Saturday 12 August 2023

Friday 11 August 2023

That's Food and Drink: That's Food and Drink Video channel launches

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Waitrose launches its Christmas range for 2023, with more than 140 new products this year

Savvy, wise shoppers are planning ahead as searches for ‘Christmas dinner ideas’ on Waitrose.com has risen 51% compared to the same period last year.

Waitrose has introduced new frozen vegetables and exciting new party food lines to launch from this month, August, to help customers spread the extra cost of Christmas

As the song says, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! Waitrose has launched details of their Christmas range for 2023, and with searches on waitrose.com for ‘Christmas’ increasing by an astonishing 133% compared to last month and searches for ‘Christmas dinner ideas’ are up 51% compared to the same period last year, it’s clear savvy customers are starting to plan ahead for the festive season. 

(EDITOR: That's Christmas has noted a similar increase in visits to our site, plus sister site That's Food and Drink during this time period.)

Martyn Lee, Waitrose's Executive Chef, said: “Our team have had a real blast developing products for Christmas, with over 140 new products this year. So, it’s safe to say we've been really very busy. 

"We feel we want to do Christmas like nobody else this year and with our Ultimate Triple Nut Roast served in a beautiful panettone casing, social media driven Cinnamon Bunettone and great tasting, high welfare Chestnut-fed Galician Serrano Ham, I think we may well have managed to do just that.

"Our customers can be certain when they shop at Waitrose this festive season, they'll have a Christmas to remember with the best quality products that not only look beautiful on their festive table’s but taste amazing.”

Natalie Mitchell, who is the Director of Own Brand at Waitrose, said: “Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of year, friends and family come together to celebrate and enjoy the good stuff! With searches on Waitrose.com already rising, it’s obvious that savvy customers are already planning ahead and our team has put a lot of work into the range to ensure customers can do this with ease. So however you’re celebrating this Christmas you can be sure to celebrate with great tasting, ethically sourced food - we hope our customers love the range just as much as we do!”

Buffet bites and Christmas grazing board

Christmas is really the time to celebrate, whether you’re hosting all your family and friends, or planning a smaller affair with your nearest and dearest, we have a selection of delicious buffet bites and Christmas cheese to help you create a spread to impress. Ensuring you can spend more time with guests and less time in the kitchen this Christmas. We also have seven new additions in our frozen party food range launching in September to allow savvy customers to spread costs and shop ahead this Christmas.

WR Paneer Fries

Waitrose Paneer Fries - Paneer and grilling cheese in a spiced crumb, with mango chutney and crispy onion dip

Waitrose Feta Popcorn with Hot Honey - Bitesize balls of whipped feta, soft cheese and goats cheese, with a quinoa flecked crumb for extra crunch and hot honey dip

Waitrose Red Fox Welsh Rarebit - A deliciously creamy vintage Red Fox bake with a splash of ale and a hint of mustard

Waitrose Shimmering Salmon Mousse - Tender Scottish smoked and poached salmon mousse with a shimmering bronze lustre finish - available as a large sharing centrepiece as part of Waitrose Entertaining and a smaller-scale in shops

Waitrose Old Fashioned Smoked Salmon - Hung and smoked in a traditional kiln over whisky cask oak chips, cured with salt and sugar finished with whisky, orange and bitters 

Waitrose Chestnut-fed Galician Serrano Ham - Sweet and nutty ham made from free range pigs fed with chestnuts

Centrepieces and Sides 

When celebrating over the festive season, it’s no longer just about the traditional turkey that takes pride of place at the big Christmas day lunch. So we have a number of mains to suit all occasions, to ensure your spread is one that will have people talking for years to come. And with higher welfare British beef with room to roam, MSC certified seafood that is responsibly farmed and caught and free-range British turkey - you can be sure your produce has come from farmers we know and trust. 

WR Old Fashioned Glazed Ham

Waitrose Jewelled Stuffed Bronze Turkey Crown - Free Range British Bronze turkey crown with a pork and jewelled fruit stuffing, dry cured smoked streaky bacon, maple butter glaze, star shaped salted butter and a rosemary sprig.

Waitrose Old Fashioned Glazed Ham - 'Sugar pit' dry cured boneless ham with a whisky and orange glaze, candied orange slices and smoke flavoured cherries - available on and off the bone

Waitrose 2 Mini Pork Stuffing Panettoni - Outdoor bred British pork sausage meat has been laced with panettone crumb, raisins, lemon, cherries, sultanas and caramelised orange zest. Our fresh pork is always British and always outdoor bred or free-range.

Waitrose Shredded Sprouts and Cavolo Nero - Spring greens, shredded sprouts and cavolo nero, with crispy maple smoked bacon, coated in a caramelised shallot glaze.

Vegan

With searches for ‘plant based’ on Waitrose.com up 115% compared to the same time last year we wanted to make this our biggest vegan Christmas ever with options for every dish. Meaning you can create a whole plant based menu bursting with flavour, with no compromises. 

WR Ultimate Triple Nut Roast

Waitrose No.1 Ultimate Triple Nut Roast - Richly savoury, with crunchy roasted nuts, sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas and a dash of miso, hand finished with a spiced clementine and apricot chutney glaze. Adorned in whole brazil nuts and almonds.

Waitrose Chestnut and Thyme Plant-Based Turkey Roast and Gravy - Hearty plant based soya turkey roast, packed with thyme-scented chestnut and caramelised onion stuffing, served with a rich cabernet sauvignon gravy

Waitrose No.1 Ultimate Vegan Sharing Wellington - Moreish mushroom duxelle with no ‘beef’ plant based beef braised in a fragrant shallot, garlic and thyme vegetable stock. Hand decorated with holly to finish.

Waitrose Fruity Stuffing Christmas Trees - Apricot and cranberry stuffing decorated with cranberry and a herb breadcrumb

Cakes, Bakes & Desserts 

With over 20 new products across desserts and bakery for 2023, there are plenty of sweet treats to be enjoyed by all this Christmas. From showstopper desserts, to panettone with a modern twist and not forgetting a festive favourite - the mince pie.

WR The Golden Buche De Noel

Waitrose No.1 The Golden Bûche de Noël - Belgian blonde chocolate mousse and silky salted caramel and caramelised biscuit sauce on milk chocolate speckled with caramelised biscuit

Waitrose No.1 Chocolate and Hazelnut Quenelle - Rich hazelnut mousse with a silky milk chocolate sauce hiding inside, on a crisp chocolate base speckled with crunchy feuilletine and cookie crumb

Waitrose Cinnamon Bunattone - Panettone meets cinnamon bun – a light cinnamon-spiced Italian cake with pockets of sweet mascarpone sauce. It’s served with a sachet of cinnamon icing sugar to finish. Made in a family-run bakery in Piedmont, Italy, our bunettone takes over 24 hours to create.

Waitrose No.1 Florentine-inspired Panettone - Buttery panettone speckled with sultanas,  cherries and Sicilian orange peel, swirled with caramel sauce and finished with dark chocolate, cherries, orange peel, almonds and Nocciola Piemonte IGP hazelnuts.

Waitrose Crumble Mince pies with Orange and Cranberry - All butter mince pies filled with zesty mincemeat with a dash of Valencian orange oil, tangy cranberry and a buttery crumble on top.

Waitrose Deer-licious Sticky Toffee Pudding - Sticky Toffee Pudding made with dates and gingerbread spices. To be finished at home with a drizzle of the unctuous toffee sauce before adding the gingerbread antlers.

Waitrose Sicilian Orange and Whisky Christmas Pudding - Richly fruited pudding laced with Scottish whisky and topped with red and blonde glacé cherries, almonds and candied orange then finished with a sticky Sicilian orange sauce.

Gifts

Gift something delicious from Waitrose this Christmas! Including small gestures for the party host, keepsakes that a loved one will cherish and the perfect treats for your Christmas stocking. Also as part of our brand new Winter Village theme you’ll find our Winter Village Chocolate Box, Biscuit Tin and Poinsettia Musical Tin - ready to reuse again year after year!

They’re proud to continue our use of Fairtrade cocoa in all of our own-brand confectionery and as part of our efforts to remove unnecessary packaging where we can, we have removed non recyclable wooden packaging and replaced it with recyclable card - saving over eight tonnes of packaging from going to landfill.

WR Winter Village Chocolate Box

Waitrose Winter Village Chocolate Box - A 3D showstopper with hidden drawers housing tempting chocolates inside 12 dark chocolates made with zesty Valencia orange, and 12 silky milk chocolate salted caramels.

Waitrose Panettone Chocs - Real Italian panettone is mixed into smooth milk chocolate and given a shimmering lustre in our indulgent panettone truffles. With tangy orange peel for extra fruitiness.

Waitrose Merry the Mince Pie - Our new little festive friend, Merry is made from hollow white chocolate with just a touch of milk chocolate.



Expected launch dates (subject to change, so please keep an eye out for these):-

Frozen vegetable sides - from 28th August

Frozen party food - from 18th September

Confectionery & gifts - from 24th September

Bakery, including panettones, Christmas cake and mince pies - from 27th September

Christmas sandwiches - from 25th October

Sides, including stuffing, gravy and sauces - from 22th November 

Party food - 29th November

Starters - from 6th December

Chilled desserts -15th December

Mains, including beef and turkey - 20th December

www.waitrose.com

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Wednesday 9 August 2023

Cosy Autumn and Winter Bliss Awaits you and your family at the Collective at Woolsery

Dreaming of an Autumn or Winter staycation full of country strolls, roaring fires and hearty pub lunches? Then you need look no further than The Collective at Woolsery. Located off the beaten track in a stunning part of North Devon, it's the perfect place to escape for truly sumptuous and cosy weekends in the country.

After a blustery and exhilarating walk along the South West Coast Path or in the delightful surrounding countryside, you can snuggle up in one of The Collective at Woolsery's design-led rooms or suites, with super soft beds, sofas and soft furnishings. 

The Collective at Woolsery offers a collection of three cottages, two suites, and two rooms within the village, each showcasing its own unique character. 

Carefully crafted by Hannah Lohan of New Heritage Designs, these accommodations pay homage to the village's history and heritage, with nostalgia permeating every corner, creating an ultimate sanctuary to relax, unwind and embrace the art of slowing down.

The interiors are adorned with beautiful artwork, while vintage pieces lend an air of authenticity to every room. The meticulously curated décor pays homage to the village's long farming history, providing guests with an immersive experience that transports them to a bygone era of rural life.

Surrounded by open countryside and a mere stone's throw from the romantic and dramatic Hartland Peninsula coastline, The Collective at Woolsery is a peaceful haven where the stars shine bright and the darkness of night envelopes and cocoons. 

Guests will be able to explore nearby tracks, footpaths, and lanes, or take a short drive to the rugged South West Coast Path. With fires aplenty to warm chilly toes after any adventure, guests will be rewarded for braving the elements. Alternatively you can stay in, kick back and truly relax and go nowhere with everything you need at your fingertips. 

The food at The Collective at Woolsery is worth travelling for. Guests can choose between dining at The Farmers Arms or savouring a gourmet takeaway of fish and chips. Executive chef Ian Webber, in collaboration with head gardener Josh Sparkes and livestock manager Chris Jenn at Birch Farm, crafts a menu that exemplifies integrity and celebrates local produce. 

The contemporary offerings draw inspiration from the traditional fare of farming families, ensuring a nourishing and comforting dining experience that perfectly showcases the season.

Breakfast at The Collective at Woolsery is a remarkable and utterly extraordinary affair, unlike anything you'll have ever experienced before. Served in-room, with guests selecting their meals the previous night, the breakfast menu boasts an array of mouth-watering options. From honey-glazed hams and hoggett to homemade porridge and yoghurt, from freshly baked muffins, sourdough, and crumpets to farm-fresh eggs, each dish is a testament to the kitchen's dedication to flavour and wholesome nourishment.

A stay at The Collective at Woolsery is an unparalleled experience that transcends mere ordinary luxury. Every tiny detail is meticulously crafted and embellished with love and comfort, redefining the concept of a truly indulgent cosy retreat.

More information about accommodation options is below. To find out more about The Collective at Woolsery please visit the website here https://woolsery.com

Suite 1 - sleeps 2

Curated with wonderful pieces of furniture that capture the essence of the 1930s and 1940s, Suite 1 has a large sitting area and sumptuous bathroom, with a backdrop of bold wallpaper and ornate light fittings. Here you can curl up with a book on a chaise long, snuggle down into a plush velvet sofa, or enjoy the rain shower and freestanding bath. 

Price per night: £325

Suite 2 - sleeps 2

This retro-styled room oozes opulent romance with gold embossed Art Deco-inspired wallpaper, a free standing bath, and a rain shower. Throw off your shoes and sink into the sofa, play some tunes on an old record-player, or delve into the bar. 

Price per night: £325

Room 3 - sleeps 2

Vintage feminine charm pervades in this room which is built into the rafters of the building and features a huge skylight that frames the mediaeval church. This room is filled with glamour and charm with soft pastel colours and pretty pinks and a primrose yellow bath that will call you like a siren for a long, hot soak. 

Price per night: £275

Room 4 - sleeps 2

You'll be absolutely amazed by the stature of this room where floor to ceiling windows let volumes of light dance through and provide views right across the north Devon countryside to Dartmoor. Dark wood, rich fabrics and Art Deco pieces have created a masculine vibe that oozes comfort and relaxation. 

Price per night: £275

The Old Smithy - sleeps 2

Steeped in rich history, The Old Smithy is country cottage living with a welcome contemporary twist. A neutral palette against the warm, rich tones of the furniture and soft furnishings, exposed beams and polished cement floors emanate a sense of warmth and welcome. With two wood burners and sumptuous sofas, this is a place to unwind, switch off and relax. 

Price per night: £450

Rosehill Cottage - sleeps 4

This stunning space reflects the eclectic aesthetic of The Collective at Woolsery, with rich tones, opulent furnishings, and stunning artwork at every turn. It's a space that will make you stop in awe, and wonder at the cleverness of brilliant interior design that seems to wrap you up, and want you to stop and stay and savour every moment. 

Price per night £550

Hillside Cottage - sleeps 6-8

Gather your gang for a stay at Hillside Cottage which sleeps six to eight people. This is a cottage designed for entertaining with four roomy bedrooms, and beautiful well-appointed social spaces both inside and outdoors.

Prepare a feast in the fully equipped kitchen and dine at the banquet style table, where the original well is an incredible glass covered feature, or head outside for some delightful al fresco dining. 

Price per night as a 3 bedroom: £650 Price per night as a 4 bedroom: £750

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