Friday, 11 November 2022
That's Food and Drink: That's Christmas: Pud You Dare? Café Dedicated SOL...
That's Food and Drink: That's Christmas: Pud You Dare? Café Dedicated SOL...: That's Christmas: Pud You Dare? Café Dedicated SOLELY to the Mighty ... : Sainsbury’s are will opening a special café dedicated to the f...
Thursday, 10 November 2022
Thousands of local community groups could unlock further funding through Co-op and Crowdfunder tie-up
The initiative is open to local charities and grass-roots community organisations benefitting from Co-op’s Local Community Fund, with the money raised when Co-op member’s buy own-brand products and services now able to count on Crowdfunder’s funding website towards match funding.
Since 2016, Co-op members have raised £117 million for local communities, including funding for over 30,000 local community projects supporting an estimated 7M people across the UK through the Co-op’s Local Community Fund.
The money works to build stronger and more resilient communities by tackling key issues such as access to food, mental wellbeing support and opportunities for young people, and includes 4,500 community groups who are celebrating after receiving funding support through Co-op's Local Community Fund during the latest round of funding taking place this month.
Through the new partnership, causes who benefit from Co-op’s Local Community Fund can now go on and apply for additional support through the +Extra Funding page on Crowdfunder, with over £10 million in match funding available from Crowdfunder’s national and regional partners.
David Luckin, Co-op’s Head of Community Funding & Impact, said: “We know that costs are rising for local charities and community organisations across the country, while demand for the support they provide is increasing. Now more than ever, causes need access to funding to maintain, build and enhance their projects.
"I'm delighted to see the incredible amounts raised by our Members, simply by choosing Co-op - the Local Community Fund can be a real life-line, promoring the development of stronger, more resilient and fairer communities. That is why we are excited to be launching our partnership with Crowdfunder, a move which gives these local projects the opportunity to unlock further funding and make even more difference to their communities.”
Rob Love, Founder and CEO at Crowdfunder, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the Co-op on this new initiative. UK charities and community causes are calling for support and this partnership will help give these projects access to a range of funds meaning they can top up their fundraising efforts with match funding from a variety of partners we work with at Crowdfunder.”
Further information is available by visiting www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/co-op-community-fund
(Image courtesy Mary Pahlke from Pixabay)
‘They’re coming, be ready’: Argos celebrates the return of the big Christmas get together in its 2022 advert
From the party-goers to the football fans and excited kids, Argos shows this year’s Christmas celebrations are for everyone
Set to premier across ITV and Sky channels from 5:30pm on 9th November, the full advert can be viewed here:
Celebrating the welcomed return of fun-loving, chaotic Christmas get-togethers, Argos’s Christmas advert will air for the first time from 5:30pm across ITV and Sky channels on 9th November.
Through the story of a small family meal that becomes a very lively party, this year’s advert marks the return of Christmas as we know it, with family, friends and neighbours all showing up to celebrate together.
The advert opens on a home decked out with Christmas decorations, where a couple is quietly preparing for the big day. Questioning “so how many are coming”, as he places a bowl of crisps on the table, the wife responds, “hmm just a few”, completely oblivious to the number of people about to descend on their home.
The scene cuts to a crowd of excitable neighbours wearing their festive glad rags and holding presents and champagne flutes chanting “party”. The scene then switches to a group of enthusiastic bakers wearing colourful aprons, running with trifles in hand, before focusing on some children joining the crowd too.
The wine glasses, Christmas tree and bowl of crisps all start to shake as the soundtrack builds in volume, revealing an orchestral version of Opus’ Live is Life, now synonymous with Argos, as the advert focuses on the multitude of people heading towards the house. As the huge crowd approaches the couple look at each other wide-eyed in panic.
As the crowd begins to multiply, the advert then cuts to a couple frantically running with their babies, before following a pair laughing in hysterics with the joke from their already opened Christmas cracker. The scene zooms out to a wide shot of the crowd – charging down the street and including anyone and everyone, from football fans to family and friends with their suitcases and pillows, anticipating a long stay.
The couple, now more aware of the chaos about to greet them, are taking deep breaths and the wife reassures her husband that “It’s going to be okay” before the champagne from the crowd is popped.
The crowd is finally joined by spirited children firing nerf guns, cutting to an aerial shot of the cul-de-sac filled with all of the different groups of people. A message appears on screen: “They’re coming”, “Be ready”.
The couple look at the nibbles and the husband takes out the Argos app, with the Habitat Dipped Speckle Stoneware Serve Bowl on his screen, stating “We’re gonna need a bigger bowl”, showing that Argos has everything you need to make this Christmas extra special. The doorbell then rings, and the Argos logo appears.
Rob Quartermain, who is the Head of Marketing Campaigns, at Argos has said: “We know how difficult the last few years have been for everyone, so we really wanted to bring a smile to viewers faces by highlighting the fun and comedic moments of Christmas get-togethers, along with the unique experience of being able to bring everyone, from all ages and backgrounds, to share a wonderful Christmas together at home. This year’s advert really aims to celebrate that moment, and how Argos has everything you need to make this Christmas truly special.”
This year’s advert was created by The&Partnership. The 30” advert launches for the first time on Wednesday 9th November across TV and on social. Four different 10” edits are also expected to land across TV and on social towards the end of November.
Pud You Dare? Café Dedicated SOLELY to the Mighty Christmas Pudding Is Coming This Month!
One in five Brits and almost a third of Gen Z (31%) believe the traditional Christmas Pudding is on track for extinction.
To get the pud back on the table, the Sainsbury's Pud you Dare Café invites guests to try out a classic Christmas Pudding along with the brand-new Caramelised Biscuit Pudding on 24th & 25th November.
The café is completely FREE and, for every attendee at the café, Sainsbury’s will donate £3 to Comic Relief
The UK’s first ever café dedicated entirely to the Christmas pudding is set to open its doors later this month.
Sainsbury’s is launching the Pud You Dare Café in a bid to get the classic ‘pud’ back on dining tables this festive season. It comes as research reveals that one in five Brits – and almost a third of Gen Z (31%) – believe the traditional Christmas Pudding is on track for extinction, with the average prediction being that it will disappear within three years.
Open in Holborn, London, on 24th and 25th November, the first of its kind café will give pud lovers, sceptics and haters the chance to enjoy several Christmas pudding options that are available at Sainsbury’s.
All generations are invited to embrace the taste of Christmas and open their hearts (and their palates) to the festive icon FOR FREE. Customers can tuck into the classic Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 18 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, alongside the brand-new Taste the Difference Caramelised Biscuit Pudding – as seen in the Sainsbury’s 2022 Christmas advert – with a range of delicious toppings to choose from.
The festive desserts will be complemented by a choice of seasonal tipples, including Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Spiced Ginger Biscuit Irish Cream Liqueur, Taste the Difference Chocolate Mulled Wine and Taste the Difference Cranberry and Orange Presse.
Featuring a fruity sponge to please a range of tastes, the supermarket’s new twist on the traditional Christmas pudding is packed with flavours to appeal to the modern generation. With salted caramel being one of the nation’s favourite dessert flavours (coming second only to chocolate) the new pud on the block will set tastebuds racing. Vine fruits laced with a hint of brandy for a boozy hit are combined with a generous drizzle of spiced caramel sauce and caramelised biscuit crumbs to create a delicious fusion of traditional and modern tastes.
The café follows the recent launch of Sainsbury’s 2022 Christmas advert, which immerses viewers in a medieval fairy tale and depicts a young chef’s quest to reimagine and breathe new life into the traditional Christmas pudding. Starring Alison Hammond and featuring a voiceover from Stephen Fry, the advert celebrates the innovation and creativity of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Christmas range and showcases the Caramelised Biscuit Christmas Pudding.
Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation at Sainsbury’s commented: “The once loved Christmas pudding is at risk of being wiped out across the nation, and we’re making it our mission to ensure it firmly has its place at the dinner table this Christmas Day. That’s why we’re encouraging all generations to try the Christmas classic and save it from extinction. For both long-standing and younger pud sceptics, we’ve also launched a new caramelised biscuit pud this year, giving it a modern twist with salted caramel and biscuit crumbs. We’re sure it will be a hit with everyone at the table – even the pud purists!"
Any surplus food will be provided to Sainsbury’s long-term redistribution partner, FareShare, through their London delivery partner The Felix Project. Sainsbury’s and FareShare continue to work together as part of their shared mission to support communities with access to food.
Pud You Dare Café Details:
Opening Days: Thursday 24th & Friday 25th November 2022
Address: HELLO LOVE, 62–64 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AR
Opening Times: 12pm – 7pm on Thursday 24th November, and 11am – 7pm on Friday 25th November
Cost: FREE
Booking: Via www.opentable.co.uk/r/sainsburys-pud-you-dare-cafe-london
Those already a fan of Christmas pudding, or any new converts following a visit to the Pud You Dare café, can purchase the brand-new Taste the Difference Caramelised Biscuit Pudding, in store and online at Sainsbury’s. A wide range of Christmas puddings are available from Sainsbury’s, with prices starting from £1.
It’s Marg O’Clock! Neurita Tequila launches fruit-infused Tequilas to take Margaritas - the UK’s favourite cocktail - to the next level this Christmas
Margaritas are officially the world’s favourite cocktail, and according to Google Trends, have recently become the UK’s as well.
Neurita Tequila, a very special craft tequila brand, today launches its debut range of two sophisticated yet fun fruit-infused tequilas. Neurita is the only Tequila brand in the UK crafted to make Margarita cocktails delicious and simple for at-home mixology.
Because they’re naturally sweetened with real fruit, there is no need to add triple sec, reducing the classic Margarita recipe to three simple steps and ingredients. More taste, less sugar.
When tequila is this versatile and tasty, it’s always Marg o’ Clock somewhere.
Neurita Tequila is produced authentically in a family-run distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. But unlike other brands that are often overtly traditional, Neurita celebrates its craft credentials with the joy of light and uplifting drinking occasions.
Neurita is changing the status quo by challenging what it means to be a serious Tequila player, providing women and men with a brand that is both sophisticated and fun for everyone to enjoy.
Margarita winter warmer cocktails
The Neurita Citrus Tequila is tangy and bitter-sweet, featuring Sicilian orange and tangerine. It is perfect for the classic Margarita recipe in three simple steps, adding just lime and a dash of agave syrup. But this time of year, try the Spicy Picante, or the seasonal favourite Pumpkin Spice Margarita.
The Neurita Rosa Tequila has sweeter raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate notes. This one is ideal for the brand’s signature Margarita Spritz (see recipe below), or the zesty Paloma.
Changing the perspective on Tequila
A survey carried out by Neurita Tequila shows nearly a third of G&T drinkers admit to disliking the taste of gin, and nearly half of them dislike the tonic. Neurita wants to introduce new flavours to those who want a drink they find truly tasty and enjoyable by showing the versatility of tequila.
The survey shows Tequila is a misunderstood spirit. One in four (39%) do not know how to drink it and over a quarter (28%) thought it would be too much effort to make a Tequila-based drink.
Unsurprisingly, the top spontaneous association with Tequila is shots. Neurita aims to demystify these perceptions by championing the spirit’s spectrum of flavour, quality, and diversity for the longer serve.
Lucy Smith, founder of Neurita Tequila, says: “I've always enjoyed making Margaritas at home with friends, but have never found a Tequila brand that represented the spirit the way I saw it. Most Tequila brands are very serious and I wanted something uplifting, playful, yet credible to change the status quo. Neurita was crafted with women in mind, but we certainly aren’t exclusively for the ladies, from what I have seen the men of the UK are also fans of Marg O’Clock.”
Neurita Margarita Spritz – the brand’s signature serve
Research shows women prefer long serve, refreshing cocktails. When mixing their own drinks at home, they look for ingredients with ‘lower sugar’ and ‘nothing artificial’. With this in mind, the brand created the ‘Neurita Margarita Spritz’, its signature serve. Into a glass filled with ice, add a double shot of any Neurita flavoured Tequila, juice of half a lime, and top with citrus soda. Option: Garnish with lime or berries to serve.
Neurita Citrus Tequila and Neurita Rosa Tequila (both 70cl) sell online for £31.99 from the Neurita Tequila website, Master of Malt, and Amazon. The Neurita Blanco Tequila, with 100% agave and natural citrus notes, will launch in 2023.
Check out this video to learn more
For more information visit www.neurita-tequila.com or go to Instagram on @neuritatequila
This Christmas Enjoy Soko Patisserie's Spectacular Festive Hamper, Brimming With Artisanal Delights
The luxury hamper can be upgraded to include a selection of festive tipples, too.
The Bon Bons
The Soko hamper features the newly launched Christmas artisanal bonbon selection, featuring six contemporary flavours to indulge and enjoy: Black Forest Gateau, Mince Pie, Mandarin Caramel, Almond & Hazelnut Praline, Chestnut & Meringue and Spiced caramel.
Customers will also be utterly delighted with a box of 12 Baileys bon bons featuring a smooth comforting, silky ganache that is simple but big on Bailey's flavour. Ideal with hot chocolate or of course, a glass of Baileys.
A bag of Golden Hazelnut Rochers
The hamper also includes a bag of 10 Golden Hazelnut Rocher's. These delectable handmade treats are Soko's version of a Ferrero Rocher; a smooth rich chocolate ganache with a whole hazelnut in the centre coated in a gold edible dust.
There's only a limited number, so customers do need to make sure to email to pre-order as soon as you can.
Info@sokopatisserie.co.uk
@sokopatisserie
Hamper Contents:
1 x 12 box Christmas selection Bon Bons
1 X 10 bag Golden Rocher's
1 X 12 box SOKO enrobed chocolate selection (Vanilla & Milk chocolate, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Cheesecake, Crispy Praline)
1 x Christmas chocolate tablet (Pistachio & Cranberry)
1 x 12 Baileys Bon Bons
1 Deluxe Panettone
1 x Festive chocolate and orange cake
Choose From:
- Hamper Only £90.00
- Hamper and 1 bottle of Ferrari Sparkling Rose wine £120.00
- Hamper and 1 bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne £150.00
Nationwide Courier Delivery
Choose from two dates, Tuesday 13th December or Tuesday 20th December.
That's Food and Drink: Le Beaujolais Est Arrivé!
That's Food and Drink: Le Beaujolais Est Arrivé!: Beaujolais Nouveau Day celebrates the release of France's most popular vin de primeur. A light and fruity red made from Gamay grapes whi...
Wednesday, 9 November 2022
Christmas Gifts for the Cheese Lovers in Your Life
Cheese throughout the Christmas season is a long and cherished part of our heritage and the perfect festive gift for any foodie this Christmas. Or a fine example of self-gifting if you feel you deserve a little Christmas treat yourself this yuletide season?
Exactly what is available?
Sharpham Devon Cheese & Wine Christmas Feast - £90
A real Devon treat, this hamper comes jam-packed with everything you need for your home festivities. It includes delicious handmade, artisan cheese, a 300g Sharpham Brie, 450g Ticklemore goats' truckle, 450g Rustic Chive & Garlic truckle, 150g Elmhirst and 210g Quicke's Vintage Cheddar alongside a bottle of each of best-selling Sharpham Dart Valley Reserve and Sharpham Pinot Rosé.
For accompaniments there are Sharpham Sourdough Crackers, Original & Rosemary with Sea Salt, Caramelised Fig & Sharpham Pinot Noir Chutney, plus Bramley Apple & Hunts Wobbler Cider Chutney and Ploughman's Hunters Elmhirst Ale Chutneys, both newly developed in partnership with Sharpham's local Devon friends.
Family & Friends Cheese and Wine Tasting Event - £80
Join Greg Parsons, whom is the owner of Sharpham Cheese and Tom Wedgery, winemaker and expert from Sandridge Barton (Sharpham Wine) for their first online tasting event of 2023, taking place at 7pm on Friday 3rd February. A tasting box will be delivered to your door before the event and will include enough for at least six people.
The tasting box includes: Sharpham cheeses; Sharpham Brie, Ticklemore Goats, Rustic Chive & Garlic, the brand new Rushmore cheese, plus Vintage Cheddar from Quicke's. For drinks; Sharpham Estate Selection and Pinot Rose, Elmhirst Ale from Hunters Brewery and Wobbler Cider from Hunts. A Sharpham chutney and a couple of packets of new Sharpham Sourdough Crackers will also be included.
*As a Christmas gift, Sharpham will send the lucky recipients a 'letter box gift” with their voucher, details of the event and a little gift!
The Essential Devon Cheese Board - £25
Features five artisanal cheeses, each made with milk from cows and goats that graze Devon's luscious pastures, crafted with over 100 years of skills and nurtured with love until ready for your cheese board. Includes the Devon classics; Sharpham Brie, Quicke's Mature Cheddar and Ticklemore Devon Blue, plus a 'Grader's Choice' from both Sharpham and Quicke's.
Customers will receive five pieces (circa 300g each) of artisan cheese individually wrapped along with tasting notes for each, all boxed up and ready to go.
Sharpham Celebration Cheese Cake - from £2.20pp
This tower of cheeses is perfect for weddings, parties, corporate events or any reunion. With ten multi-award winning cheeses to choose from, plus crackers and brand new chutneys to complete the centrepiece. Choose from a simple three-tier creation to an extravagant six tier tower crowned with a heart-shaped cheese on top.
The Dart Valley Cheese & Wine Selection - £40
Enjoy Sharpham Cheese's original and most popular selection mix. Rich and buttery Sharpham Brie, delicate Ticklemore, and velvety Sharpham Rustic. Complete with a bottle of Sharpham Dart Valley Reserve 2018 and Peters Yard sourdough crispbreads.
Sharpham Cheese Subscription Service - £30
Each box brings a new discovery, as a curated selection of outstanding cheeses, crackers and condiments is delivered quarterly to your door. Each beautifully and sustainably packaged box will feature three of Sharpham's multi-award winning varieties, a local guest cheese, Peter's Yard sourdough crackers, a Sharpham chutney and tasting notes.
All cheeses are available for home delivery from www.sharphamcheese.co.uk.
Indulgence Without the Guilt! Enjoy the Mavrik Virgin Cocktail Experience
Or perhaps you have been nominated as the responsible driver but sick of sipping water or drinking overly sweet diet drinks?
Worried that the festive merriment may wreak havoc on your healthy eating plans?
Pregnant party animal looking for an alcohol free drink to kickstart the celebrations?
Or perhaps you are tee-total? Or are you looking to lay in some non-alcoholic drinks for friends or family members who don't drink alcohol?
Then we've got some really great news for you! Prepare to switch to Mavrik, an exciting new range of cocktail drinks that are specially created for those choosing to abstain from alcohol or simply moderate their alcohol intake.
Mavrik has launched four non-alcoholic, low calorie cocktails that look good and taste great, setting the brand up as the go-to for free-spirited adults who are happy to avoid alcohol and its after effects.
The story of Mavrik drinks started as a casual conversation about the total lack of desirable non-alcoholic drinks and ended up as an obsession to create a range of great tasting, low calorie and alcohol-free cocktails with a clear WOW factor.
Eighteen months in the making, Mavrik has now hit the shelves, making it possible to enjoy the cocktail experience with none of the negatives associated with drinking alcohol.
These expertly-crafted, all-natural drinks are not just cocktail substitutes, they are something to look forward to and to savour. Mavrik's virgin cocktails are made from the best-quality ingredients, with zero compromise on taste or enjoyment.
Enjoy Mavrik as delicious, long drinks that will leave you feeling fresh, alert and free of that cloying sugary after-taste. Best of all there's a fabulous flavour combination to suit everyone.
AROMATIC G&T: a delicious and refined low calorie pink G&T, without the naughty ingredients.
CUBAN MOJITO: a totally gorgeous, low calorie, indulgent alcohol-free Mojito cocktail inspired by the renowned Cuban highball.
VENETIAN SPRITZ: a refreshing, spirit lifting, low calorie Spritz that takes its cues from the classic Venetian cocktail.
STORM & SPICE: a fiery, tongue tickling, low calorie Dark & Stormy type drink; the alcohol-free version of the classic and spicy Bermudan rum cocktail.
Whether you're looking to cut back on alcohol, go teetotal or simply want to give your body a break, reach for Mavrik. With under 50 calories per a can, they can even fuel your fitness goals and keep you on track, whilst still allowing you to let your hair down and have fun with family and friends.
And with the cost of living crisis hitting the household budget, the handy (recyclable) can format ensures minimal wastage and a real value for money treat.
Mavrik drinks are available to buy online from https://www.mavrik-drinks.com/shop, RRP £9.75 for a tasting pack of all four flavours or create your own mixed case of 12 for £23.80.
And they are guarenteed to be gluten free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, too.
Love Tyrells Crisp? Then you'll really love them over Christmas!
You can have a Tyrrellbly Tyrrellbly Tasty Christmas with Tyrrells Crisps! They are utterly perfect for festive soirees or cosying down with your favourite tipple in front of a much-loved Christmas film, Tyrrells Crisps are made with only the finest British spuds to create the most delicious crisps with its signature curl and crunch.
Tyrrells’ iconic flavours of Lightly Sea Salted (150g), Mature Cheddar & Chive (150g), Veg Crisps (125g), Sweet Chilli and Red Pepper (150g) and Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar (150g) have had a lovely festive makeover to get you in the Christmas spirit ready for this year’s festivities.
A beloved crisp to share with friends and family this Christmas, the new festive packaging is available now in all major retailers, RRP £2.30.
Our favourite Festive Tyrrell's Crisp movie is the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol. What's yours?
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