November/ December 2022 Stir It Up

HOSPITALITY

PRE-MATCH
PREPARATION

for the World CupIS KEY

With the FIFA role that hospitality has always Top Tips staeelropveetsndsnracoeotbawsbf-eenuufwnnulahtts“ijnsbtoetYah-lylioaepnksaatuainttbcltlfohhmeguliyeitislsas.nya”tsyfofualfapuemnpnnoewosdternattarsiscsnnitemgihdcpavlee
Men’s World Cup played in the beautiful game’s
being played greatest showpiece. Other hints and tips to
this November consider in your World
instead of its customary slot in PLANNING AHEAD Cup planning to help
the summer, many hospitality As hospitality operators, you customers moderate their
operators are juggling can help set the tone for how drinking include:
schedules to accommodate celebrations are enjoyed, and
football screenings alongside how disappointments are handled. • Make jugs of water freely
Christmas promotions. The highs and lows of sport can available and accessible for
provide some challenges, so early people to help themselves
Both are crucial trading periods planning is essential for the World throughout the games so that
and likely to attract a more diverse Cup and regular promotions such as they can keep hydrated
customer base than usual, so Adam booking ‘the best seat in the house’,
Jones, business development and football quizzes, and family shoot- • Be creative with your alcohol-free drinks range and
partnership director of alcohol out competitions will all play their include spirit or cocktail alternatives as well as beer and cider.
education charity Drinkaware, offers part in building up the atmosphere Maybe even create a special menu reflecting the countries in
his advice on operating profitably and expectation. the tournament
and safely.
NO AND LOW • If you attract people into the venue by organising
A BIG OPPORTUNITY With the number of people who sweepstakes such as ‘time of the first goal’, offer prizes that
For venues in which sport is a central choose not to drink alcohol don’t include alcohol – or that require people to come back
element of their trading style, things continuing to increase, venue another day to claim them rather than continuing to drink more
don’t get much bigger than the men’s owners can maximise their World alcohol that session
football World Cup and many outlets Cup trading potential by catering to
will be targeting football fans so that all potential customers. Drinkaware • Where possible, make food an integral part of your offer for
they can end a challenging year research has shown the importance sports events so that spectators can swap stories about the
with a flourish. Cheering on a team of stocking a good range of alcohol- game over a pie, not just a pint, as food helps slow down the
together, or renewing old sporting free drinks to encourage those rate at which the body absorbs alcohol
rivalries, is an important form of who aren’t drinking into venue, with
socialising and valued by many. frequent drinkers saying that they • Avoid running promotions that may encourage people to
Creating a space where people choose alcohol-free or low alcohol drink more than they might otherwise. Pitcher or multiple
can enjoy themselves safely, and drinks in situations where they purchase deals can make it harder for people to know
in an inclusive way, is an important would usually drink alcohol. This is how much they have drank and more difficult for your staff
because it looks, tastes, and feels to supervise
like alcohol. This often seems more
sociable to them than having a soft • If you have outdoor areas with screens (& heaters – it will be
drink, and they think other people November after all!), ensure that staff are visible and able to
are less likely to notice or question monitor whether any guest may be vulnerable
why they are not drinking.
• Because of the time difference, some games will be played
Our research also suggests that as early as lunchtime in the UK so organising “sittings” might
a good range of alcohol-free be one way to make sure that people don’t stay drinking all
drinks can make people feel more afternoon and evening whilst watching matches
comfortable, part of the occasion
and even be an influence on their For more information, go to https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
choice of venue.
For more information on the research findings, go to https://
www.drinkaware.co.uk/research/research-and-evaluation-
reports/alcohol-free-and-low-alcohol-drinks-in-the-uk

51







LEADING LIGHTS

Heston The chef who shook the foundations
and traditions of food, turned the
accepted on its head and continued
to question everything in search for
perfection, we caught up with the
genius that is Heston Blumenthal to
discuss his first new book in 10 years -
Is this a cookbook?, his new philosophy
Quantum Gastronomy, his near death
experience, veganism and pretty much
anything else Heston wanted to discuss.

You’re currently based in France, anything
you miss food-wise – something you can’t
nip out to the shop and grab?

Cornish pasties and a good curry. I do have
marmite though.

What have you been eating recently?

I have here – six-legged super foods. It says
– ‘Whole natural roasted crickets. Enjoyed as
a snack or used in cooking. Deliciously nutty
taste.’ We have crickets, cricket powder and
we have a sack of worms, which sounds like a
metaphor for something else.

Tell us about Is this a cookbook? It seems very
different to the norm?

It showcases an approach I call Quantum
Gastronomy. Quantum physics tells us that many
possible perspectives are open to us, and I
figured this could equally be applied to cuisine.
It’s all too easy when we cook to get bogged
down in instructions and precision and a fear
of getting things wrong – all the (human) doing
involved in a recipe. Why not switch perspective?
Why not take the pressure off and just enjoy
what cooking has to offer? The sights, sounds,

BLUMENTHAL

55

smells, memories, emotions it evokes – all the I read you worked extremely long and crazy and the doing. How much can we discover?
pleasures of (human) being in the kitchen. hours in the early days of the Fat Duck? Any There is a recipe, follow it to the letter of the
regrets? Any scars? law and that’s fine. 100 degrees, 100g, 25 mins
Who knows, maybe changing perspective will till it’s done. But there is also - what does that
change the way you cook, or even your whole Physically I have had scars – broken bones and smell like, how does my gut feel, does it remind
relationship with food. That’s what this book burns. Do I have any regrets? None that I can me of anything, if I stood on one leg and ate
is all about. It’s a whole new way of looking at think about. Maybe tomorrow I will remember that lemon and put a thumb over one nostril
cooking, which is why this is a cookbook that something. I nearly died in the hospital in or an ear – does that seem more acidic? It’s a
looks like no other. This is definitely a version Cannes where my daughter was born. It was question without an answer so the universe
of me you haven’t seen before. Heston 2.0, a long story but I knew I saw a white light, a opens up. It opens up. The trick is how you do
if you like. Of course, there are still plenty of violet light. I was in intensive care – and it was this without being judgmental?
cooking hints, tips, hacks, insights and stories over something really ridiculous – but I was
as you’d expect. But in this book, I’ve put aside not in pain and I knew I could be on my way T he more we can learn
my perfectionism to present a set of deliciously out of here. I had drunk no alcohol. It was to about the relationship with
simple recipes in a way that’ll hopefully do with what I thought was Esophagitis and ourselves, the more that
encourage everyone to get in the kitchen and they’re all monitoring me, I’m falling off the bed, reflects to others.
have an adventure.   I’m seeing a violet light, I’m seeing the things
people see before they go but I wasn’t in pain. Do we spend too much time eating at
What was your first memory in food? And I thought – let’s look back - so I reflected restaurants just so we can tell our friends –
on my life and realised that I didn’t have any “I’ve eaten at the Fat Duck”? And are we
My strongest childhood memory linked with regrets. I have a belief that I am prepared to die missing out because of it?
food was going with my sister and my gran for which is the preservation of the ecology of
and her best friend to Edgware Road. I was human imagination. Now, I said I was prepared More that we are always in a rush to tick a box,
probably about 7-years-old and it was Saturday to die – did I want to die? No f*cking way. I love tell our friends, update our social media. We
morning – Church Street market off Edgware my life more than I have ever loved it before. I need to spend time enjoying the journey and
Road. My grandmother would take me to the love it. It’s complex and our relationships with often that means going back and trying things
market and in order to persuade us to join her ourselves is like the oxygen mask on a plane. again with a new perspective. The comment
she would take us to the ice cream parlour on We are told to apply the mask to ourselves first at the front of the book is from Heraclitus – “no
the way back. I would always choose vanilla but before applying it to others. The more we can man puts his leg into the same river twice”. Man/
in my memory it always had a hint of coffee so learn about the relationship with ourselves, the woman – same bloody thing. Man is never
when I began the ice cream programme at the more that reflects to others. It doesn’t mean to the same and the river is never the same. The
Fat Duck, I added a coffee bean to the recipe to say that I am better than anyone else and this Thames is the Thames but if you look into it, it’s
complete the journey for myself. is what this book is really about – the being a flowing thing of water with bacteria, sunlight,
currents, earth, it’s an infinite movement and
Below that river is never the same. A person is never
Beetroot Soup the same because ourselves and everything
else changes so why can’t we celebrate that.
This sounds judgmental – to look back at
something, maybe something you liked as a kid
and look at it again. It’s the same images, the
same words but wow, I am now seeing that from
a different perspective. That for me is incredible
as life expands and becomes richer. It becomes
about self-discovery.

What practical advice can you give to chefs
working in hospitals and care homes?

Try and encourage playfulness and curiosity
around food. It doesn’t need expensive
ingredients but it does need effort to add
stories and connection to food. But we all

have imagination and it’s a
powerful tool and it can create
wonderful stories for people.

With prices rising and a
recession forecast, can your
book and Quantum
Gastronomy help chefs and
home cooks boost flavour
and the eating experience,
even with cheaper
ingredients or when having
to keep costs down??

I really just want people to find
fulfillment through food. There
is so much value we can add
to any food experience if

stiritupmagazine.co.uk 56

we add our imaginations and memories to Cricket Biscuits INGREDIENTS SERVES
cooking. This is a free resource, indulge your 16-18
senses in the journey and see where they What’s my best way into cooking 250g unsalted butter,
take you. The human being side to our recipes with crickets? softened
is at your disposal with no extra cost. It’s probably these biscuits. After all, who
doesn’t love a biscuit? Plus, the flavour’s not 125g unrefined golden caster sugar
Biggest mentor? too strong and the mixture combines well
with chocolate to create a tasty little nibble 1 large egg
I don’t have one but certainly the writer Harold that also gives you a shot of protein. And
McGee was a huge inspiration to me for how many biscuits can claim that? 1 large egg yolk
his book ‘On Food and Cooking’ and most
recently ‘Nose Dive’. Both are brilliant. He’s 40g cocoa powder
less of a mentor but more of an inspiration and
now I am pleased to say, friend. 50g cricket powder

200g plain flour, sifted

70g chocolate chips

Biggest mistake you have ever made? 20g whole milk

Too many to How many of our food taboos are preconceptions or learned opinions? METHOD
mention, it’s the We can all be a bit nervous with a new ingredient but, in the end, once
cock-ups that you get into the rhythms of baking and the pleasures of preparation, 1. Using a stand mixer fitted with the
teach us the isn’t it just another powder to add? paddle attachment, cream together the
most! butter and sugar until pale and smooth.
Add the whole egg and extra yolk and mix
A dish or After childhood, it’s not often we get to taste a brand new, never until incorporated.
ingredient you before-encountered ingredient. Why not have a first nibble with that in
couldn’t live mind – has it taken that choc-chip bikkie in a different direction? 2. Now add the cocoa powder, cricket
without? Is there a slight savouriness to complement the other ingredients? powder and flour to the mixture, and mix
on a low speed until evenly combined.
Water. It's in Like my cricket protein bars, these biscuits are bursting with protein. Lastly add the chocolate chips and milk
everything we So why not put aside those protein shakes and bake a batch of these and mix briefly until incorporated.
cook and eat as instead to use as your post-workout energy boost?
well as ourselves 3. Tip the mixture onto a sheet of cling film
and roll into a log, about 6cm in diameter.
yet we know Wrap the log in the cling film, sealing the

so little about ends, and place in the fridge to set for
several hours, preferably overnight.
it or how it behaves. I am actively trying to
4. When ready to bake, preheat the
understand more about it. oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4
and line a large baking tray with
Favourite French word? baking paper.
Non!
5. Unwrap the log and slice into
Three things you would do if you were Prime 16–18 discs, about 1cm thick.
Minister to help the hospitality sector Place the dough rounds on the
prepared tray, leaving a little
Get cooking back onto the national space in between as they will
curriculum to inspire and teach new spread a little. (You may need
generations about the importance of our to bake the biscuits in batches,
relationship with cooking and eating. It’s depending on the size of your tray.)
unbelievable that something that we need
to do every day to survive is not considered 6. Place the tray on the middle
a subject worthy of teaching. I have worked shelf of the oven and bake for 11
already on GCSES and T Level courses but minutes. Transfer the biscuits to a
I would make sure it was not an option but a wire rack to cool.
core part of how we teach our children. That
would be enough for me!

Three tips to any chef or youngster with
aspirations to work in a professional kitchen

Firstly, go for it and don’t hesitate.
Keep curious
Listen

One thing we should all try today

To get an understanding of how our feelings
effect our perception of flavour, make yourself
a cup of coffee or pour yourself a glass of
wine and try thinking of someone you love
deeply or fills you with warmth and positive
emotions. Take a sip. Now think of the
opposite, someone who irritates or angers
you (we all have someone!) then take another
sip. Notice the difference. This is the essence
of Quantum Gastronomy. You have an infinite
number of ways to experience something...
which one do you want today?

57

By Katy Moses, Founder & fGaIVirINGshSaTArFeF A
Managing Director of KAM

Unless you've been living under a rock hospitality industry with the majority of staff (84%) skilled and highly motivated
for the last couple of years, you will worrying they are not getting their fair share of staff can have on the
have noticed that there is an credit/debit card tips and service charges. customer experience. Great
employment crisis in the hospitality Furthermore, 1 in 3 staff said they also see tips service is a key factor that
industry. We all know that retention is held back for reasons such as to cover the cost of differentiates a night out
better than replacement- and that breakages, to cover tax, to go towards basic staff from a night in and is a key
competition for GREAT team members salaries and to go towards staff uniforms. driver of venue choice.
is fierce. Our recent research, in
partnership with TipJar, shows the A lack of trust can impact Effort and contribution
surprisingly significant role which fair on both staff happiness should equal reward. There
and transparent tipping can play in and productivity. shouldn’t be any mystery
attracting both employee and actually around how non-cash tips
also customers. It should be a warning sign, and a wake-up call to get distributed amongst staff
the hospitality industry that staff are questioning members. A lack of
As a nation, tipping may not be as embedded in the amount of non-cash tips they are receiving. transparency can create a
our culture as the US, but Brits do believe it has a It suggests a clear lack of transparency and trust lack of trust. A lack of trust can impact on both
rightful place within UK hospitality. The research in the processes which are currently in place. staff happiness and staff productivity. It can
showed that only 1 in 10 UK consumers are against ultimately end up in a situation whereby tips,
the concept of tipping, with the vast majority There is a clear need, in the current climate, to which should be a motivator, end up as a
actively supporting the act of rewarding staff for a make a career in hospitality an attractive demotivator to staff performance.
job well done. proposition. We know the influence that high
The industry needs to ask itself: "Are we doing
However the survey showed however a the right thing by our team?" "Are we doing that in
concerning lack of trust in cashless tipping in the a transparent way?" AND- it may sound

KAM MEDIA

mercenary, but - "Are we telling our customers Customers would be more likely to visit a venue if Of customer think it’s
that we're doing the right thing?" they knew ‘non-cash’ tips were being shared fairly. unfair for employers to
keep a percentage of
The research has shown strong sentiments that Of customers would be more likely to leave a non-cash tips back for
a fairer, more transparent tipping process will not tip if they knew they were being shared fairly
only alleviate feelings of mistrust but improve any reason
satisfaction and retention for staff and can also
drive footfall from customers too.



newsFOOD & INDUSTRY FOOD & INDUSTRY NEWS

THOUGHT-PROVOKING Leading live events caterer (UOB) on food sustainability labelling and
Amadeus has introduced carbon behaviour change.
Does carbon labelling at NEC Group venues,
labelling affect in a partnership with food The NEC venue is using its digital screens
menu choices? technology and sustainability to direct customers towards this
specialists Foodsteps. sustainability information, allowing event

The trial is assessing the carbon impacts of Developed alongside
1,800 recipes sold at the NEC and ICC, scientists and academics,
labelling dishes as low carbon footprint on Foodsteps offers a
its menus. The project comes in cloud-based platform
collaboration with a study conducted by
the West Midlands Combined Authority goers the capability to easily check the
impact of each dish. The new labels will
(WMCA), who funded the project, feature in the caterer’s Edge restaurants
and the University of Birmingham at the NEC.

aebdlaoWaitbudoeeatdrri@lwitleni!nosgPygt.uHcloicerltodauiaoat.vruuslcbeyopekooovymneeunosrmautifdomogaoeoaihelrrzteniupinnausrgiresna?tt Ian Taylor, Managing Director for
Conventions & Exhibitions at NEC Group,
said: “We have a strong focus on
sustainability and we’re delighted to
introduce this carbon labelling trial at the
NEC and ICC.

WhoRleomll eal

Seeded Roll 9x6 (18 of each roll) WRhoiltle
54g each
NEW & IMPROVED karafsbakery

Bakers Basket

karafs.co.uk

Trust your favourites
at Christmas

Stock up on market-leading Christmas Essentials

T he Country ClubTHECOUNTRYCLUB
EXCLUSIVELY FOR CUSTOMERS OF THE COUNTRY RANGE GROUP

HEALTH HACK WIN

To celebrate the festive season, we’re giving one lucky reader the Christmas present 6N0u0triSBeurlileest
of a brand new high speed blender, the original and best-selling NutriBullet.

Whether you use it within your business or in your home, it’s a powerful tool to
ensure you can create fresh, healthy breakfasts to kick start your day or
provide whole-food nutrition throughout the day.

NutriBullet’s powerful 600W motor and cyclonic technology breaks
down whole vegetables, fruits and nuts for maximum nutrition
extraction. It’s also quick, easy to use and simple to clean – just
rinse under warm water.

For your chance to win, send an email titled ‘NutriBullet’,
along with your name, contact details and the name
of your Country Range Group wholesaler, to
[email protected]

Closing date for the competitions: 31 December 2022. All winners will be notified
by 31 January 2023. Postal entries can be sent to: Country Range Group, 4 & 5
Jupiter House, Mercury Rise, Altham Business Park, Altham, Lancashire, BB5 5BY.
Full terms and conditions can be found at: www.stiritupmagazine.co.uk/about.

Scan the QR code to request
a sample of Minor Figures
Barista Oat M*lk

Unlock

gtlhoe bpaotlenmtiealnoufs

in your hospital

Tilda brown
and white ticks
all the boxes

for staff,
visitors and
patients alike.

Andy Jones
Consultant and Healthcare

Nutrition Advisor

Free digital POS Just because your customers are dining in a hospital setting, doesn’t mean
SCAN HERE they expect any less when it comes to on-trend flavour and choice.

Tilda Brown & White Rice is the perfect way to serve up global dishes.
With the hidden benefits of fibre it can help keep staff, visitors and patients

fuelled for their day.

Discover how at www.tilda.com/professionals

PROFESSIONAL

always reimagining rice

T he Country ClubTHECOUNTRYCLUB
EXCLUSIVELY FOR CUSTOMERS OF THE COUNTRY RANGE GROUP

STAY SHARP LET THE WIN
RECORD
Looking ahead to the new year Knife, a 150mm Utility Knife and PLAY TCCurrorunsitlsaeebyrle
we’re giving away a stunning a 208mm Chef’s Knife for all of
set of Samura Damascus your daily kitchen needs. The Bringing back memories by plays 7”, 10” or 12” records and has
knives to ensure that you can 67 layer Damascus steel blades playing music on a record two built-in speakers. It also has
start 2023 with the best tools allow you to cut through meat player is such a beautiful way to Bluetooth connectivity so you can
at your fingertips. and vegetables with ease. The add another sensorial element stream music wirelessly from any
set also comes in a beautiful to activities within care homes. handheld device too.
The knife set is made up presentation box.
Whether you’re a care home caterer, or For your chance to win, send an
WIN of a 98mm Pairing For your chance to win, send an not, the vintage Crosley Cruiser Deluxe email titled ‘Crosley’, along with
email titled ‘Damascus’, along 3-Speed Suitcase Turntable is a your name, contact details and the
Set of Samura with your name, contact details stunning prize. name of your Country Range Group
and the name of your Country wholesaler, to competitions@
Damascus Range Group wholesaler, to We have one to give away, in a beautiful stiritupmagazine.co.uk
competitions@ mint green. The three-speed turntable
Knives stiritupmagazine.co.uk

Closing date for the competitions: 31 December 2022. All winners will be notified by 31 January 2023. Postal
entries can be sent to: Country Range Group, 4 & 5 Jupiter House, Mercury Rise, Altham Business Park,
Altham, Lancashire, BB5 5BY. Full terms and conditions can be found at: www.stiritupmagazine.co.uk/about

www.burtonsbiscuits.com
[email protected]

1O5F%F

NOVEMBER
& DECEMBER

Vegan friendly
100% natural ingredients
Made with natural spring water

12 x 330ml Cans and 12 x 330ml Glass

heartsease_farm Request trade samples here ➝

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Festive menusINSPIRATIONAL PLATES FOR
1 CHRISTMAS
CREATION 1
Add festive twists to your 2
2 existing menu such as this 4
pig in blanket mac 5
and cheese
dish created by
Bennett Opie.

DOUBLE
CELEBRATION

Celebrate World Vegan Day on the 1st 3

November and National Sandwich Day

on 3rd November by including this

Gourmet Gourmet vegan sub to within

3 your lunch and on-the-go menus.
CRACKING
COCKTAIL
Create this Cranberry Caipirinha with
4 tequila, Country Range Cranberry stifroriteuuccnpiodpm.Teuahasktegcwafauwznlilnwbe.e.
Juice, fresh lime, brown sugar and
cranberries. Add to ice and finish
with a sprig of rosemary.

THE GIFT OF
GINGERBREAD

5 Using Opies Stem Ginger in Syrup
to create these hanging gingerbread
decorations is the perfect food
focused activity for care
homes, nurseries or schools.

TWINKLING
TIPPLE

6 McCormick’s Blood Orange, Beet and foTirnhuitsphwetoiflralidkwgeeeeepk 6
Cardamom Sipping Sour has all the
flavours of Christmas. Sip on its own,
create a mocktail using a lemon-lime
soda, or combine with Prosecco for a
festive treat.

SANTA STACK

Use Moving Mountains®
burgers, vegan cheese,
stuffing, cranberry
sauce, mayo and
roasted sprouts
or other veggies to
create this amazing
Christmas Burger.

67

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

WITH MAGGI® PROFESSIONAL

Purchase MAGGI® Gravy in November 2022,

TO WIN £1000*upload your delivery note online and get a chance

SCAN ME MAGGI® Original Gravy
TO ENTER

Serving Suggestion *T&Cs apply.
® Reg.Trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.