Chinese New Year: Celebrating with Food You Can Cook at Home

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations in the Chinese calendar. 

It’s a time for fresh starts, family gatherings and, most importantly, food that symbolises luck, prosperity and togetherness.

You don’t need to book a restaurant or master professional wok skills to mark the occasion. 

With a bit of planning, it’s easy to bring the spirit of Chinese New Year into your own kitchen using dishes that are achievable, comforting and perfect for sharing.

Why Food Matters at Chinese New Year

Food during Chinese New Year isn’t just about flavour – it’s packed with meaning. Many dishes are chosen because their names, shapes or ingredients symbolise good fortune, wealth, happiness or longevity. Meals are usually shared family-style, reinforcing togetherness and generosity as the new year begins.

Classic Chinese New Year Dishes You Can Make at Home

Dumplings (Jiaozi)

Dumplings are a Chinese New Year staple, especially in northern China. Their shape resembles ancient gold ingots, making them a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

At home tip:

Use shop-bought dumpling wrappers and fill them with pork and cabbage, chicken, prawns, or a simple vegetable mix. Pan-fry for crispy bottoms or boil for a softer finish.

Spring Rolls

Golden and crisp, spring rolls represent wealth because they resemble gold bars. They’re also one of the most familiar Chinese dishes for UK home cooks.

At home tip:

Fill with shredded vegetables, beansprouts and cooked chicken or prawns. Oven-baking works well if you’d prefer less oil.

Longevity Noodles

Long noodles symbolise a long and healthy life. Traditionally, they shouldn’t be cut before cooking.

At home tip:

Stir-fry egg or wheat noodles with vegetables, soy sauce and sesame oil. Add prawns, chicken or tofu for a complete dish.

Steamed Fish

Fish symbolises abundance and surplus, as the Chinese word for fish sounds like the word for “extra” or “left over”.

At home tip:

Steam a whole sea bass or bream with ginger, spring onions and soy sauce. Serve it whole for tradition, or use fillets if that feels more approachable.

Easy Sides and Extras

Stir-fried greens such as pak choi or Chinese broccoli for balance

Mushrooms for good fortune and earthiness

Egg-fried rice to use up leftovers and stretch the meal

Simple dipping sauces made from soy sauce, rice vinegar and chilli oil

These dishes round out the table and make the meal feel generous without adding stress.

Sweet Treats for Good Luck

Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)

These glutinous rice balls, often filled with sesame or peanut paste, symbolise family unity.

Shortcut idea:

Buy frozen tangyuan from an Asian supermarket and serve them in a light ginger syrup.

Sesame Balls

Crispy on the outside with a chewy centre, sesame balls represent wealth and happiness.

Mandarin Oranges

Not really a dessert, but essential. Oranges symbolise good luck and prosperity and are often given as gifts.

Hosting a Chinese New Year Meal at Home

You don’t need a huge spread. Choose one or two symbolic main dishes, add a couple of sides and finish with something sweet. Red napkins, candles or a simple centrepiece can nod to tradition without overdoing it. Most importantly, cook with the idea of sharing – Chinese New Year food is meant to be enjoyed together.

A Celebration Anyone Can Enjoy

Cooking Chinese New Year food at home is about more than following tradition perfectly. It’s about welcoming the new year with warmth, generosity and a table full of comforting, meaningful dishes. Whether you cook one dish or an entire feast, it’s a lovely excuse to slow down, eat well and celebrate fresh beginnings.

Tired of Tacos? Bored of Fancy Foreign Snacks? Get Down with Proper British Isles Comfort Food!

Don’t get me wrong, tacos have their moment. But if you’ve reached peak tortilla, and yet another packet of imported “artisan” snacks has left you cold (and oddly skint), it might be time to come home. Right home. To the comforting, beige-leaning, utterly dependable snacks and comfort foods of the British Isles.

Because when it comes to proper satisfaction, Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales quietly deliver.

The Joy of Familiar Flavours

There’s something deeply reassuring about snacks you recognise instantly. No ingredient list that reads like a chemistry exam. No need to Google pronunciation. Just solid, time-tested food that knows exactly what it’s doing.

Think:

Warm, filling

Salty, buttery, savoury

Designed to keep you going through drizzle, graft, and general life fatigue

This is food that doesn’t try too hard — and that’s precisely the point.

Snack Classics That Never Let You Down

When hunger strikes between meals, the British Isles have been sorting it out for generations:

Scotch eggs – Portable perfection. Crispy coating, seasoned meat, proper egg. What more do you want?

Sausage rolls – Flaky pastry + well-seasoned pork = national treasure.

Cheese and crackers – Especially with a strong Cheddar or crumbly Lancashire.

Welsh rarebit – Toast, but make it bold. Cheesy, mustardy, deeply comforting.

Pork pies – Cold, firm, unapologetic. Ideal for lunchboxes, picnics or midnight fridge raids.

And don't forget pickled eggs, pickled onions, Worcestershire Sauce, Piccalilli to add a "wow!" factor to your British snacking.  

No gimmicks. Just food that gets the job done.

Comfort Foods That Hug You Back

If snacks are the warm handshake, comfort food is the full embrace:

Beans on toast – Laugh all you like; it’s cheap, filling, and endlessly customisable.

Mash and gravy – Works with sausages, pies, or on its own when life feels unfair.

Fish and chips – Still unbeatable when done right. Vinegar mandatory.

Irish soda bread with butter – Simple, hearty, and astonishingly satisfying.

Shepherd’s pie – Savoury mince, creamy mash, baked till golden. No passport required.

These dishes don’t chase trends — they outlast them.

Why We Keep Coming Back to British Food

There’s a reason these foods endure:

They’re affordable

They’re filling

They suit real life, real weather, and real appetites

While novelty snacks come and go, British Isles comfort food sticks around because it works. It feeds families. It fills lunchboxes. It keeps pubs, cafés and kitchens ticking over.

And honestly? Sometimes a sausage roll is exactly what you need — not a fermented chilli crisp flown halfway round the world.

So Next Time You’re Snack-Shopping…

Before reaching for another over-hyped foreign treat, pause. Look closer to home. There’s a Scotch egg waiting. A slab of cheese begging to be sliced. A pot of mash that will absolutely improve your day.

Turns out you don’t need fancy.

You just need proper.

Cake it forward - International Animal Rescue Launches Campaign with “An Afternoon Tea with a Cause”

International Animal Rescue launches fundraising campaign to help save endangered orangutans.

International Animal Rescue is calling on animal lovers, conservationists and cake enthusiasts to indulge in some sweet treats this March at its Vegan Afternoon Tea event as part of its Cakes for Apes fundraising campaign.

Held on World Forest Day (21st March), the afternoon tea fundraising event coincides with International Day of Forests and will help raise vital funds to support IAR’s orangutan rescue, rehabilitation and lifelong care programmes.

Funds raised will benefit orangutans who have been displaced from their rainforest homes through habitat loss and deforestation and those orphaned or injured due to illegal wildlife trade.

International Animal Rescue’s fundraising goal for the 2026 Cakes for Apes campaign is £25,000, which will provide food, veterinary care and medicines for orangutans currently in IAR’s care.

During the afternoon tea event, guests can enjoy a selection of mouth-watering vegan cakes, freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches and a cup of tea. 

All delicious treats have been thoughtfully curated and crafted to be suitable for vegans and ethically made with the planet and its inhabitants in mind. Attendees will also receive an exclusive goody bag as a thank you for supporting the orangutans.

President of International Animal Rescue, Alan Knight OBE, will discuss the charity’s worldwide conservation efforts and what we can do to help protect endangered species worldwide. Alan will be joined by Gavin Bruce, CEO, who will provide an update on some of the incredible orangutans International Animal Rescue has rescued and stories from the rescue team on the frontline.

Event Information

Date: Saturday 21st March 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Venue: Hotel du Vin Brighton

Price: £40.00

Tickets are very limited and can be booked here: https://bit.ly/Cakes4ApesTea2026

National Allotment Society announces ‘Grow to Learn’ theme for National Allotments Week 2026

The National Allotment Society (NAS) has today announced the exciting theme for National Allotments Week 2026, taking place from 10–16 August 2026.

The new theme, Grow to Learn – Lifelong lessons from the allotment, will celebrate the educational, personal development, and well-being benefits of allotment gardening for people of all ages.

The theme highlights how allotments function as living classrooms, where learning happens through hands-on experience, shared knowledge, and connection with the natural world. Alongside practical growing skills, allotment gardening nurtures wider life skills including patience, resilience, curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork, and, of course, physical wellbeing and food security, too.

Through time spent on the plot, individuals learn to adapt to challenges, understand seasonal change, and develop confidence and wellbeing alongside their crops. These informal learning experiences often span generations, making allotments unique spaces for lifelong learning, community connection, and personal growth.

By focusing on Grow to Learn, the National Allotment Society aims to reframe allotments not just as places to grow food, but as dynamic learning environments that support personal growth, mental and physical wellbeing, and food security.

National Allotments Week 2026 will feature a national digital campaign sharing stories and reflections from allotment holders and ambassadors, highlighting the many ways allotments act as living classrooms and places of continual learning.

Further details about National Allotments Week 2026 activities, resources, and opportunities to get involved will be announced in due course.

National Allotments Week takes place from 10–16 August 2026.

The National Allotment Society (NAS) is the UK’s leading organisation representing more allotment holders and leisure gardeners. NAS provides advice, guidance, and advocacy to support people in growing their own food, improving their well-being, and connecting with their communities.

With a nationwide network of 130,000 members, volunteers, and ambassadors, NAS works to make allotments engaging, inclusive, and rewarding — supporting physical and mental well-being, social connection, and environmental awareness through the simple act of growing.

For more information, visit www.thenas.org.uk

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Feast for Two at Home

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean battling for restaurant reservations, fixed menus, or eye-watering prices. 

In fact, some of the most memorable celebrations happen at home, where you can set the pace, choose the food you truly love, and enjoy each other’s company without distractions.

A Valentine’s feast for two is about indulgence, comfort, and connection. Whether you’re confident in the kitchen or keeping things deliberately simple, here’s how to create a romantic at-home celebration that feels special.

Start with a Thoughtful Menu

The best Valentine’s menus aren’t complicated, they’re considered. Choose dishes you both enjoy and that don’t keep you stuck in the kitchen all evening.

A simple three-course structure works beautifully:

Starter: Something light, like a sharing platter of olives, cured meats, baked camembert, or garlic prawns

Main: A comforting but indulgent dish such as steak with chunky chips, creamy pasta, roasted chicken, or a rich vegetarian risotto

Dessert: Chocolate fondant, cheesecake, strawberries dipped in chocolate, or even a luxury shop-bought pud dressed up with fresh berries

Sharing dishes can make the meal feel more intimate — one plate, two forks, no rules.

Set the Scene

Atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting on Valentine’s Day. You don’t need elaborate decorations; small touches go a long way.

Think:

Candles or soft lighting instead of overhead lights

A clean table with placemats or a tablecloth

Fresh flowers or greenery, even something simple from the supermarket

Music playing quietly in the background — jazz, acoustic, or a shared favourite playlist

Turning phones to silent is one of the most romantic gestures you can make.

Drinks That Feel Like a Treat

You don’t need champagne (unless you want it). A Valentine’s feast is about enjoying something you don’t have every day.

Ideas include:

Prosecco or English sparkling wine

A shared bottle of red or white you’ve been saving

Cocktails made at home, such as a French martini or espresso martini

For non-drinkers, sparkling elderflower, alcohol-free fizz, or a homemade mocktail

Serve drinks in proper glasses — it instantly elevates the experience.

Cook Together, or Cook Ahead

Some couples love cooking together; others prefer one person taking charge so the evening flows smoothly. Both work, just be honest about what will feel most relaxing.

If you want minimal stress:

Prep desserts earlier in the day

Choose mains that can rest or stay warm

Avoid recipes that need last-second juggling

The goal is enjoyment, not perfection.

Finish with Something Meaningful

Once the plates are cleared, keep the evening going in a way that suits you both.

That might mean:

Sharing dessert on the sofa

Watching a favourite film or a romantic classic

Playing a board game or card game

Simply talking, uninterrupted, unhurried

Valentine’s Day is as much about connection as it is about food.

A Feast Made with Love

A Valentine’s feast for two at home isn’t about impressing anyone else. It’s about celebrating your relationship in a way that feels comfortable, indulgent, and personal.

Good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and genuine time together will always beat a rushed meal out — and it might just become a tradition you look forward to every year.

Celebrate Chocolate Day

Chocolate Day, Monday 9th of February, is the perfect excuse to pause, indulge, and enjoy one of life’s simplest pleasures. Whether you prefer dark, milk, or white, chocolate has a knack for lifting the mood and turning an ordinary moment into something quietly special.

In the UK, chocolate is woven into everyday life – from a biscuit with a brew to a cheeky bar grabbed at the till. On Chocolate Day, though, it deserves centre stage. 

Treat yourself to a box of truffles, bake a gooey chocolate cake, or simply savour a square or two slowly, letting it melt rather than rushing the moment.

There’s also something wonderfully nostalgic about chocolate. It reminds us of childhood treats, holiday indulgences, and little rewards after a long day. Even better, good-quality dark chocolate comes with a few feel-good benefits, thanks to antioxidants and that unmistakable serotonin boost.

So however you choose to celebrate, make it intentional. Switch off for five minutes, put the kettle on, unwrap something chocolatey, and enjoy it properly. After all, some days are made for balance – and Chocolate Day is definitely one of them.

Snacks and Drinks to Mark Propose Day

Propose Day (it's Sunday 8th of February) doesn’t have to mean grand gestures and fireworks. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen over good food, shared quietly. Whether you’re planning a proposal or simply celebrating your relationship, the right snacks and drinks help set the mood.

Sweet Treats with Heart

Chocolate-covered strawberries are a timeless choice – indulgent but effortless. Mini desserts such as brownies, shortbread hearts, or elegant pastries work beautifully too, especially when designed for sharing. A box of macarons or fancy biscuits adds colour and a touch of luxury without feeling heavy.

Savoury Snacks for a Relaxed Evening

A small cheese board with crackers and fruit is intimate and unfussy. Sharing plates like olives, sausage rolls, baked camembert, or artisan crisps keep things casual and encourage conversation. Warm bread with dips is another simple option that feels thoughtful rather than staged.

Drinks Worth Raising a Glass

Champagne or sparkling wine adds instant celebration, even in small amounts. Home-made cocktails don’t need to be complicated – a well-served classic goes a long way. For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling elderflower, mocktails, or alcohol-free fizz still feel special. And for quieter moments, a pot of good tea shared on the sofa can be just as romantic.

Keep It Simple

Soft lighting, music you both love, and unhurried time together matter more than extravagance. Propose Day is about intention, connection, and creating a moment that feels right for you – often with nothing more than a shared snack and a well-poured drink.

Rose Day 2026: Celebrating Roses in Food and Drink

Rose Day, celebrated on 7 February, marks the beginning of Valentine’s Week, but here at That’s Food and Drink, we’re less interested in grand gestures and more focused on how roses can be enjoyed where they really shine – in the kitchen and the glass.

Used carefully, rose brings a soft floral note that works beautifully in both sweet dishes and drinks.

From traditional Middle Eastern desserts to modern British baking, rose has long earned its place as a culinary ingredient rather than just a decorative one.

Using Roses in the Kitchen: A Quick Guide

Before you start, a few essential tips:

Always use culinary-grade roses or edible rose petals

Avoid florist roses – these are often chemically treated

Damask and centifolia roses offer the best flavour

Rose should be subtle – it enhances, never dominates

A light hand makes all the difference.

Rose-Inspired Recipes to Try at Home

Rose & Vanilla Shortbread

A refined twist on a classic British bake, perfect with tea.

Ingredients

225g unsalted butter, softened

110g caster sugar

275g plain flour

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp rose water

Method

Cream butter and sugar until pale

Mix in vanilla and rose water

Fold in flour to form a dough

Roll, cut, and chill for 20 minutes

Bake at 170°C (fan) for 15–18 minutes

Finish with a light dusting of icing sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate, or white chocolate

Rose, Raspberry & White Chocolate Loaf

Rose and raspberry are a natural pairing. Use ½ teaspoon of rose water in the batter to gently lift the sweetness without overpowering the cake.

Rose-Infused Honey

Ideal for cheeseboards, breakfasts, and desserts.

Gently warm 250g runny honey with a small handful of dried edible rose petals. Leave to infuse for 24 hours, then strain.

Try it with:

Soft cheeses

Greek yoghurt

Fresh berries or sliced pears

Drinks with a Floral Touch

Rose Lemonade

Light, refreshing, and perfect for non-alcoholic celebrations.

Mix:

Fresh lemonade

½ tsp rose syrup or rose water

A squeeze of lemon

Serve over ice with edible petals or a slice of lemon.

Rose & Gin Fizz

A simple cocktail with an elegant edge.

50ml gin

15ml rose syrup

Fresh lemon juice

Top with prosecco or soda

Serve chilled in a coupe or flute.

Rose & Cardamom Tea

A calming option for a quieter Rose Day.

Steep black or green tea with:

A pinch of crushed cardamom

A few dried rose petals

Sweeten lightly with honey.

Styling a Rose Day Spread

Food tastes better when it looks inviting:

Scatter a few edible petals along the table

Use pale pinks, creams, and soft neutrals

Keep decorations minimal – roses speak for themselves

This is about atmosphere, not excess.

Why Roses Belong in Food and Drink

Roses bring more than flavour:

They pair beautifully with citrus, berries, chocolate, and spices

They encourage slower, more mindful eating

They turn everyday recipes into something that feels special

For Rose Day 2026, that sense of calm indulgence feels particularly fitting.

Final Sip

You don’t need an elaborate menu or a restaurant booking to mark Rose Day. A rose-scented bake, a floral drink, or even a simple cup of tea can be enough to make the day feel considered and quietly celebratory.

At That’s Food and Drink, we think roses deserve a place on the plate as well as in the vase.

Celebrating International Day of Human Fraternity with Food, Drink and Togetherness

On 4 February, the world marks International Day of Human Fraternity, a moment dedicated to unity, understanding and peaceful coexistence across cultures, faiths and communities. 

While the theme is big and global, the way we celebrate it can be beautifully simple: by sharing food, raising a glass, and spending time together.

Food and drink have always been powerful connectors. Across every culture, they bring people to the same table, spark conversation, and remind us of what we have in common rather than what sets us apart.

Why Food Matters on This Day

Meals are often where trust is built and stories are shared. Sitting down together, whether at a kitchen table, a café, or a community hall — encourages listening, empathy and connection.

Celebrating International Day of Human Fraternity with food doesn’t need to be formal or political. It’s about kindness, curiosity and generosity, expressed in the most universal language there is: a shared meal.

Ideas for a Human Fraternity–Inspired Table

You don’t need to cook a feast from scratch. Small, thoughtful choices can carry a lot of meaning.

Try mixing cultures on one table, such as:

Flatbreads or naan served alongside British cheeses

Mezze dishes paired with fresh salads

Rice or grain bowls with toppings inspired by different cuisines

Simple soups or stews that encourage sharing and seconds

The goal isn’t authenticity perfection — it’s openness and inclusion.

Drinks That Encourage Conversation

Drinks play a quiet but important role in togetherness. Consider offering a mix that suits everyone:

Teas from different regions, served side by side

Fresh fruit cordials or homemade lemonades

Alcohol-free options alongside wine or beer

Shared carafes rather than individual bottles

Pouring for one another is a small gesture, but it reinforces the spirit of hospitality and care.

Hosting Without Pressure

If you’re inviting people into your home, keep it relaxed:

Ask guests to bring a dish that means something to them

Label foods clearly to respect dietary needs

Encourage stories about family recipes or food traditions

Focus on conversation, not presentation

Human fraternity is about respect — making everyone feel welcome matters more than what’s on the plate.

Celebrating on a Smaller Scale

Not everyone wants to host a gathering, and that’s perfectly fine. You can still mark the day by:

Sharing a meal with a neighbour

Supporting a local café run by a different cultural community

Cooking a dish from another culture and learning its background

Simply eating together as a household, phones down, conversation flowing

Togetherness doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful.

A Gentle Reminder We All Belong

International Day of Human Fraternity is a reminder that compassion often starts close to home. Food and drink give us a reason to pause, sit together and remember that — despite our differences — we all gather around the same human need to be nourished and connected.

Sometimes, the most powerful act of unity is as simple as saying: come and eat with me.

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