Food and Drink

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food As we press further into the new year, S.Pellegrino’s Young Chef competition has returned once again for a 2016 instalment. Last year’s contest was a resounding success, especially for the UK & Ireland heat, with Irish chef Mark Moriarty winning the overall competition, named champion in Milan last year, having been coached by mentor Clare Smyth, previously Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay’s three Michelin-star restaurant in Chelsea. Applications for this year are now open...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food It’s no secret that food waste in the UK is a real issue, and with Brits wasting an estimated 15 million tonnes of food each year, it’s bread that’s wasted the most. In fact, recent figures have shown that UK households are throwing away a collective mass of approximately 24 million slices of bread each year. Yes, bread does have a short shelf life, and although there are obvious ways of saving bread, most...

Wellness has become somewhat of a goldmine in the food and drink industry, so it perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise that an antioxidant rich, weight reducing cancer deterrent such as Matcha is all the rage. In very basic terms, matcha is a stone-grounded powder which is in effect a very concentrated green tea. The powdery substance is a more versatile version of its tea leaf counterpart and is used to serve lattes and iced drinks in cafes and everything from...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food With plenty of exciting restaurant openings constantly taking place across the Capital, here’s our pick of the best new restaurants arriving in London over the coming month. Patty & Bun – Soho Since initially setting up as a pop-up restaurant, Patty & Bun have become renowned for producing some of London’s finest burgers. And with three permanent sites already open across London, as well as a popular street food van, the team are currently gearing up to open...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Renowned just as much for their fun cocktails as for their food, Balans  Soho Society now has five restaurants in London: one at each Westfield Shopping Centre, a branch in Kensington High Street a Soho Café and of course, the Soho original. While it would seem that their Porn Star Martini is often the most popular choice and recommendation, the bar team have provided a recipe for their simple ‘A Slap on the Rum’...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Just over a year ago, Martin Williams formerly of of Gaucho, opened his first solo venture ‘M’ within the heart of the city’s square mile on Threadneedle Street. Split into two concepts, both M Grill and M Raw, the single dining space offered two menus for diners to choose from, while a bar upstairs was on hand to provide drinks for the legions of city slickers that would pour into the restaurant after hours....

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Strength: 5.5% ABV Brewed: Kounoso, Japan First established in 1823, it wasn’t until 1996 that the Kiuchi Brewery started to produce Hitachino Nest beer, formerly better known for its sake production. Located in the small Japanese village of Kounosu, the beer’s name is inspired by the Kounosu’s literal meaning – “nest” – and has become hugely acclaimed over the past 20 years for both its beer and the quirky owl logo that adorns every...

The 2016 'Top 50 Gastropubs in Britain' have been announced today by the Publican's Morning Advertiser. The industry title ranked Stephen Harris’s Michelin-starred Kentish pub the Sportsman in top space. After coming second twice in 2013 and 2014, Harris claimed the top spot for the first time at the 2015 awards and has regained the title again this year. Yorkshire pubs fared well, with The Pipe and Glass of South Dalton and The Star at Harome of York claiming second and third spots...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Planning on making the ultimate Burns Night supper this evening? Yes, haggis, tatties and neeps is a tried and tested classic - great for traditionalists - but why not attempt something a little different for this year using Scotland’s national dish? Macsween of Edinburgh, a third generation family company, has been at the forefront of haggis and black pudding making for 60 years, and now have also become renowned for their unique home recipes...