Casting has now opened for Cookery School,  and they’re accepting applications from passionate amateur cooks from all around the country.  Everyone who takes part will be given the chance to improve their culinary skills and learn great dishes from some of the country’s finest experts in our entertaining cookery courses.

Students who enrol in Cookery School will learn recipes that they will be proud to make for their family and friends at home and will develop their skills and technique along the way to become foodie masters.

Who should take part?

Cookery School will be the ultimate how-to school for people who want to become great home cooks – It’s the perfect preparation to win Come Dine with Me hands down!

The focus will be home cookery, but that doesn’t stop people entering who want to pursue cookery professionally.

Who will be running the classes?

Cookery School will have a Teacher-Mentor, who will be an expert in the food industry.

There will also be an expert from the world of food and hospitality.

How long is the course and what will you learn?

Students will stay for a minimum of 2 days and if you are successful in passing the tests you could stay for 5 days, and even be invited back for more lessons and challenges.

Each day covers the following:

·         Skill levels from basic to intermediate.

·         Focusing on a course from starters to puddings.

·         Learning new recipes.

·         A practical skill will be taught.

·         A hosting skill will be taught (including wine knowledge).

So, are you a passionate cook who fancies 15 minutes of fame and an unforgettable chance to hone your skills? Well then, to find out more about Channel 4′s Cookery School and to find out how to apply contact:

cookeryschool@redhousetv.co.uk or call 020 3189 3412.

As a participant of Cookery School you’ll receive clear cookery training in basic and intermediate levels.  There is no charge to enrol on the course.  Like any school, students will face tests at different stages.

So, good news, The Birmingham International Food Fair returns this week and has doubled in size following the huge success of last year’s inaugural event! Hoorah!

Just as the Frankfurt Christmas Market has grown year on year (and is a highlight of the year for some of us!) the organisers believe the International Food Fair can develop into one of the major events in Birmingham’s social calendar.

The 2010 event from June 10-20 will feature around 120 stalls showcasing food and drink from a wide range of countries, including France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Australia and the Far East.

Last year’s event featured 60 stalls and attracted 250,000 visitors, boosting the city economy to the tune of £6million. With Birmingham bidding to be the UK City of Culture, it looks like an impressive start!

This year’s International Food Fair is once again being staged in partnership European market specialists Geraud UK and Birmingham market event and equipment specialists Event Men.

Birmingham International Food Fair
Entry: free
June 10-20
Victoria Square, Chamberlain Square and New Street
Open Daily from 10am to 9pm
Tel: 0121 464 2012

The award will be based on challenging and extremely important criteria such as; appearance, distance to taxi rank, nearest pub/bar, queue factor, chilli sauce strength, flavour, chip appraisal, sit down options and of course, kebab breath-o-meter.  The ten regional winners will then compete to win the prestigious national WKD Golden Kebab Award.

So, if you want to nominate your local shish supplier visit the WKD Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wkd.  Every nomination enters a prize draw to win a Nintendo Wii – so get amongst it!

Judge, author and soon to be kebab expert Ben McFarland adds; “We really need kebab lovers to get on Facebook and tell us about the best kebab shops in town”.

To find out more about the WKD Golden Kebab Awards and to nominate your favourite kebab shop go to www.facebook.com/wkd.

The top ten kebab shops in each region will feature in the WKD guide to the best kebab shops in the UK, to be published later this year by Ben McFarland & Tom Sandham.

• The WKD Golden Kebab Awards tour will stop at the following cities throughout the UK to crown the regional winners:

o        Liverpool – Monday 10^th May

o        Manchester – Wednesday 12^th May

o        Leeds – Wednesday 19^th May

o        Birmingham – Thursday 10th June

With classes taking place across Manchester from March, find details and book online  www.intafood.com or ring 0161 870 2477.

Offering high quality, authentic Italian food at an affordable price, and critically acclaimed by food writers throughout the UK, ‘Jamie’s Italian’ complements Liverpool ONE’s retail and existing catering offer, and widens further still the range of dining options for visitors.

Commenting on the news, ‘Jamie’s Italian Managing Director, Simon Blagden, said: “Liverpool ONE is the perfect location for a ‘Jamie’s Italian’. Nowhere is more appropriate for our concept of creating ‘neighbourhood’ restaurants, inspired by the ‘Italian table’ where people relax, share, and enjoy each other’s company, than Liverpool, a city famed for its character and warm welcome.

Jamie Oliver added: “When people eat at a ‘Jamie’s Italian’, I want them to really get into the food, maybe try something they wouldn’t normally try, but always be safe in the knowledge that they’re eating good stuff, prepared with love.”

The news follows a highly successful performance from Liverpool ONE in the first two months of 2010. Retail sales have increased by 37% in the quarter versus the same time last year, and are 22% ahead year-on-year. Footfall for the year-to-date is also up by 8.5% when compared to 2009.

www.liverpool-one.com

WIN!

The lovely folk at Finesse Hotels are offering one lucky reader (plus guest) the chance to fill their faces with lovely posh nosh – that’s right, dinner for two at either Opulence or Merchants. The prize includes a 3-course dinner and a bottle of house wine. How lovely.  Just fill in your details below.

T & C’s

From time to time we may send you information about fabulous products, services and brands that may interest you. If you mind terribly, email david@69-247.com otherwise keep your eyes peeled.

Lace Market Hotel is @ 29-31 High Pavement, Nottingham, NG1 1HE.  Tel 0115 852 3232.

Cathedral Quarter Hotel is @ 6 St. Mary’s Gate, Derby, DE1 3JR.  Tel 01332 546 080.

thefinessecollection.com

Research shows that up to 20 per cent of adults think they suffer from a food allergy or food intolerance. However evidence suggests that the real prevalence of food allergy and intolerance in adults is less than 2 per cent. It means that millions of people could be avoiding certain foods unnecessarily and missing out on hundred’s of tasty treats.

The report also reveals that over half of the British population believes that wheat allergy is a common illness and in 2009 wheat was the most commonly self reported food allergen for both men and women. But the report highlights that confirmed wheat allergy is less common than other food allergies such as peanuts and other nuts, eggs and milk.

Wheat is found in many foods including bread, pastry, pasta, noodles and biscuits and wheat-based products form a key part of our diet with 76.4 per cent of the UK population eating bread once a day or more.

If people have symptoms which they think may be caused by a food allergy or intolerance, they should seek help from a qualified medical professional. Wheat should not be excluded without appropriate advice on how to maintain a healthy diet.”

For more information visit the following link:

durrants.mediacoverage.co.uk

Valentine’s Day (release date 12/2/10)

Those sneaky Americans stole our Love Actually idea. This movie deals with intwining stories of love that take place  during one Valentine’s Day, it’s a film you can see with your other half or your mates – just to remind you which character is which. Starring one of the largest ensemble casts in Hollywood history, names like Taylor Lautner, Ashton Kutcher, Shirley Maclaine and Jamie Foxx will make every romcom follower drool with excitement.

Paintballing

Over 100 paintballing sites in the UK and Ireland are listed on www.goballistic.co.uk , ensuring singletons wishing to unleash some anger over previous exes can do so to their hearts content. Alternatively, this is perfect if your boyfriend gave you an awful Valentines present and believes the McDonalds pound saver menu is a romantic night out – just ready, aim, fire.

Hot Air Balloon Rides

Those mean Dragons Theo Paphitus and Peter Jones bring a little good to the community with their Red Letter Days company, which seeks to find the most exciting days for people who have everything. We chose some traditional hot air ballooning but also available is sushi making, lunch cruises and even dumper truck racing for you true romantics.

Spa Visits

Alternatively, if you want a mates day a trip to the spa can be the best way for feeling great about yourself. If you’re around in the Midlands, Femi’s in Leicester will get you feeling your best, in Leeds West Row Hairdressing at Thorntons Arcade Leeds, will refresh tired locks. It also gives the greater pulling chance the following evening.

Chocolate Indulgence

Yes there’s comfort eating in a cliched Ben and Jerry way, but for the imaginative among you try this luxury chocolate pizza, available at www.gettingpersonal.co.uk. Available in five flavours, this is a perfect for your other half or yourself. Top it off with some chocolate shot glasses, from iwantoneofthose.com.

Rally Driving

This might be a dangerous one for couples, how many times have you argued in a regular car, let alone a giant 4×4 Land Rover Discovery? Head to Silverstone Rally School in Northamptonshire for driving courses or the Racing School at the Rockingham Motor Speedway for manic driving along a man-made dirt course (under the careful eye of an expert of course). Also great for singletons to forget the day.

Bridget Jones’ Diary

Altogether now – ‘Allllll by myself!’ Everyone loves a bit of Bridget. If you feel a bit down this Feb 14th, pop her into the DVD player and laugh along with her series of embarrassments. Bridget is every singleton’s hero, because not only is she more hopeless than the average viewer, but she also gets Colin Firth and Hugh Grant fighting over her. If you have no idea what I’m talking about shame on you, rent it out this month.

Zizzi’s

Why Zizzi’s made our list over other restaurants is its helpful little webpage which allows us to book tables in advance, so instead of hanging on the phone waiting for the restaurant to answer, or forgetting altogether, simply fill in a tiny form and Valentines requires no further planning. Nice.

Cocktail Making Lessons

Available at Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham, adventureconnections.co.uk offers cocktail making lessons for couples and groups, ensuring that you both see in a boozy Valentine’s Evening this year. At £59.95 per person the night includes demonstrations, sampling and practicals.

Mini-breaks

How much do you love your other half? For the privileged among you, there’s still time to whisk yourselves away this February. Lastminute.com offer mini breaks to Paris, Venice and Rome from £167. For those feeling a bit more local, there’s also some great deals for London or Manchester, for example the five star Blue Rainbow ApartHotel Manchester, where prices begin at £75 per night.

Yo Sushi is first up. Just a quick registration form to fill in at yosuhi.com and then you get 40% off all the conveyor belt delivered uncooked fish you can eat.

Las Iguanas have a fantastic 2 for 1 meal offer, print off the voucher by clicking here (we recommend the Xim Xim.)

Pizza Express have a half price pizza sale at the moment, register by clicking here.

Cafe Rouge have a fantastic 2 for 1 offer on main meals from the winter menu just fill in a little form here.

Haha Bar and Grill are also giving you a buy one get one free meal when you give a few details here.

Ask are also wanting you to bring along a friend for free, just visit here.

Zizzi are being very generous with a £1 meal when you buy a full priced main just visit zizzi.com.

So there you have it, a selection of uber cheap dinning this January.

And if you want to have dessert at home Hotel Chocolat have 50% off at the moment.

Tell us about your restaurant experiences below.

The campaign, called “Dine in Nottingham”, is spearheaded by Rachel Pressley, Business Development Executive at the Best Western Westminster Hotel and entitles up to 1,000 Nottinghamshire residents to claim a 30% discount off their entire food bill for up to six people at each participating hotel’s restaurant during the offer period. The 10 participating hotels are:

• Best Western Westminster Hotel
• Park Plaza Nottingham (Chino Latino)
• Hilton Nottingham
• Holiday Inn Castle Marina
• Rutland Square Hotel
• Hart’s Hotel (The Park Bar)
• The Stathdon
• The Nottingham Belfry
• The Crowne Plaza
• The Park Inn

Rachel commented; “Nottingham has a long and established history of quality hotels offering a diverse range of dining options to suit all tastes but hotel restaurants are often overlooked when people are deciding where to have their next meal out. The commitment from all the hotels involved to make this campaign a success has been fantastic and this exclusive offer could save a typical couple around £150 and a family or group up to £450!”

Lucky participants will be given a special ‘Dine in Nottingham’ branded, ‘Things to do in Nottinghamshire card’, which can be picked up at any of the participating venues on a first come first served basis completely free of charge. Only 1,000 of these special cards have been produced with each hotel having 100 cards to distribute and they are already proving popular. The cards which come with an accompanying wallet detailing all of the hotels involved can be used to claim the discount at each establishment. Discounts can be claimed once at each participating restaurant.

In addition, the special card will also enable the cardholder to save even more money throughout all of 2010 at all participating “Things to do in Nottinghamshire” tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels and other activity centres in the County.

To learn more visit www.dineinnottingham.com