Beer and crisps – a Corking night in!

Warsteiner

I hold my hands up, it's been a while since my last post.

But as you will read from this, I had some gorgeous grub to work my way through, as well as some crisp, refreshing beer...

And so, after a few nights of 'posh crisps' and German Pilsner, I thought I would share this experience with you!

With supermarkets now stocking a whole range of international lagers, ales and ciders, it might be difficult to build up a list of favourites. But if it's a lively, refreshing and 'proper' pilsner you're after, I would say go no further than pick up a bottle of Warsteiner.

Warsteiner Premium Verum (4.8%) is available from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, and independent retailers nationwide, with prices starting at £2.00 for 500ml. Warsteiner is also available on draught in various pubs around the country.

Naturally brewed according to the German Purity Law, Warsteiner is made with only three ingredients; hops, barley and extra soft water from the Arnsberg Forest, giving a remarkably smooth, clean taste. It’s this great taste that has seen beer drinkers in the UK make Warsteiner the No. 1 imported German premium pilsner producer among privately owned breweries in the UK.

And unusually for me, I decided to sample the non-alcoholic version too. Very rarely would I choose to drink a non-alcoholic beer – bot because I want to feel light-headed and begin to slur, but because, quite simply, I do not like the taste.

The Warsteiner version, however, has a dry and full taste, while not negating some of the finer ingredients of the full-bodied equivalent.

The super six selection of Corkers crisps

I would say that, given the choice, I wouldn't choose this over the 4.8% alcohol bottle, but if you want something a little more succulent than fruit juice or fizzy pop, it's certainly worth a try.

So with every good beer, snack food goes down a treat – and I was treated to six varieties of Corkers crisps.

The truly British crisp with a crunch like no other, Corkers will satisfy the hungriest of stomachs with their six mouth-watering flavours which include; Sea Salt, Sea Salt and Cider vinegar, Red Leicester and Caramelised Onion, Sweet Thai Chilli, Pork Sausage and English Mustard, Sea Salt and Black Pepper.

And I got to sample them all (obviously not in one session)!

The secret to Corkers' unique great taste is the attention to detail the makers have put into perfecting it. The premium quality Naturalo potato tastes great, but isn't a similar sight on our supermarket shelves because it's just not pretty enough.

However, its flavour is exceptional and once sliced and fried, it outshines other potatoes.

Sustainably farmed in the rich, peaty Cambridgeshire soil, the potatoes are harvested and then stored at a temperature that ensures the starch doesn't turn to sugar. This means that Corkers crisps maintain an authentic potato taste rather than the undertones of burnt sugar, which can often be detected in other brands of crisps.

There are many brands of 'posh' crisps out there at the moment, and pubs, bars and coffee shops are choosing to stock such brands ahead of more mainstream and established ones.

Corkers are now ready to burst into the market, and whether it is for that bar snack, for a pre-BBQ nibble, or like me, you think they would be an excellent accompaniment to a beer, they could, and should, become a family favourite.

Here are my thoughts on each flavour, comments and critique:

Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar

It's a subtle taste – maybe what people like, but could have been a bit stronger on the cider. Salt was at the appropraite level to go with the cider. The crisps were cooked to perfection; there wasn't a 'bad one' in the bag.

Red Leicester and Caramelised Onion

I expected these to be my least favourite, as cheese and onion flavour never really appeal. How wrong I was. These were my FAVOURITE. Both flavours in the title are shown off superbly, leaving a lovely and fresh aftertaste. These were far better than 'cheese and onion' with every crisp perfectly flavoured.

Sausage and Mustard

I really wanted these to be the best. Unfortunately I felt a little let down. I wanted more of a tingle on the tongue from the mustard. The flavour is still prevalent, but could have been stronger, especially to get a real taste of the sausage.

Sea Salt and Black Pepper

Again, the flavour was subtle, so where black pepper is concerned, probably a wise idea for a crisp. And again, it seemed no crisp missed out on its share of flavour.

Sweet Thai Chilli

This kind of flavour is becoming more popular in crisps. And I would say it goes perfectly with a refreshing beer. The chilli does hit the spot on the tongue, and throat, while not being too overpowering.

Sea Salt

A safe option – there is often the tendency for 'simply salt' flavoured crisps to be layered with sodium chloride, but Corkers have got the balance just right with this.

For more information on Warsteiner Pilsner, visit www.warsteiner-uk.com

For more on Corkers crisps, including how to order batch delivery, visit www.corkerscrisps.co.uk

Celebrate everything Spanish - in London!

The market is sure to be a continental affair

As ever with English weather, there's no guarantee of a warm and sunny Bank Holiday weekend.

However there is a promise of one Mediterranean delight that is scheduled to hit London over the long weekend of May 3-6.

The UK’s favourite Spanish wine brand, Campo Viejo is bringing the vibrancy, life and colours of Spain to London’s Southbank Centre with its ‘Streets of Spain’ festival – a four day celebration of modern Spanish food, wine, art and culture unlike anything London has experienced before. 

Running from May 3-6, 10.30am to 7:00pm, the festival promises to bring the bustling energy and tastes of Spain to London by welcoming market stall owners from Barcelona’s world-famous La Boqueria food market to the UK for the first time ever.

Bringing fresh produce and tapas direct from Spain, the event will be the first time people will be able to buy the famous offerings here in London. The festival also impresses with a myriad of authentic Spanish experiences, such as wine tastings straight from the Campo Viejo cellar door hosted by winemakers; art demonstrations by famed street artists Okuda and Remed; films as showcased at the Spanish Film Festival; and authentic Spanish tapas prepared by La Boqueria chefs.

There is bound to be a high-class selection of Spanish meats on offer

Following the daily bustle of the market, the Streets of Spain will transform each evening into an exclusive pop-up restaurant hosted by Michelin-starred Spanish chef, Angel Pascual. The Campo Viejo pop-up experience will offer food and wine-lovers a world-class Spanish menu designed by Pascual, matched with wines from the UK’s favourite Spanish wine brand, Campo Viejo.

The Campo Viejo Streets of Spain festival offers the following colourful Spanish experiences:

Masterclasses:

• Blend your Own Wine: Attendees will have the chance to become a winemaker for an hour.  Our winemakers will explain the fundamentals of a great tasting Rioja, demonstrate what this could look like and then our fledgling winemakers will be able to try it for themselves. The ingredients will include young and aged samples, the key grape varieties and regions of Rioja. Their final blend will then be blended by the winemakers and bottled for them to collect and take home at the end of the day with their own personalised label. Places are very limited.

• Introduction of Spanish Wine: Winemakers will offer information on the Rioja region, Spanish grape varieties and styles, as well as wine busting a few myths and answering all those questions you have always wanted to ask. Attendees will have an opportunity to taste the full Campo Viejo range of red wines including Tempranillo, Reserva, Gran Reserva and its super-premium Dominio de Campo Viejo, together with two Campo Viejo Cavas.

Take home some tips from Spain's famous chefs

• Taste Experience – Looking at how taste influences wine perception: This will be a guide to discovering the effects of basic tastes – acid, sweet, salty, bitter and umami – on tasting different wines using two popular Campo Viejo products; Tempranillo and Gran Reserva. Lucky attendees will be treated to some unusual, controversial but sensational food and wine combinations: red wine and desserts or fish anybody? This session will make you think completely differently about food and wine matching and open your eyes up to the wealth of possibilities.

• Advanced Spanish Wine Masterclass: Campo Viejo Winemakers will host a Tempranillo masterclass, which as the name suggests will immerse attendees into the delights of the noble grape variety of Rioja. Tutored by our experts, attendees will compare wines from different sub-regions of Rioja – including Rioja Baja, Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa – showcasing the diversity and richness of both Rioja and Tempranillo. There will also be an opportunity to try our new vintage; Campo Viejo Tempranillo 2011. Additionally attendees will be able to taste the other Riojan varieties (Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano) and understand the differences between wines aged in French and American oak.

• Spanish breakfasts served daily from 10.45am

Live art experiences:

•  Campo Viejo will partner with two famous artists, Okuda and Remed, at the Streets of Spain event

• They will be creating a live piece of art outside the Southbank Centre inspired by the Campo Viejo brand, and will bring Spanish colour and vibrancy to the Festival Village with a number of 3D installations that will be on display throughout the weekend

Michelin star pop-up restaurant each evening from 7pm to 10:30pm.  To reserve a table, visit the Campo Viejo Facebook page.

•  Five course food and wine match menu for £65 per person

Cinema viewings of celebrated films previewed at the Spanish Film Festival

For more information and to book masterclasses and a table at the pop-up restaurant, visit www.streetsofspain.com where you will find the Streets of Spain tab on the Campo Viejo Facebook page. Also see Twitter at #streetsofspain for more information.

So I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for some decent weather come the Bank Holiday weekend, in the hope that I can experience my own little Spanish summer in the capital. 

Theatre review: Knock Yourself Out

Writer Tom Holloway takes on the role of Roger

Tom Holloway captures the mood of a generation with his spot on portrayal of three graduates as they struggle to find their way in life, in new play Knock Yourself Out, now on at The Courtyard Theatre, Shoreditch.

In this funny, poignant and, at times, dark play, the audience is welcomed into the front room of Roger, Jono and Billy’s student digs as the lads continue to drink, party, take drugs, and generally continue with their hedonistic student lifestyle, with its associated highs and lows, before being forced to face up to reality.   

You witness the nuances of their complicated friendships and love lives, as well as the many and varied consequences of a Jagermeister and fine wine-fuelled game of ring of fire.  It will warm your heart as it takes you back to your own student days, as you sympathise with the plight of these three young men, struggling to work out what to do next.  It may make you yearn for your student days, but a part of you will surely be glad you don’t have to return to those uncertain times.

The cast is superb, with familiar faces from This is England, Spooks, and Hollyoaks.  You can’t help but feel a soft spot for lovable Jono (Joe Sowerbutts) as his heart is played with by Carrie (Jenni Herzberg).  Roger (Tom Holloway) is central to the play, and you will find yourself simulatenously delighting and despairing at his many errors in judgement, and sympathising with his long-suffering flatmates as a result.   

The play will no doubt remind many of their university days

The graduates' love lives are laid bare in Holloway's play

Billy (Paul Tinto) is the much-needed voice of reason in this otherwise somewhat dysfunctional threesome, and the only one attempting to further his education by undertaking a master’s degree.  His brutal Scottish honesty often brings his less realistic friends back to earth with a bump, and you may well cringe as he describes in detail what happened in Amsterdam…!  Ginny (Danielle Watson) and Nicola (Lucy Telleck) enter later into the play, and a burgeoning romance between Nicola and Roger makes you wonder if he’ll be ok after all.

The intimacy of the theatre makes you feel so involved in the characters’ lives, and you can see every expression on every actor’s face as you are so close to the action.  This is an absolute must see but, top tip:  don’t take Granny, unless you are confident that she is comfortable with talk of deviant sexual behaviour and flagrant use of the c-word.

We were treated with excellent hospitality James Warren / Photoshot

Knock Yourself Out is on 7^th – 24^th March at The Courtyard Theatre, Shoreditch.  Tickets £16.50, £12.50 for concessions.

Click here for more information and to book tickets.

Written and produced by Tom Holloway, directed by Becky Catlin.

Feel grand on The Strand

It's not easy to escape the hustle and bustle of The Strand in London, but when you manage to find a nice little gem to relax in, it should be treasured.

And that's exactly what The Coal Hole public house is.

Right on the main through-fare, The Coal Hole is inconspicuous from the outside, but majestic and traditional on the inside. While there is no promise of speedy service at the bar on entering due to its location and popularity with workers as well as tourists, the waiting time lends a chance to admire the surroundings.

The peri peri chicken wings were certainly a sizzling treat

We were met by the welcoming Vitas, who advised us that our table downstairs was ready when we were. I decided to sample a pint of Nutty Black, from the Thwaites Brewery. I was met by a smooth, chocolatey delight, with a slight hint of toffee apple!

Upon finishing my pint, we were showed downstairs to our corner booth table by Vitas, and told that waitress Egle would be looking after us. As she handed our menus over with a cheery smile, I was looking forward to some good old British fare!

The salmon starter was sufficient and fresh-tasting

I decided on the peri peri chicken wings for starter, while my partner went for the smoked salmon with dill. The chicken was suitably seasoned which is often taken for granted, and the meat was tender and juicy. I was left wishing I had gone for the larger portion (£7.95) as for £4.95, could have been more.

My partner commented that the salmon had a lovely flavour, and unlike in some restaurants, it was more melt-in-your mouth than chewy, and the portion of fish was suitable for a starter.

The rich and 'special treat' of venison sausages and mash

After consuming my spicy selection, for main course I plumped, by popular opinion, for the premium line cod fillet. I say popular opinion as the research I carried out prior to this review saw me stumble upon endless recommendations to try this house favourite.

I also decided on a pint of Jaipur ale, from the Thornbridge Brewery, apparently a house special, on the recommendation of Egle. The ale was crisp and refreshing, and seemed like a perfect accompaniment to my fish dish.

Sourced using sustainable fishing methods, the fillet is hand- battered in the company's own Nicholson’s Pale Ale and served with skin on chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. As a northerner, I like to think I know a thing or two about decent fish and chips (The Wetherby Whaler being a local favourite)

And I had the only complaint I had here was that there wasn't enough chips on my plate! The fish was juicy and the batter cooked to a perfect crisp with no doughy bits in sight. The chips were hot, and the side of mushy peas was must for such a delightful dish.

My partner selected the venison sausages and mash. Three venison and red wine sausages served on
creamy mashed potato, topped off with homemade onion rings and redcurrant jelly. Again, there were no complaints on this one either. The gravy was flavoursome, which added to the rich texture of the fine sausages.

The fish and chips is now recommended by me as well as many other previous diners!

Unfortunately we were too full for dessert, which may have come as a pleasant surprise to Egle as the restaurant was certainly filling up and she appeared to be very busy.

All in all we had no complaints about the food, service or venue, and thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Coal Hole. However we would like to make some observations.

While not being unique to The Coal Hole, there is a lack of lighter options on the main menu. While this rarely, if ever, affects me, it could be an issue to some. Eating at The Coal Hole, we found, was a bit of a treat. It was a time to ignore 'calorie-content', to kick back with a nice pint of house ale, and rest our weary feet. I would advise when making a booking or eating at this venue to take a similar stance, so as to fully appreciate the fine British food on offer.

Saturday night diners tuck in to some good quality British food

Also, prospective diners/drinkers should be aware that the venue is likely to be busy at most times during the week and at weekends, due to its central location, close to Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. So no clicking your fingers here please!

Scores on the doors (out of 10)

Setting -8
Service -9
Quality of food -9
Cleanliness and decor -8

Total score  - 34/40

To make a booking for The Coal Hole, click here

Sleep under the stars

In a UK first, Travelodge has launched a hotel room which will allow customers to sleep under the stars in the comfort of their bed. 

So naturally, being a thrifty northerner and always being a fan of Travelodge due to their competitive place in the hospitality market, I decided I would test out this unusual art.

A secret technique has been used to create a ‘night sky’ at a dozen Travelodge hotels across the country. Each bespoke cosmic panorama has been created by artist Carl Marshall.

Scroll down for video

This isn't me - unfortunately professional camera equipment would be needed to capture the quality of the night sky

Carl and a colleague have artistically transformed a standard white ceiling into a cosmic sky by hand painting individual shooting stars, milky ways and constellations of twinkling stars.  On average it took them three hours to complete one ceiling.     

During the day, the ceilings look plain white but in darkness the stars appear to twinkle and the dust clouds seem to move mysteriously. Whilst the three dimensional effect of the ceiling also appears to fall towards the bed by around three feet, creating a sense of immersion.

Carl Marshall created the ceiling by working in the dark wearing a UV headlight. He covered the ceiling with a base layer of special light-activated paint then used glow-in-the-dark paint that glows blue, green and aqua to add dust clouds, stars and their tails. The paintworks soaks up light during the daylight hours and glows in darkness.

Marshall from Euxton, Lancashire said: "The exact technique I use is a closely guarded trade secret because it is so effective. It is a painstaking process as you have to position the colours perfectly to achieve a three-dimensional effect but the results are definitely worth it.

"The stars twinkle and the dust clouds appear to move as you lie in bed looking at it."

Our visit to the London Central City Road hotel was in February, and unfortunately the gloomy daytime hours affected the quality of the cosmic panorama. The ceiling did come to life at night-time, but unfortunately there were no colours - that is to say it was simply a splattering of 'white stars' above our heads.

On the second day, we ensured that the blind on the window was up early doors until the sun set, hoping that this could affect and bring out the colours, but unfortunately the results were the same as night one.

Our subsequent comments have been received gratefully by Travelodge HQ, with an agreement that the level of light entering the room obviously affects the standard of the night sky. A room containing more than one window would obviously help enhance the artwork.

How a dreary white ceiling can be transformed

        
Travelodge has created the UK’s first night sky panorama hotel rooms in response to findings from its latest sleep study. The hotel chain surveyed 2,000 adults in order to investigate the nation’s most desirable sleeping locations.

Key findings from the study revealed the most desired kipping location for Britons is under a blanket of twinkling stars. Forty two per cent of adults choose a starry night sky backdrop as their most desired sleeping location in contrast to a tropical beach, rainforest and jungle.  

Sleeping by the sea was the second most popular desired kipping spot for Britons followed by a sandy beach in third place.

Delving a little deeper into the nation’s fascination with stars the study also found that that over a half of Britons (52 per cent) think there is something very magical about a starry night.

A third of Britons reported they regularly enjoy looking up to a night sky at bedtime and find counting stars very tranquil and a good sleep aid.

Whilst four out of 10 adults reported gazing up at a starry sky puts them in a romantic mood.           

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokesperson said: "As part of our commitment in helping to ensure our customers attain a good night’s sleep, we are constantly looking at innovative sleep aids. Therefore in response to our latest sleep study, which highlighted Britons most desirable place to nod off is under a blanket of stars, we took the challenge and created the ultimate outdoor sleeping experience indoors.

"Now our customers can gaze into a cosmic night sky of shooting stars, milky ways and constellations of twinkling stars from the comfort of their warm cosy bed.”

Further findings from the sleep study revealed that 28 per cent of British adults would love to sleep under the stars every night because it would help them to nod off easily.

One in 10 Britons would love to transform their bedroom ceiling to a starry night sky so that they can achieve a good night’s sleep. 

The Travelodge cosmic night sky panorama hotel room is available at the following hotels:

• Birmingham Bull Ring Travelodge
• Blackpool South Shore Travelodge
• Bournemouth Seafront Travelodge
• Bristol Central Mitchell Lane Travelodge
• Cardiff Atlantic Wharf Travelodge
• Edinburgh Central Waterloo Travelodge
• Liverpool Strand Travelodge
• London City Road Travelodge
• Manchester Central Arena Travelodge
• Newcastle Central Travelodge
• Newquay Travelodge
• Torquay Travelodge

On summing up, I would say the addition of a cosmic panorama to the standard room are a nice little extra, and when you book your room, it is definitely worth asking if it would be available. However, with teething problems concerning how to maximise its potential, I don't believe it is something you should look to pay extra for, at this stage.

Dinner dilemma? Dine in for a tenner!

M&S food is a bit of a treat, really.  We've been having a laugh their 'food porn' TV ads for a couple of years now but, let's face it, they have the goods to back it up. When I was a student I was once given M&S vouchers for Christmas so that when the post-Christmas-impoverished-student blues kicked in come January, I could cheer myself up with something more desirable than beans on toast.  And though my university days are tragically behind me, M&S food is still something a bit special, something to swoon over.

But it doesn't often come particularly cheap which is why, in my mind, their (now much copied) 'dine in for £10' offer is GENIUS.  A yummy main, side dish, irresistible dessert and a bottle of wine for a tenner?  Amazing.

The expert choices made for our 'dine in for £10'

My partner went off to make the choices and came back with beef and smoked bacon meatballs (with a lentil ragu, cherry tomatoes, roasted red onions and cheddar cheese), accompanied by rosemary potatoes and a bottle of Merlot.

The meatballs were rich and warming, and the crispy potatoes were the perfect, tasty hit of carbs we all appreciate in the winter.  There was a bit of a drama when I went to start cooking and noticed that the two dishes required oven temperatures that differed by 50 degrees(!!!) but don't worry guys, I made it work!  The glass of red on the side was just right for the cold January night, and gorgeously smooth.

While it is difficult to match up on presentation compared to a meal out - the taste more than made up for that

 

I was pretty pleased with the decadent dessert that was chosen; salted caramel billionaire's dessert, with a base of chocolate crumb, salted caramel sauce, treacle mousse and a layer of Belgian chocolate ganache.  Desserts really are my weak point and M&S offer an impressively tempting selection.  At 390 cals this may have to be a once-in-a-while treat for some of us, particularly this time of year, but I cannot recommend it highly enough - rich, sweet and indulgent, it was the perfect way to round off the meal.

My one and only criticism of this offer is that, depending on what you choose, you may find that you want to add an extra side dish, which obviously bumps up the cost a little.  In this case, some salad or a few veg would've been great, and might have made us feel a little more virtuous!  But M&S have some great examples of extra side dishes so you won't have to look far.

There is such an impressive choice on offer that there really is something for everyone, and in these tough times eating out isn't really an option for all of us, so this provides a fantastic substitute that you can enjoy in comfort at home.  So go on, head to M&S and treat your partner (and yourself) this weekend - it's only a tenner and I guarantee it will get you some brownie points!

The desserts were rich and indulgent

For more information on M&S food, or to order in your dinner delight, click here.

Guest blogger  -AB

Can you conquer the Hart Breaker Challenge?

In all its glory - The Hart Breaker Challenge

Inspired by the popular TV show Man V Food, Hitchin pub the Red Hart has a new dish on the menu that is sure to leave most quaking in their boots.

Introducing the ‘Hart Breaker Challenge’ – a 35oz cheese and bacon burger, with a more-than-helpful 1kg of chips on the side – all to be consumed within one hour.

There are five meaty pattys, four rashers of bacon, four large slices of cheese, a toasted bun loaded with salad, tomato, red onion and mayonnaise.

Then there’s the monstrous mound of chips. Seem simple? Think again.

Three journalists took on the challenge under the watchful eye of manager Phil Venables, the referee for this contest.

Two fell by the wayside, hunched over in pain and exasperation.

One man defeated all the odds, and not only demolished the 8760-calorie dish, but also set a new record in 58 minutes 4 seconds.

Step forward Mr Gary Caffell – who was proud to receive his ‘I beat the Hart Breaker T-Shirt, as well as a place on the wall of fame.

I was confident as I eyed it up....

Unfortunately his wingmen, Liam Osborne and myself, spent the last 10 minutes or so urging our colleague on as our throats appeared to have closed up completely after hitting the ‘meat wall.’

The burger has become the behemoth of Hitchin – 17 people have now taken on the meat monster, with only two competitors completing the challenge.

Unfortunately, for me, it was a constant struggle!

The triumphant Gary Caffell

It’s little wonder, though, the beef usually wins – the burger challenge, which costs £14.99, consists of just under 5lbs of food – the weight of a small baby.

It is also over THREE times the daily recommended calorie intake for a fully grown man – on just one plate!

So if you think you are can rank alongside Man V Food star Adam Richman, and be Hertfordshire’s premier eater, get yourself down to the Red Hart in Hitchin!

Some may say feeble, I would say a gallant effort!

The Hart Breaker is not available after 8pm on weekdays, not after 7pm on weekends or between 12pm-3pm on Fridays.

Groups of three or more must pre-book with the pub on 01462 434249.

To see more photos of attempts and other news and offers see the Red Hart’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/redharthitchin

What the challenge consists of

5  x 7oz beef burgers

4 x large rashers of bacon

4 x large slices of cheese

1 toasted bun

Salad, tomato, red onion, mayonnaise

1kg of chips

A few words of warning...

You accept all and any risk in taking the challenge. It’s a lot of food so if you have a pre-existing medical condition that may be exasperated by consuming large quantities of food in a short space of time, you are not advised to try the challenge.

The Hart Breaker Burger is a high calorie and high fat food item – it is not healthy! It should only be undertaken occasionally.

The management and staff are the challenge referees and their decision on all matters in final.