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Ok, so it's been a while but we're back to the blog and have got together some great autumnal ideas for our teams and everyone at home...
But first... congratulations! The "kudos award" for great ideas goes to Claire at a Brentford restaurant this month, with a great way to get customers involved in the life of the restaurant. Claire ran a pumpkin carving competition where customers brought in their own artwork and displayed it in the restaurant. A winner has been selected and won a bottle of champagne for "best in class". This is a great initiative Claire and exactly the sort of thing that turns restaurants from a re-fuelling station to the heart of the building.
And now for some warming ideas for entertaining now that the evenings are drawing in (and some of these ideas appear on our Winter hospitality menus). If you are looking for a few ideas to help get kick started then here are our thoughts:
- Hot Apple Juice - an alternative to tea or coffee and also great if you add Winter Pimms
- Mulled Berry Juice - not quite mulled wine but pretty darned close and gets us those vitamins
- Fruit & Nut Basket with a selection whole nuts complete with nutcracker. It works on mainland Europe, and doesn't go down quite as quickly as a sweetie bowl
- Panettone or stollen - great with coffee, tea or steaming mugs of hot cocoa - they are now available in all supermarkets (with the rather annoying Christmas decorations and music). Carluccios do an especially tasty one which is fab as a pressie!
David James, Creative Director
And now onto the wine deals already in place...
The festive season is just around the corner, with some great deals already proffered by the usual suspects. A few I have seen at Sainsbury's and bought in the past couple of days are:
Boschendal Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Paarl. South Africa
A great wine from one of the most delightful vineyards in South Africa, this was picked in February of this year and is really fresh and fruity as a Sauv Blanc should be. Lots of tropical fruit and dare to say, hints of asparagus. Delicious and down £2.00 at £5.99
Sainsbury's Red Burgundy 2007
Antonin Rodet
This is a lovely wine from a very good producer. The classic Pinot Noir grape, one of my favourites. This is at a remarkable price of £4.00
And finally:
Warre's Special Reserve Port
This is an exceptional port, great price and quality and worth getting in a bottle for the festive season. Made for centuries by the Symington family who are still totally involved, they would never sell a poor wine. Maybe a few bob more than many others, but worth it. £9.79
Christmas special next month!
Drink responsibly and enjoy!
Ian Mitchell, Chairman & Wine Connoisseur
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