Frost Loves…Electronic Cigarettes

I am incredibly anti-smoking, but I do understand what it is like to be addicted to something. Iin my case it is chocolate and Coca Cola. More healthy and less likely to kill me. With the current shaky economical situation, it is the perfect time to quit. You can save money and help your health with an electric cigarette.

Most of the smokers I know find that one of the hardest things about giving up is what to do with their hands. Cigarettes can almost be used as a pacifier. The act of smoking is missed as well. An electronic cigarette can fix this. You have something to fidget with, almost like a real cigarette, except –  it won’t kill you. If that is not an upside, then I do not know what is!

A e cigarette is an electronic device that mimics a real cigarette. A vapour gets released when you use the electronic cigarette, which tricks your body into thinking it is actually smoking. Frost tried it on a real smoker, and they liked it.

There are a number of different brands around and you may also like to tale a look at this earlier piece from our archives: http://frostmagazine.com/2011/06/smokers-smoking-the-next-generation/

Frost Wine Reviews: Kumala Cabernet Shiraz

I rarely drink red wine, and when I do it is normally mulled. This means I set the barometer very high. However, I liked Kumala Cabernet Shiraz. It has a lingering aftertaste of chocolate. If that doesn’t win me over, nothing will.

It is a very beautiful bright red colour, with ripe tannins and a fruity flavour. I like its smoothness and it also has some spicy notes. I can also taste red berry and a hint of nuttiness.

The wine will make a perfect partner to fillet steaks, lamb chops and hearty stews. RRP£6.79

William Curley – Japanese Week, 24th September – 3rd October.

As a chocoholic I am very excited about this event.

William Curley, Britain’s Best Chocolatier, and his wife and business partner Suzue Curley, who is originally from Japan, are celebrating Suzue’s Japanese heritage with ten days packed full of Japanese inspired events, tastings and master-classes. William Curley’s Japanese week will be held at his Belgravia store from making master-classes are now happening on the 2nd and 3rd October as well as the 25th and 26th September, at the same times (2pm – 4pm)

Visitors to the store can also look forward to an exciting and exclusive limited edition range of Japanese inspired chocolates, patisserie, hot and chilled drinks – even the decoration and sound track of the store will undergo a total oriental transformation.

Japanese Week with William and Suzue Curley will consist of:

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September, 2pm – 4pm
· Japanese Chocolate Making Master-Class.
A tasting of all William Curley’s Japanese inspired chocolates, the opportunity to see, taste and understand the raw Japanese ingredients William uses in his chocolates and also understand more about the different combinations he uses in the couture collection, and why. Guests will then learn to make their own Toasted Sesame Couture Chocolate and Yamazaki Whiskey Truffles which once finished will be beautifully boxed and wrapped ready to take home and enjoy. £75 per person.

Wednesday 29th September, 7pm – 9.30pm
· Japanese Tea and Chocolate Pairing Evening.
Hosted by William Curley and John Kennedy from TeaSmith. Guests will be greeted on arrival with an Oolong Tea Champagne Cocktail, enjoy homemade Japanese inspired savoury canapés and sample 8 Japanese teas paired with 8 Japanese inspired chocolates and a delicious patisserie to end the evening. £55 per person.

Thursday 30th September, 7pm – 9.30pm
· Sake and Chocolate Tasting Evening.
A tasting of six different Japanese Sakes, paired by Sake expert Gilbert Winfield with William Curley’s superb chocolates. Because of its unique ‘umami enhancing’ properties and low acidity, Sake is one of the best drinks to pair with chocolate, and the distinctive, delicate flavours of our chosen Sakes beautifully complement the smooth richness of William’s confections. Guests will be greeted with a glass of champagne on arrival and enjoy delicious Japanese inspired canapés. To finish there will be another Japanese speciality, Shiraume Umeshu, a plum infused liqueur. £55 per person.
For bookings and availability please contact caroline@williamcurley.co.uk, 020 7730 5522.

About William Curley.

It was at just 27 that William Curley became the youngest Chef Pâtissier at The Savoy Hotel working with Anton Edelman and leading a team of 21 pastry chefs. Curley’s career spans many years of working with some of the finest chefs and pâtissiers in the business including Marc Meneau at L’Esperance in France, Pierre Koffman at La Tante Claire, Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and Marco Pierre White at The Oak Restaurant. William has won a variety of awards, including ‘The Craft Guild Pastry Chef of the Year’, ‘The Academy of Culinary Arts Award of Excellence’ and ‘British Dessert of the Year’. William Curley is passionate about chocolate making and his chocolates, pâtisseries and desserts are renowned the world over. William Curley opened his first shop together with his wife Suzue in Richmond in 2004.

About Suzue Curley.

Suzue Curley is a highly respected pâtissier. Originally from Osaka, Japan, Suzue moved to London in 1996 where she trained at Le Cordon Bleu. She has worked at Claridge’s and The Savoy where she was in charge of their world famous Afternoon Teas. She has won many national competitions including Gold at Hotelympia in 2000. Both William and Suzue have represented Scotland at international culinary events, winning Gold medals in Chicago and Basle, and at the Culinary Olympics in Germany.

www.williamcurley.co.uk

About TeaSmith.

TeaSmith is a contemporary teahouse where you can explore the world of exceptional teas in a unique, tranquil, and accessible environment. Tea experts are on-hand to help select the perfect tea for your taste, musical preferences, state of mind or even the weather. Our teas are sourced from individual tea farmers and selected for their integrity, quality of aroma taste and aftertaste, and experience.

www.teasmith.co.uk