food and drink – Page 90 – The NEN

Christmas corker: £18 Morrisons champagne tops Which?taste tests

A coveted Which? Best Buy has been awarded to a great value own-label champagne from Morrisons, proving that you can get your hands on a top-class festive fizz for under £20.

In a blind tasting of supermarket own-label (or exclusive), and top-selling big-name non-vintage champagnes priced up to £36, the Which? panel of experts awarded the highest score of 82 per cent to Morrison’s Adrien Chopin Brut Champagne.

Retailing at only £18, this Which? Best Buy was described as “golden champagne with stewed apple aromas, rich flavours and a hint of sweetness” winning the adoration of experts to become this year’s top-scorer.

Narrowly missing out on the top spot but awarded a Which? Best Buy in its own right was Waitrose’s Brut Champagne which fizzed into second place with a score of 79 percent. The Which? expert panel commended its “ripe red apples and apple blossom” character that makes it an ideal party fizz.

In joint third place but not quite achieving Which? Best Buy status was Moet & Chandon’s Imperial Brut Champagne, earning a score of 78 percent. It was described as a pleasure to drink due to its “candied notes, mellow aromas, crisp acidity, and a cashew-nut finish”. However, one expert called it a “little bland”, which might disappoint at £36.

Also rated a solid 78 per cent score was Sainsbury’s Landric Champagne Brut at £25. It only narrowly missed out on Best Buy status, pleasing experts with its “lemon acidity and toasty, nutty aftertaste”. However, its lone critic felt it was short of fruit with a slightly bitter finish.

At the bottom of the table and summed up as “wishy washy” by one panelist was Aldi’s Philizot et Fils Organic Champagne, which only managed a 67 per cent rating.

Harry Rose, Editor of Which? Magazine, said: “Your Christmas might be a bit more low key this year, but there is no reason to scrimp on the bubbly and we’re delighted that you can enjoy this season’s best fizz for only £18.

“Whether you opt for outstanding champagne at a great price or fancy paying a little more for a premium brand, our expert picks will make sure that whatever you’re doing this year, it won’t lack any sparkle.”

Also tested:

Lidl Comte de Senneval Champagne Brut (74% £12.50); Aldi Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut (74% £13); Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Blanc de Noirs Champagne (74% £21); M&S Louis Vertay Brut Champagne (74% £17); M&S Delacourt Brut Champagne (74% £20); Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne (73% £20); Asda Extra Special Louis Bernard Premier Cru (73% £21); Veuve Cliquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne (73% £35); LANSON LE BLACK LABEL BRUT (72% £33); Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne (71% £24); Co-op Les Pionniers Champagne (71% £19); Asda Henri Cachet Champagne Brut (68% £13.50); Morrisons The Best Premier Cru Champagne (68% £21); Aldi Philizot et Fils Organic Champagne (67% £27)

The Which? panel of experts:

We consulted five of the country’s top wine experts to score this year’s offerings in our blind taste test: Charles Metcalfe – Speaker, author, and co-chair of the International Wine Challenge; Kathryn McWhirter – Wine expert and co-author (with Charles) of The Wine and Food Lover’s Guide to Portugal; Oz Clarke – Wine writer, television presenter and broadcaster; Sam Caporn – Master of Wine, freelance consultant and winner of the Madame Bollinger Medal for Excellence in Tasting; Peter McCombie – Master of Wine, restaurant wine consultant, speaker, writer and critic.

Prices correct as of October 2020.

Italian Food Celebration Pushes Covid Off The Menu

Lovers of Italian food and culture, who have been starved of their favourite restaurants or travel because of the pandemic restrictions, are getting a chance to sample and learn about the delights of Italy – without having to leave their homes.

Two celebration events to showcase the food of Sicily – including a rare opportunity for a select group of people to take part in a live cook-a-long with one of Italy’s top chefs – have been planned as Scotland’s contribution to the World Week of Italian Cuisine.

World Week of Italian Cuisine (November 23-29), now in its fifth year, is an initiative started by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to promote the country’s high-quality cuisine around the world.

It aims to boost food and wine tourism, particularly to regions little-known outside Italy, following the spirit of Pellegrino Artusi who 130 years ago published “La scienza in cucina e l’arte di mangiar bene” [Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well] which gathered and united the regional culinary traditions of the Bel Paese.

To mark the week, the Italian Consulate General, Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh and the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK – in collaboration with Alma and Ambasciatori del Gusto – have organised events themed around how the Mediterranean diet can boost the body’s immune system.

The opening event of the week (A Sicilian Dinner) will see an invited audience of food writers and bloggers take part in a Sicilian-food themed live cookery webinar from Italy with leading chef Carlo Maria Ricci, an ambassador with the acclaimed Italian ALMA cook school in Parma (La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana) – with the menu actually being delivered to their homes to allow them to sample the exact dishes.

Giovanna Eusebi and chef Sebastian Wereski from Eusebi Deli restaurant in Glasgow and Sabrina Damiani, who runs Edinburgh-based Damiani Sicilian Fine Dining, have been recruited to make the Chef Ricci’s dishes before arranging for them to delivered to each of the writer’s home. They will be present on the webinar to answer any questions.

This event will also be screened live over the internet to allow as wide an audience as possible to watch the demonstration and pick up tips.

The closing event (Cooking in Sicily) – in partnership with Ambasciatori del Gusto (the Italian Association of Ambassadors of Taste – whose members focus on enhancing Italian food and wine heritage) will involve 30 people winning the chance to cook a specially designed menu in their own kitchens through a cookery demonstration beamed live from Sicily with leading chef Bonetta dell’Oglio (above).

The lucky home cooks will also have the chance to ask questions to Palermo-born Chef dell’Oglio who has won widespread praise for her innovative cooking which celebrates her Sicilian heritage and her passion for showcasing organic agriculture and the benefits of healthy eating. There will also be a wine pairing presentation from Mariella Caputo from Ambasciatori del Gusto.

The participants will be judged on their dishes with the winner scooping a luxury Italian food hampers from sponsors Pastificio dei Campi and Berlucchi Wines. Details of how to enter the competition will be made available on social media channels of Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh and Italian Chamber of Commerce in Scotland.

The event will also be screened live over the internet to allow other Italian cooking enthusiasts to watch and make the menu.

Fabio Monaco, Consul General of Italy to Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “While the Covid-19 restrictions have upset our usual planning for the World Week of Italian Cuisine, we wanted to ensure that people still had the chance to enjoy and celebrate the amazing food of Italy.

“We think we have brought some clever thinking to overcome the challenges to bring a taste and education of Italy once more – without anyone having to leave their homes.

“While travel to Italy remains complicated for now, we hope these events will continue to inspire people to learn more of our culture and those of our wide range of different territories – and better still to plan a visit when we can do so easily.”

For more details on all the events:

https://iicedimburgo.esteri.it/iic_edimburgo/en/gli_eventi

www.italchamind.org.uk/archive/events

Food and Drink recovery plan published

The food and drink sector is getting £5 million to help its recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19) and prepare for Brexit.

A new joint industry and government plan containing more than 50 actions has been developed to assist in stimulating demand for produce in key markets and supporting businesses to capitalise on consumer demand.

The plan aims to mitigate and reverse the damage caused by both the pandemic and the lack of clarity regarding Brexit and aid the industry’s progression to be greener and more resilient.

It also builds on the work of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership in delivering Ambition 2030, the shared vision for the future of Scotland’s food and drink sector. The industry is expected to contribute £3 million of private sector funding to support delivery of the plan through to 2023.

The food and drink sector has been one of the areas hardest hit by COVID-19, with industry forecasts predicting up to £3 billion in revenue lost this year alone, and the lack of clarity regarding a Brexit deal will amplify those challenges.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The food and drink industry is one of the true success stories of Scotland’s economy, with exports worth a record £6.7 billion in 2019. Across the country, particularly in many of our rural areas, the sector creates highly paid, highly skilled jobs and contributes directly to the public purse in taxes.

“Food and drink businesses have shown remarkable resilience and innovation in responding to the pandemic, from finding new routes to market themselves or in the actions they have taken to support their workforce and keep food on our tables. However, in addition to the many challenges presented by COVID-19, we now need to prepare for the disruption and uncertainty the end of the Brexit transition period will bring in just six weeks’ time.

“This funding commitment will enable Scotland Food & Drink and industry partners to come together to work on fairer, greener and sustainable solutions to the challenges that lie ahead. Scotland is home to much of the world’s greatest produce and we must do all we can to protect and promote it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp-S7E0-bXs

Scotland Food & Drink CEO James Withers said: “2020 has been a year like no other. The trauma wreaked by COVID-19 has affected all of us and following that earthquake comes the next great disrupter: Brexit. But despite this volatile and uncertain world, Scotland’s food and drink sector remains resilient and full of talented and dedicated people that will help drive the recovery.

“The plan announced today brings together industry and the Scottish Government in an agreed strategy of tangible action to stimulate demand in domestic and international markets. It also supports businesses to take advantage of opportunities, recover from COVID-19 and, as far as is possible, navigate Brexit.

“This is a time for action and we’re delighted to have the backing of the Scottish Government and the industry for the work that will start now.”

Recovering from Coronavirus and fuelling Brexit preparation

Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Ambition 2030

Twice as nice: Christmas comes early with two Which? Best Buy supermarket mince pies

Which? has announced that not one, but two mince pies have landed its coveted Which? Best Buy in festive food blind consumer taste tests, with both Asda and Iceland coming top.

Asda Extra Special Mince Pies (£1.75 for six/29p per pie) certainly lived up to their name this year and were awarded a 73 per cent rating, scoring well for overall flavour, texture and appearance. Which?’s panel noted the “crisp” and “buttery” pastry and the intricate design, with one panelist saying it would “lure them in”.

Iceland’s Luxury All Butter Mince Pies (£1.89 for six/31p per pie) were rated just as highly for their taste, aroma and texture, and also coming in with a rating of 73 per cent. One panelist told Which? these pies “tasted like a more expensive product”.

Tesco Finest All Butter Mince Pies (£1.75 for six/29p per pie) missed out on a Best Buy with a 72 per cent rating, as while these pies delivered and the pastry was described as “melt in the mouth” by one taster, a few panellists were not keen on the firmer filling.

M&S Collection mince pies (£2.50 for six/41p per pie) were some of the pricier pies included in the taste tests, but these had some of the best pastry on test, as well as scoring well for flavour. It received a not-too-shabby rating of 71 per cent.

When it came to the bottom of the table, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Mince Pies (£2 for six/33p per pie) came out the worst in the taste tests with a rating of only 58 per cent. Some panelists told Which? these were “claggy” and tasted “stale” and “overcooked”.

Morrisons The Best Mince Pies (£2 for six/33p per pie) were also somewhat of a disappointment, managing a score of just 64 per cent, with more than half the panel describing these as “too dark”.

Harry Rose, Editor of Which? Magazine, said: “Nothing tastes more festive than a delicious warm and crumbly mince pie straight from the oven, and while this year Christmas might be a little different, we want to make sure that at least your mince pies don’t disappoint.”

Also tested:

M&S Collection Mince Pies	71%	£2.50 for 6
ALDI Specially selected Mince Pies	68%	£1.49 for 6
LIDL Deluxe All Butter Mince Pies	68%	£1.49 for 6
WAITROSE NO. 1 All Butter Mince Pies	68%	£2.50 for 6
Co-op Irresistible All-butter Mince Pies	66%	£2 for 6
Spar Luxury All Butter Mince Pies	66%	£2 for 6

Morrisons gives 10% discount to emergency workers for Christmas

– Blue Light Card holders eligible for 10% discount on their shopping –
– Available to those in the Emergency Services, Care Workers and Armed Forces

Morrisons has announced it is offering those in the Emergency Services, Care Workers and Armed Forces who hold a Blue Light Card a 10% discount on their shopping in stores nationwide.

The move follows on from the 10% discount offered by Morrisons to NHS and School Staff across the country.

The Blue Light Card is a recognised national scheme which provides card holders with a range of discounts from large national retailers to local businesses including holidays, days out and insurance.

The Morrisons discount, which is valid till after Christmas, is a thank you to the thousands of key workers including Social Care Workers who have gone above and beyond their usual roles to provide care and support to the British public throughout the Coronavirus pandemic this year.

Blue Light Card holders will also be able to participate in a dedicated shopping hour alongside NHS workers and School staff from 6am-7am (Mon-Sat) before Morrisons stores open to other customers.

David Potts, Morrisons Chief Executive said: “Our emergency services, social care sector and armed forces have worked tirelessly this year to provide support to the many people who need it across the UK, often in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

“This discount is a thank you for all that they have done and continue to do for us all.”

Tom Dalby, CEO of Blue Light Card, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Morrisons in saying thank you to those who have been working on the front line during these difficult few months.

“Morrisons is a well-loved fresh food brand for many and offering a Blue Light Card discount will make a huge difference to our members. I hope that this partnership will make the Christmas food shop that little bit easier for those who go the furthest for us.”

Card holders can claim the 10% discount on their groceries by presenting their Blue Light ID card at the till in any of Morrisons 498 stores nationwide.

See https://my.morrisons.com/blue-light-card-terms-and-conditions/ for more information on terms and conditions.

All the ways to shop with Morrisons during the pandemic

– Same-day delivery services available via Amazon and Deliveroo –

– Dedicated Telesales line and Doorstep Delivery Service available for those who are self-isolating, the elderly and vulnerable customers –

– Morrisons stores are operating with normal opening hours in line with Government restrictions –

To continue serving customers during the pandemic, Morrisons has introduced a number of different ways to purchase food in addition to their usual online delivery service.

Morrisons stores remain open as usual (typically Mon–Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 10am-4pm) and are following Government advice where relevant, however, for those that don’t want to shop in store, there are plenty of other options including a Doorstep Delivery service for self-isolating, elderly and vulnerable shoppers, same-day deliveries with Amazon and Deliveroo for quick and convenient shopping.

In addition, there is a selection of Food Boxes available online, which will be delivered next day if ordered before 3pm, as well as click & collect and regular online delivery service with slots available on morrisons.com.

Doorstep Delivery Service

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Vulnerable, elderly and self-isolating customers including students can order their shopping on the Doorstep Delivery service via a telesales line by calling 0345 611 6111. They can choose from a range of groceries and their order will be delivered the next day by a Morrisons store colleague and paid for, on their doorstep, via a mobile chip and pin device.

Via Amazon

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Customers can access Morrisons shopping either through Morrisons on Amazon (an Amazon.co.uk service) and the Morrisons Store on Amazon Prime Now (accessible via the Prime Now site and app) provides Prime members with a way of getting free-of-charge same-day grocery delivery.

Orders are placed on Amazon, before being picked in store by Morrisons employees and packed in a dedicated area. From there, the shopping is collected by Amazon Flex Delivery Partners and delivered to the customer within a two-hour delivery window on the same day.

Via Deliveroo

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Morrisons has partnered with Deliveroo at more than 130 stores across the UK – covering one in four households (6.8 million). Customers can order from over 200 essential household items, including meat, plant-based substitutes, fruit, vegetables and household essentials, for on-demand delivery in as little as 30 minutes.

All deliveries are contact-free to ensure safety, with Deliveroo riders leaving the deliveries at customers’ doors to collect, minimising person-to-person contact.

Food Boxes

A kitchen with a lot of food on a table

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In March, Morrisons launched a nationwide food box service and has since expanded the range to over 25 choices including cupboard essentials, vegan essentials, gluten-free essentials, meat and fish options, wine boxes and party boxes. All prices listed on Morrisons food boxes website https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/ include next day (if ordered before 3pm) or nominated day delivery. You can even save with a subscription on selected boxes.

Click & Collect

Morrisons has expanded its Click & Collect service to 280 locations nationwide. Customers can simply complete a Morrisons.com order online and then collect from store, contact-free, at a time that suits them best.

For more information visit www.morrisons.com.

Change law to guarantee all publicans a decent living, Scottish Government urged

The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has published its report into legislation proposed by Labour MSP Neil Bibby to govern the relationship between tied pub tenants and pub-owning businesses.

The Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill is being backed by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, which is calling on the Scottish Government and all parties in the Scottish Parliament to vote for the legislation when it is debated later this month.

Licensees in Scotland are currently exempt from regulations that are in place across the rest of Great Britain which stop large pub companies from taking more than is fair or sustainable from pub profits by forcing licensees to buy their beer from them rather than on the open market.

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Parliament Committee’s report, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: “CAMRA is calling on Business Minister Jamie Hepburn and the Scottish Government to do the right thing and give their backing to the Tied Pubs Bill when it is debated later this month.

“This Bill will create, in law, a powerful pubs code to guarantee tied pub tenants are treated fairly and can earn a decent living.

“Scottish Government support for this legislation would be very warmly welcomed by both consumers and the licenced trade as a positive move to help pubs, publicans and pub-goers, after weeks and months of harsh restrictions which are devastating the industry.

“Just a few weeks ago Heineken’s pub arm, Star Pubs and Bars, were fined £2 million by England and Wales’ Pubs Code Adjudicator for serious and repeated breaches of the pubs code. But despite being headquartered in Edinburgh, their Scottish tenants don’t have similar protections to stop pub companies taking more than is fair or sustainable from tied licensees’ profits or make it harder to sell a range of locally-brewed products in their pubs.

“The Scottish Government must now take this opportunity to change the law so that tied pub tenants here have the same protections as those south of the border.”

Morrisons launch explosive spicy sausages for Bonfire Night

Morrisons has brought back a set of fiery bonfire night bangers made with three of the hottest chillies known to mankind.

Back by popular demand, The Morrisons ‘Hellfire’ sausages contain an explosive combination of Naga Ghost, Trinidad Scorpion and Carolina Reaper chilli – some of the spiciest chillies you can get according to the Guinness World Records.

They have been expertly blended with Morrisons 100% British ‘The Best’ sausage meat to create the ultimate hair-raising banger.

With coronavirus restrictions putting a dampener on many Halloween and Bonfire plans this year, these scorching six chilli rating sizzlers are sure to heat up even the smallest at home celebrations. But be quick, as the sausages are available for a limited time only.

Morrisons Sausage Buyer, Campbell Breakwell said: “These sausages cooked up a storm amongst our customers last year, so rightfully we had to bring them back!

“For those feeling dare devilish enough to try them for the first time, we’d suggest having a glass of milk at the ready!”

Available in Morrisons stores for £2.65 for a pack of six – or two packs for £4 if you’re feeling brave.

Available in the majority of Morrisons stores – whilst stocks last

Nominations now open for Asian Restaurant Awards 2020

The 4^th Asian Restaurant Awards in association with Just Eat will return to Scotland on 7 December 2020.

The awards recognise outstanding culinary excellence, sumptuous creativity, and achievement by those who have worked hard to help their local community during the recent pandemic that has rocked the hospitality industry.

Nominations are now open and the public have until the 20 November to vote for their favourite restaurant online:

https://asianrestaurantawards.org/scotland-nomination-form/

This year, because of Covid-19 restrictions the judges won’t visit individual restaurants, so their winning decisions will rely entirely on customer nominations and any information supplied by the nominee.

The winners will be announced at a virtual award ceremony broadcast live from the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh on NTV Europe (Sky 780) on Monday 7 December from 6 – 8pm.

Andrew Kenny, Managing Director of Just Eat, said “Just Eat has worked closely with the Asian Catering Federation for a number of years. During an exceptionally challenging year, I’m delighted to celebrate our partnership by helping to recognise those who have worked tirelessly through the last 10 months and continue to do so.”

Organised by the Asian Catering Federation, the awards have become a pinnacle for uniting the Asian restaurant industry in achieving recognition for innovative vision and exceptional food.

Categories will cover a range of national cuisines, including Chinese, Bangladeshi, Indian, Thai and Middle Eastern, and also include the highly anticipated Chef of The Year, Best Newcomer and Local Hero awards.

Industry legend and Curry Club founder, Pat Chapman, a judge at this year’s awards, said: “Things have always been tough for the curry restaurant sector with immigration regulations and competition, and the virus has enforced closures (some permanent) and loss of income, so this year, more than ever, it is a pleasure to be involved in these uplifting ceremonies.”

The 2019 awards in Edinburgh were hosted by BBC TV news anchor Samantha Simmonds and over 70 Asian restaurants from across Scotland were shortlisted for an award. Winners in 2019 included Mother India’s Café in Edinburgh, Masala Ram’s in Falkirk and Panache in Elgin.

As Chairman of the Asian Restaurant Awards, Yawar Khan (above) is keen to uphold the traditions of honouring great food and maintain a strong stance on how recent measures are affecting the hospitality industry.

He said “During these difficult times, we need more support from the government, and the Asian Restaurant Awards 2020 are a wonderful way to give recognition to hardworking people in the Asian food industry.”

Restaurant group launches national initiative to support staff through Winter

Top restaurant group, Kained, has teamed up with TiPJAR and Hospitality Action to kickstart a national charity campaign to help Scottish hospitality workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

If you take a stroll down Finnieston this month, you’ll spot an innovative window display that has been designed to support local hospitality staff who have been hit the worst during the pandemic.

The pioneering new ‘Support Local’ activation – the first of its kind in the world launches today (Monday, 2nd November), and is the first fintech project of its kind in Scotland to tackle challenges presented by the uncertainty of the current pandemic and help support local hospitality staff.

TiPJAR – the UK’s new cashless and contactless tipping platform will help raise emergency funds for the Kained 100-strong team, and thousands of others nationally, who like many in the hospitality sector are receiving reduced support for 67% of their regular income and in most cases, now facing no government support due to changes in the new tier system and furlough eligibility.

The revolutionary campaign sees contactless tipping boxes provided by TiPJAR in the Finnieston restaurant windows which you can support by giving a £2 cash-free donation that goes directly to Hospitality Action to distribute to hospitality workers across Scotland – including the Kained team.

Simply tap to tip on their window to support local workers, with half of the money distributed straight to the Kained staff and the other half donated to a national pot to help the most at-risk workers.

Graham Suttle, MD of Kained, said: “We are proud to kick off a national campaign to bring support and a much-needed lifeline for so many, in such difficult times.

“Our customers are as much part of the family as our team, and have asked so many times to help they now have a safe and direct way via this award-winning platform, to help support our amazing team and those most in need across the nation.”

TiPJAR is an award-winning cashless tipping platform that allows individuals and groups to receive tips from consumers directly and distribute them transparently and fairly amongst their team.

James Brown, founder of TiPJAR and retail director of to BrewDog, said: “Having started my hospitality career working in bars in the city, I couldn’t think of a better place to launch this campaign.

“As many staff and businesses now face their toughest challenge of the pandemic so far, we wanted to do what we can to help the staff at Kained and staff all across the U.K.”

All funds will be donated towards Hospitality Action who will distribute funds to hospitality workers in Scotland.

If you would like to support the initiative, you can donate by clicking this link, head to the Finnieston and tap to tip their windows or visit https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/kh-finnieston

Join the tipping revolution, for more information on TiPJAR, head to https://www.wearetipjar.com