Food

Artisan sloe gin makers from across the world will gather at the George Inn village pub on the Kent/Sussex border near Tunbridge Wells, to vie for the coveted 'Sloe Ginster World Champion' title for 2016 on Wednesday 14th December. The late summer has provided ideal growing conditions for sloes or drupes, producing a bumper crop of the bitter fruit of the blackthorn bush. Foragers are now eagerly awaiting the first frost, after which, by tradition, the berries are harvested. 

Throughout October Hilton London Metropole will be inviting guests to tuck into fabulous, fresh and sustainable fish at the hotel's contemporary Fiamma restaurant in celebration of National Seafood Week (7th-14th October). Showcasing the company's long-term commitment to the responsible sourcing of fish, the Hilton London Metropole team has compiled a tantalising menu of signature dishes which – in keeping with organiser Seafish's objective – aims to “encourage more people, to eat more fish, more often.”

Brits will soon have an easy and delicious way to heed the advice of health experts and meet their recommended daily amount of vitamin D during the winter months. This week Tesco will exclusively launch the UK's first ever range of mushrooms which are grown in extra light to naturally enhance their vitamin D levels similar to wild outdoor grown varieties. Mushrooms contain a substance called ergosterol which allows them to naturally make vitamin D when they are exposed to light.

New research from AB InBev reveals that over three quarters (78%) of Brits consider themselves to be moderate drinkers, with health benefits being the key factor in driving smart drinking habits; a third of Brits thank smarter drinking for staying in shape. The results suggest that Brits are switching it up and are well on their way to a more moderate drinking culture, with only 16% of Brits admitting to drinking above the recommended guidelines.

To mark British Food Fortnight (17 September - 2 October) the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling for mandatory method of production food labelling, which could offer post-Brexit UK food producers and farmers a unique selling point by providing consumers with the clear welfare labelling they want. BVA is adding its voice to the Labelling Matters campaign for the introduction of mandatory method of production labelling of meat and dairy products.

Waitrose is bringing the stories behind its organic producers to life by launching an organic marketing initiative to support the Soil Association's Organic Month this September.  Waitrose Organic Kitchen will feature content created by gardening expert and established Waitrose ambassador, Alan Titchmarsh, who will be joined by broadcaster Ellie Harrison. Together, they will explore organic food and how it's grown to help customers understand the origins of their organic products.

The Fizz Festival, the only UK consumer wine fair dedicated to Champagne and sparkling wine, will take place at The Edinburgh Academy on Henderson Row on Saturday 29 October 2016. This one day event will incorporate a host of wine merchants, specialist masterclasses and local Scottish food producers with visitors being given a fantastic opportunity to taste, learn about and buy fizz from around the world. Visitors will also be able to purchase their favourite fizz on the day – a great opportunity before the festive season.

Tarana Restaurant in Kent, which opened earlier this year has been nominated for two major restaurant awards – one local, one national.  The busy Rainham restaurant has also just announced a special festive menu designed for large family gatherings and staff parties and will open on Christmas Day. Tarana has been nominated for 'Best Newcomer' in this year's Asian Curry Awards.  The winners will be announced at glittering awards ceremony, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair on 23rd October.

A woman who makes Christmas puddings to her great-grandmother’s recipe is hoping to get a taste for international success after winning export orders in Ireland. Worcester-based Ellen Halpin-Barnett, who launched her fourth generation Grandma Lily’s Christmas puddings in July at the Windsor Food Festival, is heading to Chicago later this month on the inaugural Midlands Engine trade mission to the USA and Canada to tempt US buyers after Irish stores snapped up her tasty festive treat.

From the crisp country air and the crunch of frost underfoot, to the irresistible warmth of the roaring log fire, The Queens Arms in Corton Denham is the perfect destination for those wishing to embrace the tranquil allure of the Somerset countryside this Christmas. Rosy cheeks and winter woollies can while away the day traversing some of the finest countryside that the south west has to offer, returning to the cosy charms of this award-winning pub, including chestnuts around the fire, mulled wine and a truckle of Montgomery cheddar on the bar.

Pioneering raw chocolate producer, Adam's Fresh Chocolate, has been crowned The Seed Fund's 2016 Winner and will now begin a journey of business development as it benefits from a year-long programme of mentoring, branding and business support from The Seed Fund, a prize estimated to be worth over £100,000.

On the Saturday 8th October 2016 Londoners will have the chance to take part in a record breaking feast! Over the course of 1,000 minutes (yep, that's 16 hours and 40 minutes) 100 individual dishes will be served to over 100 lucky guests! Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday 16th September at 10am. A crack team of experienced private chefs are taking on this challenge, they'll be sautéing, frying, blanching, boiling, sous viding, blending, piping, plating and serving continuously for 1,000 minutes!

With the tax on sugary soft drinks due to come into effect in April 2018, the majority of UK sports and energy drink users say they expect their purchasing of these products to be affected as a result of any price increases. Indeed, new Mintel research reveals that one in three Brits who drink sports and energy drinks would cut back on the amount of sugary varieties they consume if the price were to increase, while one in five say they would stop drinking sugary varieties altogether.

Milkshakes are so delicious, the world has dedicated a day to them. Not one to miss out on a celebration, TGI Fridays is bringing the party with its awesome range of milkshakes, offering people the chance to get their hands on one of these delicious drinks for free on the 12^th September. All that milkshake lovers needed to do to grab a free shake was sign up to the TGI Fridays newsletter, or download the TGI Fridays app by 8th September 2016.

The rapidly expanding Koh Group has revealed plans to launch in Lymington, which will become its 12th site - its 5th in Hampshire - before the end of the year. The announcement follows successful openings in Winchester and Romsey this summer, as well as the launch of Salisbury earlier in the year.  The company is on target to achieve its ambitious five-year plan of creating a 40-restaurant estate. The first opened in Boscombe in Dorset in 2009.

James Houlston of Our Plaice in Kidderminster, West Midlands, has been named as one of the UK’s top five fish friers after he was shortlisted for the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award as part of the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish. James will now have to compete at the highest level as he goes up against the four other contenders ‘fishing’ for the top prize, including: Elise Boothroyd of Fochabers Fish Bar in Fochabers, Moray; Andrew Hillier of Harbourside Fish & Chips in Plymouth, Devon; George Papadamou of Papa’s Fish & Chips in Hull, East Yorkshire and Luke Pope of Bankers Fish Restaurant in Brighton, East Sussex.