Food

It’s rare that people step out of their comfort zone and try something a little different, especially at Christmas when the traditional roast turkey reigns supreme. A firm UK favourite, Chinese cuisine is often seen as a treat at the weekend or for a special occasions – and what occasion gives a better excuse for a celebration than Christmas? With four stores across the UK, in Birmingham, Manchester, Cricklewood and Croydon, the UK’s leading Oriental grocer, Wing Yip, brings traditional Asian cuisine one step closer to UK homes.

Londoner Patrick Drake, co-founder and Head Chef of HelloFresh has launched his first solo venture, The 60 Second Chef. The world's fastest online cookery course gives you all the skills and recipes you need to be a confident chef through a series of quick and easy to follow 60 second videos.

The UK's largest cheese fair will return for its sixth year in 2016 when the Artisan Cheese Fair takes place in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire from 30 April to 1 May. Last year, over 8,000 cheese-lovers visited the Cheese Fair and with over 50 cheesemakers showcasing in excess of 250 different products at this year's event, visitors will have the opportunity to taste and buy some of the UK's rarest and most popular artisan cheeses.

This December, The Scotch Whisky Experience is lighting up the Royal Mile by hosting a Whisky Enlightenment tour to coincide with Virgin Money's Street of Light. Launching on 30 November and running until Christmas Eve, the Whisky Enlightenment tour and tasting experience is perfectly timed so visitors can either begin or end their visit to Street of Light with an illuminating whisky experience.

BRITS suffering from food intolerances won’t be missing out on any of the festive feasting this Christmas, as Asda reveals sales of its specialist Christmas Free From range have skyrocketed by a staggering 500% already this year, and it’s not even December.

The Asian Catering Federation and fully integrated ordering platform, NOQU, have announced a new partnership to help restaurants take control of their brand identity and unlock the potential of online sales. NOQU allows restaurants to implement online ordering systems in a cost-effective way, while retaining a strong brand identity through their own integrated website, app and online ordering system.

It's the Cornish Oyster season from October until March, and The Wright Brothers who own the Duchy Oyster Farm in Cornwall, on the stunning Helford River (Falmouth) have been aiming to change our attitude to oysters in this country for some time now.

Following the success of the Nevis Mango & Food Festival over the past two years, the Nevis Tourism Authority has joined forces with UK celebrity chef Natasha Corrett, founder of Honestly Healthy to kick start their 2016 event campaign. The launch of this partnership was celebrated at active cooking venue Aveqia in London on 25th September 2015 where Natasha Corrett treated guests, including media and travel specialists, to a Caribbean inspired lunch.

Peter Knogl, Head Chef at the newly renovated Cheval Blanc Restaurant in the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, is the first Chef at a Swiss Hotel to be awarded three Michelin Stars.The Basel region now proudly boasts its first three-star Michelin restaurant and Cheval Blanc has gained in stature as a destination renowned for its gastronomy and haute cuisine. 

Ever innovative, pushing the boundaries in craft bakery, Warrens Bakery has created the first ever 'Mince Pie and Custard Pasty'.  This new sweet pasty will be in-stores from Sunday 15th November, just in time for the festive season.

Years of hard work and dedication were rewarded on Thursday evening when Gabriel David, founder and chairman of the leading artisan soft drinks maker Luscombe Drinks, was named Devon Life's 'Food Hero' in its prestigious food and drink awards at Sandy Park, Exeter.

A brand new bistro restaurant and cocktail bar ‘The Littleton’ has opened in The Hub, an £11m community business and sports venue recently launched by Walsall College on Littleton Street West. The Littleton combines luxurious surroundings and friendly service, with a lively, vibrant atmosphere.

The Co-operative Food has launched an innovative online platform that will enable its members and shoppers to interact directly with Fairtrade producers across the world. A first of its kind interactive website, www.growingstories.coop, will bring UK consumers in contact with Fairtrade farmers and workers to hear first-hand of Fairtrade's impact on them and their communities.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has launched a brand new range of non-alcholic mocktails specially designed for children at its restaurant in Stratford-upon-Avon to coincide with the run of its family show Wendy & Peter Pan. The national theatre, based in the heart of the Midlands, is offering children three mocktails inspired by its forthcoming family show – Wendy & Peter Pan at its Rooftop Restaurant Bar. 

Your favourite cup of coffee is now even more enjoyable thanks to a new partnership between Percol Coffee and Cancer Research UK. Percol Coffee Co. has partnered with Cancer Research UK, to launch its new '100%' instant coffee, which will see 100% of this great tasting new coffee's profits go straight to the cause.

The Food Porn Awards™ has launched its search to find the best looking food from restaurants, pubs, bars and eateries across the region. Chefs in the North West are being encouraged to enter images of their most mouth-watering dishes via the award's website www.foodpornawards.co.uk to be in with a chance of securing a coveted award for themselves and their establishment.