food and drink – Page 83 – The NEN

Tastebud Tour of Britain!

– National Express launch limited-edition travel sweets with fish and chips, pork pie, Wensleydale cheese, curry, Eccles cake and cornish pasty flavours –

In celebration of Britons being able to get back on the road to start visiting friends and family once again or plan a UK break, National Express has today released the first ever range of regionally inspired travel sweets.

The Tastes of Normal limited-edition travel sweets are a homage to the simple pleasures of travel and the staple of many a journey for generations. They have been reinvented with an unexpected range of flavours inspired by favourite dishes associated with British locations, including fish and chips, pork pie, cornish pasty, Wensleydale cheese, Eccles cake and curry*.

That’s right, boiled sweets that actually taste of fish and chips!

The Tastes of Normal travel sweets come packaged in classic round metal tins, just like those that have traditionally been found at service stations and airports for decades. Each sweet tastes of a classic dish that is synonymous with a British city or region that can be visited using National Express.

The six sweet flavours have arguably never been tasted before in boiled sweet form:

● Fish and chips – enjoyed with fresh sea air at ever popular choices for a day trip to the seaside or coastal holiday such as Devon, Brighton, Margate, Scarborough and Blackpool

● Curry – in honour of Birmingham, the home of the Balti triangle and National Express

● Cornish pasty – a must-taste treat for anyone visiting the ever-popular coastal county of Cornwall

● Pork pie – the classic British snack from Leicestershire, home of the Melton Mowbray pork pie

● Wensleydale cheese and cranberry – a nod to Yorkshire and popular destinations such as Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford.

● Eccles cake – the only ‘sweet’ sweet in the tin, representing Greater Manchester.

The National Express full UK timetable with hundreds of destinations is now on sale, allowing Summer bookings when all restrictions are lifted. Customers can also book accommodation and attractions alongside their coach travel, complete with a price guarantee and ABTA protection

Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, said: “We suspended all services for 11 weeks at the beginning of the year so we’re delighted to now be back on the road with full measures in place to ensure passenger comfort and safety.

“As the UK’s largest coach operator, we’ve always been part of seeing friends and family, going to events, on day trips and holidays. We wanted to mark helping make this happen again in a fun way.

“Fish and chips and pork pies might not be the kind of flavours anyone would expect to taste in boiled sweet form, but each confectionary celebrates the wonderful diversity of the UK.

“We hope the tastes will take people to a place they’ve missed and can now happily and safely return to with National Express.”

The limited-edition sweets are not for sale but will be given away to the public via National Express social media channels:

Instagram @nationalexpress Twitter(@nationalexpress and Facebook @NationalExpress)

and the National Express website at www.nationalexpress.com/tastesofnormal.

For more information and to book travel visit www.nationalexpress.com.

It’s Veggie week at Murrayfield Nursery

EDINBURGH NURSERY GOES VEGGIE FOR NATIONAL VEGETARIAN WEEK

The Murrayfield Nursery in Edinburgh is serving up an entirely vegetarian menu to children this week, as part of National Vegetarian Week celebrations.

The Nursery has incorporated a range of enticing vegetarian meals in place of its usual rolling spring/summer menu for children to experience and enjoy each day.

Alongside the change in menu, children will also explore a variety of vegetables as part of their opportunities to learn through play at the Nursery.

Nursery Manager Rhonda Houston said: “We’re pleased to be offering a healthy, nutritious meat-free menu to all of our children this week as part of National Vegetarian Week.

“We’re always promoting the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet, and sharing information about where our food comes from – and this was another fun opportunity in which to do so.

“We already offer a vegetarian/vegan option as part of our seasonal menus at The Murrayfield, but it will be nice to introduce all of our children to new tastes, textures and flavours, which we can all share in together.”

The Murrayfield Nursery provides inspiring environments to children aged 12 weeks to five years and is part of the independent CC Nurseries group, which already provides inspirational Early Childhood Learning and Care for over 600 families in settings across England and Scotland.

More information about the Nursery can be found at www.themurrayfieldnursery.co.uk

or via Facebook at fb.com/murrayfieldnursery

Morrisons launches mega sale on baby products

Morrisons has launched a mega in-store sale on baby and toddler products. The sale, which is on across the month of May will allow parents to save big on brands including Pampers, Baby Dove, Johnson’s and many more.

Morrisons has also launched a new baby food range under its Nutmeg brand with prices starting at just 50p – a fraction of the cost of similar products from Hipp and Ella’s Kitchen which normally for almost double (90p).

To help parents even further as the nation moves out of lockdown, they can also sign up to the Baby & More Club for additional exclusive offers, helpful tips, members-only freebies and competitions.

And because parents need treats too, Morrisons has further offers on bath and beauty products to unwind and relax.

Aldi Scotland most awarded retailer at the 2021 Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards

This year’s inaugural Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards saw Aldi enjoy enormous success as the most-awarded supermarket, winning an impressive 19 accolades for a variety of its high-quality Scottish food and drink.

After almost three weeks of intensive judging involving hundreds of products and more than 60 expert judges from across the food and drink sector, a range of Aldi’s Scottish products from various food and drink categories were announced as the winners.

As well as scooping three Gold Awards in the beer, gin and spirit categories, Aldi also took home two of the six highly sought-after Platinum Awards for their Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie and 12-Year-Old Speyside Whisky. Both products were described as being “well-balanced”, “exceptional value for money” and of “absolutely outstanding quality”.

Helen Lyons, Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards Co-Founder, said: “My congratulations go out to all our winners and a big well done to Aldi for their sweeping success this year, which is thoroughly deserved. Their championing of Scottish produce is so clear.

“The Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards recognises and celebrates the best produce available in Scotland. Our goal has always been to get more Scottish food and drink products onto more shelves, and it has been such a joy to see the high standard of entries this year.

“Receiving a Scottish Retail Food and Drink Award is a stamp of excellence. Aldi should be very proud of their many successes this year, especially their two Platinum Awards.”

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, added: “I am thrilled that 19 of our Scottish products have been recognised by the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards. Our success really demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with the best quality produce that Scotland has to offer at an affordable price.

“I am also so pleased that Aldi has been highlighted as leading the way in Scottish sourcing. The awards and this recognition are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Scottish suppliers.”

Aldi leads the way with local sourcing and stocks some of the finest quality food and drink from over 90 Scottish suppliers. After reaching their initial goal of stocking over 450 Scottish products by the end of 2020, the supermarket has now increased this target to stock over 500 locally sourced products in the next two years.

The complete range of Aldi Scotland products that have won at the 2021 Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards are:

ALDI Scotland Product Winners	Category	Retail Price
12-year-old Speyside Whisky	Platinum Award – Drink	£20.99, 70cl
Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie	Platinum Award – Food	£1.99, 250g
Toradh	Gold Award – Gin	£14.99, 70cl
Eidyn	Gold Award – Gin	£19.99, 70cl
Anti A	Gold Award – Beer	£1.19, 330ml
Rubus	Gold Award – Beer	£1.25, 330ml
12-year-old Speyside Whisky	Gold Award – Other Spirits	£20.99, 70cl
Specially Selected Sundried Tomato, Lentil & Smoked Paprika Soup	Store Cupboard	£0.75, 380g
Specially Selected Chicken Balmoral	Ready Meals & Accompaniments	£3.79, 465g
Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie	Quiches, Pies and Pasties	£1.99, 250g
Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus 36-Day Aged Ribeye	Steak	£4.89, 227g
Specially Selected Black Pudding	Haggis, Black & White Pudding	£0.99, 200g
Specially Selected Scotch Aberdeen Angus Dry Aged Steak Burger	Burgers and Sausages	£2,49, 340g
Ginger, Chilli and Lime Infused Scottish Salmon Fillets	Fish	£2.99, 220g
Specially Selected Jersey Milk	Dairy	£0.95, 1l
Specially Selected Scottish Vintage Cheddar	Cheese	£1.25, 200g
Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Biscuits	Biscuits – Sweet	£1.69, 200g
Specially Selected Oatcake Bikes – Lockerbie Cheddar	Biscuits – Savoury	£0.99, 175g

Aldi’s Specially Selected Lemon Shortbread Rounds were also Commended in the Biscuits – Sweet category.

Tea-rrific! Morrisons celebrates VE Day by bringing back Tommy Tea Afternoon Tea Box

£1 from each box goes to the Royal British Legion Industry charity –
The box includes everything you need to enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea at home and features products from Morrisons The Best range –

Morrisons is bringing back its popular Tommy Tea Afternoon Tea box to help customers celebrate VE day on the 8th May and support Royal British Legion Industries with an afternoon tea party to mark the occasion.

The term Tommy has been used for many years to refer to a British Soldier, with German and French troops often calling the name out over the trenches during World War I, to speak with a British Soldier.

The boxes support the Royal British Legion Industries’ VE Day campaign with £1 from every Tommy Tea Afternoon Tea food box bought going to the charity to provide support to the UK’s most vulnerable veterans into safe homes and vital employment opportunities and offer the support they need to get back on their feet.

Containing all you need to make the most of the good weather and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at home, the box features products from Morrisons The Best range including All Butter Sultana Scones, Strawberry Conserve and Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade. Each box will also contain a leaflet with information about the charity and how customers can get involved to fundraise and support.

The box is available online from 29th April – 10th May and priced at £20, with customers able to add a bottle of prosecco for £25 or a bottle of champagne for £37.

Joseph Clark-Bland, Charity and Community Specialist at Morrisons, said: “We’re proud to continue to show our support for veterans and the RBLI’s Tommy’s Tea Campaign.

“The Tommy Tea Afternoon food box is packed full of products for customers to host their own celebrations and enjoy an afternoon tea at home, to mark VE Day.”

The launch of the Tommy Tea Box falls in line with the start of RBLI’s Tommy’s Race to Victory – a national event which sees a team of military veterans and serving personnel run and cycle more than 800 miles over 9 days throughout the UK, stopping off at major cities and military locations in the run up to VE Day.

Lisa Farmer, Director of Strategic Development at RBLI, said: “Morrisons continued commitment to supporting military veterans through RBLI’s wide range of services is nothing short of phenomenal.

“This year, RBLI is going above and beyond to celebrate VE Day whilst also raising crucial funds for the country’s most vulnerable veterans during the pandemic – and we simply cannot thank Morrisons enough for once again coming to the fore to help our military veterans in their time of need.”

A typical box contains:

Morrisons The Best All Butter Sultana Scone 4 Pack
Rodda’s Classic Cornish Clotted Cream 227g
Morrisons The Best Strawberry Conserve 340g
Morrisons Cherry Bakewell Tarts 6 Pack
Mr Kipling Chocolate Slices 6 Pack
Morrisons Egg Mayonnaise Filler 250g
Greenside Cheese Slices 200g
Morrisons Carvery Honey Roast Ham 150g
Medium White Loaf 800g
Morrisons Red Label Tea Bags 40’s
Morrisons The Best Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade 750ml
Morrisons The Best Lightly Salted Crisps 150g
+ optional Morrisons The Best Prosecco DOC 75cl/ Morrisons The Best Brut Premier Cru Champagne

For more information or to purchase the Morrisons Tommy Afternoon Tea Box visit https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/boxes/all-boxes

Morrisons Aperol Cocktail Box set to spritz up the bank holiday

– The new box delivers an alfresco aperitivo directly to your doorstep –

– Includes snacks and can be ordered for next day delivery –

Morrisons is answering spritz lovers’ prayers as it launches a new Aperol Cocktail Box. Landing in time for the bank holiday, the box has been created alongside Aperol and Mionetto to make it easy for customers to whip up the ever-popular aperitivo, the Aperol Spritz.

The box includes everything required to create the ultimate summer cocktail: a 70cl bottle of Aperol to mix up with the light and refreshing Mionetto Prosecco, before being topped with Morrisons Soda Water. There’s even a loose orange included to garnish the spritz.

To accompany the drinks, the box also includes Morrisons The Best Gruyere & Poppy Seed Twists, Morrisons The Best Lightly Salted Crisps and Morrisons The Best nocellara Olives; for a taste of an Italian piazza from the comfort of your back garden.

Liam Challenger, Food Boxes Trading Manager at Morrisons said: “The first May bank holiday feels like the start of the British summer – and with foreign holidays still off the cards, our Aperol Cocktail Box can bring a taste of the continent to gardens and parks across the UK.

“The box includes everything customers need to make the classic, refreshing Italian spritz with carefully selected snacks to serve alongside.”

Morrisons limited-edition Aperol Cocktail Box costs £35 including next day delivery and is available now on the Morrisons food boxes website:

https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/box/The-Aperol-Cocktail-Box

For more information on Morrisons Food Boxes range visit

www.morrisons.com/food-boxes

Brewtiful: Aldi unveils line up for Spring Scottish Beer Festival

The 23^rd annual in-store festival is bringing together thirteen of the best breweries from all corners of Scotland.

Aldi has revealed the line-up for its 23^rd annual Scottish beer festival, which will showcase 30 exceptional craft beers from thirteen breweries across the country, with prices starting at just £1.39.

Kicking off in-store on Thursday (29^th April), the festival comes just in time for the bank holiday weekend. The breweries featured span the length and breadth of Scotland in a deal worth over £110,000 to those involved.

Aldi’s Scottish Beer Festival will celebrate the vast range of beers, lagers and ales brewed across Scotland, including products from Loch Lomond Brewery, which was named Brewery of the Year at the 2020 Scottish Beer Awards.

The line-up includes 26 new products, including wheat beers, stouts, IPAs and pale ales, as well as the return of four customer favourites, including Bellfield’s Bohemian Pilsner and Fyne Ales’ Hurricane Jack.

Multi-award-winning brewery Fierce Beer will also have nine of its craft beers featured in the festival. Fierce Beer won ‘Breakthrough Brewery’ back in 2017 and most recently received 14 awards at the 2020 Scottish Beer Awards, including gold awards for Split Shift and Café Racer, which both feature in Aldi’s festival line-up.

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Our Scottish Beer Festivals always give our customers something to look forward to and I have no doubt that this year’s will do the same.

“While we hope that many people will be able to get down to their local for the first time in quite a while this bank holiday weekend, the next best option is to support your local brewery at our Scottish Beer Festival.

“We are immensely proud of the strong partnerships we have built with local breweries in Scotland, and I am certain that our customers will enjoy discovering some quirky new brews at everyday Aldi prices.”

The Aldi Scottish Beer festival, will take place in all 96 Scottish stores from Thursday 29^th April. You can find your nearest Aldi here.

Rediscover your love of dining with the Ivy on the Square

The Ivy on the Square welcomes guests back for a ‘Summer of Love’ with bespoke 1960s themed cocktail menu and new summer dishes

The Ivy on the Square is spreading the love as it celebrates its re-opening with a selection of summertime specials.

Launching ‘The Summer of Love’, evocative of the carefree nature of the 1960s, The Ivy on the Square will be serving refreshing limited-edition mocktails, including Across the Universe (£5.75) featuring fresh mint, lemon and sugar, shaken and topped with chilled Scavi & Ray non-alcoholic prosecco; Free & Easy Spritz (£6.95) which infuses Lyre’s non-alcoholic Italian spritz with pink grapefruit juice, Fever-Tree soda water and Scavi & Ray non-alcoholic prosecco; and the Mai-Tai-Dye (£6.95) mixing Seedlip Grove 42 with Lyre’s non-alcoholic Amaretti, lime and pineapple juice.

For those looking to indulge in The Ivy on the Square’s renowned menu, there will be plenty of refreshing new summer dishes available, including the Garden Pea Risotto (£13.95) served with goat’s cheese, rocket and a baby shoot salad (top), and Côte de Boeuf (£32.95).

An alcoholic cocktail menu will also be available exclusively for those dining outside on the terrace until 10pm, ahead of Scotland’s scheduled move to Tier 2 on 17 May, when cocktails will be able to be enjoyed indoors as well as al fresco.

Chris Greenan, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square added: “We are very excited to be open again, and to be welcoming back our new and returning guests, who we have greatly missed over the last few months.

“Whether you are looking for lunch with friends or dinner with a loved one, there are plenty of delicious options to help you rediscover your love of dining this summer.”

The Ivy on the Square, Edinburgh is now open Monday to Sunday, from 9am. The last indoor booking will be seated at 6.15pm, for guests to depart by 8pm. The brasserie has limited outdoor seating available which will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Fridays confirms reopening of Scottish restaurants

Following the announcement by Nicola Sturgeon earlier this week, Fridays is excited that its fans in Scotland will be able to celebrate the continued easing of lockdown from Monday 26^th April, when its eight Scottish restaurants will reopen for indoor dining across the country.

Fridays has already opened reservations for its Aberdeen Beach, Aberdeen Union Square, Braehead, Edinburgh – Castle St, Edinburgh – Fort Kinnaird, Glasgow – Buchanan St, Glasgow Fort and Silverburn locations, and is encouraging fans to pre-book their slot to avoid missing out.

Favourite Fridays dishes for Scottish fans include Fridays Sesame Chicken Strips tossed in Legendary Glaze, Fridays® Glazed Burger, Full Rack of Ultimate Ribs as well as 28 Day Aged Sirloin Steak*. All of which will be on the menu alongside sharing plates for the whole family as well as an array of appetizers and desserts to choose from.

Robert B. Cook, Fridays CEO, says: “We are beyond delighted to welcome guests back across Scotland to celebrate the easing of lockdown with us. The Fridays team have been counting down the days until they can get back to work and once again welcome guests back through our doors.

“To avoid disappointment we are asking guests to pre-book and to follow the guidelines we have at all restaurants to keep everyone safe and make sure we stay on track for the next stage of lockdown easing.”

For more details regarding the health and safety measures in place, to pre-book, menus and to find out more about the additional 29 Fridays restaurants already open for outdoor dining, please visit the Fridays website – www.tgifridays.co.uk.

Singh 4 Your Supper!

Social Bite launch ‘at home’ boxes with celebrity chef Tony Singh

Homelessness charity, Social Bite, has launched its very first At Home dining box, giving people across the central belt the chance to enjoy delicious, restaurant-quality dishes at home while supporting those who have experienced homelessness.

The Singh 4 Your Supper menu, is in partnership with Scottish celebrity chef and restaurateur, Tony Singh.

The Indian-themed dining box explores a variety of fresh, rich and aromatic flavours and is a delectable feast for two including eight dishes and a selection of sauces.

Priced at just £60, the menu is perfectly portioned for two people, making it ideal for cosy date nights or to enjoy some alfresco dining with friends.

Each box comes with an easy-to-follow preparation, cooking and plating instructions so that you can create great-tasting food from home but food lovers will have to be quick, with only a limited number of boxes available.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Bite, said: “It’s been great to work with the incredibly talented Tony Singh to help produce our first ever home dining boxes.

“The menu we’ve created gives people a real taste of India and allows them to enjoy the recommendations of one of the country’s top chefs from the comfort of their own home.

“As the world starts to open back up it’s really important to us that we continue to find new ways for people to support the mission of ending homelessness while also enjoying the easing of restrictions.

“Every box purchased helps us in our mission of providing real jobs, permanent homes and support to help get people back on their feet, as well as the wider mission of ending homelessness.”

Each dish has been lovingly prepared by Tony and the Social Bite team at Social Bite’s Central Kitchen in Livingston.

Chef Tony Singh (above) said: “Social Bite is such an incredible cause so when they asked me to get involved in creating some home dining boxes, it was an easy yes.

“My passion is creating delicious, high-quality food, that can be shared together. But what makes these boxes even more special, is that these will be helping to support Social Bite’s mission of ending homelessness.”

To get your hands on this limited-edition box, you can order online from today – Thursday 22nd April. Boxes can be collected from Social Bite Cafes in Edinburgh and Glasgow city centre, as well as their Central Kitchen in Livingston on the 7th and 8th of May.

The Singh for Your Supper menu includes four main dishes: Kerala King Prawn, Butter Chicken, Aloo Chole and Gulab Jamun for dessert along with four sides: Spiced Fur Fur, Paratha, Jeera Pilau Rice and spiced onions with a selection of sauces; mango, mint, yoghurt and tamarind.

These are all the dishes that Tony would usually cook at home for his family so you can dine like a chef and eat like a Singh!

To order your own home dining box or to find out more information, please visit: shop.social-bite.co.uk/singh