SWEET SPOT: Islands Chocolate Launches Decadent Gifts in Fortnum & Mason and Liberty in Time for Valentine's Day

This is good news for those of us who love to plan ahead, news from what Islands Chocolate has to offer chocolate lovers with a desire to shop ethically. 

Priding itself as a family-run company, Islands Chocolate stands out as one of the few chocolate brands with its own cocoa farms, located within the Caribbean. Embracing the spirit of ethical gifting, the company's employees not only earn considerably higher than the national living wage in St Vincent but also very considerably surpass the equivalent Fairtrade standard in Africa, from where most cocoa comes from.

Their chocolate is used in the kitchens of renowned chefs like Tom Kerridge, Phil Howard and Heston Blumenthal. The carefully crafted chocolate is designed to elevate both the art of baking and the joy of savouring each utterly delectable bite. 

Discover the perfect Valentines gift for the master baker or chocolate lover in your life with these beautifully designed 200g tins of heavenly delights:

75% Dark Chocolate - 200G

The 75% is the most versatile chocolate of the range, balancing a high cocoa percentage with well-rounded flavours. Aromas of jammy dried fruit and caramelised honey carry are accompanied with bursts of fresh citrus and ripe banana, notes of dark caramel and sweet spices with a warming finish. These are priced at £8.95.

55% Milk Chocolate - 200G

The 55% Dark Milk couples the sweet, creamy nostalgia of a milk chocolate with intensely flavourful St Vincent cocoa to curate a mature, versatile coating when used in baking. Aromas of toffee and malt develop further in the flavour, leading to an explosion of buttery caramel and rich creaminess, perfectly balanced by a light acidity and fruity banana notes. These are priced at £8.95.

 37% White Chocolate Giant Button

Caribbean cocoa butter offers complex, chocolatey flavours and well balanced sweetness, combined with creamy whole milk and a hint of salt for a uniquely sophisticated white chocolate flavour. These are priced at £8.95.

55% Dark Flakes Hot Chocolate

The 55% Dark Flakes create an indulgent luxurious hot chocolate like no other. Notes of rich caramel and zesty orange are expertly complemented by deep cocoa flavours. This tin is specially crafted for the ultimate hot chocolate experience, available at Bayley & Sage, Real Eating Co and online. These are priced at £8.95.

By buying a gift from Islands Chocolate next Valentine's Day (and for Christmas, too?) you can not only bake with chocolate used by some of the UK's top chefs, you can make a stand against unethical practices in the cocoa supply chain. And these embossed, vibrantly coloured tins will look fantastic on your kitchen shelf!

Founder Wilf Marriott said: "Cheap, poor-quality chocolate tainted by slavery, child labour and deforestation is just not acceptable - people and our planet deserve better, especially as a romantic and thoughtful gift. Islands Chocolate proudly leads the charge with a deliciously ethical alternative, with every bite telling a story of ethical indulgence.”

For more general information visit www.islandschocolate.com 

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Sandford Orchards Collaborates With Moons Cider to Launch Orchard Moon

Devon's Sandford Orchards, is thrilled to launch, in partnership with Moons Cider, Orchard Moon (ABV 6.5%), a collaboration cider celebrating the best off the West Country. It's a rewarding, full-bodied tasty cider and is available from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk as well as selected retail outlets (RRP £35.00 for 12 x 500ml bottles).

Says Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “Moons Cider, from Somerset, was the winner of our 2022 Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards. 

"Part of their prize was to work on a collaboration cider with us and I'm obviously delighted to see this come to fruition. Tom Moon worked closely with our head cider maker, Andy May, using the best apples from both counties to create Orchard Moon.”

Created using Yarlington Mill apples from Somerset and Brown's apples from Devon, Orchard Moon (ABV 6.5%) is a luscious and juicy cider. 

It has deep aromatics and complexity from Yarlington Mill, complemented by the crisp, green apple zing of Brown's, which combine to produce a full-bodied cider with a light sparkle and medium dry finish.

Andy May, Head Cider Maker at Sandford Orchards comments:”Tom was a very worthy winner of the Breakthrough Cider Awards. It was great to be able to share my knowledge and experience with him in blending Orchard Moon. It's a combination of two of my favourite apple varieties, which really represent everything great about West Country cider.”

Tom Moon, owner of Moons Cider said: “I was unsure about creating a medium/dry cider. I was concerned it might be too dry and challenging with the single varieties we were using but it was great to work with Andy, as he made sure to balance the strengths of both so that they complemented each other perfectly. We're excited by the final blend and think this is a cider people will enjoy and keep coming back to.”

Barny continues: ”We set up the Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards in 2019 to celebrate and support excellent whole juice cider producers from around the UK to help secure the future of real British cider. Winners of these awards benefit from priceless help on the journey including the chance to work with us on a collaboration cider.”

He adds:” Tom Moon has been making cider for more than ten years, having started as a teenager. When he won the award, he was producing around 10,000 litres of cider on his own whilst juggling his main job as a builder. We think Moons has what it takes to become a very successful business and are delighted to play our part in supporting Tom to achieve that.”

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives the right amount of rain and the right units of heat in summer.

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing cider. Combining tradition and innovation, Sandford Orchards produces an award-winning range of core session, traditional, fine and fruit ciders.

For further information on Sandford Orchards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, follow Sandford Orchards on X, Facebook and Instagram. 

For learn more about Moons Cider please visit www.moonscider.co.uk and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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PACE announces new order

PACE is excited to celebrate this significant milestone with the successful acquisition of their first order for the PACEMatic Auto Belt Tracking System.

PACE Steel Belt Systems, which is a global leader in conveyor belt solutions, proudly announces the successful acquisition of their first order for the PACEMatic Auto Belt Tracking System with this new customer.

This exciting deal solidifies their commitment to cutting-edge technology and operational excellence, as they partner with a major flat bread manufacturer based in the UK who is expanding into Poland.

The PACEMatic Auto Belt Tracking System, renowned for its advanced tracking capabilities, will be seamlessly integrated into the manufacturing processes of their client. This collaboration underscores PACE Steel Belt Systems' dedication to providing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance precision and efficiency in the food industry.

"We are excited to celebrate this significant milestone with the successful acquisition of our first order for the PACEMatic Auto Belt Tracking System with this new client," said Paul Lawson, Managing Director at PACE Steel Belt Systems. 

"This collaboration highlights our focus on delivering innovative solutions that optimise production processes and ensure the highest standards of performance for our clients."

The PACEMatic Auto Belt Tracking System is designed to enhance belt alignment, reduce maintenance downtime, and improve overall operational efficiency. PACE Steel Belt Systems is proud to contribute to the success of our client's flat bread manufacturing operations and looks forward to further collaborations within the dynamic Polish market.

www.pace-berndorf.co.uk

Celebrate the UK’s beloved pubs with Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK)

This winter, Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK) is toasting the nation’s locals, with a celebration of the UK’s beloved pubs, in all their many glorious forms.

With pubs facing unprecedented challenges, there’s never been a better time to pay tribute to this wonderful British institution. 

In its latest cover story, the magazine zones in on the success stories giving the industry hope, while also offering guides to classic pub dishes, the best beers, desi pubs and perfect spots for pub purists.

Glen Mutel, editor of Food, said: “If the pandemic made many of us long for the pub, the threat of losing our locals has really brought home just how important they are.

“Fortunately, there’s another story to tell, the story of all those who are finding ways to keep pubs afloat, from the punters clubbing together to ensure their locals remain community owned, to the chefs creating a new type of gastropub, designed to please every kind of customer.”

Also in this issue, we meet the chefs keeping culinary traditions alive in the Indian state of Goa; enjoy a meal of buffalo banh mi on a Native American reservation in South Dakota; and try out the many speciality sausages of Franconia, Germany. All this, plus the best of Lima, Bucharest and Tromsø.

In addition, expect the usual mix of thought-provoking features and easy-to-follow recipes from world-renowned contributors.

Don’t miss:

• Deconstruct: Yule log — the lowdown on the dish also known as bûche de Noël

• My Life in Food: Rapper and broadcaster Big Zuu on okra stew and Jamaican food

• Try it Now: How chefs are putting a savoury spin on French toast

• Five Ways With: Get the best out of oysters

• Recipe Journal: Four potato dishes from around the world

• Make Perfect: Tips for mastering tom yum soup

• The Pioneer: Paris-based chef Mory Sacko on blending French, West African and Japanese cuisines

26-PAGE DIGITAL EZINE SAMPLE https://magazine.natgeotraveller.co.uk/food-dec23/

Fast facts

Issue 22

On sale date: 7 December 2023

Price: £5.10

Website: nationalgeographic.com/travel

Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/NatGeoTravelUK

X (Twitter): twitter.com/NatGeoTravelUK

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