synonymous with summer sharing and al fresco dining, it’s no surprise we Brits love a taste of the Med, with TikTok views for the diet coming in at over 25m.

Conveniently pre-cubed, the Nurishh Plant-Based Greek Style Cubes are ideal for mezze boards or sprinkling onto salads. They deliver a mouth-watering flavour whilst also being dairy and lactose free.

What’s more, if you are curious to try more plant-based options, there’s never been a better time to give Nurishh a go, as its “Try Me Free” offer is running until 13st August. Allowing shoppers who purchase Nurishh from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado or Co-Op to claim their money back by visiting www.nurishh-trymefree.com. The offer includes the new Greek Style Cubes plus Gran Vegiano, Garlic & Herbs Spread, Cheddar Flavour Slices and Plant-Based Alternative to Camembert. And with 81% of customers who try it[ii] loving it, the entire Nurishh range is the ideal accompaniment for coming together with family and friends to enjoy flavourful food this summer!

“Try Me Free” Terms & Conditions

UK 18+ only. Purchase of promotional pack AND Internet access required. RETAIN RECEIPT. Purchase between: 00:01 15/5/23 – 23:59 13/8/23. To participate: Purchase Nurishh product with promotional sticker, access www.nurishh-trymefree.com , submit copy receipt, name, email, and postal address – must submit claim by end 27/8/23. Max. 1 refund (by BACS) per qualifying purchase, max 5 claims per household. Full terms: www.nurishh-trymefree.com

(EDITOR: I must admit that my wife and I are now fans of Nurishh plant-based cheese alternatives. They taste excellent and because they are dairy and lactose free suit our health requirements. Not everyone who has to avoid cheese does so because they are vegans, some do so on health grounds.)