Books

Cookbook series to help cooks get portions right and save money

A recent poll of British adults from OnePoll revealed that a total of £2.7 billion will be slashed from spending and that 9% of those interviewed will cancel having friends and family over for the holidays in order to save money. According to James McIntosh, a UK home economist, it is possible to cook delicious meals this Christmas without following elaborate recipes and overspending. James’s new book mix. is a comprehensive guide to basic proportions in cookery, giving the quantities needed for simple, everyday, holiday recipes.

Offers

Celebrate New Year’s with Italian flair

The New Year in Italy is one of the most festive holidays of the year, celebrated in some regions for up to twelve days. Families and friends gather for Cenoni, a huge feast, and after dark, the sky is so filled with fireworks that pedestrians are told for their safety to avoid sidewalks and walk down the middle of the street. In keeping with this important Italian tradition, award winning Theo Randall has put together a five-course menu for New Year’s celebration at the InterContinental.

Food

Newest Magdelana cutlery pattern marks Osborne’s 300th Anniversary

You can be certain that a silverware company in business for three hundred years more than likely knows what they are doing. To celebrate this milestone, Sheffield manufacturer, Osborne Tableware, has created Magdalena, a 21st-century, contemporary design to hand down to generations. Also in celebration of their long-standing success, they are introducing a limited-edition range of cutlery. Can you guess the number of sets available? A clever three hundred. What fun!

Books

Home Made by Tana Ramsay

It’s easy to knock Tana Ramsay, although perhaps best not to do when the old man is around, but it’s also unfair too. Sure she’s the wife of a very rich and powerful man but unlike say Nigella, she wasn’t born into money and status and at the end of the day she is a down to earth mother the like of which can be seen as guests, hosts or victims any day on Daytime TV…..

Restaurant News

Christmas lunch from Lyon Gourmand’s Chef of the Year at Ambassade de l’Ile

Following the success of his Lyonnais lunch menu, Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex has introduced a special “Traditions de Noel” lunch menu for December at Ambassade de l’Ile in Lyons. The holiday menu costs £35 and offers a selection of amuses bouches, followed by Duck Fois Gras au Torchon, with toasted Mousseline Brioche and Quince Ketchup. The beginning courses are followed by Veal, Duck and Pork Pie à la Bourgoise. The meal concludes with a selection of sweets and friandises and a cheese course is available for an additional cost.

Restaurant News

New Menu at Strada for winter

Don’t worry. You’ll still be able to order Strada’s famous hand-spun pizzas or pasta and risotto favourites. But now that the new menu is out, you can begin your meal with tasty starters like Gnocchi alla Bava – gnocchi with a Fontina Valdostana cheese sauce, and Ribollita – a rustic, hearty Tuscan soup providing a taste of rural Italy.

Articles

You gotta roll with it

Who’d have thought an Oasis song would provide a headline for a piece about baking? Can’t see Liam in a pinafore really but Patsy….mmm. Anyway, those other charming Northerners, the people at Jus-Rol™, have put on a demo of just how easy their ready-made pastry is to use as a quick route to tasty meals and, being a bit fond of the product, I’ve rolled up to watch.

Food

Castle Chocolates sign a sweet deal with Tesco

It wasn’t long ago that David Hughes hand made his raspberry liqueur chocolates in a small upstairs room in his shop in Caerphilly, Wales. Minutes after the delicacies were ready for sale, they were brought downstairs for lucky visitors. This year, Hughes and his wife Susan moved their company into a 1,100 sq ft unit and increased their number of employees to five. They had to prepare for a large production increase after agreeing to supply forty-three Tesco stores with 12,000 chocolate bars a week. It’s the first time Castle Chocolates has agreed to sell their bars in a larger store.

Food

Sushi-making essentials go on sale Christmas Eve

Mount Sushi is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to make delicious sushi in the comfort of your own home – plus loads of other Japanese and oriental food! Find Makisu Sushi Bamboo Rolling Mats priced at 80p – a saving of 27% – and Nagai’s Sushi Nori Seaweed for just £1.20, saving 25%.