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Best Small Family-Run Fish Business 2019 - London
Welcome to the 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Over recent years, the Food & Drink industry has seen a new wave of sectors burst into the market and influence the way eat, drink and enjoy our favourite cuisines. From the prevalence of speciality eating practices and diets, such as Veganism, to the emergence of consumer-led trends, such as food photography, companies working within the food and drink industry are working harder than ever to facilitate the diverse and evolving demands of millions of individuals worldwide.
Laura Brookes - Magazine Editor Phone: +44 (0) 20 3970 0082 Email: L.brookes@aiglobalmedialtd.com Website: www.lux-review.com
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Destilla GmbH: Best Natural Flavouring Manufacturer 2019 Bethnal Green Fish Supplies: Best Small Family-Run Fish Business 2019 - London The Airewine Group: Most Innovative Wine Packaging Product 2019 Midwest Fresh: Leading Purveyors of Artisan Burger Sauces – USA Katerina Homemade Sweets Ltd: Best Traditional Fruit Preserve Brand 2019 - Cyprus Petromax GmbH: Best Outdoor Cooking Product Specialists – Germany Matthews Winery: Best Family Owned & Operated Winery 2019 - Washington The New Chocolate Company Limited: Best Emerging Artisan Chocolatiers 2019 - Scotland Sultan Drinks: Most Unique Variety of Premium Canned Beverages - Austria DT10 Sports: Best Protein Bars & Shakes - South England Domenico Cece: Liqueur Brand of the Year 2019 - Australia Limerick Lane Cellars: Most Authentic Estate Vineyard 2019 - Sonoma County Dolce Caffe & Restaurant: Best European-Fusion Restaurant - Hertfordshire Uncle Don’s: Best Casual Restaurant & Bar Chain - Malaysia & Most Successful Food & Beverage Enterprise - South East Asia IWS Srl: Best Wine Shipping Company 2019 - Italy Mobberley Cakes Limited: Most Trusted Cake & Biscuit Supplier - UK sorze4 AS: Best Grocery Product Import & Development Company - Northern Europe Magic Chocolate: Best Speciality-Diet Belgian Chocolate Company 2019 & Organic Dark Chocolate Product of the Year 2019: MAGIC CHOCOLATE Very Pure with Coconut Blossom Sugar Wine Cellar International LLC: Best Wine Cellar Specialist 2019 – Florida Blackwells Butchers Ltd: Best Independent Butcher - North East England Chopsticks Hanoi: Best Modern Asian Restaurant – Vietnam DANCIN Vineyards, LLC: Best Pacific Northwest Viticulture & Culinary Destination 2019 Mintec: Leaders in Market Intelligence in the F&B Industry 2019 & Best Cloud Based Platform 2019: Mintec Analytics Karen MacNeil & Company: Best Dynamic Wine Education Consultancy – USA Swift Green Filters: Best Eco-Friendly Water Filtration Products 2019 - North America La Cavale: Most Luxurious Winery 2019 – Luberon Shabestan PTE. LTD: Best Middle Eastern Restaurant 2019 – Singapore Shoryu Ramen Ltd: Japanese Restaurant of the Year 2019 - North West England Sweet Pepper Café: LUX Rising Culinary Stars in Vegan & Vegetarian Cuisine – UK PS Seasoning: Best Gourmet Seasoning Producer – USA & Flavour Innovators of the Year 2019
51. Wine Meridian: Best Italian Wine Magazine 2019 52. Honest Gum: Most Sustainable Natural Food Product: Honest Gum & Best Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Manufacturer 2019 53. W6 Garden Centre Café: Best Garden Centre Cafe 2019 - London: 54. Vancouver International Wine Festival: Best International Wine Festival - North America 56. London Tea Exchange: Leading Purveyor of Artisan Teas & Coffees – UK & LUX Innovation Award in Artisanal Beverage Curation 2019 58. Thai Express / MTY Group: Thai Restaurant Franchise of the Year 2019 - North America 59. HappyDOG Hot DOGs: Best Takeaway Restaurant 2019 - County Antrim 60. Brockley Hall Hotel: Most Luxurious Hotel Restaurant 2019 - North Yorkshire 62. Laguna Coffee Co Inc: Best Micro Roaster 2019 - Laguna Beach 63. The Bull & Dog Inn: Best Family Friendly Community Pub – Lancashire 64. Martins Wine Advisor: Best Wine Advisory Service 2019 - UK 65. Alpine Distilling, Park City: Best Craft Distillery & Casual Eatery – Utah 66. Lab22: Cocktail Bar of the Year 2019 – Cardiff 67. Blue Marble Cocktails: Best Variety of Premium Canned Cocktails 2019 68. Yacht Club Punta Del Este: Best Harbourside Casual Dining Venue - Southeast Uruguay 69. Adian’s Dining: Best Upscale International Restaurant 2019 - Birmingham 70. Shelter Point Distillery: Best Artisan Spirit Distillery - Canada 71. Bodegas Valduero: Leaders in Traditional Viticulture 2019 - Castile and León & Best Family-Run Winery for Premium Vintage Wines 2019 - Castile and León 72. Stag Bakeries Ltd: Best Family-Run Craft Bakery 2019 - Scottish Highlands 73. O’Shea’s Butchers Ltd: Best Free-Range Premium Butchers 2019 - London 74 Global Food Solutions: Most Sustainable Foodservice Partner - Greater New York 76. Gen!us Craft Lager #smartdrinking 78. Noon Gun Brewery: Craft Brewery of the Year 2019 - Western Cape 80. Nom Noms World Food: Ready-Meal Company of the Year 2019 - UK 81. Peninsula Drinks And Food: Best Specialty Alcoholic Beverage Retailer - UAE 82. Karine’s: Best Vegetarian-Friendly Eatery 2019 - Toronto 84. Master of Malt: Best Online Whisky & Gin Merchant 2019 85. Yez! Foods: Best Speciality Diet Artisan Bakery 2019 - California 86. Nai Arabia: Best Healthy Snack Food & Beverage Company - Middle East 87. Scuderia Italia: Best Fine Wine Collection 2019 - Northern Italy 88. SugarSin: Sweet Shop of the Year 2019 - Central London 90. Lloyd Cellars: Best Pinot Noir Winemaker 2019 - Napa Valley 91. MILSY, a.s.: Best Manufacturer of Traditional Dairy Products 2019 - Trenčín 92. Ymakan FZ LLC: Recognised Experts in Food Brand Development 2019 - Middle East and Asia Pacific
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Destilla GmbH: Best Natural Flavouring Manufacturer 2019
For more than 50 years Destilla GmbH has been producing award-winning flavourings and supplying them to clients around the world. In celebration of the firm’s win of Best Natural Flavouring Manufacturer for the second year in a row in our Food and Drink Awards we profile the company and explore the secrets behind this incredible achievement. Founded in 1969, Destilla has a longstanding For clients throughout the food and drink legacy of excellence in the flavouring and market, Destilla can develop a solution seasoning space. based on any flavour profile, ensuring that they receive a bespoke taste that is To this very day firm’s distinctive natural unique to their brand. In line with the latest flavours and compositions are as pure and food market trends, the firm’s solutions are genuine as their origin: nature. To consistently certified as organic, halal and kosher, and achieve maximum quality, the firm use only the as such are suitable for a variety of diners, freshest hand-picked natural products. Many no matter what their preference or dietary of them come directly from regional sources to requirements. ensure freshness. With flavours across the full taste range, including sweet, spicy and salty, Destilla is able to supply clients in a range of markets, including the beverage industry. Organic, natural and high-quality, the firm’s products are central to its success, and as such Destilla has invested heavily in research and development over the years to ensure it continues to enhance its portfolio. As a manufacturer of natural flavours, the dedicated team at Destilla work exclusively with precious natural products. To make the best possible use of these natural resources, the team process them in a particularly gentle manner. Whether it is fresh regional herbs, exotic fruits from Latin America or noble spices from India: only the best raw materials from sustainable agriculture are good enough for subsequent processing at Destilla. This is Destilla’s commitment to ensuring the consistently high taste quality of all of its products. To ensure its ongoing success, Destilla stands for long-term partnerships, some of which have been in place since its foundation, cooperative developments and good technical support. Whether it is from
farmers next door or in the world’s most remote locations, the team at Destilla pay a great deal of attention to the origin and regional sourcing of our raw materials. Family-owned, the firm has always prided itself on working closely with its collaborators and clients to support them and help them use its products to the best of their abilities. As a result of this approach, Destilla has grown together with their clients and industry partners, a fact which makes the team incredibly proud. Alongside its focus on excellence for clients, Destilla is also keen to limit its ecological footprint and that of its suppliers and clients. By aiming to use water, electricity and gas in as sparing a manner as possible, the firm is continuously shrinking its ecological footprint, even as it increases production. Recently, Destilla added HiPures® to its offering. Especially developed for the needs of the flavour industry, these unique solutions creates top and body notes in soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, ice cream, sweets or savoury treats. It is the latest development for the firm that will help it to maintain and build upon its already impressive reputation for excellence. Ultimately, thanks to its commitment to quality, Destilla has a bright future in front of it. Over the coming years the firm will continue to enhance its range of delicious flavourings and its product range as a whole to ensure that it remains at the forefront of the latest culinary market developments.
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“With flavours across the full taste range, including sweet, spicy and salty, Destilla is able to supply clients in a range of markets, including the beverage industry. To make the best possible use of these natural resources, the team process them in a particularly gentle manner.”
Company: Destilla GmbH | Contact: Michael Feil Address: Erninger Straße 2, 86720 Nördlingen, Germany Phone: +49 9081 273827 0 | Fax: +49 9081 273827 50 Website: www.destilla.com | Instagram: _destilla_
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Bethnal Green Fish Supplies: Best Small Family -Run Fish Business 2019 - London Here at LUXlife, we have the chance to share and to know some of the finest restaurants in the world, but very seldom do we get the opportunity to find out more about the excellent suppliers who provide the raw materials for gastronomic perfection. Fortunately, we were able to talk to Bethnal Green Fish Supplies Owner Serge Lea, who knows exactly where to find the real catch of the day. A far cry from the big faceless company you might think supplies fabulous food to fancy restaurants, Serge Lea and his team at Bethnal Green Fish Supplies are a small family-run business who have done their utmost to ensure that they deliver only the finest locally sourced fish to their customers. Despite the business being just two years old, Serge has found that the demand for fresh fish is universal. From Michelin Star restaurants to small chain pubs, everyone wants a felicitous fillet to form their culinary centrepieces. From beautiful bass to tantalising tuna, from succulent salmon to captivating cod, if you need something a little different to form the heart of your menu, Serge is just the right man to ask.
‘We moved away from a large corporate business to downsize and go back to what we love doing – which is buying more locally sourced fish and getting to handpick fish for our customers,’ Serge tells us. For him and his team, the selection of fish is a vocation, borne of experience and appreciation. As a family-run business, Serge often does this work alongside his father, Bobby. Fatherand-son take great pride in sourcing their fish locally and visit the local market daily to ensure the seafood they’ve found is first-class. ‘Both of us are in direct contact with different ports around the UK daily and speaking directly to local fisherman to ensure everything we are buying is to the best quality,’ Serge explains.
The personal touch that goes into filleting through to finding the best fish is greatly appealing to Serge’s customers. ‘We have found that nowadays people don’t want to use big corporate companies,’ he says. ‘They want to know who they are dealing with and want to know where there fish has come from.’ The size of the company means that traceability is very easy to find, with all the fish that goes through their doors carefully sourced from regular suppliers. It’s one major difference between them and the larger company that Serge left. At Bethnal Green Fish Supplies, the closeness of the team is best demonstrated by the careful way in which team members are added. Far from entering a nameless company, it’s a
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who ensures that upon delivery, the Chefs can start work immediately. ‘We have an excellent team of filleters who aim to please the chef and no job is too small,’ Serge tells us. ‘Always happy to do whatever the chef requires.’ That said, he is careful not to spread his talents too thin. High standards are at the forefront of what Bethnal Green Fish Supplies provide. ‘Always strive for perfection and know your limits as to how many restaurants you can serve,’ he tells us. ‘Do not get greedy and grow too fast.’
carefully calculated addition into a family. ‘All staff undergo trials before beginning so we know if the candidate is right for our company,’ explains Serge. ‘Staff are regularly spoken to regarding new and old customers and how they should act when they are delivering our product.’ The relationships that build up between customers and suppliers means that Serge and his team feel happy to advise their clients as to what sorts of fish are best suited to their needs. ‘Speaking daily to our customers, we can always be there to guide them in what’s coming into season,’ Serge smiles. This not only means the highest quality fish leaves the premises, but that chefs are able to get to grips with something at its prime for their guests.
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Kept busy between running the business and maintaining its scrupulously high standards, Serge and his dad are always on site, checking on what goes in and out of the shop floor. Work at Bethnal Green Fish Supplies starts early at night, most days at 8.30pm. We asked Serge where they both get the energy from! ‘I think you need to be passionate about what you do and willing to put in the long hours and hard work,’ Serge laughs. Certainly, his enthusiasm for the business shines through every aspect of the business. It’s an infectious glee that feeds the rest of his hard-working team. We asked Serge what had boosted the prominence of his business. Surely, it can’t be enough to simply provide excellent fish? ‘I feel that chefs come to us now due to word of mouth and the reliability we provide,’ Serge smiles. ‘We have built up a good, strong client base and aim to please all of them. The fact that they can place an order up to 4am in the morning knowing that they will receive the fish that morning. We do our upmost to give the customers what they want and to a high standard.’ As mentioned before, this distinguished clientele forms some of the classiest restaurant choices in London. From sophisticated shared dishes at Cornerstone in Hackney Wick to considered culture at the Cadogan in Chelsea, chefs delight in what Serge can supply. They appreciate that their fish is sustainably sourced and seasonal offerings are available to try. Another boon is the capacity of Serge’s team of fish filleters,
These thoughts have clearly guided his business path for a long time, but now secure in his position as a premier provider of London’s seafood scene, the need to expand has risen. We asked him to tell us more. ‘We are looking to buy the unit next door as well, to expand so we are able to serve more of London’s chefs,’ Serge explains. It reflects the growing demand for his carefully caught fish. Bethnal Green Fish Suppliers are the unsung heroes of London’s restaurant scene. Providing responsible sourced, delicately chosen and delightfully fresh seafood to chefs across the city, it’s no wonder that this intrepid team has achieved such incredible success. By thinking small, Serge and his crew have made a big impact on all those who dine out in London. No chef can make magic from nothing, and what Serge Lea from Bethnal Green provides is magic in and of itself. Contact: Serge Lea Company: Bethnal Green Fish Supplies Email: slea@bgfishsupplies.co.uk Telephone: 07545329109
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
The Airewine Group:
Most Innovative Wine Packaging Product 2019 Drawing on personal experience, the AireWine Group was created by Adam Hewison to reimagine the wine bottle and captured the imagination of the winebuying public. We profile the group to learn more about its history and how far it has come over the years.
“Adam created AireWine to develop a revolutionary new wine bottle that not only looks incredible, but did something that no other wine bottle does. The AireWine bottle aerates the wine more than either a Burgundy or Bordeaux bottle as it is being poured without any additional add ons. This unique feature, along with its iconic design, sets the AireWine bottle apart from other wine bottles on the shelf and commands the wine buyers’ attention. As Adam says, “This is not your Grandparents’ Wine Bottle”.
An inside look of the patented AireWine bottle and the unique “Pouration Dimples TM” that create the aeration.
Company: The Airewine Group | Contact: Adam Hewison Phone: 410-353-4489 | Email: info@airewine.com | Website: airewine.com
It is said that diners eat with their eyes, and the same can be said for wine drinkers, as Adam Hewison, founder of the AireWine Group, discovered when he purchased HomePort a small wine store in Maryland. Through his observations, Adam realized that the majority of consumers purchased the same bottle time and again. He realized that wine buyers were driven to make their decisions based on labels on the bottle as much as anything else. As a result, he created the AireWine Group to create a wine bottle that not only looked incredible, but could also do something that no other wine bottle in the world could do: aerate the wine as it was being poured. This one unique feature and the dramatic design of the AireWine bottle allowed Adam to set his wine bottle apart from what some call “boring” Bordeaux and Burgundy bottles. The standout design of the AireWine bottle gives it an edge on the shelf and compels wine buyers to pick it up and try it. The key is to provide a wine experience unlike any other, and the AireWine bottle provides that and much more.
Over the years, Adam has created many prototypes, looking for the perfect solution for a self-aerating wine bottle. Finally, after years of trial and error, he developed the bottle that he wants to share with the public. AireWine’s latest bottle has been given the thumbs up from not only the public, but also wine distributors and retailers. The AireWine bottle has been scientifically tested in two independent labs and has proven to aerate wine more than either a Burgundy or Bordeaux bottle. The benefits of his unique wine bottle are apparent to the wine consumer. In a recent survey, the millennial generation gave the AireWine bottle an 86.6% approval rating and said they would pick up a bottle if they saw it in a retailer’s store. Overall, the AireWine bottle has been a work of love and has taken around eight years to produce and perfect. Moving forward, Adam is excited about partnering with a major winery to bring his creative and reimagined new wine bottle to wine drinkers throughout the U.S. and beyond.
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Sep19283 Company: Midwest Fresh | Website: www.mwfresh.com | Contact: Kevin Grider
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Midwest Fresh: Leading Purveyors of Artisan Burger Sauces - USA What started as a restaurant consulting company has rapidly become one of the Midwest’s favourite purveyors of artisanal sauces, vinaigrettes and other sumptuous food products. Midwest Fresh, under the sage leadership of head chef and owner Kevin Grider, offer some of the tastiest food service products in America, so we caught up with Kevin to unearth his recipe for success. After launching his first successful restaurant as executive chef, Kevin Grider realised that his specialist products had to be available for purchase to ensure every food-lover can experience America’s best artisanal sauces. After a year of pushing products to restaurants and bars, and gaining quite the notoriety in the process, Midwest Fresh was launched almost two years ago as a retail line and has seen meteoric levels of success since. Now available in more than 250 retail locations, Kevin is working harder than ever to strike deals with some of the nation’s largest retailer such as Walmart and Target. Offering some of the most delicious artisanal sauces, Midwest Fresh create both unique takes on classic sauces, and new varieties to tantalise the taste buds. Whilst the line up of commonly-used products includes Brick Oven Pizza Sauce and Molasses Barbecue, the unique products such as Bacon Jam, Spicy Bacon Jam, and Bourbon Barrel Mustard have paved the road to success. Rather than commit to following trends, Kevin has established Midwest Fresh as a trend-setter. With aisles today brimming with brands, standing out is more important than ever. The brand’s unique products have cemented their place on store shelves, but more than that, Kevin has worked hard alongside restaurants to illuminate the many possibilities and ideas that can be explored with the products.
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In terms of creating Midwest Fresh’s unique slate of products, nothing less than perfection will do for Kevin, as he tells us his work ethic in manufacturing Midwest Fresh’s products.
“The process of making sure only perfection leaves the warehouse is not one to overlook. It is one of the most important factors in creating a business in today’s world. - one bad review can literally start the downhill descent. Perfecting a recipe for manufacturing on a larger scale is not an easy task, first you must create something that is not only tasty, but unique and carries a profile that is desirable. Today’s market there are a lot of new diet trends; gluten free, fresh ingredients, organic, sourced responsibility, all take effect when a consumer makes the decision to purchase. I am a firm believer of not skipping a single step.” Some of those steps that Kevin doesn’t skip include focusing heavily on brand awareness. Personally driving more than 180,000 miles in two years, this hands-on owner makes sales calls, provides insight into the culinary realm where requested, and constantly checks in on existing clients for feedback. Diligence, time and integrity are central to what Midwest Fresh are about, and Kevin exemplifies these ideals himself.
“This is why I have focused on personally checking on current clients, providing honest feedback, and delivering unprecedented workmanship. If I am needed, even 200 miles away, I am likely headed there the same day I get a call. Keeping clients happy, delivering excellence and honesty is the best way to retain your business.”
Looking to the future, it is bright for both Kevin and his product line. He signs off the interview by revealing some of the exciting prospects that Midwest Fresh has coming up in the near future.
“We are always focused on innovation, quality, and the opportunity to bring something fresh and new to the food scene. Currently I am working on stuffing the Bacon Jam inside sausages for an unparalleled product, with flavour that comes directly from culinary inspiration.” Ultimately, it is Kevin’s love of food, desire to make people happy, and determination to see his brand succeed that has got Midwest Fresh to where it is today. With traditional staples of the sauce market, and new, mouthwatering additions that deliver restaurantlevel quality to any dining experience, this culinary creator is delivering America the sauce it deserves.
Sep19201
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Katerina Homemade Sweets Ltd: Best Traditional Fruit Preserve Brand 2019 - Cyprus
Located in the heart of the Cypriot countryside, Katerina Homemade Sweets Ltd produces traditional ‘spoon sweets’, a form of treat that is made with preserved fruits. As part of our overview of some of this year’s Food and Drink Awards we profile the firm to find out how it has risen to become a tourist attraction and a key player in keeping this traditional sweet on the market.
On Cyprus, spoons sweets are a long-held, yet retreating tradition. For these delicious treats, fruits are stewed down with sugar to a desired consistency and available in a wide range of flavours. Seeking to keep this traditional alive, Katerina Homemade Sweets offers 54 different kinds of spoon sweets, as well as 42 different jams and 28 different traditional liqueurs. These delicious products are handmade, without any preservatives or additives, making them a great alternative to modern sweets. In an age where sweets are often unhealthy and filled with preservatives and chemicals, Katerina Homemade Sweets offers a creative new approach for adults and children alike. The firm is passionate about keeping spoon sweets and other Cypriot traditions alive, passing the recipes on and showing the world that there is more to this beautiful Mediterranean island than meets the eye. These sweet treats are available in a range of unique flavours, including garlic sweet and jam, chili pepper sweet, aloe vera sweet, walnuts jam, taro roots jam, prickly pear sweet, and jasmine flower liqueur, among many others.
As one of the few remaining purveyors of these delicious sweets, the firm has to work hard to entice a younger market and remain relevant in the face of modern, trendy sweets. In order to keep customers interested in traditional treats, Katerina Homemade Sweets has created a line of wedding and christening favours, fruit preserves in nice fancy jars decorated and offered to guests. The team also hold tour guides to tourists and local Cypriots alike, were people can learn about its products, what they are and why we need to preserve this longstanding tradition. A family-run business, Katerina Homemade Sweets contributes much to the local community not only by offering tours, but also by employing local people and by showcasing the benefits of this local tradition. Spoon sweets are a key part of Cypriot culture, and creating them by hand has been a custom on the island for hundreds of years. Katerina Homemade Sweets is proud to be keeping this alive and showcasing the benefits of this traditional treats.
With the traditional sweet business now firmly established Katerina Homemade Sweets is keen to enhance its reputation for excellence and expand its range to cater to even more consumers. As such, the team is now creating a line of sugar-free products so that even those on restricted diets can enjoy these delicious sweets. The team is also expanding its traditional liquor range to tempt even more drinkers. This growth will allow the team to prosper further and show even more customers from around the world the benefits of traditional spoon sweets. Company: Katerina Homemade Sweets Ltd Name: Katerina Christoforou Address: Laneia Village, Limassol-Troodos main road, 4750 Postal address: P.O.Box 70107, 4161 Kato Polemidia, Limassol, Cyprus Telephone Number: +35725432000 Web Address: www.katerinasweets.com
Taking between 15 and 20 days to produce, this traditional process is no easy task, but the team at Katerina Homemade Sweets are proud of how hard they work and how they craft these perfect treats and keep the tradition alive.
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Sep19187 LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Petromax GmbH: Best Outdoor Cooking Product Specialists – Germany
Petromax is a leading manufacturer of equipment for outdoor cooking and living. With a focus on offering the best service to their customers, online and offline, we discover how Petromax has become established as one of the best outdoor cooking specialists in Germany. Combining tradition and innovation in a unique way, Petromax’s products are of the highest quality, extremely durable and feature elaborate details. The core focus of Petromax’s products is for consumers to experience raw nature with traditional, yet well-designed equipment. Grilling and cooking outdoors is always a very special experience and one which reflects the firm’s own roots. With proven approaches around fire and light, the greatest passion for the products and the enthusiasm of the customers, the traditional brand Petromax builds on a solid foundation. Going into further detail, Jonas and Dr. Pia Christin Taureck from Petromax inform us of the ways in which the company ensures that the team achieves excellence in the services they provide. “The Petromax team feels encouraged every day to contribute so that adventurers and globetrotters can continue to come together in the future to cook at the fire and share their experiences. Petromax relies on proven and robust materials to ensure consistently high quality through innovative combinations. Everything developed by Petromax is made with the premise that it is good only if it is resistible, robust and durable.” With more than 50 employees at the firm’s headquarter in Magdeburg who share the same passion for what the company is doing, Jonas Taureck highlights the significant role the team plays in the overall success of Petromax.
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“In order to ensure that everyone is well-informed, we use modern means of communication or we gather around the Griddle and Fire Bowl – depending on the topic and story. All team members treat each other with due respect and meeting one another at eye level.” With everyday life becoming stressful and fast-moving, more people are drawn to explore nature. Petromax is the perfect companion on outings into nature with unique taste experiences. Recently, Petromax has extended its portfolio in Summer/Autumn 2019 with further products around enjoying campfire and outdoor adventures, e.g. clothing made of loden or passive cooling systems, as Dr. Pia Christin Taureck is keen to reveal. “The passive Cool Box in two sizes is a complement to the Petromax product world which provides for more independence on outdoor adventures. The Cool Boxes kx25 and kx50 work completely without electricity and generator, thus enabling independence amongst adventurers outdoors. Due to the double walled construction and a PU insulation ice remains cool for up to 12 days. That is why the Cool Box is the ideal companion for all who are on the way across country and do not want to do without fresh food and cold drinks. Also our new range of outdoor clothing made of loden complements our portfolio in a great way. Loden is considered to be the oldest outdoor fabric in the world and very resistant to all weather fluctuations. With the active clothing, everyone who likes to be outdoors is always properly dressed – whether for micro adventures, hiking, trekking or bushcraft tours.” At the beginning of the 20th century the Petromax high-pressure lamp HK500 was designed to last for generations. Cast
and wrought-iron pans were already used hundreds of years ago and so today, due them being robust and durable. Today, society focuses on values that Petromax has represented from their inception. This strengthens the company for the future, since they are happy that their customers perceive and appreciate the products Petromax has on offer. Contact: Jonas & Dr. Pia Christin Taureck Company: Petromax GmbH Address: Sudenburger Wuhne 61, 39116 Magdeburg, Germany Telephone: (Nicole Schaber, PX Press) +49 (0)40 688 920 855 Web Address: www.petromax.de
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Matthews Winery: Best Family Owned & Operated Winery 2019 - Washington
For twenty-seven years, one Washington-based winery has been bringing the inspiration of Bordeaux’s blending techniques to America’s northwest. Twenty miles northeast of Seattle in the beautiful town of Woodinville is Matthews Winery, creating exceptional wines with the state’s sumptuous harvest of fruit. Unearth the beautiful flavours and history of Washington’s best family owned and operated winery of 2019.
Taking inspiration from the great wine blending techniques of Bordeaux, Matthews Winery has been crafting exquisite-tasting wines that range from flavourful red Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlots, to crisp white Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. Tipping their hat to traditional methods, the family team at Matthews also embrace the energy and innovation of Washington State’s ascendant wine region. Situated across eight acres of beautifully serene farmland in the heart of Woodinville wine country, just a twenty-minute drive from the thriving city of Seattle, Matthews invites guests to enjoy their wines in a truly outstanding location. Open daily for wine tastings, the Matthews Tasting Room & Farm is the perfect place for all manner of guests, whether seeking to share their seasoned knowledge of the grapevine, or sample wine for their very first tasting experience.
Website: www.matthewswinery.com Email: hello@matthewswinery.com
Clients range from all ages and wine experiences, and the team of staff are exceptionally trained to interact with experts and novices alike. Seeking to make everyone as comfortable as possible, the atmosphere at Matthews is one of warmth and welcoming from the first step, to the final sip. New fans of the grape no longer have to spend upwards of a hundred dollars per bottle to find an excellent wine. Ensuring total protection of the integrity of winemaking, every step of the process is hands-on. Matthews’ vineyards are grown to 1-2 clusters per shoot to ensure each cluster has maximum concentration of fruit. Once suitably ripe, the vineyards are then handharvested in the early hours of the morning, ensuring fruit remains cool in the beautifully temperate dawn. Upon arrival at the winery, the fruit is then hand-sorted to ensure only the highest quality is retained for fermentation in either concrete or stainless-steel tanks before being aged in new French oak barrels. The experts on the winemaking team then evaluate each wine up to fifty times or more. It is only bottled once the full expression of the vintage is mature enough.
Having been harvested, fermented, and aged, the finished product is always one of exemplary craftsmanship. Elegant, structured and delivered with masterful control over flavour and taste, there are few wines to match the sensational ones made at Matthews. More than anything, the love and attention to detail that the family put into the crafting process helps enhance every sip. Staff are an integral part of the Matthews experience. The family come together as a group of passionate wine fans alongside their staff, continuing wine education all year round with each new release. Training and development is encouraged through in-house workshops and cross-state vineyard visits to understand the fine art of winemaking. Perhaps most enviably, every staff member is given a bottle of every new release to truly understand it personally, and find a perfect meal pairing. For the team at Matthews, the wine business is really a business of enjoyment. Dealing in flavours and experiences that stand out across Washington’s wine country, it simply comes down to being excited about wine and crafting unrivalled experiences for likeminded lovers of the grape.
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Sep19420
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
The New Chocolate Company Limited: Best Emerging Artisan Chocolatiers 2019 - Scotland
Offering the finest artisan and bespoke chocolate for chocoholics everywhere, The New Chocolate Company in Scotland use only the best ingredients from across the world. With mouthwateringly tasty chocolate, LUXLife examined the firm to learn more about their recipe for success as one of the country’s best emerging artisan chocolatiers.
With many chocolatiers around the world creating a wealth of wonderful products, it can be hard to stand out. Amongst the more than 90 chocolatiers in Scotland alone, TNCC has quickly become one of the country’s best for artisan chocolate. Using the finest cocoa from around the world in their products, the small team are constantly experimenting with new and different products to keep things interesting for clients and customers. All of the delicious chocolate products offered by TNCC are freshly handmade to order. Technology is not used throughout the chocolate-making process, and is instead reserved for keeping records. This way, the team can ensure that the same level of care and attention to detail goes into every single piece of luxury chocolate. With high production standards, the team are always ensuring that the finished product is one that they are truly happy with. If it is anything less that chocolate perfection that the client will be pleased with, then that product is simply not sold. Employing only five workers, the team of artisan chocolatiers work closely together to ensure a tight-knit community that creates some of Scotland’s finest chocolate. Each and every morning, the team meet to discuss the previous day and goals for the day
ahead. Every staff member is encouraged to share their thoughts, ensuring that they know they are working TNCC rather than an individual, and sharing jobs along the way. Standing out from the competition in such a saturated field can be hard, but TNCC pull it off with delicious aplomb. Using exclusive and custom-made moulds not available to other chocolatiers, the company can offer a chocolate tasting experience not available anywhere else. The team also strive to ensure that any corporate orders are ready and delivered at least a day before the initial delivery date. With a delivery service that is second to none, clients have one less thing to worry about when crafting the perfect corporate event. However, TNCC offer more than exquisite chocolate products to their customers. As well as manufacturing mouth-watering chocolate, the company also offer team-building days and adult classes. For more social occasions, chocolate-tasting experiences are available for groups of more than fifteen people. Looking ahead, the team are also considering expansion into pairing whiskey and chocolate as it has become a frequent request for clients and customers.
Looking towards the future, TNCC are keenly aware of developments regarding sugar taxes. Whilst other chocolatiers may be affected by the sugar tax, this company use higher levels of cocoa content and less sugar. With the lower sugar levels, this artisan chocolatier has already begun producing a range of vegan chocolate products, with demand increasing. As the company continues to grow, they are also aiming to be able to export chocolate within the next six months, and employ more staff over the next two years. Despite being a relatively new company, TNCC has quickly established itself as one of the best artisan chocolatiers across Scotland. As evidenced by them becoming the only Scottish chocolatier with a fivestar accreditation from VisitScotland, the company is set to grow from strength to strength and continue delivering tantalisingly tasty chocolate. Company: The New Chocolate Company Limited Contact: Brian Dick Website: thenewchocolatecompany.co.uk
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Oct19115
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Sultan Drinks: Most Unique Variety of Premium Canned Beverages – Austria Bosmen GmbH, and their premium beverage brand Sultan Drinks, were recognized as the Most Unique Variety of Premium Canned Beverages in Austria in the LUXlife 2019 Food and Drink Awards.
We strive on a daily base to reach the perfect fusion of the traditional and the modern in the form of close-to-nature products. Our motto “every step back to nature is a step forward in a better future� has been with us from the very beginning and remains the basic principle of our work. Everything started 2013 with the idea to combine millennia old ingredients from the Orient and the Far East with the modern technology of the Western world into new fusion drinks. For this new generation of drinks, we choose the name Sultan to unite the superior strength of the ingredients, the unique design and the majestic taste in one name. We develop our drinks for people who appreciate the value of nature and world cultures, who understand our need to use only carefully selected ingredients and - last but not least - for the cosmopolitans ready to try something new.
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Bosmen GmbH is an Austrian company that develops global novelties in the field of beverages with internationally renowned and prized partners. Besides existing drinks Black Seed Cola, Ginger Power, Ginseng Ice Tea, Curcuma Orange and Dates-Figs we have formulated 5 more of absolutely unique beverages that will be globally launched in future. The special feature of our drinks are the ingredients and among them, no doubt, the black seed being the basis for all drinks and fused with other precious ingredients and filled with high-quality Austrian mineral water. Black Seed (lat. Nigella Sativa), used and valued since more than 2000 years in all major world cultures, gives our drinks the special and distinctive taste, making those an unmistakable indulgence to all senses.
Our team consists of people with unique individual qualities and experiences, which however are best utilized when we work as a team. Long and broad experience in the field of molecular biology, economics and focused and targeted use of herbal ingredients are daily mirrored best in the research & development, manufacturing and commercialization of our products. The global demand for our drinks is rising continuously with Sultan Drinks being presently sold and promoted in 15 countries. Our uniquely designed and ever recognizable brand with exclusive golden logo is protected in 100 countries worldwide. Our distribution works only via exclusive agents that develop the local markets. Recently we have started to partner with local filling facilities to serve local markets in the best ways possible.
Sep19486
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
DT10 Sports: Best Protein Bars & Shakes - South England A unique collaboration between a revered Master Chef and a sporting legend sparked the creation of DT10 Sports, a range of clean label snack bars designed with consumers in mind. We profile the firm and explore how it is changing the athletic snack market and driving it towards healthier, more nutritious alternatives.
DT10 Sports - Cookies & Cream bar
DT10 Sports - Chocolate & Mint bar
Discussing sports nutrition and the snacks they enjoyed, the pair were horrified at how much sugar and non-essential ingredients were in the sports nutrition products provided as part of the event. They were also incensed to discover that water was the number one ingredient in most of the drinks. Even worse, the nutrition bars contained more sugar than a Krispy Kreme donut, meaning that, despite their delicious taste, they were in fact no better than enjoying an ordinary treat.
Developed with double Olympic Champion Daley Thompson and British Master Chef Gary Barnshaw, DT10 Sports provides a tempting range of delicious and nutritious protein snack bars. Initially, Daley and Gary were driven to explore a new clean label, better for you and protein-rich product range after meeting by chance on a charity bike ride in Kenya with fellow Olympian and athlete Steve Cram in 2016.
With protein seen as being important to healthier lifestyles and staying fuller for longer, they set up DT10 Sports to create a range that would offer the same great taste as other treats but with the maximum protein possible and absolutely nothing artificial. As many companies, including Nestle, bring out protein-based treats, such as protein filled Mars Bars, the pair knew they needed to bring an alternative to the market that was designed with performance and nutrition in mind, rather than just branding or taste.
enhanced with added vitamins and minerals and contains no added sugar or palm fat/oil or sucralose. As such, athletes of all ages, abilities and goals can enjoy DT10 Sports’ extensive range safe in the knowledge that they are enhancing their performance, not hindering it. Accredited and certified by Informed Sports, these delicious treats are suitable for elite athletes as well as exercise enthusiasts and those with active lifestyles. Perfect for during or post exercise recovery, the bars are also ideal not only as a healthier ‘keep you fuller for longer’ snack, but as part of a caloriecontrolled diet. Moving forward, as sports nutrition remains a growing market, DT10 Sports has embraced exciting opportunities to grow and prosper, supplying its delicious bars to even more clients throughout the UK and further afield. Company: DT10 Sports Website: https://www.dt10sports.com/ Contact: Gary Barnshaw
Thanks to its in-depth research, the firm’s products have 21g of protein in the bars and a whopping 30g in the shakes, helping consumers perform at their best and optimising recovery. This is combined with a great taste, flavour and texture. For the maximum health benefits, the range is also
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Sep19390
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Domenico Cece: Liqueur Brand of the Year 2019 - Australia Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd is an Australian Artisan Liqueur producer based in Smithfield, NSW. Following their success in LUX Life’s Food and Drink Awards, we caught up with Managing Director, Domenico Cece who revealed the secrets of the family-run business.
Since their inception, Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd’s has aimed to achieve excellence by sourcing the finest ingredients Australia has to offer. Constantly inspecting the fruit prior to purchasing, Domenico only selects premium ingredients which are available on the day. In addition to this, the company also adheres to strict traditional Italian liqueur producing methods, a process which requires techniques that are mastered over time. Today, Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd’s famous Limoncello is produced using a four generation old recipe from Domenico’s Mum’s home town in South Italy. In addition to their award-winning Limoncello, the company also produces other flavours of Liqueurs. From humble beginnings at a family run restaurant to a state of the art manufacturing plant, Domenico informs us of how the Cece family has been able to turn a family recipe into an award-winning business venture.
“At Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd, our passion and dedication to Liqueurs continues to excel. Our precious fruit is 100% Australian, and our distilled spirit is amongst the smoothest in the world. Together, they create a recipe for the finest Liqueurs available, winning numerous prestigious International awards. As such, this allows us to showcase our Liqueurs nationally to restaurants, bottle shops, bars and individuals with an online presence.” Over the years, the company has slowly expanded their business, such as purchasing an Italian bottling line 18 months ago, which has made the team’s life that little bit easier, as Domenico explains.
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“The machine sterilises the bottles, fills them with our Liqueur, caps them and finishes the process by labelling them. This has been a massive time saving purchase. Another machine purchased was a fruit washer that cleans and dries 300KG of fruit per hour. These processes were all previously performed by hand, and now the technology in the machinery has made our business more efficient. Currently, our new website is being rebuilt and we are forecasting greater traffic resulting in more online purchases.”
plans which lie in the pipeline for the firm, touching on some of Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd’s potential leads in the years to come.
To date, Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd has accumulated countless awards for their service and products. One of their recent wins includes being selected in LUX Life’s Food and Drinks Awards 2019 where they were righteously awarded the accolade Liqueur Brand of the Year 2019 – Australia. When discussing the remarkable success, Domenico attributes the company’s accomplishments to the team’s strong belief in the products they produce and sell.
More recently, Cece Liqueur has opened up a new bottling plant which, among many delights, houses a by appointment-only Cellar Door that consists of a Carrara Marble bar area with delicately hand-crafted joinery – a fitting reflection of the quality of the products on offer.
“Dedication, passion, tenacity and belief in our product are the main factor. As a result, our clients can see this reflected in each of our products and in presence when we are educating and advertising our products.” With the family run business growing from strength to strength, the future looks bright for Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd. Looking ahead, Domenico signs off by revealing the exciting
“Moving forward, we are excited with the prospect of selling to overseas markets. We are currently in negotiations with several overseas clients and have leads to approach others as well. At the moment it is in the inception stage and there needs to be more time and effort invested in this area, but it seems promising.”
Ultimately, the team at Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd will continue to deliver an impeccable service to their clients, as well as produce their award-winning Liqueurs. By using the best ingredients and constantly researching new flavours and new market trends, Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd will remain ahead of the competition in the years to come. Company: Cece Liqueur Pty Ltd Address: Unit 1, 727 The Horsley Drive, Smithfield, NSW, 2164, Australia Telephone: +61 458 360 360 Web Address: www.celloliqueur.com Cello: Arancello, Limecello, Limoncello, Passioncello, Sambuca Dolce: Mango, Lemon, Chocolate, Melon, Coffee Mint, Coconut, Strawberry
Limerick Lane Cellars
Most Authentic Estate Vineyard 2019 - Sonoma County
Oct19501
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Limerick Lane Cellars: Most Authentic Estate Vineyard 2019 - Sonoma County The greatest wines in the world come from sites of magic, and these sites are few and far between. They are songs from the earth that defy definition. In the still-point between soil and sand, and water and sun, grapevines rise to match these conditions, perfectly evolved to thrive. From these humble beginnings, the award-winning Vineyard at Limerick Lane Cellars can begin its work. We took a closer look to find out what that entails. Limerick Lane is an anomaly. Found at the end of a dead-end road, on the wrong side of the valley, making wines that isn’t consistent with their appellation, it defies expectation, definition and common sense. It is also the home of some of the most gorgeous Zinfandel and Syrah, reliably producing rich, powerful, full-bodied wines that are also strikingly fresh, bright and nimble. A product of kismet and serendipity, this genuine winery built on a forgotten vineyard embodies the highest standards of authenticity. In an area renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it’s a strange decision to grow and produce world class Zinfandel and Syrah. Sometimes regarded as secondclass by wine connoisseurs, especially when compared to their more wellknown counterparts, this 30-acre estate sweeps aside the norm in favor of making something right. Taking advantage of what is on offer, namely the Russian River Valley providing more fog, cooler nights and warm days, the choice of making Syrah and Zinfandel in the most organic way possible has proven to be just the right one. The coolness allows the grape to retain its acidity, giving the wines that leave Limerick Lane a clean, bright finish, whilst the warm enough days give rich, ripe fruit. Maintaining a vineyard in authentic manner
depends on farming the land carefully. At Limerick Lane, the team choose the path that allows the site to speak as loudly and clearly as possible. Not trying to grow fruit to a predetermined average, but each vine to the best it can possibly be, Limerick Lane can farm organically in almost every respect. The rhythm of the seasons guides the work of both the vineyard and the family. By aiming to grow the healthiest and most balanced vines instead of the prettiest or most uniform vineyard, the wines produced are incredibly expressive. Plants are irrigated as needed, not to a pattern – some years the vines receive no water at all. Herbicides are replaced by shovels to protect plants from collateral damage and working proactively to improve the health of the soil means that there is no need to deplete it with the use of broad scope conventional chemicals. At Limerick Lane, they understand the importance of treating each vine individually and that there is no point creating a script that Mother Nature can knock off course.
Mother Nature can play the most terrible jokes on the unsuspecting winemaker, and the recent fires in California could have caused a great deal of damage to an organisation that did not allow for a rapid and extreme change of circumstances. Fortunately, the Estate is safe and secure, with the entire county still as strong as its century old roots. Still vibrant and alive, world class wines can still be produced on a global stage that Limerick Lane Cellars are proud to be a part of. While the team are still assessing the 2019 vintage wines, which were still fermenting or resting in the barrel, owner Jake Bilbro is convinced that no damage was done, despite the loss of power for eight days. Showing their ability to react to potentially disastrous situations, the nimble nature of the business means the team has quickly bounced back and is ready to start again. Once the vines are ready, they are passed to the winemaker, Chris Pittenger. In many respects the end of one process and the beginning of the next is difficult to call.
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Of particular note is that the vineyard hosts tasting and cellar tours to allow visitors a tantalizing glimpse of the true magic of Limerick Lane. Moreover, from next year, the Estate Home will be made available for the quintessential vineyard experience. Both are intertwined to guarantee the best result. Chris spent 11 years as a winemaker in El Dorado championing Mourvédre and Grenache in the regions’ granitic soils and high elevation vineyards. Arriving at Limerick Lane, he felt an immediate connection to the site, and his overall goal for this icon of a site is to preserve the beauty, grace and precision through Limerick Lane wines.
barrel for anywhere between 12-16 months. The resulting wines speak resoundingly of the soil from which they were born. They are full-bodied and rich with a core of beautiful fresh fruit and striking acidity and structure.
No wine is anything without the talented people who care for it, while the vine grows and the wine ferments. Family first, authentic and unpretentious, the team To this end, much like growing the fine behind Limerick Lane are always open to vines that form the backbone of the new approaches and perspectives. For business, the process of winemaking is them, every obstacle has an opportunity, hands off and eyes open. This process is with a positive and appreciative energy. about letting the vines, the dirt, the wind Jake Bilbro, the aforementioned owner, speak, intervening with as invisible a hand is a fourth-generation Sonoma County as possible and trusting in the mystery winemaker and grape grower. Growing of Limerick Lane. The majority of fruit is up drinking cream soda and playing hide destemmed and fermented in 4ton open-top and go seek with his brothers in his dad’s fermenters. Depending on the health of the winery, this experience provided Jake with fermentation, the must is inoculated, but an intimate knowledge of how to get the native fermentations are also allowed to best results out of a winery and out of the occur. The wine is aged in predominantly grapes that grow there. It’s Jake who built neutral French oak and lies dormant in up the Limerick Lane Estate to its award-
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winning success, encourages as far as possible to grow vines and make wines that reflect the personality, history and heartbeat that is intrinsic at Limerick Lane. Every single aspect of Limerick Lane screams authenticity. The entire basis of the business’ approach relies on adapting to situations as they arise and making the best of each situation. It means the creation of a wine that isn’t manufactured, but grown, that is personal, not corporate. Limerick Lane unites people in its business and in its product. World class wine makes people put down their phone, step away from the computer and appreciate what nature has to offer. As a vineyard built on that intimate connection, surely there can be no higher compliment. Contact: Gina Lathrum Email: Gina@limericklanewines.com Company: Limerick Lane Cellars Web Address: www.limericklanewines.com Telephone: 001 949-683-1870
Best European-Fusion Restaurant - Hertfordshire
Oct19008
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Dolce Caffe & Restaurant: Best European-Fusion Restaurant - Hertfordshire Caffe by day, restaurant by night, this Italian-French fusion eatery offers something a little different in Hertfordshire. Eager to find out more, we took a closer look.
With over 20 years of experience gained from such leading lights as Le Cordon Bleu in London, Claridge’s and Simpsons in the Strand, Krenar Elezi decided to open his own place to cook, to experiment and to serve the people of Hertfordshire. He does so in the only way he can, by making excellent food. Calling it Italian-French, though incorporating many more flavours than that, he was ready to open his restaurant in 2012. Tucked unassumingly away at the end of the street, there’s something very classy that runs through Dolce Caffe and Restaurant like a stick of rock. Completely family-run, this small business offers something a little different whenever you come in. With themed nights providing a guide to a constantly evolving menu, you can be sure of a treat when you enter the world of Dolce Caffe and Restaurant. With a fish night every other
Friday and a steak night every Wednesday, you can be sure of something a little special when you come through the doors. The steaks at Dolce Restaurant are from grainfed British cattle, matured and traditionally dry-aged for 28 days. At this point the meat begins to develop its unique flavour and quality, perfect for your delectation when prepared by the incomparable hands of Chef Krenar Elezi. Quite apart from food, you can dine with wine every Monday, utilising stock from an exceptional list, and their nowfamous Sunday roast boasts the traditional old-fashioned recipe from Simpsons-on-the -strand, London. All the food used in the meals is fresh, so it tastes as good as it possibly can. This dedication to permeates the business, infusing other aspects of the company with the same attitude. The staff of Dolce Caffe and Restaurant are similarly dedicated to providing an excellent service. Working under Krenar, all new staff are subject to rigorous health and safety checks, with a close eye running the kitchen to ensure that standards are maintained. Regular meetings allow the staff to feedback what they think and find as they go about their work, and to input on potential new ideas they might have. To Krenar, teamwork is what carries the company forward, and the team he has assembled allows him to focus on making the most delicious food he can think of. Never content to settle, Krenar continues to look forward when it comes to his menus and what he offers his customers. Both day and night menus are subject to constant change so that customers can perpetually fall in love with new dishes and ideas. Despite his many years of hard-earned experience in the area of food preparation, he continues to attend food and drink events ‘which help us explore other ideas which can be used in the future.’
This determination to stand out shows in what other activities are taken to make sure that Dolce Café and Restaurant stands out from the rest. These include the deliberate use of top-grade food to ensure that what is served to the customer is of the highest quality and interaction with customers on a personal level, so they can be honest about what could be done better and what they love about the company. Perhaps the most obvious example of standing out from the crowd can be found in the ever-changing menu and multi-cultural fusion that forms the culinary heart of their cuisine. Though described as Italian-French, there is a definite Mediterranean origin with a touch of the middle east, combined with classic French and British disciplines. Taking from such a variety of cultures that relate to each other in tantalisingly different ways means that the customer has an extraordinary variety of food to choose from. It’s something very different to most companies now, a number very much focused on offering something specific to a central concept. An exciting business that offers something out of the ordinary, inspired by classic techniques and great flavours, you can’t deny being intrigued by what Dolce Caffe and Restaurant has to offer. Occupying such a unique position in the market, the joy of cooking can be found in Krenar Elezi’s food as he puts years of experience and experimentation into making you salivate for your supper.
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Contact: Krenar Elezi Company: Dolce Caffe & Restaurant Telephone: 01923 777040 Email: info@dolcecaffe.co.uk www.lux-review.com Page 25
Oct19352
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Uncle Don’s: Best Casual Restaurant & Bar Chain – Malaysia & Most Successful Food & Beverage Enterprise - South East Asia
Offering a little bit of everything, this fast-growing Malaysian restaurant and bar has quickly gained a reputation for being an establishment where everybody can enjoy themselves. We took a closer look to find out more… Ever since opening, things have been incredibly successful for Uncle Don’s. Part-pub, part-restaurant, part-takeaway, this chain does a lot of disparate things extremely well. Aiming for total customer satisfaction by creating a dining experience in a relaxed, friendly environment seems to be the trick, and it is to the credit of staff and management team that any and everyone seems to be welcome at Uncle Don’s. The highly competitive prices for the mouth-watering food offers excellent value for money while also being of a genuinely high quality. Offering a myriad of fusion, Uncle Don’s has an incredible range of different foods with influences inspired by several different places. There’s surely something for everyone in this menu that encompasses everything from claypot curries to chicken club sandwiches. The range of food is matched only by its range of drinks, from the alcoholic to smoothies, all made in-house.
© Uncle Don’s
© Uncle Don’s
This small business has already grown from its humble beginnings, with eighteen outlets established at present and the potential to add more in the future. This is allowed for by the new central kitchen that has just been constructed to feed the immense amount of people who frequent Uncle Don’s. Maintaining good and consistent quality across all the restaurants, this new building has the capacity to provide food to forty restaurants. Fresh ingredients are supplied daily, with marinades created under strict food hygiene and safety practices. The control over each area is tight, with staff trained in all aspects of the chain’s operation. They know everything from menus to restaurant features to customer service to handling complaints. By ensuring that everyone is familiar with the techniques needed to operate such a large operation, mistakes are less likely to occur. To keep standards high, regular training sessions are undertaken to enhance the knowledge of team members.
These team members must be on hand to handle anything. With the restaurant and bar welcoming patrons from 12pm-1am, they can never be sure who will be through the door next. Though families and bar patrons generally keep themselves to themselves, it does require a lot of skill to make both feel welcomed into the same place at the same time. A deliberate aim of the company is to remain conscious of its role as a familyoriented customer base. Uncle Don’s has ambitious that stretch out from its humble Malaysia origins. They hope to continuously grow, achieving nationwide status by 2021 and an international status by 2022. It might seem like an impossible dream, but with the central kitchen in place, there are clearly already plans afoot to the north and south of Petaling Jaya, spreading across Malaysia. It’s a large expansion, but with the experience gained, one which has a large chance of paying off.
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© Uncle Don’s
© Uncle Don’s © Uncle Don’s
© Uncle Don’s
© Uncle Don’s
© Uncle Don’s
© Uncle Don’s
Uncle Don’s does a little bit of everything, but the fact of the matter is that they do it incredibly well. The sheer range of products is almost overwhelming, but the new central kitchen does a lot to handle that workload before it reaches a restaurant. This means that the food heading out to patrons is consistently highquality, delectable and delicious. It’s not every restaurant that promises to allow you to ‘Dine like a Don every day’, but Uncle Don’s certainly seems to mange it, with a price to match. Contact: Atkins Risha Company: F&D Food & Beverage Sdn Bhd Website: uncledons.com.my
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© Uncle Don’s
Oct19181
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
IWS Srl: Best Wine Shipping Company 2019 - Italy
Imagine sitting in a hilltop village in Northern Italy. You gently open a bottle of Barolo, the grapes grown in the patchwork pattern of vineyards weaving their way down the valley. You take a sip, just to make sure that it’s of the highest quality, and then get down to the business of shipping wine to everywhere in the world…
“We cherish the friendly relationship we have with most of our customers. When we meet, we often uncork a bottle together and have a nice time. The business talk turns into small talk and the customer/supplier relationship turns into friendship. Of course, while still maintaining a professional outlook, which is a big focus for us.” - Salvatore Monetta, Owner
This is the life of IWS, a shipping company based in La Morra, just between Alba and Barolo that is dedicated to foodstuffs but specialises in wine. Wine is the lifeblood of the market, with deliveries headed everywhere from Tucson to Tuscany. Dealing with wine producers on one hand, and wine sellers on the other, they get the best perspective on how wine should really be handled. The business might be small, with only around twenty people employed, but it has managed to gain subsidiaries in San Francisco, New York, Verona and Tuscany. These offices are strategically located; Verona is the home of Amarone della Valpolicella, one of the most exported Italian wines; Tuscany is - together with Langhe- the most famous wine region in Italy, though IWS’s subsidiary is based nearby to Bolgheri, which is the cradle of the so-called world famous “Supertuscan” wines. Meanwhile, their US subsidiaries are ideally located for swift distribution to key North American markets. However, from the outset, it is clear that IWS’s success is down to one crucial element of the business: client service.
Maintaining a friendly approach certainly comes easily here and is undoubtably why they are a success in their field. They also offer an incredibly personalised service, specifically tailored to the client they’re selling to. If you need 24-hour, door-to-door delivery, IWS is happy to handle the delivery process for you. They’ll organise the finest couriers to take care of your precious bottle, they’ll arrange for it to be temperature controlled if need be. They’ll even personalise the packaging so it’s bespoke to you, and you alone. What might surprise you is that the charming image of a quiet vineyard hasn’t really changed. For the most part, wine producers are quite small operations and prefer their own traditional way of operating. This isn’t for lack of trying on the part of IWS, though to limited success. This might be for the best. With the worldwide shipping industry seemingly set to apply blockchain cryptography, without groups like IWS, it may well become impossible to get a bottle of your favourite Brunello. Fortunately, they have the matter well in hand and are already exploring various possibilities and solutions.
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Despite a growing market as people learn to drink well, it can be a difficult business, ordering wine. Customers can be scared of tariffs and market complexity, which continues to grow year on year. Thanks to IWS’s experience and good connections with the local markets, they’ve been able to maintain the trust that makes their business a success. This has been proven by the recent ‘tariff war’ between the European Union and the United States, which has increased the cost and complexity of sending food and drink from one country to another, though, thankfully, has had little of a direct impact on Italy itself. Saying that, the threat of new tariffs is ever present. Fortunately, IWS are professionals and have dealt with similar situations for years. This latest problem has been turned on its head and made into something more that IWS can offer. The legal requirements needed for allowing a non-US product to reach the American market is now something they can handle for their clients. It’s a typically relaxed response to a potentially stressful situation that shows how IWS will happily adapt to situations as they arise. It’s a sure-fire reason behind their growing success as a business. It’s time to say goodbye to the idyllic life of IWS, the professional shipping company that simply can’t do enough for its clients on either side and is always happy to oblige. We bid farewell to that half-full bottle of red, as the team meeting draws to an end and another shipment needs to be made. Looking down at the patchwork pattern of green and brown, lets raise a glass and wonder if it ever needs to change… Contact: Salvatore Monetta Company: IWS Srl Facebook: facebook.com/iwsspedizioni/ Instagram: instagram.com/iwswineshipment/ Website: www.logisticaiws.com Email: mail@logisticaiws.com
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Sep19572
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Most Trusted Cake & Biscuit Supplier - UK
Established in 1993, Mobberley Cakes has always been a family-run business that supplies individually wrapped cakes to the retail, wholesale and vending sectors. We profiled them to find out more.
Dealing with suppliers to match what they offer with what buyers want is no small matter. Some clients require own brand packaging and/or special ingredients, and all the food is to the highest approved standards. It is the ability of Mobberley to be flexible this way that makes it one of the most versatile businesses in the commercial community.
Mobberley Cakes is a family run business with a small team of five staff, all of whom enjoy full work flexibility, and where there are no long lines of communication. Everyone is fully involved in every part of the business, so it’s a family business in every sense of the word! With a large range allowing them to act as a one-stop shop for individually wrapped cakes and biscuits, it’s no wonder they’ve been voted the most trusted cake and biscuit supplier in the UK. First and foremost a service business, with a substantial stock of delightful cakes and biscuits and a quick supply chain via their own vehicles, Mobberley Cakes offers high-quality cakes and biscuits to customers across the UK, with the main concentration in the Midlands and the North of England.
Organic growth can be a challenge with strong competition from larger food service companies in an increasingly tough marketplace that changes frequently. Like all food industries, Mobberley Cakes has faced intense market pressure recently, principally due to the public move towards healthier products with lower sugar, lower fat and lower calorie content. In order to comply with government regulations many schools, although not all, have had to comply by supplying smaller portion sizes, with the consequent commercial impact for Mobberley. While there are other specialised areas to head into, it is often just not viable for a small company like Mobberley to invest in new product development. This is not necessarily a problem. The advantage of a small and flexible company is that it is always ready and equipped to change according to the service market, and to the customer’s requirements, whatever they may be. However, because of their clean and simple packaging with a clearly visible product, Mobberley’s range is ideally suited for vending machines and the wholesale market, where current marketing is primarily aimed. Looking ahead, Mobberley are looking to develop the drinks market locally and further expand their
export markets. This is partly dependent on the website which the team at Mobberley are looking to upgrade at the earliest possibility. Whatever the next stage may be for the food industry, Mobberley Cakes is already looking at how it can better position itself to accommodate future changing market tastes and demands. This will only be achieved by being extremely flexible and offering a first class service in the ‘grab and go’ market. The contrast between what is recommended, what is sold to consumers and what markets will buy their product in the first place, is vast. That said, Mobberley are very aware of their market and no matter what happens, this company’s easily ready to match any challenge. Small businesses like Mobberley rely on a good product, sold by a flexible team that can build a solid reputation for excellence. With so many different services available, the value of someone’s word really counts in large and diverse community of customers. Fortunately, Mobberley’s reputation is solid. So, if you’re concerned about the humble cake disappearing from your local vending machine, or someone else taking the biscuit, worry not. Mobberley Cakes isn’t going anywhere. Contact: Roger Flint Company: Mobberley Cakes Limited Email: roger@mobberleycakes.co.uk Website: www.mobberleycakes.co.uk
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sorze4 As: Best Grocery Product Import & Development Company - Northern Europe For more than fifteen years, Norwegian firm sorze4 have been importing and developing food products from across the world to be sold in convenience stores and major supermarkets every day. Specialising in importing goods from South America, discover why this firm has become Northern Europe’s best product import and development company. Unleashing the secrets of the Amazon and much of South America, sorze4 are bringing the exotic flavours from the continent up to Northern Europe and the supermarkets of Scandinavia. Home to Norway’s largest beverage brand on social media, the company is also Norway’s largest supplier of industrial instant coffee, further cementing itself as one of the most reliable importers and developers. With a production plant in Brazil, and representatives across the world, sorze4 are in the prime position to capitalise on the global consumer demand for more natural sweeteners rather than artificial ones. At the production plant in Brazil, the company create their own products and develop existing products to then be sold as part of brands, or on again to multi-national corporations. More than just Brazil however, the company strive to include foods and drinks from across the continent. Adding a breadth and depth of flavour to all their products, consumers can enjoy treats such as popular Yerba Mate in Argentina, antioxidant-rich potato chips from Ecuador, and green coffee beans from throughout South America.
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A growing niche within the food and drink industry are products that are flavourful, but full of prebiotics and boasting fewer calories. More and more people are looking to experience delicious food and drink that not only tastes excellent, but are sustainable and completely natural. That’s why sorze4 strive to only include organic ingredients where they can, and only when it makes sense in the pursuit of flavour enhancement. Where possible, the firm don’t use artificial sweeteners or ingredients. Quite simply, if the product doesn’t taste good, then production doesn’t start. One of the other areas in which sorze4 are leading the food and drink industry is with their development of instant versions of existing foodstuffs. Through careful innovation and a desire to make everyday life even easier for consumers, the company has dedicated much of its efforts and energies to ensuring that their product line is totally unique, reducing competition and making them stand out across most of Northern Europe and Scandinavia.
Despite the constant innovation and development going on at sorze4, the company ensures that they always remain in line with the rigorous food safety standards of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. With regular inspections and audits, the firm make sure that their work is constantly meeting and exceeding those standards. All products that have been developed and modified include ingredient lists, ensuring that anyone with a food allergy is not adversely affected. Recognising that some consumers who lead busy lives would prefer to have food on the go that is still flavourful is just one of the many reasons why sorze4 has established itself as a leading player in the food and drink industry across Northern Europe. Bringing the vibrant essence and explosions of taste from South America to the European consumer have made this company an outstandingly innovative import and development company to be watched. Company: sorze4 AS | Contact: Jan Yttereng Website: https://sorze4.com/
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Magic Chocolate: Best Speciality -Diet Belgian Chocolate Company 2019 Organic Dark Chocolate Product of the Year 2019: MAGIC CHOCOLATE Very Pure with Coconut Blossom Sugar Chocolate is one of the most delightful substances known to man, and that is an uncompromisable fact. Melt-in-the-mouth goodness in every bite, nothing comes close to chocolate and no-one makes chocolate quite like Belgians. Magic Chocolates, part of The Belgian Chocolate Factory, craft chocolate with the love and care it deserves, resulting in outstanding flavour and incredible products. Learn more about their sweet success as we examine the company. A family-owned chocolate-producing business, The Belgian Chocolate Factory took over Magic Chocolates in late 2017 and welcomed the business into its family of exquisite chocolatiers. Despite the change of hands, Magic Chocolate have remained resolute in their belief that every single person should be able to enjoy chocolate. Their products are completely free of allergens, without compromising on the delicious cocoa that everyone craves.
Magic Chocolate isn’t just for those who haven’t been able to experience normal chocolate, but for the seekers of the gourmet experience too. Made with traditional Belgian chocolate-making processes, the company create special flavours for those who appreciate a purer, finer chocolate product where the difference can be tasted. The company go for the perfect taste sensation, using only the finest cocoa that is cultivated and processed with incredible care.
Seeing a child experience chocolate for the first time is a joy to behold. Giving that experience to all children, in spite of food allergies, is the core mission behind the team of chocolatiers at Magic Chocolates, bringing even more life and laughter to every chocolate eating experience. In crafting specialty diet chocolate, everyone can enjoy the magic of chocolate and it’s sumptuous flavours.
Ranging from the Coco Loco at 47% cocoa, to the Duro at 93%, the products that Magic Chocolates have something for every lover of cocoa goodness. Whether craving the melt-in-the-mouth milky taste of dairy-free milk chocolate, or a rich dark chocolate to pair with coffee, red wine, or rum at the end of the day, this firm have everything to satisfy every chocolate lover.
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From the company’s humble beginnings in 2014, through to their absorption into The Belgian Chocolate Factory in 2017, and their recent move to a new chocolate-making workshop in Wetteren in 2018, the emphasis on healthy chocolate has never been lost. Working together with certified chocolate sommelier Kevin Lühmann, Magic Chocolates have managed to keep in touch with the trends worldwide thanks to his invaluable experience. By being one of the few chocolate suppliers that produce their own chocolate, this company can guarantee their exceptionally high standards of quality. Using non-refined ingredients and absolutely no additives, the result is a delightfully pure chocolate. One of the core ingredients that Magic Chocolates often work with is coconut blossom sugar, a slow sugar that lowers the amount of fluctuations in the glycaemic blood index and makes it edible for people with type-2 diabetes. Not only organic and healthy, the products made by Magic Chocolates are also completely vegan-friendly. There are no products of animal origin within the production process, with the company instead opting for fully-vegetarian options to maximise their user group.
Working at their own chocolate-making workshop in Wetteren, Magic Chocolates place great emphasis on ensuring rigorous quality, hygiene and safety standards. It makes sense therefore, that they are currently in the process of fine-tuning the necessary measures and organisational structure in pursuit of the IFS certification. The same standards apply to the suppliers who work with the company, ensuring that they only work with those who have certification to ensure that high-quality raw materials are produced.
Because Magic Chocolates is a family business, there may be a more limited staffing, but there is more attention to detail On top of the healthiness of the chocolate and care that goes into the chocolateand vegan-friendly content, Magic Chocolates crafting process. Everyone is totally engaged also commit 100% to sustainable practices. and driven to see the company evolve, doing Only using cocoa from organic plantations, everything with passion and motivation. the company buy fair trade wherever possible With such a small team, everyone has a to support local farmers. Packaging has also clear reverence for chocolate and its ancient been chosen to respect the environment roots. During a visit to a plantation in Peru, with a 100% eco-cardboard sleeve that is the team have seen for themselves how the completely biodegradable. Green pioneers in farmers cultivate their organic cocoa there the chocolate industry, the firm’s ecological and now firmly believe that is the only way to footprint is kept to a minimum. do it correctly.
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As with any rapidly evolving industry or business, technology is fast becoming an integral part of the process. Despite most of the chocolate being crafted by hand, the company do want to guarantee a consistent, high quality in their production. By setting key parameters and monitoring machines closely, technology is integrated alongside authentic methods to enable mass production without losing the tradition. Just this year, the integration of the two has worked so well that the firm received the label “Handmade in Belgium”, a label of authenticity that offers guarantee on the genuine nature of the making process. In the whole culinary world, there is nothing quite like the marvellous taste of chocolate, and authentic Belgian chocolate is truly unmatched. Bringing that incredible taste of Belgian chocolate into the healthy foods industry, Magic Chocolates have crafted something truly special that should be savoured by everyone to be truly understood. Company: The Belgian Chocolate Factory Contact: Helga De Ridder WEBSITE: www.magic-chocolates.be
Oct19047
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Wine Cellar International LLC: Best Wine Cellar Specialist 2019 - Florida For wine connoisseurs, the pride and joy of a collection is sometimes overshadowed by not having the correct space to house it. Wine Cellar International is a fullservice firm dedicated to the designing and building of wine cellars and rooms of all sizes for the commercial, hospitality and residential sectors. Masterfully crafting spaces that are as unique as the wine collection itself, discover the luxury of owning a custom-made wine cellar as we profile the firm. Established more than a decade ago, Wine Cellar International has since crafted spaces for wine lovers in all stages of their passionate journey - from budding collectors, to those whose collections stretch into the millions of dollars and would be the envy of even the most decorated oenophile. Having the proper space to store your collection and to sample the finest flavours and tastes from across the world makes it all the more special. In addition to designing and building wine cellars for private individuals, Wine Cellar International also works in various public arenas, including the commercial, retail and hospitality sectors. Collaborating with designers, architects and builders across the United States, the firm creates spaces that are truly impressive, exuding the class and sophistication of the modern wine collector. Wine collecting is an art form for both beginners and veterans alike. The function of a space, along with a high-end design that pays careful attention to every detail, must carefully showcase bottles in a way that makes them both easily visible and accessible to the collector. The showstopping elements should never compromise the functional integrity of the room itself. Wine Cellar International serves to create spaces that fuse both function and fashion in just this way.
Cellars and rooms dedicated to wine collections have become a must-have item for homes and establishments of all types. Restaurants, and the hospitality industry in general, has seen an increased focus on catering to wine enthusiasts, creating exceptional spaces with Wine Cellar International that showcase their own collections. The wine collection market has proven to be an industry that is constantly growing and evolving. With technological innovations allowing wine collectors to find and purchase the finest tastes from across the world, the spectrum of collectors is constantly evolving and expanding. As the spectrum expands, so does the clientele and their expectations for each distinct space. Wine Cellar International’s work continues to involve searching for the next innovative way to present these collections.
Remaining up to date with the latest trends in the wine industry is vitally important to ensuring that the wine connoisseur has their fashionable and functional space, and that they maintain a finger on the pulse of the latest in architecture and design. Finding and using only the greatest materials and building innovations, Wine Cellar International collaborates with renowned architects, designers and builders to ensure that each space is both unique to its individual owner and stylish beyond compare. Company: Wine Cellar International LLC Contact: Jacob Duquette Website: www.winecellarinternational.com
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Blackwells Butchers Ltd: Best Independent Butcher - North East England
For more than half a century independent meat specialist Blackwells Butchers Ltd has been providing delicious, quality meats to the village of Norton, in Stockton on Tees. Over the years the firm has gained a reputation throughout the UK for its quality service and sumptuous produce, as LUXlife found out as we profiled the firm to find out more about how it came to win one of this year’s highly-prized Food and Drink Awards.
Nestled in the heart of Norton Village, Blackwells is an integral part of the local community and village life and are strongly committed to not only providing the very best produce available but also protecting the heritage and maintaining the character of Norton. The store has become a local institution, and to this very day Blackwells is very proud to work with local community groups, for example Norton business adopting the ‘Love Norton’ campaign; St. Mary’s Parish Church and their annual Advent Trail.
Quality has always been central to the success of Blackwells, and to ensure that it consistently achieves and maintains the achieves the high standards customers have come to expect, the business only works with the best suppliers on the market. The team constantly strives to deliver 100% always and guarantee that if a customer is unable to find what they are looking for in the shop itself, then they will do their best to source it and offer it.
As well as its village store, Blackwells also has two Street Deli vans serving the businesses and workplaces across the region daily with fresh pastries and sandwiches. Thanks to these vans the business is able to offer outside catering with a bespoke catering service, which also includes catering for corporate events and weddings using its vintage Street Kitchen van.
As testimony to the level of excellence it offers in its meats and its service, Blackwells has been recognised with Q Guild status, which makes it one of Britain’s best quality butchers. The Guild represent the highest quality butchers and independent meat retailers in the UK. Currently the Guild has 121 members from Inverness to Cornwall, serve £5 million worth of outstanding meat and related products to over a quarter of a million discerning UK consumers every week.
Popular with locals and visitors alike, the Blackwells website offers a national delivery service for all the businesses products so that customers from far and wide can enjoy these delicious treats and create showstopping meals from fresh, perfectly prepared meats.
Everyone at Blackwells is incredibly proud of this achievement, and are constantly working to ensure that the shop remains a key fixture of the British high street even as it undergoes a frightening transformation. After all, many small, independent butcher’s shops
are disappearing as a result of the aggressive behaviour of large supermarket chains. As well as offering a full range of pre-packed cuts of meat, almost all of the large supermarkets also have butchery counters that compete directly with High Street butchers. In the early 1980s, only around 20% of meat was bought from supermarkets but by the 2010s this had increased to about 80%. While there is still room in the market for the independent, many surviving businesses such as Blackwells has had to innovate and diversify in order to differentiate themselves from the competition. Dedicated to remaining independent and constantly enhancing its success, Blackwells has redefined itself to meet the needs of the today’s customer. In recent years the business has opened a delicatessen counter offering hot food, pies, sandwiches and salad bar. The team has also enhanced its meat offering to include more hassle-free meals and items that are often found in supermarkets, but these are packaged fresh in store so that customers receive the quality they expect in a more convenient package.
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Such exceptional service and unique innovation would be impossible without a talented, experienced team of dedicated staff. All of the firm’s staff are happy serve and advise clients on all aspects of meat preparation, the best cooking methods and the most appropriate cuts to ensure that customers leave Blackwells with exactly what they need for the perfect meal, every time. Many of these staff have worked for Blackwells for many years, and thanks to this low staff turnover the firm is able to enjoy a family atmosphere and a supportive culture so that clients receive the highest possible standard of customer service. The firm is already onto the 3rd generation with Anna taking over from her father Martin who was a household name in village, his legacy is certainly a fantastic platform to build on. Experienced in hospitality and a renowned name in the region’s food landscape herself, Anna has recently opened the Violet Green restaurant which is no more than 20 yards
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from the shop, Chop Night and Sunday Lunches using Blackwells steaks and roasts is fast becoming a very popular dining experience. She works to ensure that everyone at Blackwells understands its customer-focused ethos and are able to perform to the best of their abilities. As part of this focus, all staff are regularly encouraged to enhance their skills and product knowledge for the benefit of clients. The shop encourages ongoing personal development and currently has two young butchers on a level 3 business management training programme. These staff work collaboratively with their clients, listening to their feedback and working with them to produce new lines, recipes and products that will ensure that Blackwells remains a staple of the UK’s butchery marketplace for many years to come. For example, whilst the firm’s team use traditional butchery techniques to create quality products, they also adjust their product offering to ensure the best possible price and that clients enjoy the meals they want.
Seeking to continue to enhance its already impressive success, going forward Blackwells intends to continue to innovate and adapt to the changes it is seeing in the food market. Currently, the small village of Norton is blossoming into a gourmet’s paradise, and Blackwells is keen to be the centre of this revolution. Company: Blackwells Butchers Ltd Name: Anna & Diane Blackwell Address: 122 High Street, Norton, Stockton on Tees, TS20 1DS Telephone Number: 01642 559191 Web Address: www.blackwells-butchers.co.uk
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Chopsticks Hanoi: Best Modern Asian Restaurant - Vietnam
Nestled in the heart of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, Chopsticks is a modern Vietnamese restaurant dedicated to bringing this viberant cuisine to life through the use of fresh ingredients and quirky takes on traditional recipes. In celebration of the eatery’s success in LUXlife’s 2019 Food and Drink Awards we offer an insight into how far it has come despite having only been open for a relatively short amount of time. In just two short years Chopsticks Hanoi has served over 50,000 customers, gaining a reputation for excellence thanks to its dedication to celebrating the very best of Vietnamese and modern Asian cuisine, flavours and cultures. As part of this aim, the establishment exclusively uses carefully selected suppliers and organic food where possible. As such, the team always knows the source of the food and drinks that they prepare and are able to reassure diners that every dish is of the highest possible quality. The talented team at Chopsticks Hanoi select their own pepper and coffee, produce their own sauces and rice wine and ensure the standards and quality of everything that they do is consistent and to the level which does this beautiful country justice. As a result, diners can rest assured that they are in a clean and safe environment, where they can sample the very best of Vietnamese cuisine. Such a focus on quality and providence is what sets Chopsticks Hanoi apart from many of the other eateries in the Old Quarter and marks it out as the best establishment for discerning diners seeking fresh and delicious Asian cuisine. As the eatery become more established it has grown and developed an excellent reputation for doing things the right way and with quality never being compromised. The result is a popular dining spot for those diners who are eager to dine on some of the finest Vietnamese dishes in Hanoi.
Quality is paramount for this exceptional establishment, and this extends far beyond the food it serves. Each and every member of the eatery’s dedicated team receives training in English, wine serving and quality service so that they are able to offer guests from around the world the high standard of service they expect. Having achieved incredible success in just two years, the team at Chopsticks Hanoi are keen to build upon their achievements by opening another branch in the Hoi An are over the coming nine months. This
growth will allow the team to showcase their dedication to quality and fine Asian cuisine. At the same time, they will continue to focus on quality to ensure that guests receives the exceptional service and fresh, delicious dishes that have made Chopsticks Hanoi the renowned success it is today. Company: Chopsticks Hanoi Name: Matthew Lowe Address: 15 Dao Duy Tu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, 100000 Telephone Number: +84 (0) 24 6670 2117 Web Address: chopsticks.vn
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DANCIN Vineyards, LLC: Best Pacific Northwest Viticulture & Culinary Destination 2019 Nestled magnificently on the forested foothills of Southern Oregon overlooking the Rogue Valley with views of Table Rocks and Mt McLoughlin in the backdrop, DANCIN Vineyards offers a unique opportunity for guests to experience fine cuisine and delicious wines at this unforgettable dining destination. In celebration of the establishment’s win in the 2019 Food and Drink Awards we explore how it is welcoming gourmets and wine connoisseurs alike to sample its quality hospitality, gorgeous views and sumptuous spread.
The result is the fresh and flavoursome wines that DANCIN Vineyards has become renowned for. Guests return time and again to sample these refreshing wines, alongside the delicious dishes and glorious views.
As an award-winning vineyard and winery, DANCIN Vineyards shares its award-winning wines with guests from around the world. To complement these delicious beverages is a selection of terroir-inspired, locally grown foods served in the beautifully appointed tasting room, which is situated in the midst of the vineyard.
Moving forward, as the wine and culinary experience market becomes increasingly competitive, DANCIN Vineyards understands that it must enhance its service offering in order to remain successful. As such, looking ahead the team is planning a selection of exciting renovations and enhancements in order to elevate the guest experience. These include a second tasting room, expanded seating and many more additions to the vineyard’s space that will ensure it remains a popular destination for discerning guests for many years to come. Company: DANCIN Vineyards Address: 4477 South Stage Road, Medford, OR 97501 | Email: info@dancin.com Telephone Number: 541-245-1133 Web Address: dancin.com
With the vineyard in view, you will see the result of the DANCIN team continually assessing the status and requirements of each grapevine throughout the growing season as they tailor their activities accordingly. This is undertaken with the goal of producing healthy fruit with smaller berries and concentrated clusters for the winery, as the team knows that this will result in reduced intervention by the winemaking team. The vineyard’s wine grapes are hand-sorted up to three separate times on the morning of harvest; once in the field while picking, once on an inclined sorting table feeding the de-stemmer, and once again, if necessary, as de-stemmed individual berries passing over a grated, vibrating sorting table that sifts out any green berries, raisins, or other undesirable material. The fruit is then allowed to cold soak for up to seven days while the native yeast fermentation slowly begins.
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Mintec: Leaders in Market Intelligence in the F&B Industry 2019 & Best Cloud Based Platform 2019: Mintec Analytics Platform and App Mock Up © Mintec
Enabling the world’s largest food retailers, manufacturers and service brands to implement more efficient and sustainable strategies around the food ingredients, Mintec are empowering their clients in many ways. Discover how, as we profile the firm following their win in the LUXlife Food & Drink Awards. Manufacturing Food Illustration, and Promo Video Post © Mintec
Giving companies the ability to better understand supplier prices, analyse expenditure, and negotiate with confidence, Mintec are helping clients ensure they are best placed to reduce costs, manage risk and increase their efficiency, helping to maximize their margins. In working alongside companies to implement efficient and sustainable strategies, companies are helped with tracking the price of their food ingredients and associated costs. Having been in operation for more than thirty years, Mintec have continued to consistently innovate and evolve their products and services in response to client needs. At a time where only the most agile and technically proficient companies survive and thrive, this firm are continuing to help clients meet their needs in a constantly changing industry. Market intelligence is paramount in being able to understand key trends and developments in any industry. Within the food and beverage industry, Mintec have proven themselves to be leaders in market intelligence, employing technology to help recognise client needs against increased market volatility. The firm also offer 2019’s best cloud-based platform for the industry, with Mintec Analytics having been developed and released.
The firm are dedicated to empowering clients in more clearly understanding supplier prices, analysing their spend, and being more cost-effective. Mintec do this with datadriven insight through their cutting-edge software as a service (SaaS) platform, Mintec Analytics, which delivers market prices and analysis for more than 14,000 food ingredients and associated materials. Over the past few years, Mintec has invested heavily in its innovation program, and Mintec Analytics is the next stage of that evolution. A creative and innovative cloud-based platform, Analytics is as easy to use and intuitive, as it is powerful and effective. Its SaaS platform features advanced analytics tools and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) techniques, including cost modelling, price change reports, dashboards, and alerts. The platform is then combined with an experienced, data-driven intelligence team that has strong research skills and knowledge across a wide range of markets. Together it enables clients to improve visibility and gain greater clarity of their procurement position, to reflect the volatile nature of food commodities within a rapidly evolving market. Using Mintec Analytics, clients become better and more able to buy their raw materials at the best prices, countering competitive threats, and helping them to maximise their margins. Due to their ability to track prices over 14,000 raw materials, clients can create a more robust business case to support the development of new products.
Having introduced Mintec Analytics, the company has helped to reduce the time spent on data processing, research, and preparing for supplier negotiations. With established confidence in a procurement performance in the marketplace, strategic business decisions such as pricing strategy, forecasting, and budgeting are more informed. As a result, procurement teams can target specific workflows and processes, to improve their competitiveness through cost savings, resourcing or value creation using the insight that Mintec Analytics provides. Looking ahead, Mintec is focused on growth and delivering results for its new and existing clients. Since the successful launch of Mintec Analytics, the company has continued to launch a range of products aimed at helping their clients across the food and beverage sector to be more profitable and maximise their margins. Ultimately, the firm’s success lies in their continual innovation and intuition to sense volatile market shifts and help clients prepare for them. With a cloud-based platform that is helping some of the world’s largest food retailers, manufacturers, and service brands, Mintec have cemented themselves as a trustworthy partner for the food and beverage industry. Company: Mintec Website: www.mintecglobal.com Contact: David Bateman
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Karen MacNeil & Company: Best Dynamic Wine Education Consultancy - USA From its base in Napa Valley, the internationally renowned US hub for winemaking, Karen MacNeil & Company provides award-winning wine education, consulting, and communications services. In celebration of the firm’s win in the 2019 Hospitality Awards, we offer an insight into the services it offers and how these have helped it to become revered among wine connoisseurs around the world.
Karen MacNeil & Company undertakes a range of projects in the publishing, marketing, hospitality, and education/entertainment fields. These services are provided to numerous illustrious clients such as Lexus, General Electric, Merrill Lynch, LVMH, and others. These household names stand along with global law firms, insurance companies, biotech companies, wine trade organizations, hotels, and universities as Karen MacNeil & Company’s esteemed and valued clients. In addition to providing these innovative services, the firm also conducts customized wine experiences and tours around the world for companies and private groups of individuals, with Karen MacNeil as the group’s personal wine tutor. Karen is an experienced wine expert known for The Wine Bible, the bestselling wine book in the United States, and the award-winning digital site WineSpeed which she created. Karen has won every major wine award in the English language, and as such is the perfect guide and teacher for anyone looking to learn more about wine. For the past 30 years, Karen has tasted
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about 3,000 wines a year. She is connected with many of the best vintners in the world, and is able to use these connections to provide her clients with unique expertise and unforgettable experiences. It is this experience that differentiates Karen MacNeil & Company from its competitors as the best wine-focused communications and education consultancy on the market today. Ultimately, as Karen is creative and extremely enthusiastic about great projects, she loves to take on challenges, and this will be an ongoing focus for Karen MacNeil & Company over the coming years. The firm will expand its digital strategy with WineSpeed, which the team considers to be one of the best, fastest ways to learn about wine. In addition, the team plans to work more with innovative technology companies to create and provide fun educational wine content and tastings. These pursuits will drive the company to greater recognition within the wine world and cement its position as the leading education and communications consultancy in this niche sector.
Company: Karen MacNeil & Company Name: Karen MacNeil Address: 1335 Main St., Suite 104 St. Helena, CA 94574, United States Telephone Number: +1 707 963 1146 Web Address: www.karenmacneil.com
Oct19311
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
One solution for all Water Filtration needs
Swift Green Filters: Best Eco-Friendly Water Filtration Products 2019 - North America
“Swift Green Filters will plant one tree for every 10 filters sold in the most Environmentally affected area around the world”.
Builders of the future, Swift Green Filters (a women owned and operated) are devoted to offering you the cleanest and healthiest water filtration products. Offering you a product that can fit anywhere in your daily life, that can make you healthier, that can help save the planet, their solution might just change the world. www.swiftgreenfilters.com Did you know that most bottled water comes from the same source as tap water? It’s amazing that we pay so much for water that could still contain lead, glyphosate and chlorine. A $2 bottle of water can get you 1000 gallons of tap water, which can then be filtered. There must be a better way. It’s a water revolution, and you can take part. Swift Green Filters offers an easy, practical solution to the filtration of water in your house. Answering the public outcry for a sustainable solution to cleaner water, Swift Green Filters are the all-in-one solution for all water contamination problems. Swift Green Filters makes the bold statement that all their raw materials and finished filters are proudly made in the USA, then tested rigorously to meet the highest standards. IAPMO certified, you know that you’re getting a product of real quality that will last for years to come. Gone are the days of struggling to find a way to incorporate various filters into different aspects of your house. Swift Green Filters can be fitted everywhere, from under the sink to inside your refrigerator including one size fits both Brita and Pur Pitcher filters. Cleaner and better tasting than normal water, you can’t fail to be impressed with what Swift Green Filters has to offer.
Co-founded by award-winning industrial designer, Ramesh Suri, with the help of World Re-known water filtration scientist, the motive behind the project was simple: serve humanity with the best possible health and environmentally safe products. In the words of Ramesh himself, ‘Environment protection is a very important part of Swift Life.’ This dedication to providing a sustainable solution extends to the filters themselves, made from coconuts.
Currently selling in various high street brands like Walmart, Panasonic and Many other Famous Other Major Brand like Home Depot, Ace hardware and Orgill hardware’s etc. Swift Green Products are sold world wide in USA , Europe ,Australia etc. Swift Green filters is a World Famous Brand. Swift Green Filters are currently looking for dealers and distributors to take them to the next level and offer the chance to sell their handy products to even more people.
A fine producer of carbon, coconuts form the basis of the filtration systems made by Swift Green Filters. Once picked, the coconuts are heated in a reactor and the char rotated in a kiln. This process produces Activated Carbon which can be used inside the filters. Because coconuts are fast, growing, renewable and don’t release greenhouse gases during production, they are easily the most environmentally-friendly solution possible. This innovative way of thinking extends throughout the process of making these products. Swift Green Filters have started the green wave in the filter industry with their 100% recyclable packaging and green products.
Swift Green Filters is a product with a twist. It’s an all-in-one, one-stop-shop water revolution. With an ethos and drive to provide a high-quality product that not only helps consumers, but helps the environment, there’s no reason not to get on board with Swift Green Filters – the next step in water technology. Contact: Puja Suri Website: www.swiftgreenfilters.com Company: Swift Green Filters
Now handed down to Co-Founder Parkash Suri and Puja Suri, the company has grown exponentially. People are interested in a green solution. People want a water revolution, and Swift Green Filters is happy to provide. It’s a new approach to an old problem that helps customers and helps the planet.
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Sep19296
La Cavale: Most Luxurious Winery 2019 - Luberon From humble beginnings as a small winery, La Cavale has blossomed into a visitor attraction and wine connoisseurs’ paradise. In celebration of its win in the 2019 Food and Drink Awards, we profile the establishment to learn more about the warm welcome that awaits its discerning guests.
Today known as La Cavale, these historic premises are the dream come true of its owner, mogul Paul Dubrule, co-founder of the international hotel group ACCOR. Designed by world renowned architect JeanMichel Wilmotte, it is both a winery and a luxury, out-of-the-ordinary living space where visitors can learn about wine, winemaking and discover the riches of the Luberon, a magical region in Provence, France. A true concept store, La Cavale features a fine selection of wines and spirits, wine themed gifts and high-end local artefacts. In addition, it offers a large choice of interactive wine workshops destined to educate amateurs and insiders. In the spring and summer, its terrace fills up with music lovers eager to listen to various styles of performers while contemplating the beautiful landscape of the Luberon, its mountains and vineyards.
Currently, La Cavale hosts more than a thousand visitors per month and moving forward the winery’s team have exciting plans to open its unique venues for a range of private functions and business events.
Its facilities include state-of-the-art winemaking spaces designed to produce the best bottles possible. Among other wineries, Jean-Michel Wilmotte has designed Chateau Cos d’Estournel’s cellar and Chateau Pedesclaux, to name only two in Bordeaux. Well-tended vines, the enlightened advice of a great wine consultant, Alain Graillot, and the improvement of the vat room and cellar have been key to the improvement of La Cavale’s winemaking.
Next year, La Cavale will be officially labelled an ‘Organic Winery’, and this development will drive the establishment towards even greater renown and cement its reputation for innovation and true creativity within the French and hopefully international wine market.
The result of this combination of human expertise and technology is exquisite wines and an exceptional experience for guests. Everyone who visits La Cavale enjoys the benefits of experienced wine stewards and the delicious, fresh wines that the winery has become revered for producing.
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Company: La Cavale Name: Thierry Mueth and Corinne Conroy Address: 3017 route de Lourmarin, 84160 Cucuron, France Telephone Number: +33 4 90 08 31 92 Web Address: www.domaine-lacavale.com
Oct19492
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Shabestan, Finest Persian Restaurant: Best Middle Eastern Restaurant 2019 - Singapore
Fusing together two culturally-rich and diverse countries that are more than five thousand miles away from each other, restaurant Shabestan presents an exquisite taste of Persian culture on Singapore’s riverfront district, Robertson Quay. Embodying the traditional warm hospitality of the Persian people, discover how this exceptional eatery offers a modern dining ambience at an international standard.
There are few better ways to truly sample and experience a culture than enjoy the native cuisine. Combining succulent, premium and lamb, beef, chicken and fish with Persia’s finest saffron, olive oil, pomegranates, prunes, raisins, berries and nuts, Shabestan’s variety of carefully-curated dishes are truly outstanding. The restaurant has become one of the very best ways to experience the culinary wonder of the Middle East from the comfort of a stylish Singaporean restaurant. A spacious and sophisticated restaurant, Shabestan is for anyone who wants to experience the authentic flavours of a faithful Middle-Eastern restaurant. With food from that part of the world rising in popularity across Singapore in recent years, the market for Middle-Eastern cuisine has become infinitely more competitive and difficult from which to stand out. But the competition doesn’t faze this restaurant, as it continues to remain focused on what it does so well; provide authentic Persian cuisine with warm service in a contemporary dining setting right beside the river.
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Company: Shabestan, Finest Persian Restaurant Contact: Madan Kishor, Corporate F&B Director Website: www.shabestan.sg
Not just for the locals and travellers in search of tasty new dishes to try, Shabestan has also played host to a number of high-profile guests seeking to experience the best Persian food in Singapore. Top business and corporate individuals, governmental ambassadors, and even royalty have visited the restaurant in the past. These high-profile groups of diners can make use of the restaurants private room, boasting comfortable seating for twenty-six individuals, video and audio capabilities, and a secluded atmosphere which lends itself to class and sophistication. In the hands of Senior Executive Chef Hamid Hosseini, Shabestan’s menu represents refined Persian cuisine in its finest form. Using his contemporary cooking techniques and thoughtful planning, Iraniborn Chef Hosseini makes sure each meal is an explosion of flavours and textures that showcase the absolute best that Persian ingredients and Middle-Eastern herbs can offer. Chef Hamid created the menu on offer at the restaurant himself, boasting lots of healthier and more flavourful twists on Persian classics, with the perfect balance between vegetables, herbs, meat, and rice into beautifully wholesome and luxuriously delicious dishes.
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Bringing out the fullness of each dish, Chef Hosseini draws on his family history of helping his mother cook in the kitchen to bring an authenticity to this Persian cuisine that is hard to match across Singapore. Meat is always succulent and moist, whether it be a fresh and boneless leg of lamb, or tiger prawns marinated in saffron and lime juice. Rice, which is a staple of MiddleEastern and Asian cuisine, is light and fluffy and the perfect accompaniment to any meal on Shabestan’s menu. To go with the perfect meal, there must be a perfect drink. Whether it be something refreshing to cleanse the palate, or something to give an enhancement to the flavours already tingling the taste buds, there is something for everyone. Wines are listed by country, and come with a brief description of the flavours which enable guests to make the best decision possible. Aside from the extensive wine collection, there is also a wide variety of liqueurs, spirits, beers, ciders, soft drinks, cocktails and hot drinks for every person.
Working closely with Chef Hosseini, the restaurants corporate F&B Director Madan Kishor has more than twenty years’ experience working in luxurious five-star restaurants, bars, and hotels across the world. Elevating Shabestan’s guest experience to a new level, every person is treated like royalty and made to feel truly special from the first step through the door, to the reluctant last one out. With an eye on securing a Michelin star in the future, Madan and Chef Hosseini have cultivated an establishment that makes guests feel like it already has one. For six years now, Shabestan has been a leading restaurant in Singapore for MiddleEastern cuisine, offering some of the most superb food and drink that the city has to offer. Whether a complete novice and newcomer to Persian cuisine, or a seasoned veteran of the herbs and spices at work in each dish, this exceptional eatery aims to provide the best possible introduction that guests will remember long after the final mouthful.
Oct19541
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Shoryu Ramen: Japanese Restaurant of the Year 2019 - North West England
Authentic Hakata cuisine can be hard to come by in Manchester. Fortunately, the good folk of Shoryu Ramen have resolved this, bringing classic Japanese soul food to Piccadilly Gardens. Suitably tempted by the promise of authentic food at an enviable price, we decided to take a closer look.
If you were interested in finding delicious Japanese cuisine, made authentically just like they do in Hakata, would you know where to go? For those lucky few to be in Manchester, the choice is clear. Nestled in the Northern Quarter, Shoryu Manchester stands out like a lighthouse, beaming its authenticity for all to see. Shoryu Ramen was created by ramen aficionado and Hakata native turned Londoner, Tak Tokumine. He brought this speciality to the UK after seeing a demand for a more sophisticated ramen bar and takes great pride in the traditional cooking that has sparked such a fire within the people of the UK. A rich creation from the southern island of Kyushu, Hakata Tonkotsu ramen is a delicacy that has been perfected by Executive Chef, and fellow Hakata native, Kanji Furukawa. The resulting demand has outstripped its humble beginnings, spreading through London, and out into Oxford and Manchester. From the moment you enter the restaurant, you feel at home. Greeted by a welcome gong and the staff offering Japanese salutations, you will be seated and offered a menu to peruse. This menu is the undoubtable reason behind the success of this enterprise: the promise of fresh Japanese food that is perfect every time. It’s the promise of tantalising dishes that are constantly drawing guests to the restaurant.The entire menu is perfectly designed to make you salivate and tempt your palate. You might fancy the signature Hakata
Tonkotsu Ramen, brought to life with a rich and meaty 12-hour pork broth, noodles perfectly calculated to have just the right amount of bounce and chew, with toppings marinated overnight or simmered for hours to achieve the perfect finish. You may prefer the humble Fluffy Shoryu Buns, steamed with precision and filled with such delights as soy marinated chicken karaage, succulent char siu pork and grilled halloumi. With such delicious options on the menu, there’s sure to be something that you couldn’t possibly say no to. Shoryu Manchester also provides a mouth-watering selection of cocktails, all inspired by Japan’s long and distinguished heritage. Put together by a specialist bar manager, you can find fifty sake inspired cocktails on the drinks list, each with an enticing fusion of traditional Japanese flavours and ingredients with a cheeky modern twist. One of Shoryu Manchester’s bestselling cocktail is their signature, Shoryu Yuzu Mojito, which combines fresh strawberries, mint, lime, homemade yuzu syrup, Bacardi white rum and yuzu umeshu to create the popular drink. Alongside their Shoryu Yuzu Mojito, there is Shoryu Manchester’s extensive sake range, sourced from the award-winning Gekkeikan sake brewery - based in Kyoto, Japan. The award-winning brewery has been making sake since 1637, and is also one of the chosen sake of the Japanese Imperial Household. Providing authentic Japanese food to the western market without losing what makes it special can be challenging. It takes a great deal of care and attention. However, Shoryu
Manchester proves that it can be done, and with flying colours. This latest addition to the chain of restaurants does not disappoint, offering an incredible experience to those who have yet to visit and an everlasting memory for those who have. Whether it’s some comfort food to take away, or a romantic meal complete with drinks, you can’t fault what’s on offer. A shining light in Piccadilly Gardens, Shoryu Manchester is one of the most exciting restaurants around, and long may it continue.
Company: Shoryu Ramen Ltd Website: www.shoryuramen.com
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Oct19417
Sweet Pepper Café: LUX Rising Culinary Stars in Vegan & Vegetarian Cuisine - UK One of the most beautiful aspects to food and drink is that experimentation with the combination of flavours can result in truly sumptuous dishes of exquisite taste. Using only plant-based ingredients, Sweet Pepper Café is offering foodies and gastronomists alike the chance to experience a different interpretation of popular dishes from across the world. Unearth more about this treasure trove of tantalising taste as we lift the lid on one of the UK’s rising culinary stars in vegan and vegetarian cuisine.
Nestled in the heart of Cumbria lies the historic town of Barrow-in-Furness. Formerly a giant industrial town which was at one point home to the largest iron and steel centre in the world, the town instead now plays host to one of the nation’s best and most promising vegan and vegetarian cafés. Where a completely plant-based menu might have been considered niche just a few years ago, Sweet Pepper Café is now part of a growing community of restaurants, cafés and coffee shops that are rising in popularity every single day. Offering interesting, flavourful and vegetarian takes on classic dishes from across the world, the multi-cuisine menu is the perfect introduction into the wonderful world of veggies.
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Bringing humble vegetables front and centre of delicious dishes, Sweet Pepper Café’s menu includes more than fifty options for food lovers of all culinary tastes. From countries as far flung as one can imagine, the food is a veritable cornucopia of culture, and customers come with varying beliefs, traditions and dietary choices to sample the wonders on offer at this delightful café. Of the myriad of mouth-watering options that the café serves, the team only stock a few of each to ensure maximum freshness each and every day. With food deliveries order every day, there is a constant stream of fantastic food being brought into the kitchen. Determined to break the mould for what a café can be, Sweet Pepper Café are going well beyond the traditional offerings and limitations that hold their competition back. The menu is in a constant state of flux, being seasonally inspired by dishes from other countries. To name but a few, the café has previously offered meals that hail from the likes of Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Korea, Mozambique, Russia, America, Italy, China, Greece, French and British. Constantly keeping up-to-date on what is happening elsewhere in the world, the chefs at the café work hard to be the first to offer veganised versions of international dishes, as well as their own signature dishes that ooze flavour and taste. As well as delivering outstanding meals in-house, Sweet Pepper Café also operate a takeaway service for those who want restaurant-quality food on the go or in the comfort of their own space. Thoughtfully packaged into compostable carrier bags, the food does not lose any of it’s quality in the transition between chef and consumer. Each meal is still given the same level of attention and care to ensure every customer is left with a beaming smile and a belly full of gorgeous cuisine.
Whatever the customer’s requirements, staff are always polite, attentive and friendly and will make sure that every need is well and truly catered for. Where Sweet Pepper Café and its leadership team truly shine however, it is in how they care for their staff as much as their customers. Every staff member is treated with respect, and reminded that mistakes are inevitable, but also a source of learning. All members of staff are receptive to constructive criticism, and they cultivate an air of welcoming and warmth throughout the entirety of the establishment. Despite being in their infancy, the team at Sweet Pepper Café already have their sights set firmly on the future and how they can continue delivering some of the most refreshingly delicious plant-based food to ever grace a plate. Giving its chefs the freedom to experiment and come up with completely new dishes, the café is looking at producing a cookbook or recipe book, as well as hosting cooking classes for those looking to dip their toe into the vibrant and tasty realm of vegan and vegetarian options. Having only been open for six months, the success of Sweet Pepper Café has been nothing short of meteoric. Having already garnered local and national interest, the café are at the forefront of the vegan revolution that is sweeping the world at the moment. Offering dishes that are simply divine and perfect for any gastronomist, the café may yet single-handedly restore the worldwide reputation of Barrow-in-Furness as a centre for something truly special. Company: Sweet Pepper Café Contact: Mig Carbonell Website: www.sweetpepper.cafe
Sep19176
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
PS Seasoning: Best Gourmet Seasoning Producer – USA & Flavour Innovators of the Year 2019
Revered flavour specialists PS Seasoning work tirelessly to craft the most unique and innovative seasoning blends to help home cooks to easily create culinary masterpieces. We profile the firm to find out more about how it came to win not one but two of this year’s Food and Drink Awards. For almost 60 years, PS Seasoning has been deeply committed to mastering the craft of seasoning. Over the past six decades, the firm has worked with food manufacturers of all sizes to provide dry seasoning blends, spices, sauces, and marinades, as well as selling direct to customers through its retail line. To this very day, the team’s passion remains the same as in the beginning: to blend unique flavor profiles that create one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Today, PS Seasoning continues to focus on using the best ingredients to craft the most flavorful and delicious seasoning blends. As part of this focus, the team takes great care in making sure its spices and seasonings are fresh, flavorful and consistent.
This dedication to the craft of flavor has allowed PS Seasoning to focus on delivering the highest quality products. These delicious cooking innovations are crafted from fresh ingredients supplied by hand-picked farmers and crop growers from around the globe. Working in the fast-paced food industry, PS Seasoning has seen many food trends come and go over the years. To ensure it stays ahead of the latest developments, the company boasts a dedicated innovation team, which stays at the helm of the latest flavor trends while maintaining the exceptional craftsmanship long-associated with the PS name. Ultimately, thanks to this focus on innovation, PS Seasoning has a bright and exciting future ahead of it. Moving forward, the company will be launching a brand-new line of seasoning shakers and grinders, as well as curated gift sets. The new line features innovative flavor profiles like blood orange bourbon, black garlic and shallot, sesame gochugaru and more. In spring, the firm will also introduce a new line of BBQ rubs, sauces and gourmet mixes. All of these developments will help PS Seasoning to remain at the forefront of the culinary and seasoning space, even as it continues to fluctuate and evolve. Company: PS Seasoning Address: 216 W. Pleasant Street, Iron Ridge, WI 53035 Telephone Number: (800) 328-8313 Web Address: www.psseasoning.com
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Oct19487
Wine Meridian: Best Italian Wine Magazine 2019
www.winemeridian.com
It would be hard to argue that Italian wine is some of the finest wine in the world, right up amongst countries such as France, South Africa, Australia and South America. As digital technology continues to become a part of more and more industries, two journalists took it upon themselves to establish the first Italian online magazine entirely dedicated to Italian wines. Discover more about their growth and international success as we profile the publication. Whilst many may consider themselves unofficial wine aficionados given their affinity for the grape, understanding the finer details of the production process, and the analysis of international wine markets is a realm far beyond most budding oenophiles. Fortunately, Italian publication, Wine Meridian specialise in such things, promoting the unparalleled taste of an Italian wine and helping domestic wineries develop their export clientele base. First established in 2013 by journalists Fabio Piccoli and Lavinia Furlani, Wine Meridian was created with the purpose of giving a voice to Italian wineries, showcasing the very best of their sumptuously refreshing offerings. Now, more than six years on from that fateful first article, the publication has become one of the most insightful and eye-opening of its kind regarding the exquisite flavours of Italian wine. The last twenty years have seen immense growth in Italy’s wine sector, thanks to constant improvement in both a qualitative and competitive sense. Wineries across the country have vastly improved their flavours and combinations, allowing them to better compete in the international market and put Italy on the map for any enthusiastic oenophile. Alongside this growth comes a commitment from Wine Meridian to continue supporting the Italian wine sector, helping wine managers and companies alike learn more about their market, the evolution of trade, and shifting consumer expectations.
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Experience is a key factor for any journalist or contributor working for Wine Meridian, to ensure that the readership benefits from the best knowledge within the industry. All employees and collaborators are professionals with an expert knowledge of what makes a truly quality wine, as well as considerable experience on how to effectively communicate the qualitative value of wine and food production. As with any publication in the modern era, ensuring a strong digital presence and knowledge of digital tools is paramount. Fortunately, the team at Wine Meridian are well-versed in the technical aspects of putting together their magazine and presenting it a refined, informative manner that is easy to read and knowledgeable for all lovers of Italian wine. Thanks to its current suite of digital tools, the publication’s readership includes more than 70,000 operators worldwide, including producers, wine journalists, importers, distributors, wine and food blogger, opinion leaders, and many more influencers. However, the wine market today still remains increasingly difficult and competitive to break into, characterised by a myriad of players, constant evolving trade requirements, and consumer needs. Wineries have to constantly be aware of their own quirks and peculiarities which set them apart from the competition, making them authentic producers of unique wine that taste phenomenal. In all its editorial work, Wine Meridian is constantly referencing
the wineries that have sustainability at their heart, showcasing them as a beacon to the world of how to produce excellent quality drink without compromising the environment. The team also reference those who find themselves with something even more unique or authentic. Of course, the dream isn’t just to highlight Italian wine to Italian consumers. The team at Wine Meridian have admirable aspirations, seeking to become an international publication that helps the trade to learn more about the incredible wine heritage that Italy has. Across both the catering and distribution worlds, the magazine is aiming to make better known this beautiful country’s rich and flavourful wine-making ability. Consumers today have a better idea of what makes a perfect drink more than they ever have before. With knowledge around the wine industry becoming more widespread and commonplace, it is increasingly important that publications such as Wine Meridian continue to ensure that their knowledge remains second-to-none in informing the world of the outstanding beauty of a fine Italian wine. Company: Wine Meridian Contact: Fabio Piccoli | fabio.piccoli@ winemeridian.com Lavinia Furlani | lavinia.furlani@ winemeridian.com Website: www.winemeridian.com
Sep19179
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Honest Gum: Most Sustainable Natural Food Product: Honest Gum & Best Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Manufacturer 2019 Designed to be a unique alternative to traditional, additive filled chews, Honest Gum is a 100% natural chewing gum, sugar free, plastic free and made the traditional way using chicle, a sustainably harvested natural sap from the Mexican sapodilla tree. As we celebrate the firm’s win in the 2019 Food and Drink Awards, in which it was awarded not one but two of these prestigious accolades, we explore its history and how it has championed natural gum products since its inception more than five years ago. Created by Marie Pallas, Honest Gum grew out of her love of this sweet treat. An avid gum chewer, Marie was horrified to discover that the gum products she was chewing were laced with synthetic sweeteners, numerous plastics and polymers. The existence of these unhealthy additives is often hidden from consumers using carefully chosen words and small print, meaning that many who are chewing these products do not know the potential health risks they face. Thanks to loopholes conventional gum companies can hide
numerous synthetic ingredients in the term ‘gum base’ without the requirement for labelling, meaning that consumers often do not know what they are ingesting. Knowing that there must be a better alternative, Marie set out to create it herself when she found there was nothing else on the Australian market at the time. She searched for a natural sustainable alternative and found that the traditional way was to make it with chicle, a natural, sustainably sourced tree sap from the Mexican Sapodilla Tree. From this discovery Honest Gum was born. Over the years the firm has grown to provide its products to a wide range of retailers. Today the firm supplies natural health food stores, grocers, supermarkets, cafes and wholesale retailers around the world with its award-winning, natural gum alternative. Arguably a tasty version of the mass-produced versions, Honest Gum is entirely free from additives and as such is a better alternative for consumers’ health.
The gum also has additional health benefits thanks to its natural ingredients. For example, the firm’s Ginger Lemon chewing gum, which is made with 15% ginger root, has helped some people with nausea, pregnancy, travel sickness and much more. Looking to the future, Honest Gum will continue to grow its offering of delicious, natural gum products that its clients can enjoy safe in the knowledge that they are made only using fresh, natural ingredients. As its products become increasingly popular the firm will add some exciting new flavours as well as expanding its reach by working with even more stockists over the years to come. Company: Honest Gum Contact: Marie Pallas Website: www.honestgum.com.au
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Oct19014
W6 Garden Centre Café: Best Garden Centre Cafe 2019 - London A slice of plant-based paradise in London’s urban jungle, W6 Garden Centre Café is so much more than just a casual eatery into which people can escape the capital’s frenetic pace of life. Discover more about this lifeenhancing community hub as we uncover one of London’s hidden gems in LUXlife’s Food and Drink Awards. More than just another café at another garden centre, W6 is a botanical environment which organically creates a happy and relaxed vibe that flows throughout the whole place. A truly unique space, this central community hub is a place where people return to enjoy the chilled atmosphere and delicious food time after time. Bringing together nature and the finest food, W6 is the perfect place to find tranquillity amongst the busyness of life in London. An extended living room and garden for anyone who walks through the door, the atmosphere at this garden centre café is one of warmth and welcoming. Headed by Café Manager Leo Tsattalios and Head Chef Anton Petrov, the café offers seasonal, homemade vegetarian and vegan dishes of restaurant quality, alongside specialty coffee, home-pressed juices and a selection of refined, sugar-free cakes to satisfy all lovers of food. Evolving with the seasons, the menu is constantly changing to use only the freshest ingredients and keep dishes new and aligned to the very best that nature can offer without compromising on quality. A veritable cornucopia of flavours, textures and tastes, W6 is a sensory explosion inside a peaceful oasis far from the madding crowd. Using seasonal produce from local farms keeps the journey from farm to table fast, fresh and full of flavour for customers to enjoy all year round. With the constant shifting and changing of the menu, customers have no reason to only visit once, returning all
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the time to different tantalising meals that tease the taste buds. No matter whether vegetarian, vegan, or not, the team at W6 believe that anyone can enjoy sumptuous seasonal food. Perfectly paired to go with any meal is W6’s specialty coffee, supplied by Coffee Real London roasters. Roasted to the highest standards and served by professional baristas, the menu includes healthy coffee alternatives such as superfood lattes that have become incredibly popular amongst customers. A huge testament to the welcoming nature of the café at W6 is the assortment of customers who make use of the space. Located on the outskirts of Ravenscourt Park and just 5 minutes away from Hammersmith tube, it attracts people working, studying or holding meetings. Mothers use it as a place to catch up with friends, families come together to let children play with one another, and dog-lovers stop off for a refreshing drink before heading home with their beloved pup. Working towards sustainability and reduced levels of waste, W6 has implemented a number of practices and procedures all designed to commit the café to sustainable methods for years to come. From seasonal produce to compostable packaging this café is spearheading the charge for sustainable living that is fresh, delicious and uncompromising on quality. Surrounded by the beauty of plants and nature at W6 Garden Centre, this café has
“Surrounded by the beauty of plants and nature at W6 Garden Centre, this café has created a complimentary, wholesome, plant-based menu of phenomenal dishes Having now successfully cultivated an oasis of serene paradise in one of the busiest cities on Earth...” created a complimentary, wholesome, plantbased menu of phenomenal dishes. Having now successfully cultivated an oasis of serene paradise in one of the busiest cities on Earth, W6 is positively influencing the local community through daily interactions and providing seeds of thought. Company: W6 Garden Centre Café Contact: Leo Tsattalios Address: 17 Ravenscourt Avenue, London, W6 0SL Website: w6gardencentre.co.uk Facebook/Insta/Twitter: @w6gardencentre_cafe
Sep19225
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Vancouver International Wine Festival: Best International Wine Festival - North America Widely considered to be the best wine event across North America, the Vancouver International Wine Festival brings together the world’s biggest industry names at one of the largest and oldest wine events in the world. With the 2020 festival featuring 163 wineries from 15 countries, and a spotlight on French wines throughout, discover what makes this festival the perfect place to be for lovers of the grape.
Running from February 22nd to March 1st in 2020, the Vancouver International Wine Festival is Canada’s premier wine show and, with more than forty years’ experience delivering exemplary services, has firmly established itself as the benchmark against which other festivals measure themselves. The festival was founded with three key mandates: to provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience; to be premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry; and to raise funds for the performing arts. Ensuring that the festival hosts only the finest wineries that are serious about their business, VanWineFest is a curated festival. Every single winery that applies undergoes a rigorous assessment by the Winery Selection Committee, made up of carefully chosen wine experts to make sure that every winery meets the exceptional standards. Every winery that is selected to participate is then required to send a senior principal to be present at all events where their wines are poured, and in the International Festival Tasting Room, the central showcase for all participating wineries.
Undoubtedly the beating heart of the festival, the Tasting Room presents an extraordinary opportunity for seasoned professionals and wine-tasting novices alike to meet with owners, winemakers and senior representatives from wineries across the world. With 163 wineries present in 2020, plus five Regional Tasting Stations, all representing 16 wine producing countries, there is no shortage of delicious drinks to tantalise every taste bud. Public attendees can choose from approximately 750 wines at four International Festival Tastings, with industry professionals able to sample an additional 160 wines at two separate Trade Tasting sessions. With 57 events across the festival’s duration, there are seminars, vintage tastings, winery dinners, lunches, brunches, wine mingling sessions, and much more, where another 550 wines are served where attendees can sample wine to their hearts content. Designed for industry professionals, the Trade Days Conference runs from February 26th to 28th in 2020 and comprises 13 of the festival’s 57 events. Everyone associated with the festival has a keen understanding of wine, and importantly, how to serve it correctly. Chairman of the board, Mark Hicken, is well-versed in wine law and has enabled the festival to stay ahead of new developments in evolving liquor regulations, helping adapt administrative and organisational methods. All pourers at events must have a Serving It Right certification, or the regional equivalent.
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The small team of core festival staff work year-round to ensure that everything continues to run smoothly for VanWineFest. Understanding the mandate and mission of the firm is key in delivering consistently excellent festival events for more than four decades. Not content to rest on their laurels however, staff, board and committees review company policies annually, and organisers are always on the lookout for ways to improve the guest experience at the festival. VanWineFest also acts as a significant fundraiser, having contributed nearly $9.5 million for the performing arts sector in Vancouver since the festival’s beginnings in 1979. Since 2013, the charitable beneficiary of the festival has been Bard on the Beach, Western Canada’s largest celebration of Shakespeare and his literary works. With knowledge and expertise from grape to glass, staff members, participating wineries and agencies – alongside the hundreds of volunteers who make the festival possible - are well-equipped to make sure that every guest who attends the festival are educated, engaged and entertained by their experience. Truly a paragon of what a wine festival should be, VanWineFest is the perfect celebration of all aspects of winemaking and wine tasting. Contact details: Company: Vancouver International Wine Festival Contact: Meredith Elliott Website: https://vanwinefest.ca/
Oct19174
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
London Tea Exchange: Leading Purveyor of Artisan Teas & Coffees – UK & LUX Innovation Award in Artisanal Beverage Curation 2019 Do you know your Tetley from your Twinings? Can you tell your Lipton from your Lyons? Is it Clipper that floats your boat? If it is, then the London Tea Exchange is the place for you. Curating over 825 types from around the world, often premium and rare, we caught up with these tea tycoons to find out more. Founded on the need for continuous improvement, whilst satisfying a passion for achieving excellence, the London Tea Exchange offers something a little different to the discerning tea connoisseur. Having spent over twenty years collecting teas from around forty different countries, it can be of no surprise that they offer their customers one of the largest collections of premium and rare teas. When you step through the doors of the firms’ flagship shop in Brick Lane, 320 types of teas and 50 types of coffees await, all responsibly sourced using fair trade conditions. The London Tea Exchange provides a service to its customers like no other. For them, the handling of tea is not a business, but an artform. Spurred on by studies advertising the health benefits of tea, consumers have turned towards the product as a more original, more natural and more affordable luxury. This image has been encouraged by the cultural connection of tea with all things civilised, delicate and elegant. The charming atmosphere of the London store is the perfect location to sample these delicacies. With a knowledgeable staff on hand to guide you through the process of picking the perfect tea to suit your desires – and maybe suggest a slice of cake to match – there really is no better place to broaden your palate and explore the depths that only the finest tea makers can offer. A sign of the clear success of the London store is that that clients are able to distinguish the superior
quality of London Tea Exchange tea when compared to their commercial counterparts. Knowing that this devotion to high-grade tea in intrinsic to the running of everything they do has fed the demand for their soothing products and services to be made available more widely. Increasingly, the trend for tea has shifted from more traditional tastes to something more striking. Premium teas, infusions and exotic blends have shot up 83 % in the past two years, taking the market by storm, and this increase doesn’t look to be slowing down. This trend is excellent news for the London Tea Exchange, specialising in providing superb premium teas to tantalise any taste bud. This supply of top-drawer tea starts with the raw product, and the London Tea Exchange keeps longstanding relationships with individual tea estates, allowing trust and cooperation to build up between the two parties. By keeping these ties at a personal level, only the finest teas are selected from each individual estate and tested by experienced tea tasters to ensure that they match London Tea Exchange standards. It also allows the London Tea Exchange to assess every aspect of the tea production process. This involvement means that first-class international quality practices can be maintained. Committed to high standards in all areas, the London Tea Exchange only buy from
plantations that demonstrate incredible care for tea and the workforce that harvests it. By achieving the best possible results for their staff, they are sure that their tea is distinctly better for their customers. With the approach of quality over quantity drawing people to the business, a change in approach means that the London Tea Exchange are now exploring ways to increase the availability of high-quality products and services to all their clients. Many of their teas will be some of the rarest varieties in the world, and customers can take comfort that London Tea Exchange are always seeking exclusive products on their behalf. The main clients who use the London Tea Exchange are those wanting high-quality branded products for their offices and board rooms. Existing clients include a wide range of corporate offices, luxury restaurants and top-rate hotels. These products are made of various collections including Tea Books Assorted Tea Bag Collection Tea Chests containing tea bags made from organic cotton hand stitched tea bags or loose leaf tea and the brand new Matcha Tea drink named UJI, which is the first of its kind. Matcha Tea is made from organic Matcha, sourced in Uji. Many of the London Tea Exchange’s clients are international and continually request for stores to be opened in major gateway cities around the world. This request has now been granted, and the London Tea Exchange is
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looking to open franchise stores in 20 different locations across the world. In London, there is already the framework in place for an exclusive partnership that will launch the London Tea Exchange brand there in 2020. It perfectly suits the top-class products they create and matches the burgeoning expansion into the luxury food market. Currently in the process of launching a number of premium products over the coming months, they are looking to engage with leading companies, like Harrods, as part of their global reach. Extensive market research with their leading tea products has been taken, with participation at international events, exhibitions and festivals revealing an overwhelming demand for luxury teas on an international level. Active steps for ensuring that their sublime products are still available for export have been taken, and the sheer strength and appeal of this sophisticated brand will overcome any potential problems. The London Tea Exchange might have global aspirations, but at heart it is still a small business, dependant on a strong and dedicated team that engages actively in the brand vision. In return, the London Tea Exchange takes active steps to engage the team to help shape the future of the company. As a luxury outlet, heavy investment has ensured that staff members have access to the right equipment and tools to be able to work efficiently and deliver a high-quality service. They believe in investing in our employees and have an individual development plan for
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every team member. This dedication to staff growth has allowed many members of the team to take senior roles within the company. Far from traditional corporate culture, the London Tea Exchange has the attitude of a small family pulled together by a hearty brew. This approach has enabled the team to perform consistently, receiving positive feedback from our customers on a regular basis. Emboldened by luxury, yet stripped of pretence, the London Tea Exchange offers its customers a product to be savoured, to be experienced. Their delicate designs on the tea drinking market truly set them apart as artistes, crafting a truly masterful collection of teas that can be utilised in several ways. Authentic to the core, yet loyal to a set of powerful values, the London Tea Exchange presents an exceptional potential to build on its powerful brand and maintain a global presence serving an untapped market for luxury tea. Contact: Hazara Begum Company: London Tea Exchange Website: www.londonteaexchange.co.uk Telephone: 020 34903393
Oct19300
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Thai Restaurant Franchise of the Year 2019 - North America Thai Express is the leading quick casual restaurant brands dedicated to serving Thai cuisine. We profile our award-winning brand to shed further insight as to why they have been crowned as the Thai Restaurant Franchise of the Year for North America in 2019. Since their inception, Thai Express has believed that when you treat your taste buds right, great things will happen. Using fresh and delicious ingredients, Thai Express creates traditional Thai recipes with a modern vision to sprinkle in enough new-world creativity to keep their clientele on their toes. By focusing on fresh and vibrant food, clients are able to feel good about the meals they have consumed via their exceptional taste and aesthetic presentation. Deeply rooted in Thai Express’ core is their firm belief that great food can only be produced by using some of the finest and freshest ingredients. As such, they strive for excellence in food quality and customer service by taking great pride in the meals that they serve to their valued customers. Thai Express’ core values (Respect, Customer Experience, Quality, Thai “Heart”) are reiterated in all their practices so that every client receives both delicious food alongside an exceptional quality of service.
One of the secrets behind the brands extraordinary success are the individuals employed at Thai Express. Each member of the team is fully supported at all times, allowing them to provide their clients with any assistance they need, while simultaneously implementing the brand’s values at all times and in every situation. Over the years, Thai Express has had numerous customers from across North America (and beyond) embracing the brand as an ambassador of the exciting food of Thailand. This recognition has resulted in Thai Express’ signature crowd favourite meal, Pad Thai, becoming as common as a hamburger. During the past few years, Thai Express has further adapted its brand by partnering with leading take-out programs, such as Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, Ritual and also offering its own platform Bon App. Offering these different online ordering and delivery options has resulted allowing more clients to enjoy Thai food more often, while also bringing forth a competitive edge to the market. Aligning with key technology partners, the team at Thai Express analysed and spearheaded emerging trends within the food and drink sectors by pioneering healthier alternatives to appeal to a variety of lifestyles. This spring, Thai Express launched their GO RICELESS campaign, which offers a vegetable based option, cauliflower rice, as an alternative to any of their rice dishes. The campaign was warmly embraced by a vast number of influencers and clients, resulting in organic reach and optimal customer experience that was shared across their social media channels. GO RICELESS’ campaign was such a success that it has landed itself as a permanent menu addition that will continued to be available at all Thai Express locations.
Being one of the first Quick Service restaurants to bring cauliflower rice to market, Thai Express has always stayed ahead of the curve by also being one of the first Quick Service restaurants to offer vegan and gluten free options to their clientele. These initiatives were launched almost a decade ago, having been a part of the Thai Express menu before their initial mass popularity that arrived only a few years ago. Overall, Thai Express works tirelessly in creating delicious dishes and products that appeals to their clients’ diverse wants and needs. We believe this is why Thai Express has been incredibly successful within their respected industry and why we have awarded them as The Best Thai Franchise in North America. Company: Thai Express / MTY Group Address: 8210 Rte Transcanadienne Telephone: 514 336 8885 Web Address: www.thaiexpress.ca
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Sep19528
HappyDOG Hot DOGs: Best Takeaway Restaurant 2019 - County Antrim
Located in the heart of Belfast, just across the road from the Ulster Museum, is a Gourmet HotDOG house like no other on this side of the Atlantic. We caught up with Nicholas Turkington to find out more… ‘The concept is simple,’ says Nicholas. ‘Fresh, local produce, handmade in store to provide a gourmet street food offering unlike any other.’ It sounds simple, but it certainly seems to be a recipe for success. HappyDOG Hot DOGs has set itself apart from the rest of the fast food sector with its use of quality ingredients, precision cooking and making everything in-house. “Sourcing all of our own ingredients, producing our own sausages and even pickling our own pickles puts us in control,” states Nicholas. It’s this control over every aspect of the restaurant, from food to staff, that really pushes HappyDOG Hot DOGs above the rest of the pack.
“Each element from the bread, sauce, sausage and toppings are under constant scrutiny to ensure they are the best.” Nicholas points out, and indeed the variety of combinations that can be made from the various options is staggering, creating a veritable smorgasbord of culinary delights. “With 6 sausages, 3 types of bread, 10 sauces and 14 toppings to choose from, we are sure there is something for everyone,” Nicholas’s pride over the menu, and its diversity, is evident. “In the beginning we added a vegetarian sausage or DOG to the menu thinking this would help to satisfy a customer base that we didn’t feel would become a huge part of our business. We quickly noticed a change in peoples’ eating habits and many were asking for a vegan option. As such we invented the veganDOG which is becoming one of the most popular options on the menu.” It’s this ability to adapt to changing times and tastes and explore unfamiliar territory that really distinguishes HappyDOG Hot DOGs in the food industry. To Nicholas, however, setting his business apart from the rest has been the easy part. www.lux-review.com Page 59
“We are selling something that no one else is and I ask you to search for another Gourmet hotDOG House this side of the Atlantic. We are the first ones doing what we do, so standing out is the easy part.” Certainly, another key to Nicholas’s vision is the way his staff are trained. Not content to rest on his laurels, each new team member undergoes a two-week induction process, learning each and every process behind the making of the perfect hotDOG. “This teaches the individual everything, from the particular way we chop lettuce, to the way we interact with the customer, and how to cook the perfect fries,” Nicholas says. By all regards, this diligence has paid off. By making sure that his staff have the confidence of knowing how everything is made and put together allows them to wholeheartedly focus on exceptional customer service. When asked what challenges he has faced running the business, and why it has managed to succeed, Nicholas says “there is always a honeymoon period when you first open the doors but to build a longlasting customer base who frequent your establishment on a regular basis takes time. As such the most important thing to ensure success is to maintain your consistency. Each DOG has to be as good as the last, or even better.” This determination to serve food of a consistently high standard is at the heart of the whole business and undoubtably a major factor in its continuing success.
Looking forward, Nicholas has just opened a second kitchen, and is looking for ways in which that can be used to further expand the business. “This is primarily a prep kitchen that will be used to increase our usage production and experiment with seasonal special ideas that we can run throughout the year.” Alongside the second kitchen are plans to expand into the events market, perhaps attending festivals, city events or Christmas markets. With extra capacity opening up, and new opportunities presenting themselves, it seems that this DOGs day is far from over. Contact: Nicholas Turkington Company: HappyDOG Hot DOGs Email: online@happydoghotdogs.co.uk Telephone: 07503 419740
“Each element from the bread, sauce, sausage and toppings are under constant scrutiny to ensure they are the best... With 6 sausages, 3 types of bread, 10 sauces and 14 toppings to choose from, we are sure there is something for everyone.”
Sep19222
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Brockley Hall Hotel: Most Luxurious Hotel Restaurant 2019 - North Yorkshire
The epitome of fine dining above the North York Moors National Park, Brockley Hall Hotel is Saltburn-by-theSea’s answer to luxury food and drink that is bursting with flavour. The quirky, hand-decorated restaurant boasts a delightful ambience and modern décor full of influence. Discover more about this Great British dining treasure as we pull back the curtain on their awardwinning culinary success.
In the years since the its opening, Brockley Hall Hotel has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to culinary excellence with four AA stars for the hotel, and two Rosettes for the restaurant. Centrally located in the charming coastal town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, this hotel and restaurant is open to guests and visitors alike, ensuring everyone has a chance to sample the sublime food and drink on offer, courtesy of head chef Scott Miller. Providing fine dining at one of only two restaurants equipped to do across Cleveland in the United Kingdom, Brockley Hall boasts two Rosettes and a myriad of incredible flavours in the hands of talented chefs. With the newly-created chef’s table near the bar, guests will be able to experience first-hand how their meal is cooked to perfection, and plated artistically by the chefs. Using locally-sourced ingredients, each and every meal at Brockley Hall is cooked to order, fresh and absolutely delicious. The team of highly-trained chefs, under the watchful gaze of head chef Scott are innovative and inventive with their dishes, creating avant-garde masterpieces. Attractive to the eye, nose and taste buds, each plate is a sensory explosion that is sure to leave guests watering at mouth for more.
Constantly pursuing excellence, the chefs are ever evolving and experimenting with new techniques to maximise the flavours that they work with. Truly bringing out the best of local produce that is both seasonal and sumptuous, the team in the kitchen work to deliver the very best culinary brilliance they possibly can. The chef’s table near the bar adds another opportunity for the chefs to showcase what they are truly capable of. Whether guests fancy themselves a quick snack, informal meal, or exquisite fine dining, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Brockley Hall, crafting memorable experiences in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The breakfast menu includes staples such as a hearty full English, eggs benedict, smoked salmon and scrambled egg, and traditional, good old-fashioned porridge, as well as a wide selection of teas and coffees.
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Another classic menu provides a look at the Sunday lunch offerings, finely balancing taste and cost to deliver excellent culinary dishes without punching a hole in the wallet. Starters include soup of the day, chicken liver parfait with red onion marmalade, and sea trout with charred cucumber amongst others. The emphatic main dishes include grand reserve sirloin of beef, pan seared chicken, sea bream, and beetroot risotto, each complete with trimmings to truly finish the dish. Desserts represent the perfect way to finish a meal, and these are to die for. Classics are present in sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, with extra special additions such as crème brulee and apple and almond tart. For those in search of cheese and wine, fear not, for Brockley Hall has it covered. A selection of English cheeses are served alongside chutneys and crackers for that perfect Sunday afternoon finale. Including a wide selection of homemade cakes and freshly-made scones, afternoon tea at Brockley Hall is as luxurious as any other meal on the menu throughout the week. Choosing their own refreshing sandwiches, variety of bread, and loose-leaf tea, guests can spoil themselves for a tasty afternoon.
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However, in spite of all this aforementioned culinary divinity, the crowning jewel in Brockley Hall’s food offerings is undoubtedly the seven-course fine dining menu. Served over the course of two and a half hours, this journey showcases the ultimate talents of Scott and his team of chefs. Beginning with canapes and amuse bouche, guests are then treated to a selection of starters that epitomise luxury. Beef tartare, rabbit Ballantine, linecaught mackerel, scallop ceviche and a homemade cheesecake begin the journey into food heaven. From there, the mains take it to another level. Succulent chicken breast, red mullet, smoked cod, Yorkshire Dales lamb, and potato gnocchi are served up, with a myriad of vegetables and accompaniments to complement the flavours. Once the mains have been devoured, pre-dessert follows, with full dessert swiftly behind. Toffee apple arctic rolls, lemon tops, peanut butter mousse, mango solero, and a selection of English cheeses are the perfect way to almost finish the ride, with coffee and petit fours presenting a relaxed finale. The selection of drinks at Brockley Hall present the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Need a rich and flavoursome red wine to match that flawlessly cooked lamb? How about a Chilean merlot from the Tierra del Rey? Perhaps a fruity white wine is needed to complement a smoked cod? Then maybe a Meerlust Chardonnay from South Africa will do the trick. Sommeliers are as knowledgeable as they are friendly, bringing a wealth of expertise and a genuine smile to their service.
Sourcing a wide variety of wines from around the world, Brockley Hall offers an extensive collection of organic and biodynamic wines to suit any palate. As well as the large cellar of wines, the restaurant also boasts a refreshing selection of beers and ales, with at least two hand-pulled local ales, and more than fifty gins with which bar attenders can craft delightful cocktails. Guests can experience all of this, and so much more, in the exquisite Liberty Room, the embodiment of private luxury dining. Able to accommodate up to twenty people, the room can be decorated according to the clients personal tastes, and menus can be tailored to ensure that all dietary needs and requirements are met. With a five-star food hygiene rating, the restaurant, kitchen, bar and all aspects of Brockley Hall operate with the highest levels of food safety and quality. Ensuring that everything is spotlessly clean and meticulously looked-after, it is no wonder that the restaurant has gained such recognition, given the standards it holds itself to. Far from the madding crowd, this high-quality fine dining restaurant is a divine jewel in the North Yorkshire countryside’s crown. Brockley Hall offers sumptuous dishes on remarkable flavour and aesthetic, sure to draw a contented breath of awe from everyone who sets foot inside. Company: Brockley Hall Hotel Website: www.brockleyhallhotel.com Contact: Heather & Emilio Garcia
Sep19377
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Laguna Coffee Co Inc: Best Micro Roaster 2019 - Laguna Beach
Hidden away in Orange County, California is a small coffee company that makes a point out of roasting its own beans. Keeping up the tradition for over a decade, we caught up with Tomi Miller to find out more. Imagine sitting on the patio at Laguna Coffee. Just beyond the traffic, you can see the sea, watch the tide ebbing and flowing, waves crashing against the rocks. The smell of coffee, always fresh brewed, always freshly ground, overwhelms your senses as you grip the paper cup tightly. You take a sip and sigh. It’s a good cup. It’s a quiet place. When it comes from the Laguna Coffee Company, it always is. ‘We are a busy cafe that loves to serve our locals and tourists!’ says Tomi. She and Rene Shaffer run the place. Always bustling, a steady stream of patrons ambling through the doors. Faces old and new are met with a smile, regular orders are remembered. ‘We aim to build relationships with every person we have the honor of serving!’ Tomi enthuses. ‘We take careful care to serve simply the best of the best of everything.’ It’s an attitude that has definitely left its mark on the community. With regular customers coming in and tourists bemoaning that they can’t come back, there’s an ease with which the Laguna Coffee Company runs that sets you at ease. If you want to, you can wile away the hours just sitting there looking out at the beach with a Golden Latte (the secret is turmeric).
What really draws people into Laguna Coffee is the fact they’re a micro-roaster. It’s something that the business has been doing for years, passed down from owner to owner with care. It’s a tradition that couldn’t possibly stop. ‘We roast our beans twice a week to ensure our coffee is the freshest roast. We also choose carefully where our beans are coming from.’ The choice at Laguna is mesmerising. With beans from Rwanda to Columbia, and available to buy for home use if they take your fancy, there’s surely something for any self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur. They choose only the most organic products they can. ‘We, ourselves, watch what we put into our bodies as owners and want to make sure our customers receive the same quality we enjoy.’ This is why they are delighted to offer customers as much choice as possible, including delicious gluten-free, paleo-friendly and vegan options. This care for customers ensures that the service at Laguna is second-to-none. ‘We have the BEST staff!’ Tomi beams. ‘Our crew is fun loving and truly love their jobs! We love each other and each customer! You’ll find nothing but smiles here!’ Her enthusiasm is infectious and spreads through the company. It comes from a sincere heart as well. ‘We want to serve good coffee, but more we want to make you smile and build relationships. We want to look each person in the eye and let them know we are grateful they chose us!’ Asked what ways they’ve made changes recently, Tomi tells us about the new espresso machine. ‘That has changed the quality of our drinks!’ she grins. Looking forward, Laguna is hoping to embrace the communal atmosphere it’s developed. Apart from ‘keeping up to our standards of simply the best’, there are plans to give the place even more character. ‘We have a beautiful
mural being painted in our courtyard by an amazing artist!’ Tomi tells us. It’s exactly the sort of thing that will add interest to the quirky little shop. It’s another talking point amongst others for those who like that sort of thing. They’re hoping to expand their brand. ‘We hopefully will have a beer and wine license by next summer!’ Tomi says. It’s a temping thought, the idea of sitting on the seafront, beer in hand watching the sunset. Imagine sitting on the patio at Laguna Coffee Company. Your drink is to go, but you can’t quite pull yourself away. Begrudgingly, you stand, walk away from the familiar orange walls and smiling faces. At least, you think, you can come back again tomorrow. Contact: Tomi Miller Company: Laguna Coffee Co Inc Website: lagunacoffeeco.com
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Oct19006
The Bull & Dog Inn: Best Family Friendly Community Pub - Lancashire © The Bull & Dog Inn
There’s nothing quite like a proper, local pub. With food to warm the depths of the stomach and a refreshingly crisp pint to wash it down, traditional English pubs are an art form; one that Burscough-based The Bull & Dog Inn have mastered. With charm and warmth aplenty, discover the delights of this family-friendly community pub in the heart of Lancashire. Situated just a few miles north of Ormskirk in the thriving town community of Burscough is the perfect little local pub, the Bull & Dog. Located on the main road through the town, the inn boasts an impressively old and rustic structure that offers something for every guest. Welcoming and charming in all aspects of service, the team pride themselves on being more like a family extension of the guests who enter in.
Established more than 270 years ago, the Bull & Dog is the oldest pub in Burscough with a story that spans families, generations, naval officers, and operational wartime air stations. Full of both history and character, the atmosphere oozes culture throughout the pub and the owners have a deep reverence for its cultural significance throughout history. Whether visiting with a mate after work for a quick pint, or planning a date night and a relaxed meal for two is on the menu, the Bull & Dog is the perfect place to be soaked in Britain’s rich history.
Managed by husband and wife partnership Sabrina and Richie, the Bull & Dog could be in no better hands. Having lived and worked around Ormskirk for more than twenty years in a multitude of jobs, these hands-on managers understand the necessity of a good, old-fashioned local pub to draw a community together. Working as a family, Sabrina and her team also understand the importance of being a family-friendly pub, and have spent time and energy to ensure that it continues to be a place for families of all ages and sizes can come and unwind. Having previously delivered the local disco and karaoke events in the Bull & Dog, as well as numerous quizzes and 80s-themed nights, there is nobody better equipped to take on the job of running Lancashire’s best family-friendly pub. Encouraged by the locals to take over the pub, Sabrina and her team have cultivated excellent relationships throughout the community, cementing the pub’s status as a hub of community activity. www.lux-review.com Page 63
As though it couldn’t be more friendly and welcoming, the pub also extends a hearty welcome to dogs, ensuring that guests can bring their furry friends inside with them to enjoy a restful visit. The food on offer at Bull & Dog is traditionally English, capitalising and delivering on the very best pub food that the nation loves. Absolute classics such as bangers ‘n’ mash, hunter’s chicken, beef lasagne, a selection of burgers and steaks, and Sunday roasts all feature, cementing the pub’s status as one of Lancashire’s finest traditional pubs. With unique creative and tasty touches, each meal is flavoured exceptionally to ensure every guest gets an authentic British pub experience. As well as the outstanding food on offer, no British pub would be complete without boasting an impressive range of drinks. The bar features a selection of local and regional ales, famous spirits, delightful wines, and the nation’s favourite soft drinks. Guests can drink like the sailors of old and enjoy a wonderfully charming atmosphere in the process. Encapsulating everything that makes traditional English pubs so authentically charming, the Bull & Dog is exemplary. Rich history, warm atmosphere, delicious food and a community feel all make this Lancashire pub one of the region’s finest. Company: The Bull & Dog Inn Contact: Sabrina Tedford Website: https://ourlocal.pub/pubs/the-bulland-dog-inn-ormskirk/
Sep19473
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Martins Wine Advisor: Best Wine Advisory Service 2019 - UK When it comes to find a service with excellence, sourcing the perfect wine, support winery acquisitions there aren’t many choices to sift through. Using the expertise of Martins Wine Advisor, a very select and exclusive clientele can create and promote only the finest, ultra-luxurious wine brands. Discover the firm’s award-winning success in delivering the finest wine advisory services as we profile the company.
Boasting a team of dedicated wine consultants and connoisseurs alike, each member of the Martins family has expertise promoting new wine products, entering developing markets, and providing uniquely bespoke advice to all manner of clients. Be they corporate representatives, private individuals, or even royal families, this wine-focused firm are committed to locking down the perfect wine at the best price, for any event.
The perfect accompaniment for high-quality food, wine has rapidly become a source of true luxury that many high-net worth individuals are looking to invest in. Celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, and Andrea Bocelli have all released wellreceived wines, and more are sure to follow. Increasing numbers of high-end individuals and groups are making their mark on the wine industry, and Martins are on hand to help with every aspect of it.
For the firm, the complete, long-term relationships with clients are the most important aspect to the business. In specialising working with such ultra-high-end clients, Martins has to network a lot, establishing knowledge and spending their time as a firm strategically. Those three parameters are key markers for the firm, as they measure themselves against the competition. In maintaining their focus on the clients and delivering those key aspects, what separates Martins from their competitors is their highly personal approach to every client and project.
Martins assist valued private and professional clients with investing in wine and wine properties, building up cellars and creating value for themselves and their partners. Handling strategy, press, and design, the company also consult with retailers and importers looking to streamline and optimise their portfolios, hunting brands and making sure they deliver only the finest and most interesting wines to customers.
Beginning with just founder Claudio Martins, the firm has since grown to include a family of wine experts that exemplify the passion, trust, friendship, and professional ethics of its leader. By encompassing such clientfocused aspects of business, the network of clients that the team has established are also often treated as friends, often relaxing together and sharing a bottle of hard-earned wine at the end of a project.
The future of the wine industry is one of both exciting prospects, and key challenges. Going through a period of fundamental change regarding communication and distribution chains, Martins are keen to remain at the forefront of developments. New wine consumers are forcing owners and advisors alike to think differently about what consumers want, as well as changes in direct producer-to-consumer trends demanding changes in supply. With plenty happening throughout the industry, it is key that firms such as Martins continue to see these changes as opportunities. Helping to get that perfect wine from grape to glass, Martins wine advisory services are exemplary for both first-time novices and seasoned professionals. With a team of dedicated professionals who expertly understand the wine industry, this firm are the go-to choice for ultra-high-net-worth client seeking to craft that refreshingly flawless glass of red, white or rosĂŠ. Company: Martins Wine Advisor Contact: Claudio Martins Website: www.martinswineadvisor.com
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Sep19510
Park City Alpine Distilling: Best Craft Distillery & Casual Eatery – Utah
Stealing away moments of alpine living in Park City, just a forty-minute drive away from Salt Lake City in Utah, Alpine Distilling is the perfect place to match an expertly crafted cocktail with locallymade pies. Discover an amazing alpine experience, as we take a closer look at what has made this craft distillery and casual eatery one of the best in Utah. Believing that nature strengthens the spirit, Alpine Distilling have tapped into all that the surrounding area of Park City has to offer, creating casual, memorable and authentic moments that bind friendships and create lasting memories. With beautiful rugged hills and stunningly lush mountain views, the wilderness around northern Utah provides the perfect backdrop for guests who want to spend time out exploring, enjoying sumptuous refreshments. Alpine Distilling crafts spirits for adults who love flavourful drinks, full of tastes reminiscent of nature and the outdoors. The distillery’s spirits are all natural, produced in Park City and cut with pure mountain spring water. As well as the distillery, the company also operate the Alpine Pie Bar, on historic Main Street, offering classic cocktails and locallymade pies. Offering the modern drinker chances to experience traditionally-made liquor (spirits), a crucial understanding of the intricacies of making gin, whiskey and liquors (liqueurs) is vital to Alpine Distilling’s success. In 100% vapor-extracting botanical spirits, the distillers at the company led by Scotish Gin Diploma holder Sara Sergent, masterfully balance flavours, mouth-feel and overall pleasure to craft a sumptuous gin that is unlike any other. Garnering international success for their gin, the firm have won multiple gold and doublegold medals for their gin alone.
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Distiller and owner of Alpine Distilling Rob Sergent spends his time expertly crafting whiskies GINS and liquors, (liqueurs), strongly emphasising the necessity for tradition. Using raw materials from Kentucky, Rob uses a hand-made copper pot to give his product an authentic flavour that is hard to find anywhere else. Self-confessed luddites, the importance of tradition for Rob and his team cannot be overstated. Rather than let technology permeate their business for the sake of ease, he instead painstakingly spends hours crafting his liquors with an admirable reverence for the industry. The food on offer at the Alpine Pie Bar is delightfully fresh, beautifully made, and mouth-wateringly tasty. Collaborating with local bakers, the team work to ensure that their pies are made with the best possible ingredients and arrive fresh for guests every single day. The selection of pies are rotated to match seasonal availability of berries and the freshest ingredients, with cocktails that are strongly rooted in classic heritage also offered. Understanding that guests want an honest, transparent experience, Alpine Distilling and Alpine Pie Bar operate in full transparency to the public, offering free tours and an open-door policy to their productions. Guests can see who made their craft spirits, what steps a distiller took to bring the grain, water and botanicals together into a skilfullycrafted drink.
All staff at the company, from bartenders to account managers, participate in the distilling process, and trained to craft their own custom-made gins in-house. Staff are encouraged to learn the delicate process of picking a botanical recipe, and understanding the role of each root, berry, flower or other ingredient in shaping an award-winning spirit. Keen to do their bit for the environment, and help secure the future of Utah’s inspiringly beautiful countryside, Alpine Distilling are a certified “green business” by Recycle Utah and OU Kosher Certified. Working to support local farmers and use local produce wherever possible, the company also work to purchase the finest grains from nearby farms and growers. Crafting purity and honesty in their products, this company are helping people embrace the beautifully simple alpine moments in everyday life. In a town that prides itself on the highest quality of hospitality, Alpine Distilling and Alpine Pie Bar stand above as exquisite examples of sumptuously hand-crafted food and drink that exemplify tradition and reverence.
Company: Alpine Distilling Contact: Rob Sergent Website: www.alpinedistilling.com
Sep19461
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Lab 22: Cocktail Bar of the Year 2019 - Cardiff Since humble beginnings in 2012 as a members-only club, Lab 22 has broadened its horizons and is now one of the most popular spots on Cardiff’s drink scene, working under the mantra of ‘nice drinks for nice people’. We caught up with Lab 22’s Max Hayward to fine out more. “There was never a good knife made of bad steel, the same goes for cocktails!” jokes Max. ‘It’s easy to take for granted that high-quality ingredients will be used in this sort of establishment, but Lab 22 goes a step further, doing its utmost to source everything locally. They even go so far as to collect food waste (such as avocado stones and banana peels) from surrounding restaurants and up-cycle them into new ingredients. “Not only does this help reduce our carbon footprint when making drinks, but also presents new and exciting flavours which you won’t find anywhere else.”
Hidden behind a non-descript door on the high street, you might not notice Lab 22 at first glance. Step inside, however, and you will find what is undoubtably the pearl of Cardiff’s drinkeries. Determined to stay ahead of the herd, Lab 22 pushes forward with confidence and kindness. The idea of ‘nice drinks for nice people’ permeates every aspect of the business and is certainly a major factor in Lab 22’s success.
“As our attitude has progressed, so too have the expectations of our guests,” states Max Hayward, Lab 22’s Bar Manager. ‘People come to Lab 22 with the expectation of delicious, fun and unique drinks partnered with excellent service, so we do our utmost to meet these expectations.’ The combination of innovative mixology and caring customer service certainly seems to have had an effect. While Cardiff’s cocktail scene has steadily grown over the last couple of years, Lab 22 remains on top. it’s a sure-fire method of success. In every aspect, Lab 22 forges its own path in how it makes its cocktails, and what cocktails it makes. Known throughout the city for inventive and entertaining cocktail menus, there’s more than one trick behind the impressive achievements of this bar.
It’s a clever and resourceful way of looking at how to make a big effect with a small impact. Similarly, the way in which the delicious cocktails are prepared matches the thought and care put into what they are made from. Using modern techniques not used elsewhere in Cardiff has kept Lab 22 ahead of the curve. Tantalising drinks such as a clarified screwdriver, a vegan friendly bourbon milk punch, and two separate RTD cocktails can all be found on the bar’s award-winning menu, ‘Pioneers + Revolutionaries’. It’s a mixologist’s paradise, and the staff at Lab 22 are encouraged to put all their energies into making the finest drinks possible for their customers. Now far removed from the members only club it started at, people from all walks of life can be found in Lab 22. All are welcomed into the bar and treated with the familiar mantra of ‘nice drinks for nice people.’ As Max says, “there’s no room for ego at the bar, and the interest of your guest should always come before your own.” This willingness to adapt and go with the flow is why there’s always an eye kept on oncoming trends within the industry, and the business at large. “Low and no alcohol drinks are becoming more and more popular,” Max informs us, “so we have been sure to cater towards this rising popularity the best we can.”
Clearly Lab 22 constantly strives to improve, drawing on new and exciting tastes and flavours. Package it into a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere, and you have something that simply cannot be bought. Cardiff’s leading cocktail bar deserves its accolade, transformed as it is, from a quiet membersonly club to an establishment that serves and engages with the community at large. All of this from the desire to make nice drinks for nice people. Company: Lab 22 | Contact: Max Hayward Telephone: 02920 399997 Website: www.lab22cardiff.com
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Sep19430
Best Variety of Premium Canned Cocktails 2019 After a long week of working hard, it is hard to beat the feeling of settling down with your favourite drink and simply relaxing. For Blue Marble Cocktails and CEO and Founder Alan Miller, that feeling comes in the form of a canned cocktail that can be enjoyed at a moment’s notice. As part of the Blue Marble’s win in the Food & Drink Awards, we profile the company to learn more about their great variety of award-winning drinks. Cocktails are amongst some of the most refreshing, flavourful, and sumptuous alcoholic drinks in the world. The aim of Blue Marble is to make them even better, and even more accessible to consumers all over the world. Ready to drink at a moment’s notice anywhere in the world, this company’s incredible collection of popular alcoholic drinks taste amazing and are packaged in recyclable containers to ensure minimal impact on the environment. Offering a deliciously refreshing selection of nine cocktails, Blue Marble uses the most fresh and all-natural ingredients in their drinks. The cocktails in question include Bloody Mary, Coconut Island, Cosmo, Greyhound, MarbleRita, Mojito, Moscow Mule, Screwdriver, and Vodka Soda, each one as tasty as the last. Consumers don’t need a bartender, as they can simply pour their chosen flavor over ice and enjoy it from the comfort of their own home or out with friends.
This family owned and operated company includes Alan Miller’s fiancé Danyelle, Alan’s sons Alan and Ben as well as their wives Pamela and Kat. The Miller family wanted their cocktails to exclusively use real ingredients that are found naturally occurring throughout nature. Every single cocktail includes only the finest fruits, vegetables, and ultra-premium distilled spirits, contributing to a delicious drink that is packed with flavor and taste. Free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and dyes, all drinks are also gluten-free, ensuring Blue Marble’s commitment to providing the very best canned cocktails. Truly caring about the environment, the Miller family and the team at Blue Marble put as much work into their packaging as they do their contents. Through sustainable recycling methods, the company’s cans make it back to store shelves in as little as sixty days after initial use. By exclusively using aluminium cans, Blue Marble is trying to do their part with the plastic epidemic and makes sure that all other packaging like trays and cartons are recyclable too. On top of using only the best and most natural ingredients in their drinks, Blue Marble is dedicated to donating a portion of their proceeds from every can to environmental initiatives. Alan Miller and his family want to keep the blue marble blue® and inspire people to do the same for generations to come.
Aiming to inspire like-minded companies and ambassadors, the family company is committed to being involved in local organizations and charities engineering towards helping the environment. Ensuring that the highest standards of health and safety are met at all times, Blue Marble’s Indianapolis-based production facility has rigorous and thorough quality control checks at all stages. Their in-house production allows for better consistency and quality control, with state-of-the-art laser coding, batch control systems, nitrogendosing and carbonation used to maintain can integrity. The facility is also used for shipping, distribution, and is fully licensed and meets regulatory guidelines from the TTB, FDA, and ATC. Bringing together exquisite-tasting cocktails, family values, and a strong desire to help save this beautiful planet, Blue Marble is one of the most unique companies in the food and drink industry today. Offering the best and most popular variety of canned cocktails, this company is committed to sustainability through their incredible products. Company: Blue Marble Cocktails Contact: Pamela Jean Miller Email: info@lovebluemarble.com Website: www.lovebluemarble.com
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Sep19362
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Yacht Club Punta Del Este: Best Harbourside Casual Dining Venue - Southeast Uruguay Set against the backdrop of the Yacht Club Punta del Este, there is nowhere more charming to enjoy your meal. With a touch of class, a pleasant atmosphere and good food, it sets standards that must be matched across the region. We caught up with Food & Beverage Manager Ricardo Guillemette to find out more.
Found in the ‘Monaco of South America’, Punta del Este offers something truly delightful to its patrons. Being a membersonly club means that only the highest standards of excellence and the best quality of food can be given. Offering a warm and elegant atmosphere overlooking the port, the delicious Mediterranean dishes, the freshest fish and seafood, and the international food on offer make Punta del Este one of the most desirable eateries in the area.
‘We have regular monthly meetings with all personnel. These meetings are important for us to maintain a close link with employees on a human one-to-one exchange. For our daily communications, we implemented a WhatsApp group which assures a quick, constant and immediate response.’ The use of WhatsApp might seem odd, but the use of this popular software means that Ricardo can track who has seen messages, who has replied and who has yet to see the messages.
When it comes to staffing such a respected club as Punta del Este, there is a constant pressure to improve the quality of food and service available. Ricardo is a big believer in quality circles. ‘All the best you are performing today, it must be better tomorrow,’ he says. ‘Keeping this premise in mind, we have designed consistent quality circle processes to achieve and maintain goals towards excellence.’ It’s a consistent program, allowing employees to engage with the business and feel part of making it a better company.
As a private members club, the restaurant sees a lot of service over the summer season, dropping heavily over the rest of the year. Punta del Este maintains its staff employees over the winter months, a minimum of 15, rising to 50 during the summer. Some would see this as a challenge if there are no clients to serve, but to Ricardo, it’s an opportunity to try out something new. ‘We compensate this lack of clients during winter time, selling different kinds of events,’ he says. It’s not the only challenge that the club faces. You might think that being a part of the prestigious Punta del Este Yacht Club would be enough to set the restaurant and bars apart, but Ricardo is dedicated to keeping the standards high. ‘It is a very competitive industry indeed,’ he admits. That said, he knows the secret to maintaining the high standards already achieved is to keep aiming higher. ‘Clients in general are more and more demanding,’ he smiles. ‘We stand out from our competitors by keeping our facilities and equipment, with elegance, charm and good taste.’
Such a beautiful and high-profile location as Punta del Este is always in the spotlight. This means the Yacht Club must keep on its toes and react to a changing market accordingly. ‘I foresee very important quality real estate developments,’ says Ricardo, ‘which surely will bring us more member subscriptions.’ He relished the challenge. ‘We are prepared to receive them delivering excellence to them as usual.’ Yacht Club Punta del Este serves A1 customers only the highest quality food, but with standards ever increasing, so must the restaurant. Fortunately, with people like Ricardo at the helm, it seems likely that the members of the Yacht Club needn’t worry. With the constant aim towards perfection, it seems certain that they’ll be able to live the high life for a long time to come. Contact: Juan Alberto Etcheverrito Company: Yacht Club Punta Del Este Website: www.ycpe.org.uy/5937/Inicio
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Sep19291
Adian’s Dining: Best Upscale International Restaurant 2019 - Birmingham With over 18 years of culinary expertise under his belt, it’s only in the last three that Adian Montaque has really begun to build his own brand. Simply called Adian’s Dining, we wondered what had inspired the delicious Caribbean-based cuisine that forms the backbone of this restaurant and why it definitely cuts the mustard.
Driven by chef patron, Adian Montaque, the aptly titled Adian’s Dining offers his unique perspective as to what the hospitality sector should be providing. The restaurant offers a modern take on a traditional Caribbean dining experience built on traditional values earned over 18 years in the hospitality sector. The basis of Adian’s incredible vision is the international flavour offered to the customer, inspired primarily by the Caribbean, and his native Jamaica, Asia and India. This flows right through the heart of the business, giving an incredible amount of variety in every aspect of the restaurant. Currently, Adian’s Dining is the only tropical fusion restaurant that combines such a wide and varied amount of flavours and textures to such a high level. This means taking the experience and knowledge built up over the years to create something entirely fresh,
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and seemingly effortlessly so. Even the simplest ingredients can inspire the most delicious food in Adian’s experienced hands. His highly regarded Jerk Salmon Supreme is a particular delicacy, using traditional Caribbean foods and techniques in fresh and interesting ways. Made with only the highest quality ingredients, it is an excellent example of the attention to detail Adian pays to his dishes, exploring a range of different tastes, within the premium produce utilised in the cooking process. Even the bar maintains the fusion theme with a wide range of exquisite wines, soft drinks and beers available. All the cocktails are created in-house allowing the menu to be kept up to date and fresh, perfectly matching the needs of the customer and the restaurant itself. The team working at Adian’s Dining is small but mighty, and incredibly passionate about pushing forward Adian’s creative vision at every level. This is clearly communicated to all involved in the business so that the message remains clear and the results are plain to see. Having already won one reward this year, and now receiving another, it is clear that Adian’s Dining has altered people’s mindsets for the better, encouraging them to try new things with food. The positive response to pushing the boundaries, and standards, is clearly very encouraging and may well be inspiring Adian’s Dining to look further afield in the future.
The success of the business is down, in no small part, to Adian’s evident skill in the kitchen, but it is also a result of staying true to a clear vision, while being willing to adapt it when necessary. That there has been a change in the sorts of meals bought at the restaurant shows a clear transition as customers become more familiar with Adian’s style and begin to explore the menu. The broad appeal of Adian’s food could to some seem contradictory, but in the hands of an expert is clearly a hit, appealing to a wide and diverse clientele. Adian does not just handle restaurant dining, but also events catering, showing the range of his skill and ability. Putting aside exciting hints regarding the future of Adian’s Dining (“stay tuned!”), the restaurant is sure to flourish under Adian’s & Elouise’s exciting vision, with a very bright year ahead indeed.
Contact: Elouise Lashley Website: www.adiansdining.co.uk Company: Adian’s Dining
Sep19361
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Shelter Point Distillery: Best Artisan Spirit Distillery - Canada Not all whiskeys are made equal, and Shelter Point Distillery’s certainly stands above the rest. Using traditional techniques and good-old-fashioned-knowhow, the team at Shelter Point make a whiskey that is truly unique. We caught up with Manager, Jacob Wiebe to find out more.
Halfway up the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, one of Canada’s largest craft distilleries is turning out one of the world’s most exquisite whiskeys. Turning out topnotch spirits is no easy task, especially when you have a reputation to consider. ‘Clients expect high quality spirits, so we have to deliver with every release we have,’ explains Jacob. It sets a high standard, with an implicit promise that no bottle will disappoint. Shelter Point do their best to ensure that they never do. Setting Shelter Point apart from a more commercial provider is simple. Shelter Point’s team are trained to an exceptionally high standard – some have studied at Heriot-Watt in Scotland – and all take an active approach to the production of smooth whiskeys that soothe the soul. ‘We are very hands on with our equipment which allows us to control every aspect of our operation, ranging from distilling to bottling to selling,’ Jacob tells us. ‘We only use grain sourced in BC, and we distil and ferment on-site. This makes our cost of production cost a little more but allows us to support local agriculture.’ This source of the barley from which the spirits are made is very local indeed. ‘We are one of only a handful of distilleries that grow their own barley and distil on the same site,’ explains Jacob. ‘We are naturally blessed with the key ingredients of exceptional handcrafted artisanal spirits: fertile fields to grow our barley, a large underground aquifer to provide naturally filtered water and crisp sea air compliments of the Salish Sea.’ This combination of factors is a perfect storm, allowing the team at Shelter Point to create a
truly unique sort of spirit, influenced entirely by the beautiful surroundings. Taking five years to age in barrels handselected by Kentucky-Bourbon producers, this delicate process is given all due care and attention. According to Jacob, the secret of their distinctive flavour comes from a surprising source. ‘A whisky’s flavour and quality are determined by a number of things, but the three main factors are the barley, the water and the unique attributes of the equipment,’ he explains. ‘Aging takes place within a few hundred yards of the ocean, which imparts a wonderfully unique flavour to the whisky.’ The methodology behind making Shelter Point Whiskey is fascinating, and necessarily slow. ‘Nothing is particularly hurried here,’ says Jacob with a smile. ‘We took our time to get the distillery right, and we’re doing the same with everything else.’
noon and 5pm. Tastings are available 7 days a week from 12 noon to 5pm. Those looking for something a little more selective can book a private tour if they so wish. Unfortunately, not all distilleries can be like Shelter Point. It’s an artisan paradise. From barley to bottle, an incredible amount of care, attention and love is put into ensuring that only the finest spirits reach their customers. Contact: Jacob Wiebe Company: Shelter Point Distillery Website: www.shelterpoint.ca Telephone: 001 778 420 2200
The distillery has been developed to gather specific tastes for the customer. Forsyths of Rothes are recognised experts in the copper pot stills used in Scotland – and also at Shelter Point. This, along with the barrels, makes the production of whiskey and other spirits at Shelter Point a fascinating experience. The distillery has been specially constructed so that visitors can get an up-close view of the process and the final product. Free tours and tastings run from Wednesday to Sunday between 12
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Oct19376
Bodegas Valduero: Leaders in Traditional Viticulture 2019 - Castile and León & Best Family-Run Winery for Premium Vintage Wines 2019 - Castile and León A good wine doesn’t come about by accident. It is crafted into being, coaxed into life. A fine wine takes patience, care and attention, in a process that takes years to perfect. In the rolling hills of northern Spain, Bodegas Valduero produces only the very finest wine, perfectly rounded and aged to perfection. We caught up with Bodegas Valduero’s owner, Carolina Garcia Viadero to find out more. Serving 45 countries for over thirty years, Bodegas Valduero has always had an eye on the way that it used to be done. Using the unique properties of the grapes in the region, with a strong sense of terroir in its character, Valduero has grown to be one of the most exciting wineries in the country. Gathering the attention of wine aficionados across the world, including companies like Hitachi and Ferrari and high-profile figures like author Ken Follett or guitarist Mark Knopfler, all eyes are justifiably on Valduero. We asked Carolina what the secret of excellent wine-making is. ‘There are many processes involved,’ he explains. ‘Everything starts in the land, which is our most important asset. We strive to produce grape under the most natural conditions, and we don’t release wine to the market every year, only when the vintage is exceptional. Then, we leave the wines slowly mature for a minimum of three years, sometimes up to 30 years! Wine is only released when it is perfectly round and ready to be enjoyed.’
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This astonishing attention to detail means that nothing substandard is allowed out of the winery. The result is a beautifully rounded wine, with the process of transforming grapes into wine more a labour of love than a simple job. ‘About 60% of our team have been working with us for more than ten years,’ Carolina admits. ‘Cycles are long in our sector and we need people for at least five years, to understand the processes.’ It requires a special sort of passion to commit yourself for five years to producing even the most exquisite wine. When we asked Carolina about this, she was keen to explain what drove her onward. ‘Definitely passion for what you do,’ she enthuses. ‘A firm determination that you will go on, no matter anything, giving your best every day.’ It’s clear that the care and discernment encouraged by those at Valduero is incredibly demanding, but the results speak for themselves. This enthusiasm has resulted in exciting new developments for Valduero, with the winery being the first to produce a white wine in the region. Today, the team are looking to capitalise on this with a range of delectable aged wines that are produced from the indigenous grape variety, albillo and experiments with extremely long agings.
Alongside these new developments, the production of these aged, vintage wines that put Valduero on the map involves looking back to how wine was made in the past. ‘We don’t stop exploring ancient ways of vinification and implementing them when appropriate,’ Carolina tells us. ‘In this sense, our work is more like that of an archaeologist.’ Certainly, the use of amphora, in similar style to the ancient Greeks and Romans, the artisanal methods and the fermentation in oak barrels leaves no doubt as to the traditions of wine-making that infuse Valduero with its charm and warmth. An immense amount of care and discernment that goes into each barrel of Valduero’s excellent vintages, each stored underground until the flavour is guaranteed. All wineries are a labour of love, but the artisan’s finish lifts Valduero’s above the rest. A treat to be savoured. Contact: Alfonso Gonzalez Company: Bodegas Valduero Web Address: www.bodegasvalduero.com Telephone: 34 947 545459
Sep19457
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Stag Bakeries Ltd: Best Family-Run Craft Bakery 2019 - Scottish Highlands What does it take to bake the perfect recipe for success? Add a splash of skill, a carefully-measured commitment to client satisfaction, a sprinkling of support, a fistful of flavour, and an overflowing cup full of character, et voila! Stag Bakeries have unlocked the secrets to delivering the best family-run craft bakery across the Scottish Highlands, with some wonderfully enjoyable treats on offer. Discover more about this delightful familyrun bakery as we take a closer look. The Hebridean landscape of Scotland’s gorgeous Highlands is perhaps some of the most beautiful countryside that the United Kingdom has to offer. The island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides boasts beautiful rugged hills and bracing winds to make even the most intrepid of adventurers hungry for all sorts of delicious treats when they return to the town of Stornoway. Eagerly awaiting their return is the team at Stag Bakeries, a familyrun craft bakery that deliver treats bursting with flavour, love, and imagination like no other. Offering something significantly less ordinary, these treats are perfect for the discerning client in search of a unique, yet flavourful product. Mass production has seen traditional methods lost to time in favour of ease. Fortunately, the team at Stag Bakeries have continued to honour the traditions of times past, developing flavours and processing doughs to achieve the perfect finished product. The team at the bakery also invest heavily in the ongoing training and development of the current workforce, ensuring that they remain skilled and able to meet the high quality demand that both the clients and bakery itself demand. Deeply rooted in history and tradition, Stag Bakeries has a heritage dating back to 1885. Now, more than 130 years on from the beginning, tradition remains at the heart of the bakery’s continued success.
Putting traditional recipes and modern craft bakery skills into the blender together, the result is a myriad of mouth-watering, topquality products to the leave the taste buds suitably tantalised. With an extensive range of mouth-watering products, the team at Stag Bakeries have masterfully crafted themselves a reputation for delivering the best quality bakes in town. The state-of-the-art artisan bakery in Stornoway would be enough to achieve a fabled Paul Hollywood handshake, and the plethora of award-winning products are perfect for any occasion. From water and seaweed biscuits, to oatcakes, shortbread, cheese straws and many specialty cakes, there is something for everyone in search of a tasty treat. Something radically different, Stag Bakeries’ seaweed biscuits are the perfect balance of a blend of three types of seaweed, and sea salt. The combination can also be tasted in the team’s water biscuits, oatcakes and shortbread, which has seen them secure a wealth of honours across the food and beverage industry. Everyone loves seasonal flavours. Whether it be cinnamon throughout autumn, or elderflower in the spring, seasonal flavours can make a cake or biscuit taste that much better. Coupled with innovative product
formats, Stag Bakeries’ speciality cakes with seasonal flavours add a little something special to every palate. Limited edition varieties combine classic recipes with contemporary tastes, which culminate in beautiful tastes unmatched across the Scottish Highlands. Finally, the bakery’s unique cheese straws are something to be well and truly admired and salivated at. Hand-baked, the cheese straws combine all-butter pastry with Scotland’s finest speciality cheeses to become the perfectly light, flaky and delicious snack for any occasion. Whatever the cheese, Stag Bakeries will find a way to ensure it becomes the incredible flavour partner for these incredible straws that deliver on taste and texture. Delivering delectable and delicious cakes and biscuits across Scotland and beyond, this family-run bakery are a perfect example of what makes the food and beverage industry so great. With a reverence for tradition and a desire to use modern baking techniques, Stag Bakeries are a shining example of how to bake truly outstanding food that is unique and undeniably delightful. Company: Stag Bakeries Ltd. Contact: Daniel Smith Website: www.stagbakeries.co.uk
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Sep19457
O’Shea’s Butchers Ltd. Best Free-Range Premium Butchers 2019 - London There’s nothing quite like a prime piece of steak, aged and cut to perfection, seared to that beautiful balance between medium and rare. Still succulent, you take a bite and reflect on the talented artisans who brought this piece of meat to glorious life. Quite aside from the evident skills of an expert chef, a major player is the provider of such fine meat. Here at LUXlife, we decided to take a closer look at O’Shea’s Butchers to find out more. Established in the late 1700’s, it must be of no surprise that eight generations on, this family-run butcher is a premium supplier of prime meat. Nestled beneath the arches of the mainline to London Bridge, Darragh O’Shea runs a business with few frills, but plenty to thrill. At the heart of the business is an appreciation of good meat, aged to perfection, cut to the customer’s specification. Straight-forward, down-to-earth and grounded, there’s something about this Bermondseybased butcher that exemplifies how meat should be prepared and provided. Right from the off, O’Shea’s is dedicated to quality in every respect. The journey begins with the animals, pure-bred, selected with great care and allowed to roam freely to ensure an organic background to their growth. Provided with a natural, relaxed atmosphere and high, animal welfare, these creatures are perfectly bred to provide fantastic flavours. While the meat is predominantly from Scotland and South West Ireland, some comes from O’Shea’s own farm in Perthshire. In an ever-changing marketplace, the ability to buy locally and support the home market is of great enjoyment to Darragh. Once reaching Bermondsey, the meat is managed by the expert team at O’Shea’s. Employed for their passion and ambitions, all employees are informed of the long family history that goes into O’Shea’s, and the legacy that they must uphold while employed
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there. Interest and passion are key to the business, with Darragh and his team always interested in their customers – ranging from top-class restaurants to individuals looking for something a little different – and how they intend to cook their meats. It’s this personal, informative touch that keeps customers coming back again and again. O’Shea’s specialises in beef, with cuts running the gamut from succulent sirloin to juicy T-Bone. With their aging techniques honed over years of experience, O’Shea’s beef is the perfect blend of dark crust, with burgundy interior and yellow fat. Because of the artisan nature of the butchers, O’Shea’s can source, age, butcher and prepare any cut to a customer’s specification. This freedom of choice makes for a delicious product that is without parallel in the whole of London, but if beef is not to your tastes, O’Shea’s also stocks pork and lamb for your delectation. O’Shea’s is unafraid to experiment, so don’t be surprised if Hungarian sausages or smoked sirloin steak appear on the counter from time to time. It is the variety of meat that O’Shea’s produce that sets them apart from a regular butcher, clearly produced and inspired by a deep appreciation for how best to preserve and present meat. Providing meat for the general public is one thing but O’Shea’s supplies meat for many of the top restaurants in London. Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar is where
occasional cooking demonstrations provide the opportunity for Darragh to show off his expertise at butchery, showcasing the finest steak cuts. Thinking locally, diligently and with an artisan’s approach, O’Shea’s has been able to maintain the excellent quality it has become famous for, for eight generations. Part of a business’ success must be put down to where it will go in the future. Having just put in new systems at their unit in the name of efficiency, it seems like Darragh expects his business to maintain the strength in the market it has had since the 1700s, and why not? So long as people want good produce, there’ll always be a place in the market for O’Shea’s. Contact: Darragh O’Shea Company: O’Shea’s Butchers Ltd. Web Address: www.osheasbutchers.com Telephone: 0207 064 1712
Sep19547
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Global Food Solutions: Most Sustainable Foodservice Partner - Greater New York Devoted to the development and distribution of affordable, wholesome and sustainable food products, Global Food Solutions has been delivering better natural food for fifteen years. We caught up with CEO Michael Steven Levine to learn more about the company, what they do, and how they have become Greater New York’s most sustainable foodservice partner. Since its inception in 2004, Global Food Solutions has grown to now serve more than five thousand schools and a wide range of healthcare, military and hospitality institutions across the United States. Providing food service operations with guidance, support, and expertise to succeed in today’s demanding and highly-regulated market, this firm has established itself as one of America’s best partners for the creation and delivery of top-notch food products. With CEO Michael Steven Levine at the helm, Global Food Solutions has grown exponentially over the last fifteen years to become a powerhouse of the food service industry. Helping all manner of commercial and institutional foodservice operators, from restaurants to school cafeterias, and military bases to hospitals, the firm currently boasts six of its own food brands and supports a large number of charitable organisations that help nourish America through its community initiative, Global Cares. For Levine, starting Global Food Solutions and seeing it become the company it is today is about much more than making money. What makes his firm stand out?”. “Purpose. For Global Food Solutions, it’s about pursuing our vision to feed kids and others in need of affordable, sustainable nutrition across America. We truly believe it comes back to purpose in the things you do and the team behind it. We believe in creating the most nutritious products possible with the greatest ability to scale and at the
most affordable price. This combination has allowed us to reach mass nutrition programs at some of the most competitive prices in the country – meaning we’re able to live and breathe our vision to help bring nutrition to millions in our communities. Global Food Solutions is about more than simply being competitive and ensuring that students and soldiers have something tasty to eat. The true beauty in comes from a purposeful belief of quality food products made with careful attention to detail and unmatched levels of teamwork. Levine goes on. “We can only do this because our team works with incredible dedication to our purpose. In schools, we adopted new branding and marketing practices to promote products as if they were found in grocery stores and retail shops. We want to not only make the best products, but we want kids to feel special about the experience they receive from our brands as well.” In addition to food products that keep American students nourished while they study, Global Food Solutions maintains close watch on constantly shifting food trends. This includes vigilantly monitoring legislative changes that determine what foods can be introduced. Levine took us through one of
the company’s greatest success stories in New York City. “A great example of this is during the initial change to whole grain regulations in schools that occurred in 2011. We developed and launched the first whole grain muffin in New York City schools, by removing artificial ingredients, colours, and flavours, removing corn syrups, lowering sodium and fats by using apple sauce and yogurt in the finished product, and then fully branding it for retail. We also produced this product locally in New York, as well for local procurement. While clients were looking for a simple new whole grain muffin to meet regulatory change, we delivered something special that exceeded industry expectations, all at the same competitive price point.” Undoubtedly, one of the most important aspects with any food service company is safety and compliance. Every staff member from the top down at Global Food Solutions is trained in food safety and handling practices at different steps at the supply chain, despite many never working in production plants or around physical food products. This way, Global Food Solutions can ensure the highest food safety, quality, and traceability regulations are always met or exceeded. Levine further expands on this decision.
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“We deem it critical to monitor food safety and compliance programs at both an individual location, as well as a corporate level, on a continuous 24/7 basis. We also have in-house food safety auditors to conduct activities like regular spot checks on production, and unannounced audits to ensure plants are always delivering on optimal food safety compliance and safety standards.”
“We can only do this because our team works with incredible dedication to our purpose. In schools, we adopted new branding and marketing practices to promote products as if they were found in grocery stores and retail shops. We want to not only make the best products, but we want kids to feel special about the experience they receive from our brands as well.” www.lux-review.com Page 75
At the core of his beliefs, and those of Global Food Solutions, is that every process must begin with food safety. “I have seen far too many great tasting, great looking, and well-branded products that overlooked little mistakes which turned into massive compliance issues. They all could have easily been avoided. I do believe it has become trendier and more fun than ever to think up new products using new food technology, but I also know the very foundation of food success is food safety and compliance. From there, you work your way back into production and branding.” Global Food Solutions has become far more than a food service provider for many companies and food service operations across America. Instead, it is a shining beacon of what can happen when an enthusiastic, driven and purposeful leader strives to nourish America’s future with outstanding food products in a sustainable way. ABOUT GLOBAL FOOD SOLUTIONS: Global Food Solutions is a progressive food service partner that is a pioneer in the development and distribution of affordable, wholesome and sustainable food products that simply taste amazing. The company operates out of 20 production facilities in
the United States and Canada, to support a growing customer base of over 5,000 institutions, including those in academic, military, healthcare, and hospitality. The company currently distributes its products under 6 different brands labels. Contact: Michael Steven Levine Website: www.globalfoodsolutions.co
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
#smartdrinking This year’s LUX Life Food & Drink Awards saw Gen!us win Best UK Craft Lager. Launched in 2018 by Genius Brewing, the UK’s first light craft lager is 3% ABV and only 79 calories per can - less than an apple! Its mission is simple: to make responsible drinking a pleasure, not a compromise. This year’s LUX Life Food & Drink Awards saw Gen!us win Best UK Craft Lager. Launched in 2018 by Genius Brewing, the UK’s first light craft lager is 3% ABV and only 79 calories per can - less than an apple! Its mission is simple: to make responsible drinking a pleasure, not a compromise. Less than two years on, Gen!us is available in the on and off-trades: in smart wine shops; gastropubs; restaurants; and hotels; as well as online via flavourly.com. Its combination of craft quality with less alcohol and low calories is proving popular with discerning, health-conscious drinkers, professional athletes, and Special Forces soldiers.
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The craft beer revolution has re-calibrated drinkers’ expectations of flavour. But while craft beers taste great, they’re not great for us, often packing high ABV and a stack of calories. The recent growth in Low & No alcohol beers with sales up 50% to July 2019*, demonstrates consumers’ increasing desire for healthier options. *(Kantar, Sept 2019). “Historically, ‘light’ or lower-alcohol beers have been associated with low quality, poor-tasting products,” notes co-founder Charlie Craig, “We believe that healthier drinking can truly be a pleasure as long as there’s no compromise on quality.” Crafted from the finest pilsner malts and Styrian Golding hops, Gen!us is matured with Australian Galaxy and Ella hops for a zesty, citrus aroma and smoother finish. There’s no rice, maize or corn syrup, common to ‘old school’ light beers. World Beer Awards Judge Anthony Gladman thought Gen!us tasted, “Clean, crisp, lightly citrus, nice and refreshing.” ‘Zero alcohol’ beers have grown strongly but for many drinkers, they’re still a compromise and rarely a pleasure. The longerterm, more exciting growth space is in ‘lower’ alcohol: beers from 2.5-3.5% which industry giant AB Inbev sees representing 20% of its sales by 2025.* Currently, this segment is dominated by the established US light beer brands but for quality-focused drinkers of premium or craft lagers, these products just don’t meet their flavour expectations. This is where Gen!us comes in; offering genuine craft quality but with less alcohol than even Bud Light. *(The Economist, Feb 2018).
Healthier drinking is not just about alcohol. Today, calories count too with both male and female consumers keeping an eye on their waistlines. With only 79kcal per can, Gen!us has 23% less calories than Coors Light. The ethical consumer is also important. Unlike many UK beers, Gen!us does not use isinglass (from fish swim bladders) during filtration and proudly bears its accreditation from the Vegan Society.
Together with winning Best UK Craft Lager at the LUX Life Food & Drink Awards, Gen!us was a finalist in ‘Best Low & No Alcohol’ at the World Beverage Innovation Awards, the only beer selected. “We’re so proud to win the LUX Life Award,” says Charlie, “As the UK’s first lightcraft lager, it helps Gen!us to serve the fast-growing market for healthier drinking.” Page 76 www.lux-review.com
Being ethical is also about doing good. Genius Brewing are Official Fundraising Partners of the My Name5 Doddie Foundation. Scottish and Lions rugby legend Doddie Weir was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2017 and so established a charity to fund research and support current patients. Genius Brewing’s co-founder Jason Clarke played rugby with Doddie and his wife’s father died of MND, “We launched Gen!us not long after Doddie launched his foundation and so it felt a natural partnership. MND is a terrible disease and hopefully our donating of 5p from every can of Gen!us will help improve the lives of future sufferers.”
Traditionally, premium and craft beers are sold in the on-trade in bottles, with cans being seen as off-trade. From launch, Genius Brewing made a strategic decision that cans were the future. “Aluminium cans are infinitely recyclable,” explains Charlie Craig who oversees Genius Brewing’s operations, “And being far lighter and cheaper to transport and also quicker to chill, cans have a smaller carbon footprint”. Creative Director Jason Clarke was particularly drawn to the enhanced branding potential offered by cans, “I liked the larger ‘brandscape’ available on cans on which to visualise and tell the Gen!us #smartdrinking story. We also wanted the lustrous, heritage gold texture which would have been very difficult to create using traditional bottle labelling.” Now that all the major craft brands are moving into cans, perceptions have totally changed. Labelling is particularly important to the Gen!us team who are not impressed at the lack of consumer information available on most beer packaging. “Shockingly, there’s no legal requirement to put calorie information on alcohol,” explains Jason, “Gen!us is all about transparency and ‘smart drinking’ which is why we put our 79 calories right on the front. And as our 330ml can is exactly 1 UK unit of alcohol, this is front-and-centre
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too.” From January, Gen!us will go even further, putting a full nutrition breakdown – carbs, sugars, saturated fats etc, - prominent on every can. Together with winning Best UK Craft Lager at the LUX Life Food & Drink Awards, Gen!us was a finalist in ‘Best Low & No Alcohol’ at the World Beverage Innovation Awards, the only beer selected. “We’re so proud to win the LUX Life Award,” says Charlie, “As the UK’s first lightcraft lager, it helps Gen!us to serve the fast-growing market for healthier drinking.” In 2020, look out for Gen!us launching in draft and becoming available in the UK’s major retailers.
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Noon Gun Brewery: Craft Brewery of the Year 2019 - Western Cape The crafting of beer is an art form not easily refined. Delicately balancing unique flavours and creating tonguetingling drinking experiences is no mean feat, but for one Capetonian craft brewery, it has become a true passion. Discover the process by which Noon Gun Brewery has cultivated itself a reputation as one of the best craft breweries across the entirety of the Western Cape.
Now, more than two hundred years later, cannoneers still raise a flag and tell the story of the guns before firing at precisely noon. A deafening bang resounds throughout Cape Town to let the city’s denizens that the afternoon has arrived, and for the team at Noon Gun Brewery, it is time to pour that first perfect pint. With the knowledge that the time-keeping guardian guns atop Signal Hill are watching over it, Noon Gun Brewery and its team of brewers constantly spend countless hours meticulously fine-tuning the crafting process. From brewing through to pouring, every step along the journey is taken with the utmost care. Whilst quality control and consumer feedback always remain key factors to success, the team also keep their eyes trained on worldwide trends and technologies to remain at the forefront of what the brewing industry is currently doing.
Relentlessly pursuing excellence with every pour, Noon Gun Brewery is an independent, family-powered brewery based in beautiful Cape Town. Established in 2015, it is a relatively young brewery in the industry, but by no means any less marvellous at creating beautiful, lip-smacking beers to tantalise the taste buds. Producing unique flavour profiles and priding themselves on quality beverages, the team continue to aim for best-in-class beer beverages that far exceed the global standards. Inspired by the Noon Guns atop Cape Town’s historic Signal Hills, the team at the brewery aim to craft the perfect beer for that first foray into the afternoon. The oldest guns in daily use throughout the world, the Noon Guns were fired for the first time in 1806, to help guide ships into Table Bay.
From the brand’s humble beginnings just over four years ago, it has since evolved to see its vision materialise into something tangible and delicious. Being rolled into taprooms across the entirety of the Western Cape, Noon Gun Brewery utilises small dedicated teams that are focused on maintaining the highest possible levels of customer and consumer satisfaction. In what is such a competitive industry, it is about more than crafting unique drinks to indulge the senses. Standing out amongst the wealth of craft brewery competition across the world today is not easily done, but the team at Noon Gun Brewery have the passion and hopsbased knowhow to make it happen. Quality and service delivery can be the difference between success and mediocrity for a brand, and nothing less than stellar service will do for this Capetonian team. Whilst some companies will claim that their products are
better, they often fail to deliver on those claims through service delivery. Not for this craft brewery, who focus completely on quality, new and exciting products, and bestin-class service to ensure the client feels truly cared for. In order to help clients communicate directly with the team, there is a strong focus on digital marketing, creating engaging content on the platforms that make a real difference to a business. Constant online interaction with new and old customers and consumers alike, can help ensure that Noon Gun Brewery remains on top of its game at all times. Along with the key focus of attention on digital engagement, the team are also constantly on the lookout for types of products that are worth the attention of consumers. By engaging with them directly, Noon Gun Brewery can focus its efforts on what consumers actually want, not just what the industry thinks they want. The result is a series of refreshing and flavourful beers that are bringing an African spin to time-honoured traditions of brewing from all over the world.
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Just a handful of the brewery’s drinks include four equally delicious and yet remarkably different beer drinks that each play on the theme of the Noon Guns. With each drink expertly varying alcohol percentages, bitterness levels, colours, and tasting notes, Noon Gun Brewery’s offerings are spectacular. Toasting the discoveries of some of the earliest beer pioneers, the brand’s Smooth Bore Lager harkens back to the still-fermenting beer found in Bavaria’s icy alpine caves, and brings new exciting flavours. A warm and inviting amber-to-copper colour, this lager is both crisp and smooth, offering biscuit-like notes to enhance the homely feel of the drink.
More of a chilled out drink for continued enjoyment, the 18-Pounder Session IPA is a dry and light-bodied Indian Pale Ale. Combining the brewing methods of England during the First World War with more than five types of hops, this deep golden drink offers consumers refreshingly sharp tones that are both herbal and aromatic. An homage to the breakfast beers of Germany, the Muzzle Loader Weiss is a silky golden wheat beer, lightly-hopped and created to offer a stimulating taste. Lastly, the Gunslinger Pilsner. One of the very first African attempts to spin a relatively young German brewing technique, Noon Gun Brewery offers discerning consumers the chance to blend the flavours of an attractive ale with a crisp and flavourful lager. Marrying together the best of both drinks, gentle fruit flavours refresh any palate, whilst leaving behind a tingling sensation that is entirely pleasant. As well as the on-brand gun-related beers that the brewery offers, the team have also begun to move into the arena of gin and tonic. Alongside the bottled beers, Noon Gun Brewery have now released perfectlybalanced, ready-to-drink premixes of the team’s own design. RTDs have become infinitely more popular in recent years, enabling consumers the luxury of enjoying a well-mixed gin and tonic whenever and wherever they are. Greater varieties of RTDs are constantly emerging into the market all the time, and South Africa has seen an influx of craft liquors. Noon Gun Brewery were one of the first companies to release a premixed gin and tonic, and remain one of the best
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today. Moving into 2020 and beyond, the team remain committed to continuing their brewing of exquisite beers and perfectlybalanced mixes. Whilst the drinks may be the undisputable stars of the show at Noon Gun Brewery, the staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every single drink is crafted with the same love and attention to detail as the last. Every single member of staff is trained to understand the basic processes of how the brewery’s craft beers are manufactured, giving them a strong informational background of the business to help improve their overall understanding. Through regular training, tasting sessions, and decision-making inclusion, staff gain a vested interest in the brand, and feel as though they are more than just an employee. Staff also play an important role in the continued understanding of the consumer, and their needs. A brand could create the most clever, exciting, and unique products on the market, but if the consumer does not like it or understand it, then it will likely flop. For the team at Noon Gun Brewery, engaging the consumer and listening to what they want is the most important part of the process. By communicating with the consumer, a deeper and more meaningful understanding of what it is they really want and why they want it can help fuel creativity within the brewing process. The result is a market-friendly and luxuriously delicious craft beer. Company: Noon Gun Brewery Contact: Leonard Henning Website: www.noongun.net
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Nom Noms World Food: Ready-Meal Company of the Year 2019 - UK Revolutionising the readymeal market, Nom Noms World Food provides a global voyage of discovery with every bite. Putting wholesome and healthy food at the forefront of their international enterprise, we take a closer look at what these connoisseurs of cuisine have to offer. Created by parents, for parents and children, this innovative take on ready-meals is the brainchild of Lisa Sohanpal and her husband, Dr. Imrat Sohanpal – with contributions from their three children. Having travelled the globe, exploring three continents and appreciating a diverse palate, Nom Noms is this family’s way of sharing the culinary and cultural adventure they went on with the world. Combining the best of what world cuisine has to offer, Nom Noms represents a gateway into authentic world flavours, gentle enough for kids, but bursting with the taste and texture that adults adore. Available in a range of sizes to suit both children and adults, Nom Noms needs no preparation, just heating. These authentically crafted ready meals can be served in two minutes, making them perfect if running short on time and needing a healthy meal that you can trust. The result is inspirational, with meals designed by a family, which they can all enjoy. Coming from a medical background, both Lisa and Imrat ensured that these delicious meals are nutritious as they are delicious, aiming for the highest health credentials. While lots of ready meals come crammed
with salt, sugar and preservatives, Nom Noms use natural ingredients throughout. Boosted with fruit and vegetables, not to mention super foods and super seeds, every meal and wrap has been delicately designed to provide the healthiest worldcuisine flavours on the market. Nom Noms’ unique spice blends are able to transport your taste buds everywhere from Malaysia to Morocco. These combinations give each wrap and meal its own inimitable flavour to savour. With this attention to
detail, it’s no surprise that authenticity is paramount to Nom Noms. The international inspiration is woven through the heart of the company like a golden thread, binding every element together. Even the packaging is designed with this in mind, presenting an innovative interactive format that gives fun facts, exciting stories and quizzes about the meals. In this way, Nom Noms is able to feed the mind as well as the body. Feeding the soul is the wonderful gesture on Nom Noms’ part, where for every meal bought, one is donated to a child in India. Thanks to a partnership with the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Nom Noms ‘One for you, one for them’ policy has sponsored a phenomenal 800,000 meals with the goal hit 10 million next year. Not content with sharing different food cultures from around the world with others, Nom Noms pays it back, providing opportunities for those who are less fortunate. Nom Noms offers the promise of a journey with every bite, an adventure with every morsel, and the salivating prospect of whatever is going to be next. This pioneering food company has changed the face of the ready-meal, making it into the most delicious, healthiest option available. Moving effortlessly from the American to the Arabic, from the Caribbean to the Korean, Nom Noms’ journey of discovery isn’t over yet, and looks set to go even further afield in the future. Contact: Lisa Sohanpal Company: Nom Noms World Food Web Address: www.nomnomsworldfood.com Telephone: 07932258099
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Peninsula Drinks And Food: Best Specialty Alcoholic Beverage Retailer - UAE Part of the new generation of liquor retail and trade in Abu Dhabi, this exciting company is part of a select few allowed to import, wholesale, retail and distribute alcohol in Abu Dhabi. Here at LUXlife, we thought we’d catch up with CEO Timothy Broughton and find a little more about how he manages to trade what used to be untradeable.
A lot of Timothy’s work is with hotels, however the majority of sales are through retail, hotels do not represent most of his work in the market. We wondered how he manages to achieve such high standards of excellence for regular customers like you and me. ‘At Peninsula Drinks and Food, we actively look for new products, whereby we meet every single owner to understand their philosophy and how they make their product,’ he tells us. ‘That care and attention is what we then transfer into our best practice of continual training of educating our staff to then provide knowledge and education to our valued and loyal customers. If you are knowledgeable - you are then able to sell a product with confidence.’ The care and attention put into making every staff member into a guide for the customer is incredible. Teaching both to have an intimate knowledge of the craft, and of a growing international market, means that the shopping experience can be made painless and fun for all concerned. Peninsula Drinks and Food is run by its talented staff, but very much led from the front. Timothy is a hands-on leader, taking a proactive role with ensuring that everyone is working to the same level and standards. ‘The business aims and goals form part of the staff Balanced Scorecard to ensure alignment of these goals and expectations,’ Timothy explains. With everyone familiar and proficient, there can be a guarantee of quality unparalleled by other suppliers.
it is legal to purchase alcohol if you have a valid liquor license in Abu Dhabi, which is no doubt a relief to Peninsula Drinks and Food, a rare oasis in the UAE for those wanting to have a drink, or maybe even more. Focused on being the best supplier of crafts in the region, while still providing mainstream products for its customers, this still freshfaced business has itself perfectly positioned on the brink of a new era. To begin, we asked Timothy how working in Abu Dhabi has changed over the years. He’s keen to note that ‘alcohol is restricted and can only be purchased if you have a license, which is now made extremely easy and pain free from the licensing authority.’ That said, there are still a number of restrictions around alcohol, and Timothy and his team must work within that framework. We asked what sort of challenges he faces as a market leader trying to make a foothold on the market. ‘There is no above the line advertising allowed which really gets one’s creative thinking going on how to attract new customers!’
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A modern business venture through and through, the advent of technology has allowed Peninsula Drinks and Food to explore new and exciting options of how best to serve its customers. ‘Loyalty programs now controlled directly from mobile devices,’ he tells us proudly. ‘We employ professionals and consultants who are able to advise us on technological advancements and innovations allowing us to be market leaders,’ he grins wryly, ‘and ahead of our competitors.’ The expectations of clients in this field are incredibly high, with the expectation of excellent service, supreme quality, while also offering value for money and promotions based on price. This can make this industry a troublesome one to work in, but as Timothy explains ‘we have been very quick to respond to market needs to ensure we deliver above and beyond their expectations.’ In many ways, this ability to react promptly and appropriately to situations shows the professionalism and flexibility of the staff at Peninsula Drinks and Food.
It also shows why there is the demand for more stores to be opened at strategic locations, with an enhancement of the company’s portfolio as brands and producers move their distribution to Peninsula. The planned addition of specialized deli items to a repertoire that has satisfied customers so far is an exciting move on their part. ‘We have taken retail to a new level from a shopping experience through design, selection and our focus of being the number one craft supplier in the region,’ Timothy tells us. He learns from his competitors as well. ‘We pay close attention to new products and launches and what the competitors are doing well and what could be improved upon.’ This attention to detail has allowed the company to grow into one of the premier suppliers of alcohol in the region and is why it simply can’t be held back. With a primary audience of expats with high expectations, it’s entirely understandable why a new business in a country still unused to a drinking culture might struggle. Peninsula Drinks and Food has thrived on the challenge, however. Focused on providing customers with exactly what they want, the dynamic team here go above and beyond to make a truly pleasant experience for all concerned. As one of a select few, it would be easy to sit back and take it easy. Timothy Broughton and Peninsula Drinks and Food aren’t content to sit back however, which is why they’re the Best Specialty Alcoholic Beverage Retailer in the UAE. Contact: Timothy Broughton Company: Peninsula Drinks And Food Telephone: 00971 2 447 8319
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Karine’s: Best VegetarianFriendly Eatery 2019 - Toronto Start the day right, no matter what time it is, with a trip to Karine’s. Hidden away in the Village by the Grange food court, this undisputed gem of Toronto is a must-see if you’re in the area – and a reason to go if you aren’t. Here at LUXlife, we decided to take a closer look at this this not-soclosely kept Canadian secret, just to make absolutely sure it lived up to the hype.
Across the road from OCAD University, hidden away in ‘The Village by the Grange’ food court, you’ll find a small business, run like a frenetic family breakfast bar, bestowing upon its customers a homely mix of delicious delectables. With the unbidden promise of providing an exceptional food experience, Karine’s internationally inspired, locally sourced, vegan, vegetarian, glutenfree all-day breakfast leaves no stone unturned in the quest to satisfy the most delicate constitutions and the fussiest eaters. It’s an experienced team that makes up Karine’s drawing on expert knowledge from working in a wide range of restaurants the world over. Far from keeping to specialisms, this knowledge is combined to make and create only the best food possible. The menus are designed to reflect the heritage and culture of the team, applied through the loving filter of fresh, seasonal Canadian produce. This highly talented team is bound together by effective communication, useful feedback and a love for good food. At the heart of the Karine’s lifestyle is a foundation in good nutrition, which leads to excellent food. The continued perseverance involved in adapting and customising the menus means that Karine’s team don’t shirk in the search for perfection, though some of their guests think that they’ve already reached it.
Made fresh and made with love, it’s astonishing just how many options there are to tantalise your taste buds at Karine’s. With myriad delights on offer, it could overwhelm even the most stolid of customers. It doesn’t matter what you go for, every option is delicious. Our personal preference is for Karine’s Supreme, the vegan breakfast to end all breakfasts, with vegan French toast or pancakes to start with, a choice of protein, toast and a choice of sides, you’re sure to start the day thoroughly satisfied. If you fancy something a little lighter, the familiar staple of granola and yoghurt is on offer, served with seasonal fruits and topped with honey and nuts. Like most items on the Karine’s menu, gluten-free and vegan options are available, and if you let your server know your needs, they’ll steer you in the right direction to find a meal that meets your expectations. It’s also worth noting that despite their wellearned reputation as a first-class Vegan locale, they still knock Eggs Benedict out of the park, especially when combined with Peameal bacon. When you go to Karine’s you’re welcomed in and treated like family. From first contact when making your order, with advice offered if you’re still unsure of what to get, all the way to finishing your delicious meal, a friendly smile and approach are always on offer. Certainly, it’s the eponymous and irrepressible Karine herself who leads the charge on this front. To her, every customer in the chaotic food hall is ‘Bebe’, repeat
customers are greeted by name and she makes food suggestions with lightning speed. A personable attitude, good skillset and high energy approach to business allows Karine to lead her company from the front and set an example of what to do and how best to do it. Leading the company has led to making decisions that push the business in exciting new directions. Two of these are Treat by Karine’s and by Karine’s Catering, taking what has made such a splash in the food court arena and sharing it with others. Treat does exactly what it says on the tin, with delicious cakes, brownies and donuts baked fresh daily on the premises. All these delights are guaranteed to be dairy free, wheat free, egg free, with many sugar free and agave-sweetened. Using Fair Trade, organic and local ingredients wherever possible, the result of this investment is the best Vegan and Gluten-Free sweet treats on the market – sheer decadence, but utterly delicious. For those who want the taste of Karine’s, but at their own event, Karine’s Catering is the answer. From the perfect breakfast to appealing appetizers to Mezza, Lebanon’s culinary treasure. Providing the perfect solution to feeding a large group, these multiple delicious small dishes can be enjoyed for hours and hours. The Lebanese people always believed in eating well and living well,
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and this is something that is shared by the team at Karine’s no matter what or who they are working for. Aiming to provide food that matches perfectly what is asked for, requests for 100% Vegan or Gluten-Free orders are easily catered for by this talented team. Karine’s aims incredibly high with its values, challenging usually accepted ideas on ethics and the environment. Ensuring that they can serve anyone, and everyone is at the heart of the Karine’s approach to business, with customers encouraging change and guiding the team to fill a gap in the need for vegan and gluten-free cuisine for the mainstream. Listening to this demand has created a surge in demand for this endeavour, with the expansion of vegan, organic and gluten-free food in the baked goods sector. These are now being sold at local farmers markets and locally owned cafes. Similar to this shift to a less meat-based menu, the decision to serve customers with real plates, cups and cutlery, both at the food court and at outside events, is a major part of Karine’s attempt to stop creating waste, and hopefully diminishing the company’s carbon footprint. Finding the right way to start the day can be a challenge if you have specific dietary needs. Sometimes, you’re left feeling like an afterthought. The magic of Karine’s is that its evolution to awarding-winning vegetarian friendly business has been achieved by listening to a demand and working out how best to satisfy it. This thoughtful attitude belies the bluff, friendly exterior that the business presents on first appearance, but that’s always the way when it comes to family. Not all breakfast is cooked equal, and Karine’s is definitely a cut above the rest. Contact: Maggie Kay | Company: Karine’s Web Address: www.stage.karines.ca Telephone: 001 416 591 0863
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Master of Malt: Best Online Whisky & Gin Merchant 2019 Some people would argue that shopping online lacks the personal touch. Not so when you visit Master of Malt. For the staff here, providing excellent customer experience is the bare minimum you should expect when you visit their site. Relentlessly trying to make your spirit experience superb, we at LUXlife decided to catch up with them and find out what sets them apart from the rest. The product of three childhood friends, what was once a bricks-and-mortar shop has undergone the most incredible transformation. Since its relaunch in 2009 as one of the world’s first purpose-built online spirits retail site, the team at Master of Malt have provided an exceptional service. Taking everything they disliked about shopping online, they ensured that their website found a solution to make for the best possible experience. The result is a business that takes full advantage of the ability to provide 24/7 customer service, that thoroughly engages with their spirit-minded shoppers, and that re-imagines how drinks retail is done online.
Contact: Mariella Salemo Company: Master of Malt Web Address: www.masterofmalt.com Telephone: 01892888376
With the simple mission statement of shortening the distance to amazing drinks, Masters of Malt represents a spirit-lover’s paradise. With over 3,000 whiskies, 1,500 gins, 800 rums, 500 vodkas and 300 beers, the choice is simply exceptional. With bespoke functionality on their truly responsive site, fast delivery (UK next day delivery until 9pm, even on weekends!) and flash sales for those who keep an eye on the site, Master of Malt do everything right. What really lifts this dynamic team to the best of the best is what they offer on top of this. The opportunity to blend your own whisky, build your own drinks – thanks to the dram tasting sets and spirit filled Advent Calendars – and innovatively gift those you love a voucher that accrues interest by the year are the sorts of touches that make Master of Malt immensely special. It puts their customers first and foremost, showing how retail should be, when so often it isn’t. Far from just an online shop, Master of Malt acts as your go-to-hub when considering whiskies and gins. With a fantastic amount of extra content on the site to add to the spirit experience, there is a clear desire by the team to share everything they can on a subject they love. Through how-to guides, tasting videos, distillery footage and more, this company intends to immerse its customers, fans and followers in the world of drinks. A creative team of editors and journalists of this award-winning blog ensure that the stories, people and places that make up the spirits industry are shared with the largest audience possible. This is a major draw to the already popular site.
A thorough induction program means that everyone in the business is equally passionate about what they’re selling. Two of the staff are Wine & Spirit Education Trust-accredited educators, delivering the WSET Level 2 Award internally, building up a workforce of passionate spirits experts within the company. Making sure that everyone is facing the same direction is paramount to keeping all the different aspects of the company directed towards the appreciation of fine spirits. Looking forward, Master of Malt remain determined to keep on top of developments in the spirits market. With customers always on the look out for new flavour experiences, the team at Master of Malt are sure to have the perfect dram in their not-inconsiderable back catalogue, not to mention emerging spirit categories like mezcal and calvados. As more companies start to operate within the market, the importance of an inimitable perspective will become even more important. Fortunately, the talented team at Master of Malt have a significant head-start. Giving customers an authentic, genuine experience, it’s no wonder that this innovative company has gone from strength to strength. From humble beginnings in a shed, Master of Malt has grown into the premier provider of fine gins and whiskies. It’s not enough to provide excellent customer service, though Master of Malt do so with aplomb, creating a characterful experience is essential too. Taking a joy and delight in spirits that borders on obsession, Master of Malt has more than enough character to make it totally unique.
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Oct19327
Yez! Foods: Best Speciality Diet Artisan Bakery 2019 - California Snacks are perfect to savor, but many can contain unhealthy elements and modified ingredients. Proving that superior savory snacks don’t have to sacrifice on a splendid taste to be healthy, Yez! Foods is a Californian artisanal bakery making a difference. Discover more about these masterfully crafted cookies and crackers as we profile the bakery following its success in LUXlife’s Food and Drink Awards. When a craving for carbs suddenly rears its head, there is little that can satisfy it like cookies and crackers. Fortunately, healthy snack lovers need worry no more, as the team at Yez! Foods have spent countless hours working tirelessly to craft a range of bread products that are clean, low-carb, and free from gluten, wheat, grain, preservatives, artificial ingredients, and GMOs. Ensuring that every bite is as exciting as the last, the range of products on offer at this artisanal bakery are both tasty and satisfying, whilst remaining entirely compliant with a wide range of dietary requirements. Founded as a collaborative effort between truly passionate individuals, Yez! Foods is the culmination of knowledge from neurology, business, and most importantly, a love for lip-smacking and healthy foods. As more people are recognizing the benefits of eating healthier, there has been a national shift towards foods and beverages that can suit keto and paleo-friendly diets. Akin to many dietary models, the keto diet should be rich in nutrient-dense whole foods that not only promote fat-adaption and weight loss, but also keep consumers healthy and free from disease. Rather than focus simply on creating delicious products that are riddled with highlyprocessed fibres, additives and fillers, Yez! Foods constantly go one step further to be both healthy and inclusive with its range of products. Using only clean and simple ingredients with minimum processing, the team
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work tirelessly to incorporate as many natural ingredients into their products as possible. Whether vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking to learn more about these new speciality diets, there is no better place to start than here, and no better time than now. However, the distinct lack of clarity and transparency afforded by some food manufacturers can pose arguably the largest obstacle for food lovers who have specific dietary requirements. Where many products on the market claim to be keto or paleo, they may actually contain corn, soy, grains, or other non-compliant ingredients. This can be troublesome for newcomers to keto or paleo dietary lifestyles. Fortunately, Yez! Foods are on hand to combat this market murkiness. Partnering with certification firms, Yez! Foods has managed to differentiate itself as a high-quality brand that offers products and ingredients that are crystal clear and completely pure. Consumers no longer have to guess what may or may not be in the bread they have ordered, because the team at Yez! Foods have done it for them. All the bakery’s products have passed laboratory testing, and been certified as grain-free, gluten-free, keto-certified, and vegan-certified, with the bread line also being paleo-certified. As for the products themselves, the combination of healthiness and taste is paramount. Clients of Yez! Foods would hardly know that its products are paleo, keto, vegan-friendly
or different to any other snacks that would have previously been consumed. Packed full of flavour and taste, each loaf or cookie is baked with precision, whilst remaining moist and delicious. Boasting out-of-the-box culinary thinking, each product is representative of the team’s creativity in bringing something new to the market. Mastering the consistency and using only the purest of ingredients has helped ensure that anybody with allergens can enjoy these keto and paleo-friendly snacks. Ultimately, the bakery’s goal of creating tasty foods using only simple and clean ingredients has been realised in outstanding fashion. Driving healthy brain-gut connection whilst remaining delicious at the same time, the team at Yez! Foods are wholly committed to helping people achieve improved health by eating cleaner and more naturally than ever before. Company: Yez! Foods | Contact: Lina Vandor Website: www.yezfoods.com
Oct19606
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Nai: Best Healthy Snack Food & Beverage Company - Middle East Do you know what a Nai is? A Nai is a classic wind instrument, and for over 5,000 years it has been at the forefront of musical tradition. From the vast expanse of the Arabian desert to the far reaches of the Indian Ocean, millions have been enchanted by the softness and sound of its music. But what does that have to do the best iced tea company in the Middle East? We decided to find out. Launched in 2017 with a range of uniquely flavoured, all-natural iced teas, brewed with real tea leaves, blended with premium ingredients, Nai offers its customers the best choice in a market that is just beginning to grow. Proudly Arabian, the broad selection of drinks pay tribute to a rich heritage that is still ongoing. What sets this exciting company apart is their bold worldview and approach founded on being a modern, transparent and ethical brand. From a team of three founders, a closeknit team of seventeen, spread across five countries now make the dream of Nai come true. Exporting a product that reflects the richness and culture of the region, in a positive and uplifting manner, is the main hope of the company, demonstrating that young entrepreneurial ventures in the Arab world can combine growth and their Inspiring Good campaigns. Determined to play a real and active role within its communities, every time you take a sip of Nai tea – whether it’s their delicious Hibiscus Flower Pomegranate blend with a touch of Rose or perhaps the delightful Peach, Mango and Jasmine blended with White Peony tea leaves,– you can’t help but be quietly changed. With their gorgeous drinks currently available across the Middle East and in
parts of North America, Nai has plans to expand into Western Europe, Africa and other parts of Asia in 2020 and beyond. There’ll be even more iced tea flavours to quench your thirst, and an exciting all-new range of beverages. At the heart of these developments is dedication to celebrating Arabian culture, of which so little has been shared with the world. It’s a source of perpetual motivation to the team working behind the scenes. Nai was founded because Arabia is in their DNA. They are influenced by every part and every person, not least their history as the world’s original traders and entrepreneurs. Each bottle of tea is produced with care and love for the process. Every one of the teas is differentiated, being brewed in great big kettle-like systems, and despite containing no preservatives, artificial flavours or colourings, each drink can have a long shelf life thanks to the use of technologically advanced systems. Only the best natural ingredients and fruit juices are used from a short list of reputable suppliers and for those who are conscious of what they put into their bodies, Nai’s iced teas are 100% natural, with no sugar added. Nai teas can be enjoyed cold or hot on those winter days when you need something to warm you up.
Taking care in every aspect of production, this care continues to the packaging, with the use of glass bottles to reduce plastic consumption. The more craftily minded consumer has been inspired to reuse these bottles in a range of innovative ways, creating beautiful vases, storage jars, art pieces and even a coffee table base. The taste of music seeps through every aspect of Nai, as it plays a tune of aspiration and achievement. Nai delivers iced tea to soothe the soul of people across the world and asks them to join them on a journey of discovery. Built on the cultural traditions of hospitality, generosity and kindness, the Nai is a fitting emblem for this company. It represents its heart of truth, kindness and inspiring good, and we hope that its song never ends. Contact: Hisham El-Farouki Company: Nai Web Address: www.naiarabia.com www.naiworld.com Telephone: 00966505629282
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Nov19151
Scuderia Italia: Best Fine Wine Collection 2019 Northern Italy Whether it is the pizzas of Campania, the flat rice plains between Milan and Turin, or the exquisite seafood of Sardinia, Italy boasts some of the finest food in the whole world. But what is food without the perfect drink to match? Enter Scuderia Italia, a young and fresh-faced wine company aimed at creating collections of superior quality wines. Join LUXlife as we discover more about this Italian curator of fine wine collections. Italy has long been a bounty of impeccable food and drink, bringing together a myriad of masterfully created tastes in explosions of flavour. As any other award-winning firm would carefully raise its champions with the utmost care, so too does Scuderia Italia with the nation’s wine. Drawing on all the firm’s discernment, the team of expert wine lovers and oenophiles wisely choose from the wealth of culinary excellence across all of Italy to craft the perfect wine collection. Scuderia Italia was born of a desire to celebrate the very best that Italian wine can offer the world. Instead of producing its own wine and pushing its own brands to the top of the Italian wine market, the firm brings wine from across the country into some of the finest collections imaginable. Any oenophile would be proud to own a collection from this company, one that is able to deliver the very best that the country has to offer. The idea for Scuderia Italia began with just one man: Flavio Sartori. During his oenological studies of wine, Flavio found it increasingly hard to discover wine lovers who went beyond the usual suspects within the industry. Despite the breadth of wine, flavours and complex blends that can be found, the safety of big names and brands prevented new explorations for many wine collectors. Thus, in 2013, Flavio set about creating a brand that contained a variety of different products, each one with ingredients of the highest quality. However, rather than
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limit the offering of wines to simply Italy, Flavio set about pursuing the Asian markets where Italian wines are well-known and sought-after by astute consumers. With eight wines drawn from seven producers, the current portfolio of superior quality wines from Scuderia Italia has been tailored to suit the most known and appreciated Italian wines in the whole world, with a particular focus for the oriental markets. Where Italian wine is seen as the image of excellence, Flavio and his team are painting that image for Asian markets in new and exciting ways. What started with a collection of wines including a Barolo, Amarone, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti, quickly expanded to include a Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, Lugana, and a Cuvée. The firm is not exclusively aiming for exportation to Asia however, with several partnerships forming in Denmark, England, Jordan and across South America. The last few years have seen increased levels of collaboration in the forms of various international auctions, challenges and sponsored events. High level events at the Italian Cultural Institute in London have seen many Scuderia Italia wines sold, whilst they have also achieved gold medals in various categories at the Gilbert & Gaillard international challenge in France. Building strong foundations in Italy has also helped establish the firm as a serious supplier of fine wine collections. Positioning wines in important strategic areas has enabled the Scuderia Italia brand to enhance its own reputation, whilst domestic
partnerships have continued to open doors at home. By utilising such superior quality of ingredients found across Italy, Scuderia Italia represents a unique take on a traditional industry. Despite still being in its relative infancy as a firm, Scuderia Italia’s focus remains squarely on searching for the highest quality of wine and exporting them to showcase the very best of what the country can offer. With a myriad of superior tasting wines proving that Italian wine is just as beautiful as the nation’s food, this fresh-faced firm under Flavio is continuing to spread the word of success. Company: Scuderia Italia Srl Contact: Flavio Sartori Website: www.scuderia-italia.it e-mail: info@scuderia-italia.it Tel: +39 388 6219045
Nov19003
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
SugarSin: Sweet Shop of the Year 2019 - Central London There’s nothing quite like exploring a sweetshop, taking in new sights and smells and tastes and textures. Here at LUXlife, we admit to having quite the sweet tooth, and the opportunity to find out more about this independent, award-winning company was too tempting an offer to refuse. Join us as we take a closer look at the exquisite SugarSin to find out more. Hidden away in London’s Covent Garden, SugarSin the bright blue shop stands out from its more austere fellows. Brightening up even the dourest of days in more ways than one, it is no less sincere than the establishments on either side. In fact, SugarSin is the home of some of the most delectable sweets in the whole of London. Set up in 2011 by Swedes Anna Nilsson and Josefin Deckel, it has recently been taken over by upcoming entrepreneur Jiten Shah who wants to continue their excellent work. Finding a sweet shop with a vast variety, wonderful staff, and in the perfect location is no mean feat. Becoming the destination for those wanting a premium sweet experience is no accident. It’s the result of years of work, building a fine reputation that has garnered the respect of Londoners, tourists and – thanks to the Royal Opera House being a stone’s throw away – theatre-goers. It’s a haven for sweet-lovers, a tribute to chocolate, gummies and candy. Colorful pick n mix fills the wall as you
walk in, cocktail and fruit gummies are spread across shelves, and of course that perennial favourite, chocolate is available in every variation under the sun, with brightly coloured packaging to cheer anybody up. Sourcing products of the highest quality from the best confectionery suppliers in the UK and Europe, SugarSin brings a unique collection of sweets. 90% of SugarSin products are hand-packed in-house with utmost care ensuring every bag, box or jar reflects the SugarSin ethos of great quality and outstanding taste. Known for their unique variety of a 150 pick n mix sweets, and 75 other products ranging from candy to chocolate, from marshmallows to chocolate-coated nuts, it’s no surprise that this dynamic little shop grew to have a dynamic product range to match. Predominantly managed by John Westwood-Hill and Alisha Kasenzi, the adoration they have for the shop is reflected in the customer service they provide and the training they give to new staff members. Able to advise on the hundreds of products that they stock, a visit to SugarSin need not be a step into the dark, but a charming tour through
captivating confectionery. From the top down, SugarSin is far from another brand, or a shop that just needs to keep running. It’s a way of life that gives joy to those who visit and those who run it. This ethos is what brings people coming back time after time, in the search for a repeat of an excellent experience. SugarSin provides a thoroughly unique service, as one of the very few premium confectionery brands that has a store presence, an online presence and a wholesale supply to quality retailers like Boots, Clintons, Debenhams, and Selfridges. The emphasis on quality is at the core of all SugarSin decisions, never compromising on this aspect of its
“...Bringing a sense of class and fun to the sweetshop high street, visiting SugarSin is like becoming a child again.” Page 88 www.lux-review.com
business. Firmly planted at the high-end of the market, you’ll never see SugarSin in a supermarket or discounting retailer. In terms of expansion, SugarSin is now looking to find a new site in London for its next store. The Westfield Shopping Centre in White City would be an ideal spot for this development, offering exciting new prospects in an entirely different environment to Covent Garden. SugarSin products are available in other parts of the globe such as in Australia, www.lux-review.com Page 89
Canada, Europe and the USA. It shows that the true reach of SugarSin is not limited to a UK postcode. It does, in fact, have an international appeal which makes it very attractive as a premium sweets brand. Simply put, it is in a league of its own. Providing the best sweets in the business means that SugarSin is not only part of a growing industry but is also on the receiving end of changes in the market. People are becoming more conscious of sugar content in their diet, as well as a steadily
increasing vegetarian and vegan market. Both are challenges in their own rights and have led to a search for new recipes. Although the pick n mix already includes various vegan and gelatin-free flavors, SugarSin has extended and will continue to extend its product range to match these developments. Contact: Jiten Shah Company: SugarSin Web Address: www.sugarsin.co.uk Email: jiten@sugarsin.co.uk
Oct19346
LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Best Pinot Noir Winemaker 2019 - Napa Valley Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, this family-run business has been making huge strides in the area of winemaking. Lloyd Cellars is the brainchild of Co-Founder Rob Lloyd, focused on making astounding wines for his customers. Here at LUXlife, we thought we’d catch up with him to find out more about his award-winning winery.
Established in 2008 after 10 years’ experience in the wine industry, working at La Crema Winery and Rombauer, Lloyd Cellars was the result of Rob deciding he was ready to spread his wings and make wines the way he wanted to. Alongside his wife (and co-owner) Bonnie, family friend Greg and accountant Jim, the small team has pushed forward until finally being named Best Pinot Noir Winemakers in Napa Valley this year. To begin, we asked Rob how he knows his wine is ready to sell. ‘I enjoy the wine that I make,’ he explains. ‘If it doesn’t live up to my standards, we don’t share it with others.’ This simple philosophy has served Rob and his team well, keeping them on the straight and narrow as the company has grown. To Rob, the idea of serving his customers a product he is not satisfied with is unacceptable. ‘The people I do business with are “handshake” types of clients that I enjoy spending time with,’ he tells us. ‘The consumers who drink our wine are lovers of big, rich California wines.’ It’s this personal approach and affability that we think is the secret behind the success of this business. It’s a genuine approach to winemaking that appeals greatly when compared to big brands. The growth of the business has always been steady, but consistent. We wondered if Rob had any ideas about why this is. Rob explains that ‘it is a very competitive industry, but luckily for us we have been able to continue to grow from friends telling
friends, fans of our wine recommending it to others, and continuing to work hard to find great distribution partners to bring our wines to new States.’ The use of word of mouth is what has put Lloyd Cellars’ delightful worldclass wines on the map. ‘We continue to grow slowly and consistently, trying to make great products that are in line with what the market demands,’ Rob tells us. It isn’t an easy job. While Lloyd Cellars is still small with regards to staff, production has gone through the roof in a big to meet demand. Finding distribution partners for his Napa Valley wine has proven to be the largest challenge for the successful business. ‘Within the wine industry, there continues to be a lot of consolidation of distribution,’ explains Rob. This makes it more difficult for him to send his wine to as many places as he wants to. Much like his clients, Rob is hoping to find a distributor who is able to provide a personal touch to partner up with. ‘When we find these types of companies, we are pleased to distribute our wines in new States,’ he promises.
very few winemakers show as much as he does. Making what he loves and believing in the wine he produces, is essential to ensuring the highest quality product makes it to his customers. To finish the interview, we asked Rob what his plans for the future were. This is what he told us. ‘We will continue to make great wines as a family owned and operated business. Growing consistently, making terrific wines the way that we like them, but not being owned by a large corporation.’ It’s a defiant commitment to remaining independent, as the industry moves towards consolidation. With his still growing success, we raise a glass to Rob and the team at Lloyd Cellars. Making what he wants, the way he wants to has certainly paid off so far. Contact: Greg Moore Web Address: www.lloydcellars.com Company: Lloyd Cellars
The prospect of Rob’s rich Californian wine being widely available is one to savor. Small businesses like his really do run on love, and
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Oct19453
MILSY, a.s. Best Manufacturer of Traditional Dairy Products 2019 - Trenčín Cheese is one of the world’s greatest wonders. Whether it be the soft, smooth creaminess of a fine Brie, or a powerfully pungent blue cheese like Gorgonzola, nothing quite compares to the taste of cheese. Offering its own unique Slovakian spin on cheese, MILSY a.s. is a manufacturer of traditional dairy products from the Trenčín Region. Discover what makes these cheeses so delightfully delicious as we serve up a profile of the firm behind them. The Trenčín Region of Slovakia is arguably the country’s industrial hub. With more than half the population working within industrial careers such as engineering, electrical, mining, and textiles, it would be hard for another industry to stand out. Yet, one does. Capitalising on the two-fifths of the region’s land that is agricultural, MILSY is a Slovakian dairy manufacturer. Benefitting the local community and millions of cheese lovers across the world, these dairy farmers are bringing more than just a contented and cheese-instigated smile. Established in 1954, MILSY has been a leading producer of dairy products in Central Europe for sixty-five years. Traditional cheese spreads are already famous domestically in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, with international acclaim growing by the day. As cheese becomes an increasingly important source of protein besides meat, demand has rapidly grown and afforded potential access to new markets. Having secured contracts with major retailers such as Lidl, Kaufland, BILLA, CBA, and Co-Op, MILSY is producing dairy products for private labels all over the continent. Reverent of the firm’s own rich heritage in the dairy industry, this group of Slovakian dairy manufacturers recognise that the www.lux-review.com Page 91
authenticity of their product quality speaks for itself. Expertly blending tradition with originality, MILSY’s range of products show off the heritage and pure taste of cheese through fresh dairy products, steamed smoked and unsmoked cheeses, and spreads with a multitude of flavours. Boasting the very best dairy products that Slovakia has to offer, MILSY’s range also includes fresh milk products, yoghurts, spreads, creams, gastro products, cheese specialties, as well as steamed smoked and unsmoked cheeses. Packing in punches of flavour amongst the sweet dreamy creaminess, each cheese is carefully crafted with the attention to detail it deserves. Pleasantly delicious without overpowering the senses, each block, wheel, thread or twist encapsulates more than sixty years of Slovakian dairy history into its pure, milky taste. Of course, the success of any Slovakian dairy producer is almost entirely dependent on his trustworthiness amongst Slovakia’s cow breeders. Only those who have a constant supply of fresh milk can maintain their position at the top of the industry. MILSY is currently working alongside Slovakia’s cow breeders and farmers to add new suppliers of fresh milk to its ever-growing portfolio. With increased manufacturing requiring twice as much milk as ever before, the company is planning to increase its annual milk consumption
from 36 million litres, to 72 million litres, accounting for one thirteenth of nationwide milk production. Increased manufacturing demand has come about thanks to breakthrough investments for the company, enabling it to upgrade systems and deliver even more beautifullycrafted cheeses. The investment into MILSY enabled it to fund more cheese manufacturing space in the main hall, as well as a packing room and smokehouse that doubles as a warehouse. Investment-enabled new technology replaced forty-year-old machinery and saw the installation of new production lines. Initial investments have seen production jump up fifty percent, enabling the firm to produce more than 300 tons of steamed cheese per month. As the money keeps coming in, the monthly production of steamed cheese is expected to rise to 500 tons. As MILSY seeks to continue its domination of the dairy industry across the Trenčín Region, the continued partnership and trustworthiness between it and Slovakia’s cow breeders is central. As international demand grows louder, continuing to produce some of the region’s most authentic, flavourful, and delicious cheese is what has made this divine dairy producer into the industrial powerhouse it is today. Company: MILSY, a.s. Contact: Júlia Bobušová Website: www.milsy.eu/dairy-products/
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LUXlife 2019 Food & Drink Awards
Ymakan FZ LLC Recognised Experts in Food Brand Development 2019 - Middle East and Asia Pacific Boldy entering into their 3rd year, Ymakan’s unique concept and business model continues to open doors across the Middle East and Asia Pacific for up and coming F&B brands looking to export. They ensure that the Food & Beverage brands they represent are in the right market, at the right time, through the right channels and in front of the right buyers. We take a closer look at their already impressive success.
Co-founded by Sarah Motwali and Vanessa Linney in 2017 and having since built a strong and experienced multi-lingual team of mixed cultures, Ymakan are a global organisation, specialising in Food & Beverage brand development. Their main expertise is helping innovative and success driven Food & Beverage brands looking to export to the Middle Eastern and Asia Pacific markets and help navigate their way to success. With more than 25 years collectively spent within the Food & Beverage industry, their experience has armed them with a unique perspective across all areas including the ever changing and in some parts, never changing retail, food service and manufacturing channels, supply chain, hospitality and media enabling them to navigate their clients through the many complexities of the market without wasting time and investment on risky projects or ultimately failure due to lack of market knowledge. Ymakan understands better than most, the challenges that the Food & Beverage industry faces on a daily basis such as food costs, logistics, ingredient quality, temperature control, wastage, sustainability issues and help to lighten the load on the seemingly never-ending hoops that brands have to jump through in order to get their product into the right customer, when
attempting it alone. They are transparent and upfront about the opportunities available and passionate about the success of the brands they choose to represent. Whether a Food & Beverage brand looking to enter into the region, or one that needs additional focus on the ground to expand further, Ymakan can help. Their success so far has seen them launch an impressive amount of food & beverage brands into the region, as well as grow existing ones, from large multinational brands, smaller unique Food & Beverage companies, farmers and manufacturers. Ymakan brand partners boast success in entering new markets in less than 6 months and their more established partners realising uplifts in sales numbers in excess of 400%. Whether managing the export journey from A-Z, or simply increasing sales and market growth within the region through direct sales to buyers or creatively targeted marketing campaigns you can be sure you will be fully informed before you start your Ymakan journey. Ymakan employ several techniques to ensure the smooth integration of a new brand into a new marketplace. These include working closely alongside ‘the right fit’ distributors and potential buyers to help manage a robust and efficient route to market, smooth delivery, fair margins and the right marketing and promotions. The corporate and competitive landscape of the Middle East & Asia Pacific is changing all the time, bringing with it new regulations, evolving consumer tastes, and rapidlymoving trends. For F&B brands looking to expand to the region, having the benefit of insider knowledge and ‘feet on the ground’ inside the country, representing their brand
can give them a much-needed competitive edge over the other brands looking to cement themselves in the region. Ymakan is dedicated to working with its clients in a way that is leading the industry in client relations. By remaining dedicated to working with all partners along the chain as well as its brands, Ymakan have become trusted advisors in quite a unique style for their clients, consistently committed to delivering quality, excellence, and sustainable success throughout the whole process. Already, Ymakan has a busy 2020 planned. As part of their expansion strategy; focus will be on sustainable products and technologies which will help fight against the plastic problem in Asia and the rest of the world. They will be attending various food and beverage shows in Asia, Europe and the UK; the team will be on hand to meet new and existing customers. As part of their CSR commitment, Ymakan freely share their knowledge and experience with communities and youth in remote Indonesian villages that are battling with the destruction of their rainforests, homes and orangutans. Company: Ymakan FZ LLC Contact: Sarah Motwali CEO and Co-founder sarahmotwali@ymakan.com +971 50 343 9649 +62 85 333 016407 Vanessa Linney Managing Partner and Co-founder vanessalinney@ymakan.com +971 544 341 919 Website: www.ymakan.com Page 92 www.lux-review.com
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