Afternoon Tea Week: A Properly British Celebration of Tea, Treats and Togetherness

There are few things more delightfully British than sitting down for a proper afternoon tea. 

Freshly brewed tea, delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones piled with jam and cream, and cakes that almost look too good to eat all combine to create one of the nation’s favourite traditions. 

That is exactly why Afternoon Tea Week has become such a popular date in the culinary calendar.

Held each August,  (10th to the 16th this year) Afternoon Tea Week celebrates the timeless charm of this wonderfully indulgent ritual while encouraging people to support hotels, cafés, tearooms and restaurants serving their own delicious takes on the experience.

A Tradition Steeped in History

Afternoon tea dates back to the 1840s and is widely credited to Anna Russell, who reportedly became peckish during the long gap between lunch and dinner. Her solution was simple but inspired: tea, bread, cakes and light refreshments served in the afternoon.

What started as a private snack soon became a fashionable social occasion among the upper classes, eventually evolving into the elegant tradition we know today.

Fast forward to modern Britain and afternoon tea has become accessible to everyone, whether enjoyed in a luxury hotel, a cosy village tearoom or at home around the kitchen table.

What Makes the Perfect Afternoon Tea?

Opinions vary, naturally. Ask ten people and you will likely get ten different answers — particularly when the great cream-first-or-jam-first debate begins.

However, most traditional afternoon teas include:

Freshly brewed tea

Finger sandwiches

Warm scones with clotted cream and jam

Small cakes and pastries

A relaxed atmosphere and good company

Many venues now put their own spin on the concept with themed teas, seasonal menus, vegan options, cocktail teas and even afternoon teas inspired by films, books and television shows.

The Rise of Themed Afternoon Teas

One of the reasons Afternoon Tea Week continues to grow in popularity is the creativity now involved.

Hotels and restaurants across the UK increasingly offer imaginative experiences such as:

Gin afternoon teas

Chocolate-themed teas

Festive Christmas afternoon teas

Garden-inspired teas

Afternoon teas featuring local produce

Vintage and retro-inspired menus

Some venues even serve miniature burgers, sliders or savoury pastries alongside traditional sweet treats for a modern twist.

Why Afternoon Tea Still Matters

In a fast-moving world dominated by takeaway coffees and meals eaten on the go, afternoon tea encourages people to slow down and enjoy a moment of comfort and conversation.

It is not just about food and drink. It is about:

Catching up with friends

Celebrating birthdays and special occasions

Enjoying family time

Supporting independent hospitality businesses

Treating yourself without needing an excuse

Raising funds for good causes

There is also something wonderfully nostalgic about it. The clink of teacups, the scent of freshly baked scones and the sight of a tiered cake stand instantly create a sense of occasion.

Supporting Local Tearooms and Cafés

Afternoon Tea Week is also a fantastic opportunity to support local independent businesses.

Across the UK, countless small cafés, bakeries and tearooms put enormous care into their afternoon tea offerings. Many use locally sourced ingredients, homemade cakes and traditional recipes passed down through generations.

For hospitality businesses, Afternoon Tea Week can provide a valuable boost during the summer season, attracting visitors looking for a quintessentially British experience.

Hosting Your Own Afternoon Tea at Home

You do not need a luxury hotel booking to enjoy Afternoon Tea Week. Hosting your own can be both affordable and fun.

A simple homemade afternoon tea could include:

Freshly baked scones

Sandwiches with classic fillings such as cucumber, egg mayonnaise or smoked salmon

Victoria sponge slices

Strawberries and cream

Your favourite tea blend

Add bunting, vintage crockery and a playlist of relaxing music and you have the makings of a wonderfully civilised afternoon.

The Great Scone Debate Lives On

No article about afternoon tea would be complete without mentioning the age-old argument:

Jam first or cream first?

In Cornwall it is generally cream first. In Devon it is usually jam first.

Whichever side you choose, the important thing is that the scone is fresh, warm and generously loaded.

A Week Worth Celebrating

Afternoon Tea Week is a reminder that some traditions never go out of style. Whether you prefer a grand hotel experience with champagne or a homemade cream tea in the garden, it is the perfect excuse to pause, pour another cup and indulge in one of Britain’s greatest culinary traditions.

After all, life is simply better with tea and cake.

Bord Bia Bloom. Where Gardens, Food and Irish Summer Spirit Come Together

There are some events that simply feel like summer has officially arrived, and Bord Bia Bloom is one of them.

Held each year in Dublin’s beautiful and iconic Phoenix Park, Bloom has grown into one of Ireland’s most loved lifestyle festivals, bringing together stunning show gardens, delicious food and drink, live entertainment, crafts, sustainability ideas and a genuine celebration of outdoor living.

For garden lovers, foodies and anyone who simply enjoys wandering around with an ice cream in one hand and a coffee in the other while admiring beautiful flowers, it is a glorious way to spend a day.

Organised by Bord Bia, the event showcases the very best of Irish horticulture, artisan food producers and garden design talent. It is not just about immaculate flowerbeds and perfectly trimmed lawns either. Bloom has become increasingly focused on sustainability, biodiversity and practical ideas that ordinary people can take home to their own gardens.

One of the highlights every year is the collection of spectacular show gardens. These creative spaces range from peaceful retreats filled with pollinator-friendly plants to bold contemporary designs featuring water features, sculptures and innovative planting schemes. 

Many visitors leave inspired to transform a neglected corner of their own gardens, even if reality eventually amounts to buying a new plant pot and promising to mow the lawn more often, if they have a lawn, that is.

The food and drink side of Bloom is equally impressive. Visitors can explore artisan producers offering everything from handmade chocolates and farmhouse cheeses to craft drinks, preserves and freshly baked treats. 

Cooking demonstrations by well-known chefs regularly draw large crowds, while the outdoor dining areas create a relaxed festival atmosphere that perfectly suits the early summer setting.

Bloom also appeals to families thanks to its live music, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Children can discover nature trails, gardening workshops and wildlife displays, while adults often find themselves suddenly very interested in composting techniques and raised vegetable beds.

Additionally, the RTÉ Stage will provide entertainment throughout the festival, featuring a variety of its most-loved programming and live musical performances to keep attendees of all ages abuzz! 

Perhaps one of the biggest strengths of Bord Bia Bloom is the mood. Unlike some large events that can feel rushed and overwhelming, Bloom manages to feel welcoming and leisurely. It encourages visitors to slow down, enjoy the surroundings and appreciate simple pleasures, fresh flowers, good food, warm weather and a beautifully kept park.

In a world dominated by screens and endless notifications, there is something wonderfully refreshing about spending a day surrounded by plants, creativity and people genuinely enjoying the outdoors.

For many visitors, Bloom is not simply a gardening show. It is a celebration of Irish summer living at its very best.

 Laura Douglas, Head of Bloom and Brand Partnerships, Bord Bia told That's Food and Drink: “It's incredibly exciting to mark Bord Bia Bloom’s 20th year, and we have a brilliant programme planned.

" From cutting-edge garden design and polytunnel talks, to live cookery demonstrations, sustainable fashion tips, yoga classes and much more there truly is no other festival quite like Bloom.  

We are well underway preparing our 70-acre site in the Phoenix Park to welcome visitors once again, and we encourage people to secure tickets in advance so they can fully soak up everything the Bloom bank holiday weekend has to offer.” 

Bord Bia Bloom will take place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin from Thursday, May 28th to Monday, June 1st from 9am-6pm each day. Head to bordbiabloom.com to book your tickets and start planning your visit.  

Tickets are €35 per adult, €30 for concessions (plus booking fee). Up to two children aged 16 and under can enter for free with every adult ticket (additional child tickets €5 (plus booking fee)) making Bloom a great day out for all the family.  

Bord Bia is the Irish Food Board https://www.bordbia.ie

New Chocolate & Cherry Patisserie Pot from Bonne Maman

Cherry and chocolate lovers rejoice! Bonne Maman has introduced their new Chocolate & Cherry Patisserie Pot to the chilled desserts range. 

An irresistibly complex, layered dessert designed to delight the senses with three perfectly complementary flavours and absolutely no artificial colours or flavourings!

Designed for the ultimate indulgence, each pot invites dessert lovers to dive into a light, airy chocolate mousse resting on a vibrant, sweet cherry compote, all perfectly balanced by a satisfyingly buttery biscuit base.

Presented in packs of 2 x 90g pots, the new Bonne Maman Chocolate & Cherry Patisserie Pot is now available at Waitrose and Morrisons stores nationwide, plus will be available at Tesco stores from May. RRP £2.60. 

Norma Launches New Spring/Summer Menu and Sicilian Weekend Brunch in Fitzrovia

Norma is a characterful townhouse restaurant on Charlotte Street, celebrating the bold, sun-soaked flavours of Sicilian cuisine with Moorish influences.

Set across three floors, the space blends old-school Italian hospitality with the charm of a grand café culture found in Sicily, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and inviting. 

Norma has become something of a hidden gem in central London, known for its intimate feel, loyal following and quietly refined approach to dining.

The menu reflects Sicily's rich culinary heritage, shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, with a focus on seasonality, provenance and generous, flavour-led cooking.

The Menu

For spring/summer, Norma has introduced a refreshed seasonal menu celebrating Sicilian flavours using the best of British and Italian produce. The new dishes balance bold Mediterranean cooking with lighter seasonal ingredients, shaped by the restaurant's Sicilian roots and Moorish influences.

New small plates include burrata with asparagus, endive shavings, almond dressing and truffle, scallops confit with agrodolce truffle salsa and kumquat, and seared tuna with harissa honey, mint salsa and lemon aioli. Signature favourites remain alongside seasonal additions like beef carpaccio with baba ganoush salsa and beetroot-cured salmon with blood orange labneh and fennel pollen. 

Pasta continues to sit at the heart of the menu, with dishes including black tagliolini with Devon crab and spicy burro bianco, flourless gnocchi with clams, bottarga and black garlic, and paccheri with pulled beef shin and bone marrow. Norma's signature rigatoni alla Norma remains a centrepiece of the offering. 

Larger plates showcase the rich, spice-led flavours associated with Sicilian cuisine, from glazed black cod with marsala and chestnuts to Levantine lamb shank with pomegranate molasses and coriander, alongside the restaurant's signature aubergine parmigiana. Seasonal vegetable dishes including Romanesco cauliflower with almond labneh and charred heritage carrots complete the menu.

Weekend Brunch

Available exclusively on Saturdays from 11.30am to 4.30pm, Norma's Sicilian-inspired brunch is designed around generous sharing plates and leisurely dining. Priced at £37.50 per person, the three-course menu includes dishes such as 

pan baked frittata with melting provolone, cannellini bean hummus with harissa and focaccia crostini, giant couscous with wild mushrooms and fresh truffle, and Norma's signature aubergine parmigiana, followed by desserts including ricotta and cherry cheesecake and crema bruciata. Guests can also upgrade with 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco or beer for an additional £15 per person. 

Private Dining & Events

Norma offers an intimate setting for private dining and special occasions:

Third Floor Private Dining Room – ideal for groups of 10–12

The townhouse layout creates a sense of exclusivity, making it particularly suited to celebrations, gatherings and discreet dining.

Norma, Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2LS.

https://normalondon.com

Duncan Gray eighth family member to lead north-east Scotland’s flagship Turriff Show

Local Aberdeenshire Farmer and employee of Duncan Farms, Duncan Gray, will become the eighth family member to serve as Turriff Show President. 

“It is a great honour to stand as the President of Turriff show this year, and is a role held by many generations on both sides of my family. 

"Having never missed a show, I see firsthand, the dedication from our local community to make this prestigious event a vibrant gathering for businesses, farmers, local communities, and visitors from afar. It stands as Scotland’s largest two-day agricultural show, thanks to the commitment, loyalty and community spirit of the people involved who build it year after year," Duncan told That's Food and Drink.

“I'm delighted to have Duncan Farms Ltd as this year's Main Sponsor.  I have been part of their team for 24 years, alongside running our family farm. 

"I really appreciate the support received over the past few years. Their decision to sponsor this year's show further demonstrates the community support around myself and the show.” 

Established in 2011 and based in Aberdeenshire, Duncan Farms is a family-run business producing sustainable, traceable, quality eggs, from their free-range hens.  

Now preparing for its 162nd year, Turriff Show will take place on Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd August 2026 and promises two unforgettable days filled with the opportunity to experience the very best of Scottish agriculture.  

Recognised for its celebration of local food, farming and equestrian talent, the event continues to welcome around 24,000 visitors each year. 

Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to bring people together from all backgrounds to enjoy its impressive livestock competitions, trade stands and exceptional local food and drink producers. 

An entertaining ‘tractor football’ match will take place in the main ring on the Sunday, and on the second day visitors will see the return of “The March of Time”, which was last held in 2014 and said to be “a captivating procession of agricultural machinery from through the ages” offering a real-life current-time travelling journey through farming history. 

Show Co-ordinator, Debbie Mackie, serving her first year in the role, shared her excitement with our rewders: “I’m thrilled to be appointed to this role. While my family and I have been involved for many years, I will now be responsible for supporting the Presidential team and the committee and carrying out additional administrative duties in the preparing and running of the Turriff Show.” 

“This year we’ve got an exciting headline act joining the main stage of our Marquee Dance. This ever-popular party evening is on Friday 31st July, featuring live music from one of Scotland’s most exciting and sought-after live acts, Scottish singer-songwriter Cammy Barnes who will bring the night to life with his contemporary country and Scottish music. Demand is already high, so we’d recommend booking as soon as you can if you want to come along. 

“Monday of the show will host the Blue Texel National Sheep Show in the sheep area which can be located on the map visitors will receive as they enter the grounds, so we are expecting a turnout of top-quality pedigree sheep from across Scotland and the rest of the UK.” 

Turriff Show remains renowned for its impressive £88,000 exhibitor prize fund, over 330 trophies, and 1,554 competition classes. These span everything from award-winning cattle, sheep, horses, working dogs, pigeons, and vintage vehicles, as well as home-baking, vegetable growing and floristry, celebrating the full breadth of Scottish agriculture and rural life.  

Visitors can take their time wandering through the 300+ exhibitor stands comprising of local businesses, food and drink makers, and talented arts and crafts creators from across Aberdeenshire and beyond.  

Ladies’ Day continues to be a highlight of the local social calendar, this year’s “The Show Must Go On” will be being held on Sunday 26th July in the Turriff Show Marquee. Tickets went live earlier this month and sold out within minutes. The day, now in its seventh year, will raise money for Friends of Neuro Ward and the Scottish chairty Air Ambulance. 

Debbie concludes: “If you haven’t been to Turriff Show before, make this year the one you try something different at the show; there is so much to explore. Our Facebook and Instagram pages are highlighting 100 reasons to come to Turriff Show, so you’ll be able to see that there’s plenty to do and plan ahead.”  

With hundreds of attractions and experiences on offer, Turriff Show 2026 promises something for everyone to enjoy.  

For updates and more information, follow Turriff Show on social media:  

Turriff Show will take place Sunday 2 and Monday 3 August 2026 at the Haughs, Queen’s Road, Turriff, AB53 4EF.

Turriff Show is a registered charity, first established in 1864 and is now the biggest two-day agricultural show in Scotland, attracting around 24,000 visitors annually  

Turriff Show offers over £88,000 worth of prize money and have over 1,500 exhibitor classes 

In 2026 the show will host the Scottish Blue Texel National Show.

https://www.turriffshow.org

Turn Your Cafe, Pub, Restaurant or Hotel Into a Mini Art Gallery

For many people, a favourite cafe, cosy pub, stylish bar or welcoming hotel is about far more than food and drink. 

It's also about atmosphere, personality and experience. 

One increasingly popular way to create that unique atmosphere is by transforming your venue into a mini art gallery featuring work from talented local artists.

Not only can this make your walls look more interesting and vibrant, it can also help support the local creative community while giving your business an extra talking point that keeps customers coming back.

Why Art Works in Hospitality Venues

Blank walls rarely inspire conversatin. Original artwork, however, can instantly create warmth, character and intrigue.

Customers often enjoy discovering paintings, photography, illustrations, mixed media pieces and local landscapes while enjoying a coffee, pint, meal or overnight stay. Art can help make your venue feel more independent, community-focused and memorable compared with chain competitors.

It can also encourage visitors to linger longer. Someone admiring artwork over a second coffee or another glass of wine is no bad thing for business.

Hotels can particularly benefit by creating themed displays linked to the local area, history or culture, giving guests something unique to remember about their stay.

Supporting Local Artists

Many talented artists struggle to find affordable places to showcase their work. Traditional galleries can be expensive, competitive or intimidating for newcomers.

By offering wall space in your venue, you can provide artists with valuable exposure to a wider audience. Your customers may include people who would never normally step into an art gallery but may happily buy a piece while out for lunch or drinks.

This creates a genuine win-win arrangement:

Your venue gains attractive artwork

Artists gain visibility and sales opportunities

Customers enjoy a more interesting environment

How to Get Started

You do not need to turn your business into a formal gallery overnight. Start small and build gradually.

Choose Suitable Spaces

Look for areas with:

Good lighting

Clear wall space

Steady customer footfall

Protection from accidental damage

Restaurants and pubs may prefer framed works behind seating areas rather than narrow walkways where artwork could be knocked.

Hotels can use corridors, lounges, reception areas and bedrooms to showcase different artists.

Create Simple Display Rules

It helps to establish a few clear guidelines:

Preferred artwork sizes

Framing requirements

Hanging methods

Insurance responsibilities

Display periods

Commission arrangements

Some venues charge no commission at all, while others may take a small percentage of any sale. Others simply allow artists to display their work in exchange for publicity and atmosphere enhancement.

Add Artist Information

Small information cards beside each piece can make a huge difference.

Include:

Artist name

Artwork title

Price

Contact details or website

Social media handles

QR codes can work particularly well, allowing customers to instantly view an artist’s portfolio or purchase directly online.

Host Special Art Evenings

Once you build relationships with artists, consider hosting:

Meet-the-artist evenings

Launch nights

Wine and art events

Live painting demonstrations

Charity exhibitions

These events can attract entirely new customers into your venue and generate valuable social media content.

Use Social Media to Promote the Artwork

Feature artists regularly on your Facebook, Instagram and website.

Behind-the-scenes posts showing artwork being installed can perform well online, especially when local communities share and support creative projects.

Tagging artists also helps expand your reach to their followers.

Rotate Exhibitions Regularly

Changing artwork every month or every season keeps your venue feeling fresh and gives customers a reason to return.

A rotating programme also allows you to support more artists across the year.

Art Can Become Part of Your Identity

Over time, your venue may become known locally as a place that actively supports creativity and independent artists. That reputation can help strengthen customer loyalty and community goodwill.

In a competitive hospitality market, creating a welcoming and culturally engaging atmosphere can help your cafe, restaurant, pub, bar or hotel stand out from the crowd.

Sometimes the difference between a good venue and a memorable one is simply what people see when they look around the room.

The Great Restaurant Toilet Contradiction: Touchless Everything… Except the Soap Dispenser?

Modern restaurant toilets are increasingly packed with technology designed to improve hygiene. 

Walk into many pubs, cafés, bars or restaurants today and you may find touchless flushing toilets, automatic taps, motion-sensor hand dryers and even doors that glide open without anyone touching a handle.

It all sounds wonderfully futuristic and hygienic.

And then comes the soap dispenser.

The one thing every single person in the room must physically touch with potentially dirty hands before washing them.

It is one of the great modern contradictions of public washroom design.

Businesses spend thousands fitting sensor-operated toilets and taps in an attempt to create a cleaner, more professional environment, only to install a manual soap pump right in the middle of the process. It rather defeats the point.

Think about it logically.

The flush is touchless because nobody wants to touch a button used by hundreds of strangers.

The tap is touchless because people do not want to contaminate surfaces after washing their hands.

Yet before any cleaning can even begin, customers are expected to press a soap dispenser that has potentially been handled all day long by people arriving with dirty hands.

From a hygiene point of view, it makes very little sense.

In some restaurant toilets, the soap dispenser can end up being the dirtiest object in the entire room simply because everybody touches it before they wash their hands. In busy venues, especially during weekend service, football matches, concerts or holiday periods, that is a lot of contact.

Customers notice these things too.

People are far more hygiene-aware than they used to be. The pandemic changed attitudes permanently. Many customers now actively appreciate venues that make genuine efforts to improve cleanliness and reduce unnecessary contact points.

That is why the half-finished approach feels so odd.

A fully touchless washroom experience is no longer difficult or prohibitively expensive. Automatic soap dispensers are widely available, battery-powered units are simple to install, and many are surprisingly affordable even for independent venues.

For restaurants, pubs and hotels, consistency matters.

If you are advertising modern hygiene standards, then the customer journey should make sense from beginning to end. Otherwise it creates an unintentionally comic situation where visitors wave their hands theatrically under taps and flush sensors… before poking a sticky plastic soap button that has survived since 2007.

Of course, there is also the practical reality that some touchless systems are temperamental. We have all experienced taps that refuse to recognise hands, dryers that activate for no apparent reason, or toilet sensors determined to flush while you are still sitting there.

But when touchless systems work properly, they genuinely improve convenience and hygiene.

Which is why the untouched elephant in the room remains the soap dispenser.

If businesses are going to embrace sensor-operated toilets and taps, perhaps it is finally time to complete the job properly and remove the one thing everybody still has to touch before getting clean in the first place.

Bluebird Chelsea Flower Show Menu 2026: English Garden Dining Experience

Celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show with a limited-edition English Garden Menu at Bluebird Chelsea. Enjoy seasonal dishes, floral cocktails and Champagne for £40 per person.

If there’s one time of year when London truly comes alive, it’s during the Chelsea Flower Show, and this year, Bluebird Chelsea is celebrating in serious style.

For one glorious week only, this King’s Road favourite is transforming seasonal dining into a full sensory experience with its limited-edition English Garden Menu, and it’s every bit as elegant, colourful and uplifting as you’d hope.

Running from 18th to 24th May, the menu is priced at a very tempting £40 per person, complete with a glass of Louis Pommery Brut to get things off to a sparkling start. It’s the kind of experience that feels tailor-made for a post-show treat or a special springtime outing.

And what a menu it is.

The experience opens with a beautifully presented Garden Vegetable & Flower Bed Salad, think delicate, vibrant and bursting with flavour. With mushroom “soil”, cauliflower purée, carrot dressing and a punchy carrot top pesto, it’s a dish that looks as impressive as it tastes.

For the main event, diners can tuck into Applewood Roasted Quail, served with an orchard-inspired sauce and a medley of seasonal vegetables. 

It’s refined, comforting and perfectly in tune with the season. Sharing sides of tomatoes and courgette flowers keep the garden theme going strong.

Then comes dessert, a playful, nostalgic PBJ Ice Cream Sandwich. Made with sunflower seed and peanut butter ice cream paired with English strawberry jam, it’s a fun and flavour-packed finale that rounds things off beautifully.

Of course, no Chelsea celebration would be complete without something special to sip. Bluebird’s courtyard terrace, already one of the most stylish spots in the area, will be serving a selection of floral cocktails in collaboration with The Lost Explorer. Expect botanical notes, fresh flavours and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments.

Perfectly located on King’s Road, Bluebird Chelsea is right at the heart of the action, making it an ideal stop for lunch, dinner or a relaxed glass of fizz during Flower Show week.

If you’re looking to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy seasonal British flavours and treat yourself to something a little bit special, this is one not to miss.

Address: 350 King's Rd, London, SW3 5UU

Instagram: @bluebirdrestaurants

bluebird-restaurant.co.uk

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show

Low-Pressure Cooking’ Is the 2026 Food Trend We All Need, Says Wellness Expert

How a more relaxed approach to meal-making is helping people feel better about food in 2026.

A wellness expert is spotlighting the rise of ‘low-pressure cooking,’ a more relaxed, realistic approach to meal preparation that prioritises ease and nourishment over perfection.

From rotating five simple meals to embracing imperfect presentation, the expert shares practical ways to take the stress out of everyday cooking.

Wellness expert believes that removing unrealistic expectations around food can have a meaningful impact on mental well-being

For years, cooking culture has been shaped by an impossible standard. 

Social media feeds filled with flawless plating, complicated recipes, and restaurant-quality results at home set a bar that most people were never realistically going to clear.

The pressure to produce something impressive, every single night, on a budget, after a long day, quietly turned one of life's most basic pleasures into a source of stress.

Now, that mindset is beginning to change. In 2026, more people are stepping back from the idea that a meal has to be perfect to be worthwhile. Instead, a quieter, more sustainable approach is taking hold, one that puts enjoyment, flexibility, and nourishment at the centre of the kitchen, not performance.

Dr. Eleni Nicolaou, Art Therapist and Creative Wellness Expert at Davincified, a premium platform helping people experience the therapeutic benefits of creativity through personalized paint-by-numbers kits, has a name for it: low-pressure cooking.

“Low-pressure cooking is about releasing yourself from the idea that every meal needs to be an achievement,” says Dr. Nicolaou. “When we remove that expectation, cooking stops feeling like a task to get right and starts feeling like something we actually want to do.”

Below, Dr. Nicolaou explores what's driving this shift, why it matters for our wellbeing, and how anyone can start applying it at home.

What Is Low-Pressure Cooking?

Low-pressure cooking isn't a diet, a method, or a set of rules. It's a mindset, one that treats meal preparation as a practical, everyday act rather than a performance. It means choosing meals that are simple and satisfying, using shortcuts without guilt, and accepting that a plate of pasta with whatever's left in the fridge is just as valid as something that took two hours to prepare.

“It's about cooking that works for your actual life,” Dr. Nicolaou told That’s Food and Drink. “Not the life you see on a recipe blog, but the one where you're tired, short on time, and just need to eat something decent. That's reality, and it deserves to be met with kindness rather than criticism.”

Why Perfection Is Losing Its Appeal

The cultural obsession with picture-perfect meals has had a long run, but the cracks are showing. Burnout, rising food costs, and a broader reassessment of what wellbeing looks like in daily life have all played a part. People are increasingly unwilling to spend their limited energy chasing an aesthetic that serves no one at the dinner table.

“There's been a reckoning with the idea that more effort always equals more value,” says Dr. Nicolaou.

“In wellness, we see this across the board: people are questioning whether the pressure they put on themselves is actually serving them. Cooking is no different.”

The Mental Health Benefit of Lowering Kitchen Pressure

The connection between cooking and mental health is well-documented. Preparing food can be calming, but only when it doesn't come loaded with expectation. When cooking becomes another arena where people feel they're falling short, it stops being restorative and starts adding to the weight of the day.

“In art therapy, we talk a lot about the difference between creating for expression and creating for evaluation,” Dr. Nicolaou explains. “When people stop trying to produce something perfect and just allow themselves to make something, the experience becomes completely different and far more beneficial. The same principle applies in the kitchen.”

Why This Trend Can Save Money, Too

Low-pressure cooking and smarter budgeting turn out to be natural partners. Simpler meals make better use of what's already in the cupboard, reduce food waste, and rely on affordable staples that stretch across multiple meals. At a time when food costs are still a real concern, that’s a practical benefit to keep in mind.

Practical Tips From Dr. Nicolaou

Dr. Nicolaou shares six ways to bring a low-pressure approach into your everyday cooking routine.

1. Keep Staple Ingredients at Home

Tinned tomatoes, pasta, rice, eggs, and frozen vegetables mean there's always something to work with. 

“Knowing you have the basics covered removes a huge amount of daily decision-making,” says Dr. Nicolaou.

2. Rotate Five Easy Meals

Identify five meals you enjoy and can pull together without much effort. Rotating these through the week removes the mental load of planning from scratch each time.

3. Accept Imperfect Presentation

A meal doesn't need to look good to nourish you. 

“We've been conditioned to see presentation as a marker of effort,” says Dr. Nicolaou. “But food that's been made with care and eaten with enjoyment has done its job, regardless of how it looks on the plate.”

4. Use Time-Saving Appliances

Air fryers, slow cookers, and rice cookers exist for a reason. Using them is a sensible use of available tools, not a shortcut to be ashamed of.

5. Cook Enough for Leftovers

Doubling a recipe and eating it across two days halves the number of times you need to cook. Reframing leftovers as a win rather than a compromise makes a real difference.

6. Prioritise Nourishment Over Novelty

A decent, nutritious meal is more important than how it looks. 

“Food's primary job is to nourish you,” says Dr. Nicolaou. “Everything else, the creativity, the variety, the presentation, is a bonus, not a requirement.”

Dr. Eleni Nicolaou, Art Therapist and Creative Wellness Expert at Davincified, comments:

“Perfection is quietly leaving the kitchen, and that's a good thing. For too long, the pressure to cook elaborate, visually impressive meals has made something that should feel natural into something that feels demanding. In 2026, success at home is less about what ends up on the plate and more about consistency, ease, and feeling good around food.

“Low-pressure cooking reflects something broader: a desire to make everyday life calmer and more manageable. When we stop measuring our meals against an impossible standard, cooking becomes something we can actually sustain, and even enjoy. That shift, small as it might seem, can have an impact on how we feel day to day.”

https://www.davincified.com

JERMS Lands in Boots: The Gut Health Brand Making Wellness Simpler

Gut health continues to dominate the food and drink conversation, and one emerging UK brand is making a serious move into the mainstream. JERMS has secured a nationwide rollout across 700 Boots stores this April, an impressive debut that signals just how quickly the category is evolving.

For a challenger brand, this is no small feat. The expansion comes after strong early success in retailers such as Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, Selfridges and Whole Foods Market, alongside rapid growth through its direct-to-consumer channel. Notably, around 75% of its sales are driven by subscriptions and returning customers, a clear sign that once people try it, they stick with it.

Founded by Louise Macnab, the brand was born from personal experience. After dealing with ongoing gut issues including SIBO, fatigue and brain fog, she set out to create something far simpler than the typical supplement routine. Instead of juggling multiple products, JERMS focuses on a single daily solution designed to support the gut as a complete system.

That philosophy sits at the heart of its flagship product, Daily Gut. Rather than spotlighting one trendy ingredient, it combines prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics into one formulation. It reflects a growing understanding that the gut isn’t just about digestion, it plays a role in energy levels, mood, metabolism and even appetite.

This “all-in-one” approach is increasingly resonating with shoppers who are tired of complicated wellness routines. In a crowded market, simplicity is quickly becoming a key selling point, and retailers are taking notice.

The Boots rollout has been delivered in partnership with Ind!e, a distributor known for backing fast-growing brands. The collaboration highlights a wider shift in the industry, where innovation and clarity are winning shelf space over complexity.

JERMS also leans into ingredient innovation, incorporating components such as Feiolix®, a natural extract studied for its ability to support the body’s GLP-1 response and enhance beneficial gut bacteria. It’s another sign of how the gut health category is moving towards more science-led, functional solutions.

For shoppers, the big takeaway is simple: gut health is no longer niche, and it’s becoming easier to support without overhauling your entire routine.

With its nationwide Boots launch, JERMS isn’t just expanding its reach, it’s helping redefine what modern gut health looks like: straightforward, effective, and built for everyday life.

https://wearejerms.com

www.boots.com