Food

As Raja Monkey prepares to celebrate its Sweet 16th year, we look back – and forward - at one of Birmingham’s best-loved curry houses and how it’s gone from street food pioneer to become the go-to for Michelin chefs in the city.

Raja Monkey began as an authentic roadside café experience that pioneered the street food scene - that was to become so popular in later years – growing into into one of Birmingham’s best-loved Indian restaurants and benefitting from a new-look and major refurbishment recently.

Tenerife recently attained not one but two new Michelin stars, with San-Hô restaurant, located in the Royal Corales Hideaway Hotel in Costa Adeje, achieving its first-ever Michelin star, and  Rincón de Juan Carlos, also in Adeje, being awarded its second Michelin star. These impressive awards result from the continued advancements the island of Tenerife is making in the culinary scene. The accolades are worthy recognition for the quality of the island’s gastronomy, both for its professionals and for the local produce with which it is prepared.

There are arguably few things more quintessentially French than the humble baguette. After all, the country is said to produce some 16 million a day.

And yet, the baguette has been in decline in recent years, as traditional bakeries struggle against the rise of things like large supermarkets and the increasing popularity of sourdough.

Internationally acclaimed premium chocolate producer, Lindt & Sprüngli is launching Lindt Classic Recipe Vegan Caramel Sea Salt bars just in time for Veganuary, in Tesco and Sainsbury's nationwide this January 2023 (RRP £3.00 per 100g bar).  To celebrate World Vegan Day on 1st November, Lindt pre-launched the new bars exclusively in Lindt chocolate shops and online (www.lindt.co.uk/shop) which have already proved popular with those opting for a tempting plant-based treat.

To celebrate the start of the FIFA World Cup, McDonald’s is launching a new McDelivery Chicken Combo. The McDelivery Chicken Combo includes 10 Chicken Selects and a 20 Chicken McNuggets Sharebox.

Ahead of the 2022 World Cup kicking off, McDonald’s UK & Ireland has confirmed its new McDelivery offering for fans to enjoy throughout the tournament.

An area of outstanding beauty, Dorset is recognised for its Jurassic coastline, beautiful golden sand beaches and thriving food scene.

Shell Bay is a scenic seafood restaurant that offers guests a dining experience like no other. With glorious outdoor dining areas that overlook the picturesque views of Brownsea Island and the glistening waters of Pool Harbour, Shell Bay is the perfect place to sample fresh local produce while soaking up the wonderful sights of Dorset.

A rich agenda inspired by the themes of conviviality, sustainability and innovation characterises the Italian Cuisine Week 2022 in the United Arab Emirates. The event is the result of a collaboration between the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Italian Academy of Cuisine.

During the week between 14 and 20 November, some of the best Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will present special dishes created for the occasion with the aim of promoting the Italian cuisine.

McDonald’s UK and Ireland released this year’s heart-warming Christmas advert, ‘The List’ which is set to premiere during ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here today (Sunday 13th November).

Created by Tom Hooper, the Oscar winning director of The Kings Speech, the 60 second advert serves as a stark reminder that Christmas isn’t for the big, expensive, or flashy – it’s the little moments of togetherness which really help you to get into the spirit of Christmas.

Mandira Sarkar, founder of Mandira's Kitchen based at Silent Pool in Albury, has been named Businessperson of the Year 2022 in the prestigious Surrey Business Awards.

The business, based in a 400-year-old outbuilding overlooking the idyllic Silent Pool produces authentic Indian cuisine, cookery lessons and catering for events of all sizes.

Returning for another year, BBC Good Food Show Winter will be bringing some foodie festive cheer to Birmingham NEC over four fabulous days this month. Packed with top chefs, exclusive cooking events and hosted talks to shopping for artisan Christmas gifts, the show promises a whole load of festive fun and plenty more.

Decemberfest, a series of new Christmas parties hosted at the HMV Empire in Coventry combines Bavarian-style food and drink, party bingo, live oompah music and more.

October may be over, but a new Christmas party coming to Coventry is bringing a Bavarian-style, festive celebration to the city centre. 

British artisan Fudge makers, Fudge Kitchen, completed a rebrand earlier in the year which saw them prioritising ways in which they can minimise their (and their customers) impact on the environment.

The confectionery producers have been making fudge for nearly 40 years, and what started out as a handful of fudge shops has developed into a thriving online and wholesale business, producing confectionery for some of the UK's most prestigious hotels and department stores.

Winter Glow, a multi-attraction Christmas event based in Malvern, have told visitors to expect ‘next level indulgence’ as they confirmed the return of their popular Food Quarter, along with a new Christmas Bar to allow visitors to eat, drink and be merry in style this festive season.

The event, which takes place each year at Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire, has also announced the decision to move their Food Quarter inside for 2022, allowing guests to warm up after their walk around the event’s Light Trail or after a brisk session gliding around Winter Glow’s Ice Rink.

Sandridge Barton, the home of Sharpham Wine, is toasting a bumper harvest.  With the help of paid workers and community volunteers, more than 80 tonnes of grapes – enough for approximately 80,000 bottles – have been picked over a four-week period.

It's been a momentous year for the Devon-based wine producer, its new visitor centre, winery and restaurant situated in the countryside on the east bank of the River Dart launched in June.

BBC Good Food has revealed the winners of its prestigious annual Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards, and the results show stand-out products can be found across the whole range of prices and brands.

Over 225 products in 23 categories from mince pies to Yule logs, and turkey to smoked salmon, from 13 supermarkets were blind-tasted to arrive at the winners.

This year, give the gift of new Levin Down Goodwood Gin from one of England's most historic stately homes and sporting estates.  Goodwood Gin uniquely uses English wild juniper and aromatic gorse flower which flourishes in the Levin Down nature reserve.  Levin Down, derived from 'Leave-Alone-Hill', is an ancient hill on the Goodwood Estate and is located just north of Goodwood Racecourse and Goodwood House.