Master your Asian cookery skills with Jeremy Pang’s 15 minute Noodle Kit.

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Kesh

Much like Jamie’s 30 minutes meals, TV Chef and School of Wok founder Jeremy Pang has come up with a quick and tasty way to create your favourite Asian dishes at home. Unlike 30 minute meals, Pang’s 15 minute Noodle Kit’s actually do take 15 minutes and not a minute longer!

The kits, which include Singapore Noodles, Chow Mein and Pad Thai, each feature an authentic blend of herbs and spices that bring the real taste of Asian street food into your own kitchen. The convenience and quality of the kits are not their only appeal, Pang has set out to create a learning experience too and the kits encourage you to hone in your Asian cookery skills by including a link to YouTube video tutorials on how to make the most of your dinner kit.

One of the best features for me is the handy Wok Clock which shows an ingredient clock showing your what order they go in without having to keep looking at a recipe. Another brilliant time saver are the numbered sachets. Personally, these little touches make the world of difference especially if you have very little time to cook but would love to be able to make something delicious.

Frost were lucky enough to pay a visit to School of Wok, Pang’s Covent Garden cookery school, and managed to get a live demonstration from Jeremy Pang himself so we thought we’d share with you our Top Wok Tips;

Make sure the oil is boiling hot, enough to hear your ingredients sizzling.

Swivel the pan in a circular motion whilst folding the ingredients with your spoon to make sure everything gets cooked through evenly.

Slice your ingredients thinner for an even and shorter cooking time;
For me this was an important one as many people tend to overcook their chicken. The trick is to slice it thinly and trust that it only does take a few minutes to cook through. If in doubt cut it with your spoon to check for pinkness.

And finally…

Your ingredients need as much love as we do so make sure to massage all of your marinade into your chosen protein to make sure every bit of it has absorbed.

Our verdict;

In terms of instant dinner kits this has to be top for convenience and quality. The Wok Clock has won me over and the range of skills you can pick up will help you become a Wokstar in no time.

Jeremy Pang’s 15 Minute Noodle Kits are currently available in selected Tesco’s Stores and are currently on offer priced at £2.00

School of Wok is open to visitors Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and offer a wide range of courses and classes suitable for any levels. Follow School of Wok for more details on @SchoolofWok

Steak & The City & A Fabulous Party Atmosphere | The Trading House Review

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Aidan

An absolute wow of a venue with live music and amazing reasonably-priced food.

If you’re a Londoner bored of the West End or a tourist looking for a slightly different night out in London, check out The Trading House near Moorgate in the heart of the city of London. The second you step foot in the place, it’s buzzing – with a live pianist, a packed bar and seriously eclectic decor (including stuffed birds and animal heads). And all of this is set in the former Bank of New Zealand, an amazing building with a curved ceiling and wall-to-wall warm, luscious wood. Tucked at the back is a slightly calmer restaurant section which boasts some of the heartiest, tastiest pub food in London.

To start you off, there is a huge drinks menu in the form of a small book. The specialities here are gin, cocktails and beer. I opted for a Hendrick’s cucumber gin and tonic – there was a choice of four tonics, and I chose 1724 which was less bubbly than your average tonic and very palatable.

The food menu is broad – whatever mood you’re in, The Trading House has it covered – but we decided to stick to traditional pub grub. We started off with asparagus soup (which was very creamy and came in a mug) and baked camembert. This was served on a wooden platter and was surrounded by fresh fruit, salad and flatbread – it was a big platter which cost just £6.95 and would have been perfect for keeping hunger at bay whilst downing beers for a few hours. But were here to try the food, and we ate on.

For the main courses we chose a steak pie and classic steak and chips. The pie was beautiful with soft pastry and a tender tasty steak filling – it came with a jug of steaming hot gray, a large swirl of creamy mash (far too generous a portion for me to get through) and mushy peas. My partner ordered a steak and chips, with salad and sugar snaps. He declared the steak perfect.

A break was necessary before we could even think of dessert – we ordered one between us as we were so full. We went for the sticky toffee pudding – it did not disappoint. This was the lightest ever pud, soaked in sticky toffee sauce (rather than just having the sauce plonked on top) and with a dollop of ice cream on the top.

I will go back to The Trading House – oh yes, and I thoroughly recommend it. I also recommend a walk through the city afterwards to burn off some of the calories. This part of London is stunning at night. And if you come out of The Trading House and turn right you will stumble upon The Guildhall, with its amazing array of architecture. Keep walking and you may hit St Paul’s which is well worth seeing at night. Walk a little further and you’ll hit the West End and will be left wondering why it is heaving with tourists when the city of London, not so very far away, is quite so stunning.

The Tradiing House, 89-91 Gresham Street London EC2V 7NQ; tel 020 7600 5050

Celebrate Alice in Wonderland’s birthday with Chambord Pop-Up

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Kesh

Fancy venturing down the Rabbit Hole to try out something new?

In the same year that Queen Elizabeth II celebrates becoming the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Lewis Carroll’s infamous Alice in Wonderland turns 150 years old and from today, Chambord are hosting an end of summer croquet and cocktails pop-up. Chambord Chapter Eight: Games will give the public a chance to put their croquet skills to the test while sipping on a delicious Chambord cocktail and sampling the delights French-American burger legends, Le Bun, are serving up. Best of all, you get to enjoy this experience on a transformed rooftop terrace in London Fields fit for a Queen, and did we mention Flamingo Mallets…? So if you fancy trying your hand at your best ‘Aspinall’ Peel or Forward Balling technique the party will be in full swing from 10th-13th September.

Grab your tickets here

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chambord-chapter-eight-games-tickets-17937705159

Tickets are five pounds and include complimentary Chambord Cocktail and Flamingo Mallet hire for Croquet so grab some friends and have a FlaminGO

Chambord Chapter Eight: Games

Proof, Field Works, Martello St, London

George Clooney, Rande Gerber And Mike Meldman Host Launch Of Casamigos Tequila Spain

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

On Sunday 23rd August 2015, Casamigos Tequila Founders Rande Gerber, George Clooney and Mike Meldman, along with their wives Cindy Crawford and Amal Clooney, attended the official launch of Casamigos Tequila in Spain at UP!, Ibiza Sky Society, the rooftop bar at Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel.

“Brought To You By Those Who Drink It”, the best-tasting, smoothest tequila was shared and enjoyed with friends of the Founders and movers and shakers of Ibiza at UP!, Ibiza Sky Society magnificent rooftop at Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, flagship hotel of the Palladium Hotel Group.

The private event for 120 people saw guests enjoy Ushuaïa’s signature cocktails, the ‘Unexpected Casamigos’ and the ‘Espresso Casamigos’ as well as the founders favourite Casamigos Reposado on the rocks.

In true Ibiza style the founders kept it casual with linen shirts and jeans whilst the leading ladies dazzled, Amal Clooney in a magnificent gold metallic Vionnet dress and shoes by Dior, and Cindy Crawford in a Botegga Venetta black dress paired with Alaïa heels.

As the sun began to dip and the night began to cool, guests feasted on sumptuous canapés created by the hotel’s Head Chef as they watched the sun set over the mountains from the rooftop while listening to Balearic beats. Fire-breathers, acrobats and dancers wowed the founders and other guests, circling around the tables and providing mesmerizing entertainment for the night providing the perfect intro to the nights later festivities. Old friends Rande Gerber and James Blunt – a local Ibiza resident, caught up over a few tequilas whilst Cindy was ensconced in a fashion royalty conversation with Sam Knight and Mario Testino. Amal caught up with friend, another Ibiza resident, Charlotte Tilbury as they reunited after Charlotte did the make-up for Amal on her wedding day. Surround by their Ibiza House of Friends, at 10pm the party drew to a close and the group moved down to the VIP table to watch superstar DJ AVICII play his resident Sunday night set. Surrounded by Casmigos Tequila, the owners decided to open up their ‘House of Friends’ by sending all other VIP tables a bottle of the award winning Casamigos Tequila to enjoy the show.

The VIP attendees included:

George Clooney, Rande Gerber, Mike Meldman, Cindy Crawford, Amal Clooney,

James Blunt & Sophia Wellesley, Charlotte Tilbury, Mario Testino, Sam McKnight, Taio Cruz, Karmen Pedaru, Marpessa Hennik

The guests enjoyed cocktails

featuring the Casamigos brand:

‘Casamigos Espresso’

‘Unexpected Casamigos’

Casamigos Reposado on the Rocks

Chefs prepared accompaniments, showing their culinary skills using the elegant tequila…

* Grill loin rib marinated with tequila Casamigos Añejo

* Foie Mid-cuit over brioche and jelly tequila Casamigos Reposado

* Cube Lamb confit with tequila Casamigos Añejo, cinnamon and yuzu sauce

* Hamachi ceviche with lemongrass and white Tequila Casamigos · Passion fruit gazpacho with white tequila Casamigos foam

* Osmosis cherry rested white tequila Casamigos style, covered with sanguine orange snow

About Casamigos Tequila…

Brought To You By Those Who Drink It. Privately owned by George Clooney and longtime friend, bar and restaurant mogul Rande Gerber, and Discovery Land Company CEO & founder Michael Meldman, tequila-filled nights with friends is how Casamigos was born. Launched in the UK in March 2015, these small batch, ultra-premium tequilas are made from the finest hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves grown in the rich red clay soil and cool climate of Mexico’s Jalisco Highlands for a minimum of seven years. Casamigos Blanco is crisp and clear, with subtle hints of vanilla and a smooth finish, Casamigos Reposado is smooth and clean with hints of caramel. Casamigos Añejo is aged 14 months and has a beautifully pure and refined complex aroma, with soft caramel and vanilla notes.

Casamigos is available in the United States, Bahamas, Canada, Hong Kong, and the UK, and has garnered the highest accolades from the spirit industry’s most well respected authority figures. Awards and ratings include the highest rated gold medals from Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Beverage Testing Institute, The New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, The Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition and many more. Additionally, Casamigos was rated “Excellent, Highly Recommend” by The Ultimate Spirits Challenge, received the coveted 5 star rating from BevX Magazine, “A perfect tequila,” A rating, from Good Spirit News, named “Best Tequila in the World” by Men’s Journal magazine and Oprah Winfrey lists Casamigos as “The Smoothest, The Best.”

In the UK the brand can be found at top establishments like Nobu, Zuma, Groucho Club, Soho House, 5 Hertford St, Chiltern Firehouse and the Maybourne Group, to name but a few.

Casamigos Tequila is available to purchase at Selfridges and online at www.selfridges.com from £62.99

About Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel…

Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel is a luxurious 417-room hotel comprised of two buildings: The Ushuaïa Club, featuring an amazing poolside stage, and The Ushuaïa Tower, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Ushuaïa is dedicated to providing the best outdoor entertainment venue coupled with a modern, cutting-edge hotel experience, designed for the discerning traveller seeking the fun and entertainment associated with Ibiza.

For more information, visit www.ushuaiabeachhotel.com.

About Bedrinks…

Bedrinks is a new brand of Zumos Naturales S.A., a company with over 45 years of history on the island of Ibiza that began by producing shakes, juices and soft drinks, and currently distributes some of the most important national and international beverage brands.

Casamigos is distributed exclusively in Spain by Bedrinks.

corinne@frostmagazine.com

@ladycdtt

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

Franco Manca Southfields

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

Living in such a nice little community here in Southfields its great to have so many cool places to eat. This amazing pizza restaurant gets a big thumbs up from us as its totally delightful and serves up exceptional and unusual dishes. It was the first time we have come across sweet potato pizza. Yep you read that right…Sweet potato slices nestled on top with bubbling mozzarella made this possibly the best pizza I have ever had. We will totally be recreating this at home.
We ate amazing freshly cooked food and drank perfect coffee. Sat and chatted about work, social media and all the new and exciting projects lined up for 2 Boxes Photography. We have some rather brilliant events coming up, and we are getting very excited about shooting at Chester races for Chi Chi London this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for a rather fabulous article coming next week!

One last feast before a diet starts to slim into those stunning dresses….Just take a look at that beautiful pizza. Have you ever seen something so delightful? And yes I ate the lot! I really can’t tell you how delicious it was. I am going to have to avoid this place for a while if I want to get into my wardrobe! Buffalo mozzarella and cheese ravioli was incredible. I was way too busy with my amazing pizza to even try it sadly. One reason to go back don’t you think…but not too often as I really could be busting out of my skinny jeans!!

If you live near Southfields Francos is well worth a visit and we are sure you will leave very satisfied and keen to go back time after time.

Visit their website www.francomanco.co.uk for more info.

Discover The Origins Of British Luxury

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Take a walk with The Connaught and Fox & Squirrel on a specially curated tour of Mayfair

In collaboration with London guide, Fox & Squirrel, The Connaught is offering a series of walks tailored to explore and unveil the origins of British luxury in the early 17th century when Mayfair became a destination for luxury craftsmen. Accompanied by a Fox & Squirrel historian, during the two-hour walks, guests will delve into the archives of bespoke tailors, milliners and perfumers, meeting some of the capital’s most talented artisans.

Walks start at The Connaught at 4pm and take place on the first Tuesday of every month and cover royal endorsement at the archives and workshops of respected holders of the Royal Warrant (4 August), extravagant materials (8 September), contemporary crafts (6 October), bespoke (3 November) and service (8 December).

Each walk costs £125 and ends at The Connaught’s Coburg Bar with a cocktail specially created to resonate the theme of the walk.

About The Connaught…

The Connaught occupies a quiet corner in the heart of Mayfair Village – one of the most exclusive and fashionable districts of London. Overlooking the calm of Carlos Place and the stunning Tadao Ando water feature ‘Silence’…as well as several contemporary and fine art galleries. Guests can enjoy the finer things in life right on the Connaught’s doorstep. It is also however just minutes from exquisite restaurants, and within walking distance of some of London’s most charming parks and gardens. And with Oxford Street, the West End and the airports all easily accessible, the Connaught is the perfect London base.

About Fox & Squirrel…

In 2010, two women named Penelope and Jojo were living in London, searching for jobs to go to once they’d graduated with MAs in Cultural and Creative Industries from Kings College.

The city was still deep in recession, and finding work was proving to be a frustrating, demoralising task. Taking inspiration from the Victorian Lady’s Guide Association (1880), a group offering employment prospects to educated middle class women, training them as guides and personal shoppers, Penelope and Jojo saw an opportunity, and Fox & Squirrel was born.

The whole of London became their battleground, and a group of incredibly talented, knowledgeable and creative individuals their ground troops. They started to map London’s cultural terrain, and within just a year of operation, Fox & Squirrel was awarded the prestigious title Best Guided Walks by The Guardian.

Fast-forward three years and Penelope is now running Fox & Squirrel solo. The company has expanded its repertoire to include walks focused on art, fashion, food, street photography, architecture and film. A Brixton-based food writer named Lindsay goes undercover for one of Penelope’s Brixton Food Walks, with the aim of reviewing it for the local press.

Feigning a lack of local area knowledge, Lindsay (badly) pretends to know anything about Brixton, until her cover is blown by one of the Chefs featured on the walk, and is forced to reveal her true identity. Despite being outed in this way, Lindsay is genuinely impressed with Fox & Squirrel’s local area knowledge, as well as the critical and social commentary the walk incites, and writes a very positive review.

Months later, Penelope is looking for a new food guide, and Lindsay joins the team in a comedic display of poacher-turned-gamekeeper, and the new dynamic duo is born.

Fox & Squirrel continues to thrive and grow. Walks remain the face of Fox & Squirrel, but also collaborate with established, prestigious brands such as The Connaught, Getty Images and The New Craftsman, as well as provide bespoke consulting services for private clients, Business Improvement Districts and PRs.

The Courthouse Hotel London celebrates Afternoon Tea Week… KIKO Milano launches limited edition collection Rebel Romantic… KISS Cosmetics launch Mini’s…

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

The Courthouse Hotel London is celebrating Afternoon Tea Week from August 10-16 with two exotic afternoon teas. The hotel’s in house Asian restaurant will be offering a unique Japanese Afternoon Tea, complete with Tamago, a Japanese sweet omelette and an Inari Pocket, a honey-marinated tofu fillet with rice. For that week only guests will also be able to sample a complimentary plum wine. Also available at Silk, will be an Asian Afternoon Tea, featuring Kutchi Dabeli, a sweet potato filling in steamed buns and Sev Aloo Papdi Chaat, savoury puffed pocked lined with potato, sweet tamarind and mint sauce which will be served with a complimentary glass of champagne. The Courthouse Hotel was once the notorious Great Marlborough Street Magistrates Court where the likes of Oscar Wilde, Mick Jagger and John Lennon were tried, but has since been transformed into a luxury hotel.

www.courthouse-hotel.com
@HotelCourthouse

Beauty brand KIKO Milano has announced the launch of Rebel Romantic, a limited edition collection inspired by Pre-Raphaelite heroines. The collection consists of a variety of products for the eyes, lips and face. Featuring Art Nouveau-inspired packaging, the range of 12 products includes the Perfecting Bronzer (£12.90) which combines a powder with a bronzer and boasts exclusive Atomization Technology; Contouring Pencil Set (£9.90); and Reckless Spirit Eyeshadow Palette (£12.90); Rebel Romantic Mirror (£5.90); and Pochette (£7.90). The Rebel Romantic collection will be available to buy in KIKO Milano stores and online from the end of August 2015.

www.kikocosmetics.com
@kikocosmeticsUK

E-commerce beauty brand KISS Cosmetics has announced the launch of Mini’s: mini versions of their colour products which will enable customers to try before they buy. The Mini’s will be available for the following products – KISStick, Lip Vinyl and SheerStick and are priced at £2 each including packaging.

kisscosmetics.co.uk
@KissCosmeticsUK

Holborn Dining Room

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

The Holborn Dining Room is a beautiful classy and chilled establishment. The interior is splendid but isn’t as impressive as the outside area in when the sun is shining. We headed out for a wander mid afternoon to grab a few drinks and stumbled upon this place. The menu was basic, delicious, and very impressive. We plumped for good old fish finger sandwich and a classic chicken and bacon salad. Washed down with a few Gin cocktails.

With seasonal, locally sourced British cuisine on the menu this place will go down very well when needing to impress a lady or friends. Grab yourself a pint of local lager a burger or a glass of fizz and a pint of prawns. Fine wines are on offer at this renowned restaurant.

Holborn Dining Room is a welcome find for us. London life is so very grand when you find places just like this to share with all of you. It’s possibly one of the nicest bars on the scene in the city.

The first cocktails we tested where the Hendricks and the G Vine. The G Vine was simply amazing flavoured with elderflower tonic and garnished with grapes. I happily sat and sipped while we waited for the food to arrive. This place is where you need to chill and soak up the amazing atmosphere. Their is no rush, just take your time to relax.

Another cocktail before we ate… This one was the Smooth Amber, garnished with cinnamon and orange zest. Pocky and pretty darn good. Ian went for a more simple one. The sipsmith, flavoured with juniper, lemon and orange. Both had us feeling chilled in a matter of moments! Ready for some food by this point and we where not disappointed. Out came our dishes served by a lovely waitress. We chatted for a few moments about how grand it would be to stay in one of the many rooms on offer. You can actually rent an entire floor in the hotel, POA of course! Other rooms start from around £250 per night if you are tempted.

Who would have thought a simple chicken and bacon salad could look this divine and taste so utterly wonderful. A side of chips as thats just how we like to roll! Ian’s fish finger sandwich was severed on sourdough bread. A little fiddly to eat but impressive none the less. It was garnished with horseradish and by all accounts was really rather a good choice. The menu is made up of simple dishes with a twist. All the other dishes being served to various tables looked and smelt divine. This is most certainly one place we need to come back to review the evenings offerings.

Well worth a little trip very soon if your in the area. The prices reflect the area and the quality of the food. Not an everyday treat for some but possibly the nicest of afternoons you could have. We spent the rest of the day wandering back home with full bellies and happy smiles.

Find them at NO 252 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM WC1V 7EN

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