Author: Karen Contrino

Winter is about warm and cozy ambiance and hearty, comforting dishes. Rich, bold red wines are the go-to choices for the season. However, white wines are not just for summer or warm weather. In fact, many winter dishes pair better with whites than reds. In the world of wine, there’s no shortage of full-bodied, creamy, and round whites that deserve their place in winter. Oaked Chardonnay Chardonnay is a classic, produced in many different styles. Refreshing, easy-drinking Chardonnays are ideal for summer, but the true beauty of Chardonnay lies in oak aging. As a naturally round, full-bodied grape variety, oak…

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New hotels, exciting new music festivals, major exhibitions and anniversaries makes 2025 the perfect year to visit NewcastleGateshead. To find out more go to www.newcastlegateshead.com New Hotels: 1). Gotham Hotel Newcastle | Luxury Boutique Hotel in Newcastle – Rate TBC First 5* hotel in Newcastle – Gotham Hotel – Luxury boutique hotel offering world-class rooms, amenities & services perfect for business and leisure Stays. Combining the former Fire Station and Police Station. The Fire Station side of Hotel Gotham Newcastle, opening in Spring 2025, will offer 60 thoughtfully designed bedrooms for a luxurious and unique stay. Enjoy their restaurant and bar, featuring a DJ booth, where…

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Community retailer SPAR has launched a new way for shoppers to win much-needed cash this New Year, by playing the free Frozen Fortune game with an amazing pool of 400,000 instant rewards including big brand products up for grabs. SPAR is giving away four £10,000 grand prizes, and as people begin to dream of adventures and travels for 2025, a £200 holiday voucher will also be given away every day until the competition ends on the 19th of February. Shoppers can also win instant prizes from a huge array of brands including: Pepsi Max McVities Jaffa Cakes Aero or Milkybar…

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Bring Your Own Wine Every Friday | Cinnamon Collection Restaurants Dine out at one of Vivek Singh’s modern Indian restaurants with its Bring Your Own Wine Friday offer. Enjoy flavour filled Indian dishes, such as grilled Keralan spiced squid, dried lime and chilli crumble; smoked Kentish saddle of lamb, keema saag, nutmeg and peppercorn sauce; and banana tarte tatin and thandai ice cream. Pair these dishes with the perfect wine of your choice to help kick those January blues. ⭐Bring Your Own Wine Friday; bring up to one bottle for every two guests ⏰Available every Friday across all restaurants in…

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UBA | Shoreditch Pulling out the stops for the start of the zodiac season, UBA is offering a limited-time menu inspired by traditional Chinese dishes with Pan-Asian twists. Enjoy the likes of money bag dim sum packed with prawns and scallops; Serpent’s spice rendang curry chicken skewers; and traditional celebratory Longevity Noodles. Those dining from UBA’s Lunar New Year menu will receive a hongbao red envelope filled with special offers, like 10% off food and 15% off cocktails, to redeem during a future visit. 📍 61, 67 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HU ⭐️ Available for dinner from 24th – 31st January Book: www.ubarestaurant.com The Arch Bar,…

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Innovation is nothing new to the culinary and hospitality sectors. With new cooking techniques, dietary trends, and technological advancements shaping our dining experiences, there’s never a dull moment. Recently, food video content has emerged as a powerful tool in reshaping how we interact with food and drink. Whether you’re in the business of crafting dishes or exploring global cuisines as a viewer, the growing demand for engaging video content is undeniable. Shaping the Culinary Landscape: Key Trends Before diving into the future of food video content, it’s essential to understand the trends shaping the culinary and hospitality industries. Air Fryer…

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Award winning celebrity chef, restaurateur and author, Aldo Zilli, has returned to London for the first time in 20 years to launch Undercroft; a new restaurant in the crypt of the historic St George’s Church, Mayfair. Opening December 2024, it’s set to be one of the most exciting openings in London this year. Joining forces with industry stalwart and music publisher, Martin Priestnall, with Michael Kill spearheading the project, the powerhouse trio aspire to redefine the dining scene in Mayfair and unite their savoir-faire to bring together the best in art, design, music and food. A creative concept, Undercroft creates…

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London’s latest exclusively plant-based restaurant, KIN in Fitzrovia is a must visit this Veganuary (and beyond). Celebrating the natural beauty of vegetables, Executive Chef, Shayan Shams has created a creative menu of bold, flavoursome dishes with sustainably sourced ingredients – each thoughtfully prepared to be as inclusive as it is delicious. If you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just keen to explore plant-based delights, indulge in a variety of small plates such as silky sweet potato with vegan parmesan; ponzu-roasted cabbage; and crispy broad bean croquettes. Larger plates include courgette and pistachio spaghetti with burrata and heirloom tomatoes; miso-glazed aubergine; and a…

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With throngs turning to their air fryer to knock out easy, healthy and delicious meals, there are some key mistakes to avoid. Below, Cathy Yoder, the “Queen of Air Fryers” with nearly 730,000 followers and 35,000 copies of her air fryer cookbook, “Easy Air Fryer Recipe Book: Best Airfryer Cookbook Recipes for Beginners to Advanced” sold, notes that, “The air fryer is a kitchen marvel that has taken the culinary world by storm. With its innovative technology, you can enjoy crispy, delicious meals with significantly less oil than frying and bake faster than in the oven.” Even so, there are nuances to be mindful of…

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 One of Whitley Bay’s newest restaurants has fended off stiff competition from rival eateries across the north of England to win an exclusive award just one year after first welcoming diners through its doors. Amaze Gourmet Spice in Cauldwell Lane has been named New Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year in the annual North England Prestige Awards. The award was recently presented in a special ceremony at Hazlewood Castle Hotel and Spa in Tadcaster. Opened by Mohammed Hussain and his family the restaurant was specially created to allow customers to sample the ultimate dining experience. With inspiration taken from the…

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