That's Food and Drink: Tired of bland snacks? The Sainsbury's and CRAVE h...

That's Food and Drink: Tired of bland snacks? The Sainsbury's and CRAVE h...: Challenger brand CRAVE has secured listings in selected Sainsbury's stores for its recently re-launched snacks: Pickled Onion Noughties ...

7 Top Tips for a Festive European Cheeseboard Chef Raymond Blanc OBE Offers His Suggestions for Christmas

All over Europe and indeed beyond, a cheeseboard is a popular way to celebrate time together and the Christmas holiday period always presents plenty of time to dedicate an evening (or afternoon!) enjoying generous board of tasty European cheeses.

For Raymond Blanc OBE, who is the Chef Patron of the two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, cheese is an integral part of any French celebration. 

Raymond is widely known for bringing his passion for French cuisine to the UK and delivering one of the finest dining experiences in the UK. Diners can also find the very best artisan cheeses on the restaurant cheeseboards.

Raymond says: “No French dinner is complete without cheese and obviously, without a doubt, a cheeseboard would have to be extra special at Christmas.

I would always choose a selection of soft, hard and blue cheeses from my home town and elsewhere, including a Brillat-Savarin, Mont d'Or, Comté (36 months), Bleu de Gex and a Tomme de Savoie.

Presentation is clearly very important and to add a touch of luxury to a festive cheeseboard, I would be sure to have an apricot, vanilla & Jura wine compote or a homemade apple orchard chutney and finally a large glass of pinot noir. Joyeux Noël!”

For those wanting to perfect their cheeseboard offering, below are some top tips.

1/ Before serving cheese, leave it outside the fridge for at least 90 minutes in order to release the full flavours, aromas and texture of the cheese.

2/ Make sure you use a board that won't harm the delicate flavours of the cheese - metal plates and trays are a big 'non'.

3/ Offer a diverse choice of cheeses that complement each other in terms of taste and texture. At a minimum, make sure you have at least one soft, hard and blue cheese but to really impress your guests five is the magic number. For something a little different you could also present a cheese board that brings together cheeses from a specific region - such as the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Such cheeses could include: a Tomme de Savoie - a semi-hard cheese, Reblochon - a soft washed-rind and smear-ripened cheese, Abondance – a hard cheese, Saint-Félicien – a bloomy rind soft cheese and Bleu d'Auvergne.

4/ Provide a knife for each cheese to avoid cross contamination of flavours and leave enough space between the cheeses to allow for guests to cut and remove their cheese easily.

5/ Place the cheeses from the mildest to the strongest in a clockwise direction; this helps people to taste in the best sensory order.

6/ Use your creativity and add a few decorative touches to your cheese platter: dried fruit, fresh fruit, fruit jellies, seeds, aromatic herbs, edible flowers, etc.

7/ Prepare festive labels with the name of each cheese so that your guests don't have to ask you.

Many cheeses are available through large supermarkets but if you want to get your hands on the true artisanal cheeses visit your local dairy, cheesemonger or search online.

That's Books and Entertainment: Darling Jake, Love, discovery and sequins – one ma...

That's Books and Entertainment: Darling Jake, Love, discovery and sequins – one ma...: A sequel to Keith Bond’s first book, Jake, this warm and optimistic story follows the protagonist as he continues his journey into adulthood...

That's Books and Entertainment: That's Food and Drink: The Complete Airfryer by Sa...

That's Books and Entertainment: That's Food and Drink: The Complete Airfryer by Sa...: That's Food and Drink: The Complete Airfryer by Sam & Dom Milner : Once or twice a month I visit the offices of my main employer in ...

Carol! It's Christmas: Brand-New Festive Show comes to Sheffield

Carol! It's Christmas is full of surprises and is told via The Glitterbomb Dancers’ signature high energy dance, sugar high pop, drag and comedy.

Just when you thought Christmas couldn’t get any camper, The Glitterbomb Dancers return to Sheffield to unveil their second remake of a Christmas classic, presented by Theatre Deli.

This time, the Leeds-based queer cabaret dance troupe are messing with the Dickensian staple: A Christmas Carol. An 80s Christmas party. A boss named Carol who thinks the holiday season has gotten too silly. And the Cher’s of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who teach her just how fun and outrageous the holidays can be in this adult festive show. 

Full of surprises and told through The Glitterbomb Dancers’ signature high energy dance, sugar high pop, drag and comedy, Carol! It’s Christmas will run at Theatre Deli’s venue near to Bramall Lane Stadium from Thursday 14th December - Sunday 31st December, with matinee and evening performances. The run will include BSL and audio-described showings, and all performances will be relaxed with the option to use Theatre Deli’s dedicated calm room.

Carol! It’s Christmas will be Theatre Deli’s first Christmas show and first original production since the organisation opened its Arley Street venue in March 2023. The Glitterbomb Dancers will continue to spread their brand of camp Christmas joy across Sheffield this festive season as they perform their show Cracked Nuts at Sheffield Drama Studio.

Best enjoyed with a drink and a good laugh, bag yourself an early bird ticket from just £17! Or if you want to treat yourself or someone special to a VIP ticket with pre-show entertainment and a bottle for the ultimate Christmas party, go for it! 

You will never watch A Christmas Carol in quite the same way again!

Dr Joseph Mercia, Producer and Co-Director for Glitterbomb Dancers for the Glitterbomb Dancers said: “We are very excited to be working with Theatre Deli on this project, who share our passion for making interesting, fun and accessible art happen around Yorkshire!“

Daljnder Singh, Executive Producer for Theatre Deli Sheffield said: “We're thrilled to be working with the fabulous Glitterbomb Dancers to present our festive co-production 'Carol! It's Christmas”

Carol, Its Christmas will run from 14th - 31st December 2023 at Theatre Deli, Cuthbert House, Arley Street, S2 4QP. Early bird tickets are available until 30th September. Tickets can be booked at https://www.theatredeli.co.uk. 

That's Food and Drink: The Complete Airfryer by Sam & Dom Milner

That's Food and Drink: The Complete Airfryer by Sam & Dom Milner: Once or twice a month I visit the offices of my main employer in Liverpool. In the staff kitchen there is an airfryer. I have never used it ...

That's Food and Drink: Waitrose first supermarket to announce leading ani...

That's Food and Drink: Waitrose first supermarket to announce leading ani...: Waitrose is held to be the number one supermarket for animal welfare across the UK and its latest move puts it in the supermarket in the top...

That's Food and Drink: More Reasons to Shop at Morisons as it kicks off '...

That's Food and Drink: More Reasons to Shop at Morisons as it kicks off '...: Morrisons is helping customers stock up, budget and bank extra loyalty card points with the launch of ‘More Month’ this month, September. Th...

Hippychick for perfect Christmas gifting for mums and dads

Any babies or toddlers in your life now? Any expected in the very near future? If so, you really do need to check out the Hippychick website.

Because at https://www.hippychick.com you will find an absolutely wonderful range of all good things for the babies and toddlers in your life, or the lives of other people you know.

There are ride on toys, baby shower gift items and gift sets, bedding, sleep aids, waterproof clothing (well, this is Britain, right?!) weaning aids, toys and loads and loads of top branded items.

Everything you could think of and even some items that you might not have thought of but seriously you do need.

Potties, disposable travel potties, toilet trainers, bikes, trikes, buggy covers, indoor and outdoor toys, bibs, dummies, toys including a classic golf set for the budding Gary Player or Arnold Palmer in your life (it's OK. Just ask your granddad who they are!) play balls, soft toys, back seat organisers, car seat protection mats (now that's a great invention!) a super safe stroller fan to keep your little one cool on a hot walk, stroller parasols, travel cots, breast milk pumps and accessories, tableware, baby carriers and much, much more besides.

Brands stocked include Bumbo, Bumkins, Blinky Crocodile Creek, Classic World, Dooky, Fraupow, HappyHopperz, Hippychick, Moby, Moover, My Buggy Buddy, myHummy, Nattou, Tron, TryBike, Tum Tum, Vilac, Wallaboo and Wheelybug.

Those looking to live a greener lifestyle will be pleased to learn that some pre-loved items are also available.

https://www.hippychick.com

Mandira's Kitchen will bring something special to your family's Christmas feasting

Mandira’s kitchen are an award-winning producer of delicious and authentic Indian food. Their all woman team, which based from a converted 400 year old cowshed, overlooking the magical Silent Pool in the Surrey Hills, create delicious freezer meals, and accompaniments like authentic chutneys and ice creams and also  provide bespoke catering and food experiences like cookery lessons and spice tours. 

All the food is made using fresh produce, contains no gluten or unpronounceable bits and there are vegan and dairy free options. Delivered to any address, the food can be heated within four minutes to give you a wholesome homemade meal.

People who want to enjoy authentic Indian meals over Christmas will be pleased to know that Mandira's Kitchen has all their needs and requirements catered for.

They are, once again, ready to make this Christmas utterly unforgettable with a delightful and stunning array of gifts and celebrations.

This year they have curated their best dishes to ensure that your Christmas party is a real breeze, with the host spending the minimal time in their kitchen.

Or if you like, they can even arrange an exciting new pop-up restaurant, or their wn special catered events?

Looking for gifts for the foodies in your life, then they also have you covered!

All their Christmas offers are detailed here: https://www.mandiraskitchen.com/pages/festive-2023

For delivery UK wide they even have a range of some special new limited edition products for the festive season!

This year, Mandira's Kitchen is thrilled to introduce two exciting new festive additions to their freezer meals menu. Turkey Samosas, a perfect fusion of traditional holiday flavours that are a perfect canape for guests at a party.

To complement the festive spirit, Mandira's Kitchen presents a tantalising Cranberry & Spiced Rum Chutney. Bursting with the tangy sweetness of cranberries and infused with the warmth of locally sourced spiced rum, this chutney is the really ideal accompaniment to the Turkey Samosas.  Both of which will be available from November 2023.