Ozen returns to the city’s street food scene with all the full-on fresh flavours Edinburgh foodies have been waiting for
Edinburgh foodies rejoice, your favourite full-on fresh fusion flavours are back on the menu as Ozen makes its long-awaited return to the capital.
After a two-year hiatus, the Asian street food kings are back in a brand new location at the city’s St James Quarter.Expect all the classic combos that helped build their cult following, plus a bunch of brand new bao buns that will see food fans coming back for more.
All the signature bao buns you’ve come to love are making a welcome return, including the Karaageee Chicken bao bun stuffed with tender crispy fried chicken, and the Pig Deal crammed with red pork belly in a peanut crumb.
These are joined on the menu by some tasty new vegan additions such as the Eggplant featuring panko-fried aubergine – and not forgetting the quirky McOzen mash-up featuring a double beef patty, American cheese, pickles and special McOzen sauce.
Those with a sweet tooth will be hard pressed to say no to a dessert bun bursting with Biscoff cream and syrup, Nutella, or strawberry cheesecake paired with orange blossom syrup.
The Edinburgh eatery is the vision of the self-confessed food-obsessed Chris Thomas, Alex Galpin and Jacob Rodriguez, who have more than two decades of hospitality experience between them. Their ultimate aim is to add a new dynamic to the capital’s food scene and offer a contemporary take on pan-Asian flavours.
Speaking about the return of Ozen, Chris said: “We took some time out, travelled the world, and picked up ideas and inspiration for new flavour combinations along the way.
“We were really excited to get experimenting in the kitchen again, and when a space became available at St James Quarter we just knew we had to bring Ozen back.
“The reaction has been incredible! So much so, that we’re already gearing up to open another Ozen very soon.
“We’ve got big ambitions to become Scotland’s first national bao bun brand and from the reaction to our relaunch, there’s definitely an appetite for it!”
Ozen Street Food is now open at the Little King Street Entrance to St James Quarter, Edinburgh. The full menu is available for collection or for delivery via Deliveroo.
We are now accepting donations of good quality household items and looking for more men clothes and shoes as well as some older children/teenagers clothes.
Cat owners across the UK are being invited to nominate their pets for the biggest event in the feline year – the National Cat Awards.
The annual event, run by Cats Protection, celebrates the UK’s favourite cats, with heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and companionship.
Entries open on Tuesday 13 February and owners have until noon on Tuesday 26 March to nominate their cat in one of four categories. Owners or colleagues can also nominate a veterinary professional who has provided exceptional care for a cat in the Vet of the Year category:
Family cats: For cats who make a family complete – whether it’s being there for companionship, providing comfort and support in tough times, or simply keeping everyone amused.
Incredible cats – From heroic cats who save the day to those who have done something truly extraordinary. They might have survived against the odds, returned home after an epic adventure or maybe even saved a life.
Senior cats: Celebrating cats over the age of 11, who might be thriving in their older years or simply enjoying the quieter side of life.
Connected cats: Recognising cats that make us smile. From well-connected cats with their own social media following to those who pop up in the local community.
Vet of the Year 2024: For vets or veterinary professionals who have provided outstanding cat care.
Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards organiser Catherine Cottrell said: “We share our lives with cats, and as one of the nation’s favourite pets, they have a special role in the lives of millions of people.
“Whether they’re curling up on our laps after a stressful day, providing companionship to elderly or vulnerable people or simply making us laugh, cats bring happiness to the lives of all sorts of people.
“The National Cat Awards is all about celebrating everything we love about cats and what they bring into our lives. We’re thrilled to be hosting the awards once again and hope this year’s entries will inspire more people to adopt a rescue cat.”
Winners will be selected in a public vote and by a panel of judges before being announced during a ceremony in London on 18 September.
The Cat of the Year 2024 will be selected from the four category winners.
Last year’s winner was Zebby, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, who won the title National Cat of the Year in recognition of the support he gives to his deaf owner by alerting her to sounds and noises around the home.
To nominate your cat, or for further information about the National Cat Awards, visit www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards from Tuesday 13 February.
To find out more about adopting a cat from Cats Protection, visit:
With support from the SLIC Climate Engagement Fund ‘Shelf Life’ Corstorphine Library will be hosting a month long fashion swap during March to help raise awareness of the environmental impact of fashion.
If you have clothes that are clean, in good condition but you just don’t ever get around to wearing, we would love to have them.
Donations can be dropped off at Corstorphine library any time that we are open – (that’s 1pm – 8pm Monday and Wednesday and 10am to 5pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) – please don’t leave clothes outside the library when we are shut!
Impactful two-year collaboration helped raise vital funds and spread crucial awareness of secondary breast cancer
Make 2nds Count has proudly announced the successful conclusion of its two-year charity partnership with Dalkeith Country Park, a historic estate and visitor attraction near Edinburgh.
Generous contributions from the community and visitors resulted in an impressive total of over £8,217. These funds will play a vital role in supporting Make 2nds Count’s initiatives, including the monthly Tea and a Chat events in Edinburgh, Birdsong yoga, and providing meaningful gifts for retreats aimed at supporting patients.
The meaningful collaboration, which commenced in January 2022, was initiated through a close connection with Karen Henderson, a patient ambassador for Make 2nds Count. The Karen Henderson Legacy Fund, established by her husband, has become a beacon of support for Make 2nds Count and was the driving force behind this inspiring partnership.
Alistair Henderson commented:“The Karen Henderson Legacy Fund would like to thank everyone at Restoration Yard and Dalkeith Country Park for their fantastic support over the last 2 years, helping make life that little bit better and happier for Secondary Breast Cancer patients.
“Karen had a special bond with RY and DCP over the years, she loved a visit there to shop, to walk and to catch up with friends therefore it has been so nice that that relationship has been able to continue on through Karen’s Legacy Fund.
“From the very start when we launched Karen’s Legacy Fund at RY back in May 2021 through; the 500 Mile Challenge, several fashion show events, the planting of Karen’s Tree, Karen’s Collection sale, etc etc both RY and DCP have been such enthusiastic and helpful supporters of both Karen’s Legacy Fund as well as Karen’s family and we appreciate it all greatly.”
Make 2nds Count and Dalkeith Country Park united with the common goal of raising vital funds for the charity and spreading awareness about secondary breast cancer. Over the course of two years, the partnership flourished with numerous successful fundraising initiatives.
Notable events included seasonal fashion shows with luxury raffles at Restoration Yard, The Kitchen Menu Donations – donating 50p from every dessert – a Wishing Tree at the 2022 Spectacle of Light and an online art auction as part of the Inception Art Show at Dalkeith Palace.
Make 2nds Count expressed heartfelt gratitude to both the team at Dalkeith Country Park and the local community, with Emma Hall, Head of Operations saying: “We are so thankful for the overwhelming support received over the past 2 years.
“From community members who attended events, and made generous donations, local press whose coverage helped shine a spotlight on the initiative, further amplifying awareness and to the team at Dalkeith Country Park who have been amazing and so supportive of our cause.”
As part of the partnership, Dalkeith Country Park displayed informative signage throughout the park during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. These signs aimed to educate visitors about the signs, symptoms, and key statistics related to secondary breast cancer, highlighting the little-known form of incurable cancer which claims 1,000 lives each month in the UK and is currently affecting 61,000 people.
Reflecting on the positive experience, Make 2nds Count and Dalkeith Country Park jointly celebrated the success of their partnership. This collaboration exemplifies the impact that can be made when communities and organisations come together for a common cause.
Stephen Begg, Operations Manager at Dalkeith Country Park, says:“Everyone at Dalkeith Country Park and Restoration Yard is ecstatic to have raised such an impressive amount for Make 2nds Count.
“It’s been wonderful working with Make 2nds Count and gaining insight into the amazing work they do to support patients and families living with secondary breast cancer. We are thrilled to have been part of their efforts for the last two years”
Make 2nds Count is now actively seeking new partnerships with businesses to continue their vital work in 2024 and beyond, and they invite businesses interested in supporting M2C to reach out for potential collaborations and to be part of their ongoing effort to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer as well as fund research and provide crucial support for patients.
Dundee Rep Theatre and Cove Park are today delighted to announce the musical theatre artists who will participate in a pioneering new creative residency programme in Scotland this Spring.
The Musical Theatre Writing Residency is a two-week international programme for emerging and established book writers, composers, and lyricists from the UK, India, and the United States.
Taking place in the stunning surroundings of Cove Park from 4 – 17 March, the programme will see writing teams provided with an immersive and creative space to freely connect, develop, collaborate and create ideas for new musical theatre works.
Artists were invited to apply as teams of up to three collaborators with a musical theatre idea in need of development, ready to take it to the next stage in its creation. Following a competitive selection process that saw nearly 200 applications, thirteen artists will take part in the residency fortnight, with a diverse range of multigenerational creative voices at different stages in their careers.
The artistic collaborators will include Scotland/UK-based artists Debbie Hannan and Andy McGregor; Linda McLean and David Paul Jones;Samir Bhamra, Devesh Sodha and Robby Khela; Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage; US-artists Nikki Lynette and Lili-Anne Brown; and Indian artist Sushma Soma.
The residency will see the teams developing their ideas, with projects and themes including a punk rock musical based on the story of some of Scotland’s most militant suffragettes, a 90s-inspired sci-fi romp set around Scottish UFO hotspot Bonnybridge, and a haunting horror musical that blends dark rock, urban grime, pop, and cinematic scores with Hindu mythology.
The residency has been developed by Dundee Rep Theatre and Cove Park alongside twelve Scottish and international partners, making it one of the largest collaborative projects in the recent history of the performing arts in Scotland.
Partners include Capital Theatres, Citizens Theatre, Macrobert Arts Centre, National Centre for the Performing Arts (Mumbai), National Theatre of Scotland, Octopus Theatricals (New York City), Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and the Traverse Theatre.
Associate partners include A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Playwrights’ Studio Scotland and the Tron Theatre.
Working alongside Cove Park and Dundee Rep, the partner organisations will play a valuable role supporting the artists with their own rich and varied expertise. All partners are committed to developing the musical theatre landscape, both in Scotland and further afield. This pilot residency is majority-funded as part of the British Council & Creative Scotland Partnership: Connect & Collaborate.
The residency has been devised by Andrew Panton, Artistic Director of Dundee Rep Theatre, and will include facilitated sessions with Dramaturg Jeanie O’Hare (formerly Director of New Work Development at The Public Theater), Music Supervisor James McKeon (Musical Director: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, London), Donna Lynn Hilton, Artistic Director of Goodspeed Musicals, Connecticut and David Greig, Artistic Director of Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh. Shonagh Murray joins as Associate Musical Supervisor, with Imogen Stirling, supported by Playwrights’ Studio Scotland, joining as Associate Dramaturg.
The creatives will also benefit from networking opportunities and workshop sessions, both in-person and digital, with industry-leading writers, composers, producers, directors, and other theatre practitioners – including Tony® Award-winning director John Doyle, Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning producer Mara Isaacs, Tony® Award-winning producer Rashad V. Chambers, and more.
Andrew Panton, Artistic Director at Dundee Rep Theatre, said: “This residency has been a number of years in the making. I’m thrilled that so many sector-leading organisations in Scotland, India and the US have joined Dundee Rep and Cove Park to present this residency.
“We will be creating a safe space for the participating artists to experiment with their work and the form. We know that there is huge audience demand for musical theatre and this is an opportunity for our participants to learn from industry-leading experts and from each other, I believe that this is a huge investment in the talent that we need to create the next decade of great musicals.”
Mara Isaacs, Creative Producer & Founder, Octopus Theatricals, said:“This residency represents the kind of multi-national, multi- sector collaboration that is essential to the flourishing of our field.
“There’s no telling what inspirational sparks will fly in a room filled with and supported by theatre companies, artists and colleagues representing the future of musical theatre in the UK, the US and India.”
Alex Marrs, Programmes & Communications Producer at Cove Park, said: “We look forward to welcoming this exciting cohort of musical theatre creators to Cove Park.
“This residen”cy expresses our core aim to provide a supportive space for risk and experimentation and addresses the acute and growing need for funded musical theatre development opportunities in Scotland.
“Alongside such inspiring partner organisations, we are delighted to support the creation of innovative and ambitious musicals for the benefit of audiences nationally and internationally.“
Dundee Rep has long been associated with new musical theatre, notably being the originating producer of new musicals including No Love Songs, Sunshine on Leith, Hi My Name is Ben (with Goodspeed Musicals, Connecticut), A Christmas Carol and Oor Wullie. Development, progression and learning sit at the heart of the organisation placing value on the collaboration and nurture of a diverse range of creative voices at different ages and stages of career.
Just one hour north of Glasgow, Cove Park is an international residency based on an outstanding 50-acre rural site on Scotland’s west coast.
Often working in partnership with leading organisations to develop commissions, exhibitions, and international residency exchanges, Cove Park’s programmes provide professional and creative development opportunities that support research, experimentation, and collaboration.
Cove Park offers uniquely designed private accommodation, studios, and workspace to create an inspiring context in which artists can progress ideas, acquire new skills, and develop work for audiences throughout the UK and beyond.
More information on the residency can be found at:
VPZ is the UK’s leading vaping retailer with over 160 stores throughout the UK. Since it was established in 2012 it has helped over 700,000 smokers quit.
VPZ Director Doug Mutter says the 12 per cent rise in vape sales figures across the industry is no surprise due to its effectiveness as a smoking cessation tool but urged the wider industry to take steps to educate consumers on sustainable products.
Doug said: “The significant increase in sales figures across the industry last month highlights once again that vaping is the best way for people to quit smoking and make a major lifestyle that improves your health and financial wellbeing.
“At VPZ, our stores offer a dedicated one-to-one service to help smokers quit and our consumer intelligence tells us that the majority of customers prefer being instore where they can access a personalised service and get the right guidance and advice from our staff that can’t be accessed elsewhere.
“VPZ specialists are trained and have expert knowledge, engaging with smokers to educate them on the health, environmental and financial benefits of switching to reusable and sustainable vaping products.
“Our approach gives adult smokers the help and advice they need at a time when local stop smoking services across the country are under threat whilst supporting the country’s ambitions to become a smoke free nation by 2030.
“As the UK’s leading vaping retailer we are supportive of the Government’s disposable vape ban but it’s important that they take on board advice and guidance to regain much-needed momentum and ensure that the country meets its targets.”
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon returns to the region to meet with key partners to seek long-term solutions to the situation in Israel and Gaza
Minister to discuss joint efforts to counter illegal Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea
He will also celebrate strengthened bilateral ties with Gulf allies, following announcement Gulf Nationals are now eligible to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme
The UK Minister for the Middle East will embark on a tour of the Middle East as the UK seeks to build momentum towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and lasting stability and security in the region.
Lord Ahmad will arrive in Oman today (Monday) for the first leg of the visit before travelling to Kuwait and then concluding the visit in Saudi Arabia.
The Minister is expected to meet with key figures, including Saudi Arabia’s Vice Foreign Minister, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League as well as Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Ambassador Abdullah Al-Yahya and Oman’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sheikh Khalifa Al Harthy.
The Minister will discuss how to ease the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza, including through an immediate humanitarian pause in fighting leading to a sustainable, permanent ceasefire.
He will also outline the UK’s efforts to counter Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and make clear that illegal attacks by the Houthis are completely unacceptable.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for Middle East, said: “We want to see an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, and it is clear that wider escalation and instability in the region is in nobody’s interests.
“Our engagement with partners in the Middle East, including Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is absolutely central to efforts towards achieving a sustainable, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and building wider regional security.”
The 16th session of the UK-Oman Joint Working Group will be co-chaired by Lord Ahmad alongside Oman’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sheikh Khalifa Al Harthy.
Meanwhile, in Kuwait, Lord Ahmad will co-chair the twentieth UK-Kuwait Joint Steering Group alongside His Excellency Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Lord Ahmad is also due to meet with the Palestinian Ambassador.
In Saudi Arabia, Lord Ahmad will meet with the Vice Foreign Minister and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
This visit is the latest in a series of visits to the region by the Minister, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the last fortnight.
The Foreign Secretary has recently visited the region multiple times, including Oman and Saudi Arabia to build on the UK’s call for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.
The Minister will also welcome the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme which has opened for Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordanian nationals, making travel to the UK smoother and cheaper.
The scheme will allow unlimited visits to the UK over two years.
CAN Ahmed’s latest visit succeed where all other attempts by world leaders have failed? Er … let’s say it’s unlikely.And the body count will continue to rise.
The House of Commons adjourned for February recess on Thursday 8 February and will next sit on Monday 19 February at 2.30pm.
Discover the fascinating Second World War history of East Fortune airfield at the National Museum of Flight this half-term.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, families can travel back in time during a weekend of themed activities on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February.
Set on one of the best-preserved Second World War airfields in the UK, half-term activities will bring this extraordinary history to life with costumed interpreters and genuine military flying equipment from the period.
Families can also explore the site with the new Family Satchels containing puzzles and activities to enjoy together, before discovering the Museum’s historic hangars filled with fascinating aircraft and interactive displays.
The support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery means that Second World War at East Fortune is free with Museum admission.
Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “As one of Scotland’s best days out, the National Museum of Flight is the perfect destination for families this half-term.
“We are delighted to be able to offer these free activities thanks to the generous support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery and I hope our young visitors will enjoy learning about life at East Fortune during the Second World War.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We hope families enjoy this captivating experience in the half-term, as they explore the rich history of the Second World War at the UK’s best-preserved airfield.
“Our players have raised over £4 million for National Museums Scotland, enabling the museums to offer many free and fascinating activities to families across Scotland.”
The National Museum of Flight is home to a world class collection of aircraft, from a Supermarine Spitfire to Scotland’s only Concorde.
The attraction houses the family-friendly Fantastic Flight gallery with its interactive exhibits where visitors can explore the science of aviation and discover how aeroplanes fly.
They are also able to learn more about East Fortune’s wartime heritage in the Museum’s Fortunes of War exhibition.
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