Aldi first UK supermarket to stock rare Glowberry Flavour hydration drink

In a UK first, Aldi is bringing the brand-new flavour of Prime Hydration Drink, Glowberry, to its stores. Launching this Thursday, 5th October, for a modest £1.99, the drink will be available only as a Specialbuy and as with all Aldi Specialbuys – once they’re gone, they’re gone!

The NEW Glowberry flavour, which tastes of sour apple berries, hasn't been widely available in supermarkets for UK fans, but fortunately for Aldi customers, this highly sought-after variant will be available nationally after proving extremely popular with shoppers over in the USA.

What’s more, shoppers can try and get their hands on the ‘Rare’ and ‘Ultra Rare’ variants of the Glowberry flavour, as the incredibly scarce bottles land in Aldi stores.  

Prime Hydration, which is 10% coconut water, contains electrolytes, B vitamins and BCAAs, has zero sugar and only around 20 calories per bottle.

Following previous launches of Prime in stores, the supermarket saw high shopper demand. To ensure as many people as possible get the opportunity to buy the Glowberry flavour, a purchase limit of one per customer is expected to be set.

Prime Hydration Glowberry will be available to purchase in stores from Thursday 5th October. Shoppers best move swiftly – as with all Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone!

www.aldi.co.uk

Great news for Halloween fans – pumpkins will be even bigger this year

And the reason why pumpkins will be larger this year? It’s a result of Britain’s unpredictable weather over the summer.

While many Brits may have been cursing the rainier than usual mid-summer months of July and August, the inclement weather was actually good news for the UK’s pumpkin farmers.  

And now Tesco's bracing itself for stronger demand than ever when this season’s crop of pumpkins go on sale at stores across the UK this week.

Tesco pumpkin buyer Lucy Moss said: “The good news for Halloween fans coming from our main pumpkin growers is that the fruit will be larger than normal in all size variations this year as a result of very good growing conditions during the summer months.

“This year we have six different sizes and based on last year’s demand, the carving variety is still the most popular. Each of the six different size categories will be larger than usual this year so fans will get good value for money.

“The good news, from a food waste point of view, is there's been an increase in customers seeking out recipes for their delicious versatile pumpkin flesh on our Tesco Real Food website.” 

Oakley Farms, which is based near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, is one of Europe’s biggest suppliers of pumpkins, growing around five million annually. 

The farm works hand-in-hand with Tesco to ensure there is as little pumpkin waste as possible. 

Steve Whitworth, Commercial Manager at Oakley Farms said: “We had a pretty good growing season for pumpkins this summer with a really hot June which really helped the plants along.

“The rainy July and August may not have been great for sun lovers or BBQ fans but from a growing point of view for pumpkins, it was perfect. 

“The weather gave us the right amount of rain with sunny intervals especially compared with the challenging conditions we encountered during last year’s heatwave which was officially the hottest UK year on record.” 

Tesco’s pumpkins range this year is as follows:

Carving – standard size 

Culinary 

Munchkin 

Novelty including devil (red) and ghost (white) types 

Large 

Giant 

And here are some pumpkin recipes from Tesco for readers of That's Food and Drink to get their teeth into!

Sweet pumpkin pancakes with blackberries

These seasonal pancakes use pumpkin to give them a warm glow and sweet, squashy flavour. Stack 'em high with syrup and blackberries!

Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. Toss the pumpkin with the oil and spread out in a single layer in a roasting tin. Cover with foil and bake for 20 mins, then remove the foil and continue to cook for 10 mins until the pumpkin is tender, with no liquid remaining in the tin. Leave to cool for 10 mins.

Meanwhile, mix the flour and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Crush the pumpkin in the tin with a potato masher or fork. Put in a jug with the milk and eggs, and whisk to combine evenly.

Pour the pumpkin mixture into the centre of the flour bowl and whisk to make a smooth batter.

Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and use a piece of kitchen paper to wipe ¼ of the butter over the surface of the pan. Spoon 4-5 heaped tbsp of batter, well-spaced out in the pan, to make 4-5 pancakes. Cook for about 90 secs until golden underneath with bubbles forming on the surface; flip and cook for another 1 min. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm while you cook the remaining pancakes.

Stack the pancakes and serve with the blackberries, a little yogurt and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

Tip: Make your pancakes into pumpkin shapes. Spoon an extra 1 tsp batter into the pan while cooking to create stalks. Once cooked, spread half the batch with hazelnut chocolate spread, and cut faces out of the other half. Sandwich the halves together, and colour the stalks with green writing icing.

Pumpkin latte

If you're in need of a warm me up then get cosy with this wonderfully spiced pumpkin latte. This spicy and frothy hot drink is so simple to make at home, it's the perfect drink to snuggle up to and works wonderfully with both espresso coffee and instant coffee.

Put the pumpkin purée, sugar, spices and milk in a microwave-proof jug. Mix the contents to combine. Cover with clingfilm, then carefully pierce the surface two or three times, to allow steam to escape. Microwave on full power for 1½-2 mins, until the milk is hot.

Using an electric milk frother or whisk, whisk for 30-45 secs or until milk is really frothy. Pour the hot coffee into a latte glass or mug, then add the spiced pumpkin milk. Top with cream, if using, then dust with a little more mixed spice and some cocoa.

Tip: If you have a coffee machine, use two shots of espresso to make the latte. If not, use an instant espresso coffee or your usual cafetière. You will need 50ml strong coffee made from about 1 tbsp ground coffee.

https://realfood.tesco.com/gallery/10-best-pumpkin-recipes.html?id=1b1694dc-d4e0-4eaa-8a37-a4dd01265fb5

www.tesco.com

Reservation for Relaxation Please! Zen Hits Zizzi as Goodrays Announces Partnership With Restaurant Chain With Restaurant Chain

There's good news for fans of Goodrays and Zizzi! CBD brand Goodrays is now on the menu at Zizzi Italian restaurants with a listing in 135 restaurants al lover the country.

Goodrays Raspberry and Guava and Passionfruit and Pomelo are now listed, providing diners with options for 'Sober October' and beyond, too.

 Goodrays drinks are perfect for the sober-curious and those who want to relax and explore adventurous and delicious flavours, without feeling they're compromising on a great night out. 

The drinks were developed by company founder Eoin Keenan, who brings decades of experience within the CBD sector, and an ex-Diageo Liquid developer and drinks industry expert, who worked on harnessing the flavour of CBD to compliment the tropical and zingy flavours of Goodrays. 

Goodrays drinks contain a market-leading 'dose' of 30mg per can, making it the market's best value CBD drink. Double the amount of CBD of its nearest competitor, Goodrays is obviously the go-to brand for consumers that want that extra dose of relaxation.

The announcement comes as Goodrays is now also listed in the first ever Waitrose meal deal nationwide, a listing meaning that per mg, Goodrays is the best value CBD drink on the market and ties into an ethos that CBD should be accessible for all. 

Reporting a 1500% increase in sales over 2022/23, Goodrays is excited to see CBD drinks listed in mainstream outlets in which consumers can sample the products in comfort and alongside delicious foods.

Henry Colyer, Head of Marketing at Goodrays says: "Your mind doesn't have an off switch. That's why we created Goodrays, a moment of clarity for the curious, the creative, the brave and the bold. Zizzi were looking for a non-alcoholic but functional option for their menu which was sophisticated and appealing to the younger market. 

"Clearly, Goodrays fits the brief perfectly. We know more and more younger people want to drink less alcohol, yet want something delicious, interesting, and a valid substitute for alcohol. Our ethos as a brand is we want to be the CBD brand for all occasions and restaurant partnerships are a huge part of our strategy going into 2024.

Zizzi were looking for a non-alcoholic option for their menus which was sophisticated yet on-trend and appealing to the younger market. Goodrays fit that perfectly. We know that more and more younger people want to drink less yet want something delicious, interesting, and a valid substitute for alcohol. Our ethos as a brand is that we want to be the CBD brand for all occasions and restaurant partnerships are a huge part of our strategy going into 2024.”

https://www.goodrays.com

That's Christmas: Exploring the Magic of Worldwide Christmas Markets

That's Christmas: Exploring the Magic of Worldwide Christmas Markets: Introduction As the holiday season approaches, cities and towns around the world transform into enchanting wonderlands filled with twinkling...

Warrendale Wagyu Launches Gourmet Wagyu Sausages Into Waitrose

I wasn't aware Wagyu beef was produced in Britain, so I was very intrigued and more than a little impressed to learn the UK's top producer of Wagyu beef, Warrendale Wagyu, has revealed its latest product, Wagyu Sausages. 

The new addition to its range will launch in 200 Waitrose stores this Wednesday (4th October) in what is thought to be the only Wagyu beef sausage to be sold in a major supermarket.

The gourmet sausage launch follows six months of rigorous product development and recipe testing and tweaking to introduce a beef sausage with the best taste and texture possible. 

The new sausages are available in Original and Horseradish and are produced using 90% and 86% premium British Wagyu Beef. What's more, both varieties are gluten and dairy free. 

Yorkshire-based Warrendale Wagyu was founded on an unwavering commitment to supply chain transparency, product quality and total consistency. 

The team their works in close partnership with a 750-strong collective of farmers to rear herds of a Wagyu cross dairy cattle breed known as F1 Wagyu. 

The brand has been running its unique business model to produce high quality marbled Wagyu beef since 2017. They now supply to Waitrose, premium restaurants including Hakkasan and Ivy Asia and online to meat lovers across the UK.

Tom Richardson, MD over at Warrendale Wagyu says:  “At Warrendale, we're clearly very passionate about Wagyu and, of course, we want to find new ways for people to enjoy it. 

"And we're very proud of the new Wagyu Sausage. Every care has been taken at each step of the process to ensure the taste, texture and traceability are the best they can possibly be.” 

The launch comes just in time for the start of comfort food season in the UK, with the new Wagyu Sausages here to upgrade autumn and winter meals. (That's Food and Drink says: "We're actually thinking of using Warrendale Wagyu Sausages with our turkey at Christmas dinner!")

John Topham, Chef at one of Yorkshire's finest restaurants, the Alice Hawthorn said: “I'm a big fan of the new Warrendale Wagyu sausage. It's an elegant sausage with a rich, smooth, beefy taste. I believe it's the perfect choice for a toad-in-the-hole with beer caramelised onion gravy!”

Krystina Houghton, Waitrose's sausage buyer said: "We're really very excited to be adding these British wagyu sausages into our range. Not only are they packed full of incredible umami flavours, but they're  made with British beef so it's fantastic to see more support for our farmers, too.

“The sausages will be perfect for those looking to add something delicious to their Bonfire Night get-togethers at home and will make a great addition to warming meals during the winter months, too"

Wagyu Sausages, Original and Horseradish, will be sold exclusively in Waitrose stores, Waitrose online and at www.warrendale-wagyu.co.uk. The RRP is £5.99 for a 400g pack of six, with an introductory offer of 25% off from Wednesday 4th October.

Salcombe Gin Partners With the Heroic RNLI to Launch 'Four Seas' Gin With Every Bottle Helping Save Lives at Sea

With a love and respect for the sea at the heart of everything they do, multi-award winning Salcombe Gin is delighted to have partnered with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to launch 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin. 

Commemorating the charity's upcoming 200th anniversary, the new classic London dry gin is a true celebration of British and Irish coastal community spirit.  

Available now and for the next two years, every bottle of 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin will help save lives at sea, with 10% of the net price of every bottle sold proudly donated to the vital work of the RNLI. 

'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin is available in a 70cl bottle, at £39.50, ABV 40% from salcombegin.com, Salcombe Gin's Dartmouth and Salcombe stores, plus via Master of Malt, Amazon and leading independent retailers throughout the country.

It's a relaxed and inclusive gin, 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin is crafted for everyday heroes, everyday occasions and for those who love to be close to the sea.  Adhering to the same exacting London Dry standard as their iconic and global award-winning citrus led Salcombe Gin 'Start Point', 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin draws inspiration from their journey around the British coastline to where the four seas that surround our island nation, the Atlantic Ocean, Irish Sea, English Channel and North Sea, all meet our shores. The same four seas served and protected by the heroic RNLI.  

Beautifully balanced, 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin showcases four key botanicals and is led by lemons smoked over Scottish whisky barrel wood chips, tangy sea buckthorn from where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Cornish coast, sugar kelp foraged from the Irish sea providing a richness and a hint of salinity and elderberries from wildest Wales, giving an earthy floral sweetness.   

On the nose there's zesty fresh lemons, smoky citrus and classic juniper, followed by a citrusy tang and sweetness from the sea buckthorn with underlying floral and earthy layers on the palate, too. 

The finish is reportedly smooth, rich and warming, with a slightly saline tone, reminding you of its coastal influence and origin. 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin contains no colourants and no added sugar.

Appealing to gin drinkers both old and new, just serve 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin in a highball glass with four ingredients; gin, premium Indian tonic, ice and lemon or in a cocktail to showcase the subtle notes of smoked citrus and the hint of sea salt.

Like all the products in Salcombe Gin's portfolio, it contains no plastic packaging and has biodegradable cellulose tamper proof seals, 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin uses a totally natural cork and wooden stopper.

Commenting on the partnership, Co-founder and Director of Salcombe Distilling Co., Angus Lugsdin says:  “Spending years working at sea and having grown up learning to sail in Salcombe and watching with fascination as a child when the Salcombe Lifeboat was called out,  it's hard to express just exactly how thrilled I am about the collaboration between Salcombe Gin and the RNLI.  

"Having spent years offshore myself and having undergoing sea survival training myself, I have the utmost respect for the RNLI and its dedicated volunteers who generously devote their time to safeguarding and rescuing lives at sea, ensuring a safer environment for us all."

Angus went on to say: “It obviously fills the Salcombe Gin team with immense pride and pleasure to join forces with the RNLI, knowing that the sale of 'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin will contribute to our coastal communities and support the RNLI in their crucial missions.  What's more, as part of our special two-year partnership, we'll also contribute 10% of the net price of every bottle sold of our Salcombe Rum 'Island Street' to the RNLI, too.”

Mark Dowie, RNLI CEO adds: “We're delighted to partner with Salcombe Gin and welcome their kind support. And because Salcombe Gin is made in my hometown, I'm obviously hoping for great things!”

Mark went on toy say: “For almost two centuries the RNLI has been saving lives at sea.  All of the essential training and equipment for our lifeboat crews and lifeguards is only possible because of the donations we receive from our generous partners and our supporters.  Our partnership with Salcombe Gin will raise vital funds to help us continue our lifesaving work.”

The perfect partnership, Salcombe Gin draws influence from the coastal vitality of Salcombe and its shipbuilding heritage.  They produce internationally acclaimed gins at their waterside distillery on Island Street in Salcombe, one of the world's only distilleries directly accessible by boat.  'Four Seas' by Salcombe Gin joins Salcombe Gin's outstanding line-up of Salcombe Gin 'Start Point', Salcombe Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie', Salcombe Gin 'Start Point - Offshore Strength' and their exclusive Voyager Series.

Since 1824, the story of the RNLI is one of courage and dedication.  Across their almost 200-year history, RNLI lifesavers have answered the call to rescue, day or night, on calm seas or in ferocious storms.  If someone is in peril at sea, the RNLI will do all they can to save them.  Since the charity launched its first lifeboat in 1824, the RNLI has saved over 144,000 lives at sea.

For further information about Salcombe Gin, visit www.salcombegin.com, follow Salcombe Gin on Instagram and Facebook. For further information about the RNLI's work, visit www.rnli.org or follow RNLI on Facebook.

That's Food and Drink believes this will make a superb Christmas gift or birthday present this year. 

Clearspring Launches Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Organic Okumidori Matcha

The leading authentic Japanese and organic fine food specialist Clearspring is launching an exclusive limited-edition Matcha to celebrate the brand's 30th anniversary: Clearspring Organic Japanese Okumidori Matcha - Ceremonial Grade. 

The special, limited-edition Organic Okumidori Matcha has been specially selected by Clearspring's tea master Nagata-san. Okumidori, meaning 'deepest green', is a superior, artisanal matcha from Wazuka, in Uji, Kyoto, a place steeped in eight centuries of matcha history. Of all the tea fields in Japan, less than 5% are dedicated to growing Okumidori Matcha, which makes it so absolutely valuable.

The tea leaves used have been shade-grown for 20 days before being harvested which increases chlorophyll levels which gives the matcha its vibrant green colour and its utterly unique flavour. 

Only the freshest and youngest tea leaves have been selected from this year's first harvest. Once picked, the leaves are stone-ground to create a fine, bright green powder which has a naturally smooth taste, whilst also delivering a rich umami flavour.

Clearspring's limited-edition Okumidori Matcha is sustainably grown and produced to the highest of  organic standards, whilst working with nature and encouraging biodiversity. This allows the tea leaves to develop a full, rounded and natural flavour and offer all the benefits of organic green tea.

The limited-edition launch, which is a first for Clearspring, offers Clearspring's supporters and Matcha connoisseurs the wonderful opportunity to enjoy the taste of a unique, ceremonial grade Organic Okumidori Matcha and mark 30 years of Clearspring. 

The brand will be donating £1 from the sale of each pack of its Limited-Edition Matcha to long-term charity partner and community cookery school Made in Hackney.

Says Maria Dawson, who is the MD Clearspring: “We've been working with our tea master Nagata-san for the past three decades and we're absolutely delighted to be launching this Limited Edition Organic Japanese Okumidori Matcha together. We wanted to offer something extra special for our 30th anniversary, and this Matcha delivers on taste, quality, uniqueness and sustainability."

She went on to explain: “This limited edition, Okumidori Matcha is best enjoyed when made to a traditional matcha recipe, simply with warm water, to fully enjoy the delicate flavour nuances it offers. We'd love to invite you to join us in celebrating 30 years of Clearspring with this Limited Edition Matcha”

Clearspring Limited Edition Matcha is available to purchase from selected independent stores from September, plus also online at www.clearspring.co.uk.

We at That's Food and Drink believe this will make an excellent Christmas present for the Matcha and tea lovers in your life.

Finalists unveiled for annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards

Finalists have been unveiled for the annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), the most prestigious celebration of Pan Asian cuisine in the UK and beyond, which this year will take place on Sunday 8th October at London’s Hilton Park Lane.

ARTA 2023 will welcome a guest list of the nation’s most popular Asian restaurateurs alongside MPs, dignitaries, and celebrities. The ceremony will be hosted by BBC presenters, Samantha Simmonds and Paul Martin. 

The finest Asian restaurants and takeaways from all over the UK will come together in the Capital city in the hope of being recognised as the best restaurant in their region or nationally and honoured with a jewel in the crown of the UK Asian restaurant industry award sector.

Following the public nominations drive, a formal assessment was undertaken to determine the leading Asian culinary establishments based on criteria including quality of service; quality of product; value for money; and food hygiene ratings in tandem with the number of nominations provided from members of  the public. Following the rigorous vetting process, finalists have been announced across ARTA categories.

ARTA 2023 Finalists

Newcomer of the Year:

Savci, Stopsley, Luton

Tanishq Restaurant & Bar, Ongar, Chelmsford

Shimlas, Attleborough, Norwich

Coco Buffer, Weston-Super-Mare

Fine Dine Restaurant of the Year:

Dhoom, Dunfermline, Kirkaldy

Dining Room, Sheerness, Rochester

Blue Jasmine, Ocean Village, Southampton

Chaskaa Indian, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh

Korean Restaurant of the Year:

Cafe Andamiro, Newington, Edinburgh

Bento Bab, Aldgate, London

Yori, Piccadilly Circus, London

Bullgogi Restaurant, Notting Hill, London

Japanese Restaurant of the Year:

Tanakatsu, Camden, London

Maneki Ramen, Worcester

Sakura, Weston-super-Mare

Sapporo Teppanyaki, Castlefield, Manchester

Street Food Restaurant of the Year:

Mowgli Street Food, Brighton

Streetly Balti, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham

Twisted Indian Street Food, Blackpool

My Delhi, Newcastle upon Tyne

European Restaurant of the Year:

Kashmir House, Paris, France

New Delhi, Milano, Italy

Tamasha, Playa Blanca, Spain

Royal Indian Restaurant, Munich, Germany

Sri Lankan Restaurant of the Year:

Copper Ceylon, Bromley, London

The Pier Ceylon, Herne Bay, Canterbury

Colombo Kitchen Restaurant, Worcester Park, Kingston upon Thames

Rathiga Restaurant & Bar, Luton

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Northern Ireland:

Yaks, Bangor

Nu Delhi Restaurant Lounge, Belfast

Bangla, Bangor

India Gate, Belfast

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Scotland:

The Royal Bengal, Dunfermline, Kirkaldy

Qismat, Elgin, Inverness

Sylhet Brasserie, Grantown-on-Spey, Perth

Carron to Mumbai, Stonehaven, Aberdeen

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Wales:

Benllech Tandoori Restaurant, Benllech, Llandudno

Belfoi, Carmarthen, Swansea

The Grand Sultan, Port Talbot, Swansea

Mango Tree, Whitchurch, Cardiff

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North West:

Spice Valley, Horwich, Bolton

The Milnrow Balti Restaurant, Rochdale, Oldham

Achari, Bolton

Paneer, Wallasey, Chester

Regional Restaurant of the Year – West Midlands:

Delhi 45 Indian Streatery, Rubery, Birmingham

Titash Indian Restaurant, Sheldon, Birmingham

Shifnal Balti, Shifnal, Telford

The Royal Bengal, Earlsdon, Coventry

Regional Restaurant of the Year – East Midlands:

Royal Tandoori, Corby, Northampton

Sylhet Spice, Ripley, Derby

The Bridge & Bayleaf, Gunthorpe, Nottingham

Nazreen, Kettering, Northampton

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North East:

Jays Indian, Durham

Ahad Tandoori, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Bayleaf Indian Restaurant, Cramlington, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Raval Indian Brasserie & Bar, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Hertfordshire:

Mint Leaf, Stortford, Chelmsford

Zaffran One, St Albans

Cumin Bar & Restaurant, Broxbourne, Enfield

Raj of India, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Essex:

The Polash, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea

Cinnamon, Epping, Chelmsford

Village Indiya Restaurant, Benfleet, Romford

Pride of Sylhet, Dunmow, Chelmsford

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Surrey:

Trishala, Redhill

Tiffin Wala, Camberley, Guildford

The Rajdoot, Guildford

Tarana, Lingfield, Redhill

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South Central:

Burghfield Spices, Burghfield, Reading

Jalpari of Woodley, Woodley, Reading

Madhuban Tandoori, Liss, Guildford

House of Flavours, Reading

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North London:

Ruhit's Indian Cuisine, Brent

The Rajdoot, Hampstead

Pinos Warung, Chalk Farm

The Spice, Kentish Town

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South London:

Samrat, Tooting

Gandhi’s, Kennington

Pure Indian Cooking, Fulham

Saka Maka, Hither Green

Regional Restaurant of the Year – West London:

Haweli of Ealing, Ealing

Durbar Tandoori Restaurant, Bayswater

The Rajdoot, Marylebone

Takaa Tak, Ealing

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South West:

Denley's Essence of India, Topsham, Exeter

Drgnfly Pan Asian Restaurant, Poole, Bournemouth

Daaku, Falmouth, Truro

Iford Tandoori, Iford, Bournemouth

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Sussex:

The New Curry Centre, Horsham, Redhill

Calcutta 16, Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton

Darchini, Horsham, Redhill

Tamasha, Lindfield, Redhill

Regional Takeaway of the Year – North East:

The Jewel In the Crown, Birtley, Chester-le-Street

Zeera Tandoori, Durham

Balti Hut Indian Takeaway, Middlesborough, Cleveland

Spice Junction, Boldon Colliery, Newcastle upon Tyne

Regional Takeaway of the Year – North West:

Arong Tandoori, Waterloo, Liverpool

Bombay Cuisine, Prestwich, Manchester

Akash, Accrington, Blackburn

Bradshaw Tandoori, Bradshaw, Bolton

Regional Takeaway of the Year – West Midlands:

New Royal Balti, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent

Chutney Express, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham

Mahim Indian Takeaway, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury

Karma Lounge, Tamworth, Birmingham

Regional Takeaway of the Year – Essex:

Pathari's, Wickford, Southend-on-Sea

Kismet, Colchester

Spice Boys, Harlow, Chelmsford

Kaani Kaana, Chelmsford

Regional Takeaway of the Year – Surrey:

Hampton Tandoori, Hampton, Twickenham

Vindaloo Indian Takeaway, Farnborough, Guildford

Mohini Balti House, Carshalton Beeches, Carshalton, Sutton

Chipstead Tandoori, Coulsdon, Croydon

Regional Takeaway of the Year – Kent:

Shumi Tandoori, Frindsbury, Rochester

Mahan Indian Takeaway, Bexley, Dartford

Naims Tandoori, Bedford, Milton Keynes

Sher E Bangla, Longfield, Dartford

Regional Takeaway of the Year – East Anglia:

Kairali South Indian, Poringland, Norwich

Eastern Spice, Suffolk, Ipswich

Bhujon, Tring, Hemel Hempstead

Lime Takeaway, Saint Edmunds, Ipswich

Regional Takeaway of the year – East Midlands:

Little India, Desford, Leicester

Agra Cottage, Bingham, Nottingham

Miah's Takeaway, Heanor, Derby

Rikshaw Urban Indian Kitchen, Sherwood, Nottingham

Regional Takeaway of the year – Wales:

Masalla, Port Talbot, Swansea

Tiffin Rasoi, Barry, Cardiff

Kalimirch, Barry, Cardiff

Shaan Tandoori Takeaway, Ammanford, Swansea

Also additional awards will be presented on the night for Champion of Champions; National Chef of the Year; and National Takeaway of the Year.

ARTA 2023 will continue to honour one of the most lucrative sectors of the UK hospitality industry in the face of continued business and operational challenges during the current cost of living crisis. 

Says ARTA Founder Salik Mohammed Munim, “The UK’s popular Asian restaurant industry, known for its resilience in weathering operational and business challenges such as staff shortages and the Covid pandemic, now faces a new set of challenges during the current cost of living crisis. 

"The prices of products, ingredients and energy have risen significantly while customers are also facing the pinch. In this tough situation, ARTA will once again be honouring the UK’s best Asian restaurants and takeaways who are committed to delivering the best in restaurant and home dining in these tough circumstances.”

Local pubs deliver invaluable socio-economic value, ministers must act to save them, new report reveals

Government must give pubs which serve as the beating hearts of their communities greater support with tax rebates to safeguard the nation’s locals as vital social lifelines, a report from think-tank Localis urges.

In a report entitled ‘Inn-Valuable: unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs’, Localis also argues a minister for pubs role be reinstated to join up help for the country’s pubs sector, which supports 936,000 jobs, generates £28bn in GVA to the economy and delivers £15bn in tax revenues to the Exchequer, annually. 

According to polling undertaken by YouGov for the report, 75% of people believe pubs have a positive impact on community life.

When asked if pubs are important in bringing people together, over four-in-five (81%) of British adults agreed with this idea, with just14% feeling they aren't. 

Polling for the report showed 68% of British adults felt pubs have a part in helping to combat loneliness in their local area. 

Among pro-community activities supported by local pubs, almost half (44%) of people are aware of pub events that bring the community together, a quarter (25%) knew of local pubs that supported charitable causes and 17% knew of local pubs offering to support vulnerable people in their local area.

The research identified from case studies taken pubs across the whole country some dominant themes on how the sector supports local people and communities, namely by:

combatting isolation

supporting local causes

reflecting local culture

bringing local business together

supporting community through generations.

Pollsters also learned among social uses of pubs in the last three months, over half of the population (51%) had met a friend in one, while nearly two-in-five (37%) of people had visited the pub to meet up with family, a quarter (25%) had enjoyed Sunday lunch in one and 10% of the public had attended a pub-held birthday party in that timespan. In addition, 6%s of the public had used pubs for dating purposes and 13% watched a sporting event in a pub.

A key recommendation of the report calls for the re-establishment of a Minister for Pubs position to co-ordinate a cross-government taskforce responsible for long-term strategy for the British pubs sector and to lead on help with tax and regulation, alongside an emergency fund for energy bill support.

The report authors also make the case for business rates rebates for those pubs which take on socially valuable roles like foodbanks or in providing warm spaces for vulnerable people, with a call for a modest £4m cashpot to help 1,000 pubs to diversify at a cost of only £4,000 per pub.

Joe Fyans, who is head of research at Localis said: “Across Britain, pubs consistently played a pivotal role in knitting communities together and promoting social cohesion.

“In fact, pubs are the beating heart of many communities, playing multifaceted roles in local daily life. This is why the decline of pubs is obviously a great cause for concern. With each closure, both tangible and intangible voids are left behind.

“The lessons are clear: pubs, in all their forms and across all locations, remain integral to British social cohesion as hubs of activity, community, and social capital. This makes their presence all the more crucial as community safety nets and beacons of light, offering a lifeline hope for many people looking for a real sense of local belonging.”

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “The stories highlighted in this report truly are just a snapshot of the hugely positive impact pubs have in communities across the whole country every single day.

“There are few businesses that can say they add both social and economic value and pubs are delivering that value in neighbourhoods from Lanarkshire to Liskeard, and everywhere in between. Pubs provide solace to people in tough times and a place to celebrate in others and to lose them would have a serious impact on people’s lives.

“With closures continuing to rise and pubs under threat from further duty and business rates cost hikes we hope the Government will giver serious consideration to the proposals put forward by this report so the foundations can be laid to help pubs continue to do this brilliant work in their communities long into the future.”

Becky Barnett who runs The Lamb Inn in Swadlincote, which features in the report, said: “We support our local community in a number of ways, including offering free food and drinks to people on Wednesday mornings. People can come into the pub, have a free hot meal, and in winter, sit by our log fire in comfy chairs, no questions asked.

“When times are tougher, we want to be a place where people can come for help and local people have been incredibly grateful of us opening our doors at no cost. At the same time, we are also facing challenges with higher energy bills and other rising costs so it’s a scary time for our business too. But we want to continue to provide a non-judgemental warm space for people, but we’re facing our own difficulties as well.”

Pub is The Hub chief executive, John Longden, said: “Pubs and publicans are the heroes at the heart of community life that provide essential local services and activities that create social value.

“They are a valuable lifeline for many rural areas providing vital local services and activities like village stores, allotments and community cafes, plus offering a safe space to tackle the major societal issue of loneliness.

“Pub is The Hub now estimates 1,000 more pubs and local areas could benefit from services if they can be directly supported in the future to diversify."

https://www.localis.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/InnValuable_Localis_WEBAWK.pdf

https://beerandpub.com/

(Image courtesy of Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay)

Tesco is first UK supermarket to give kinship carers same support as adoptive parents

Tesco, the UK’s largest private-sector employer, has granted colleagues who have a Special Guardianship Order to care for relatives’ children equal rights with colleagues who adopt – giving them both 26 weeks’ leave on full pay.

The kinship leave, which will apply to grandparents or other relatives who take on a child of a family member, is intended to help kinship carers to be able stay in the workforce, while managing their extra responsibilities. 

The new policy, which makes the grocer one of the first UK retailers to support these carers, is among a raft of family-friendly policies Tesco announced that will benefit more than 300,000 colleagues from this week. 

Tesco also announced: 

Improved maternity leave to 26 weeks with full pay 

Up to 12 weeks paid neonatal leave 

Fertility leave extended to partners as well as birth mothers of up to 5 days paid leave per treatment cycle 

Adoption leave improved to 26 weeks on full pay, and 

Paid leave for two weeks for the loss of a baby pre 24 weeks of pregnancy 

The charity Kinship, which has been campaigning for kinship carers to have the same rights to paid leave as parents and adopters, has welcomed the move by Tesco. There are 152,000 children in the UK growing up in kinship care and they estimate that hundreds of kinship carers work for Tesco. 

The pioneering new policy will apply to Tesco colleagues who have obtained an SGO from a family court, which allows a child to be brought up by people such as grandparents, relatives or family friends while maintaining contact with birth parents. 

Lucy Peake, CEO of Kinship, the leading national charity for England and Wales, said: “We are really thrilled that Tesco is stepping up for kinship carer Special Guardians in its workforce by introducing paid kinship care leave on a par with adoption leave.  

“Tesco’s new policy will really make an enormous difference to many Special Guardian kinship carers across the country, who will now be able to take paid time off when to support children who have often experienced trauma and focus on their needs, knowing they will have a job to return to.  

“We’re very proud to be working with Tesco as they implement this industry-leading support for Special Guardians and hope over time it can extended to all kinship carers. We urge other retailers to follow their lead and will soon be launching our Kinship Friendly Employers scheme to encourage employers of all sizes to better support kinship carers in the workforce” 

Taylor Kershaw, who works in the Employer Brand team at Tesco, found her life turned upside down when she stepped up at the age of 25 to look after her brother’s newborn daughter.  

Taylor was able to raise awareness of the issue facing kinship carers with colleagues in the Tesco People team, which led to the new policy being introduced. 

Taylor said: “This is a gamechanger for all colleagues who are facing up to such a major life change. I was just 25 years old when I stepped up to become a guardian to a child that was only five days old. 

“I was heartbroken for my brother and his partner, but suddenly I had to navigate becoming a guardian while still living at home and working full-time. This leave would have taken a lot of pressure from my shoulders and given me time to bond with baby and settle into my new role.” 

In addition, the grocer has improved its maternity and adoption leave benefits substantially, increasing from 14 weeks with full pay followed by 14 weeks half pay, to 26 weeks with full pay.  This is a significant improvement for over 2000 colleagues a year at Tesco who take maternity leave. 

Tesco is also introducing paid neonatal leave for the first time, ahead of Government legislation due to come into force in 2025. The retailer will allow colleagues whose child has been unwell and spent seven days or more in hospital during their first 28 days since birth, to extend maternity or shared parental leave by up to 12 weeks on full pay. 

Tesco also recently agreed new flexible working rights giving more than 300,000 colleagues the right to request a flexible working pattern from their first day in the job, rather than having to wait six months. 

In July, Tesco announced a new benefit for colleagues and their immediate family - unlimited appointments with a virtual GP, seven days a week to give them added flexibility in managing their health. Tesco colleagues are also able to access to sleep therapists, nutritionists, counsellors, exercise coaches and physiotherapists to support their wellbeing.

This expanded focus on colleague wellbeing comes after Tesco made its biggest-ever investment in colleague pay over the past year, with an increase totalling a more than 15% pay rise to bring the hourly rate to £11.02. Tesco also gives colleagues a 10% discount on groceries, which increases to 15% every pay day weekend. 

James Goodman, Tesco UK People Director, said: “We've been really focused on our colleagues’ wellbeing this summer. As well as improving maternity leave for thousands of colleagues, we've  introduced a raft of new benefits to help colleagues strike a healthy work-life balance. 

“Relatives who take on the care of a child often feel forced to reduce their hours or even leave their jobs as they try to juggle extra responsibilities, and we wanted to really step up to offer kinship carers the same support as colleagues who adopt a child.”

Daniel Adams, USDAW National Officer said: “Following ongoing discussions between Tesco and USDAW, we are pleased that the company is making these improvements which will provide valuable, additional support for our members when they need it most.” 

www.tesco.com