Roast potatoes are often the highlight of a Christmas dinner, but many home cooks find them one of the hardest sides to get right. With timing, texture and flavour to balance, achieving a crisp exterior and soft centre can add unnecessary pressure on Christmas Day. Stuart Garner, In-House Chef at Nanna Tate, the UK’s newest potato brand, has shared straightforward methods to help home cooks master the perfect roast potatoes and make them the standout dish on the table. Nanna Tate’s Tips for Festive Roast Potatoes START WITH A PARBOIL “For the perfect Christmas roast potatoes, you need to parboil…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned journalist and editor with a deep passion for the culinary arts. With over two decades of experience in the world of food writing, Sam has become a distinguished voice in the industry, renowned for his insightful reviews, engaging storytelling, and unwavering commitment to highlighting the finest in gastronomy. As the Editor-in-Chief of Feast Magazine, he leads a dynamic team dedicated to exploring the diverse and ever-evolving culinary landscape. Sam's journey into food journalism began with a childhood fascination for cooking, inspired by his grandmother's kitchen where he first learned the magic of blending flavors and crafting delicious meals. This early love for food led him to pursue a degree in Journalism from the University of Leeds, where he honed his skills in writing and developed a keen eye for detail. Throughout his career, Sam has traveled extensively, tasting and documenting cuisines from around the world. His articles are known for their rich, vivid descriptions and his ability to convey the cultural contexts of the dishes he explores. Whether it's a hidden gem in a bustling city or a traditional dish in a remote village, Sam's work brings the reader right to the heart of the culinary experience. Under Sam's leadership, Feast Magazine has flourished, earning accolades for its in-depth features, exclusive interviews with top chefs, and comprehensive guides to the best dining spots. His editorial vision emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and authenticity in the culinary world, ensuring that the magazine not only entertains but also educates and inspires its readers. Beyond his professional achievements, Sam is an advocate for food education and sustainable practices. He frequently participates in panels, workshops, and community events, sharing his expertise and fostering a greater appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of ethical food consumption. In his free time, Sam enjoys experimenting with new recipes, exploring local farmers' markets, and hosting dinner parties for friends and family. His personal blog, where he shares his culinary adventures and recipes, has a loyal following, further cementing his status as a trusted authority in the world of food. Sam Allcock's dedication to his craft and his genuine love for all things culinary make him a pivotal figure in food journalism, continuously inspiring and delighting food enthusiasts around the globe.
WaterAid has released The Driest Christmas Dinner Ever, a dehydrated version of a traditional festive meal, to highlight the importance of clean water and show what life without it could feel like. The meal includes dried turkey, sprouts, stuffing and Yorkshire pudding. It has been created to raise awareness that almost one in ten people worldwide still do not have clean water close to home. WaterAid research shows that the average Christmas dinner for four people in the UK has a water footprint of over 15,000 litres, the equivalent of filling 125 bathtubs. More than half of respondents said they…
Cookie fans can now enjoy a new twist on a well-known favourite. OREO has launched the OREO Creme Egg cookie, combining the world’s No. 1 cookie* with the flavour of the popular Creme Egg. The collaboration brings together the classic cocoa biscuit and vanilla creme filling with a golden fondant inspired by the Creme Egg. The result is a treat designed to give a similar sense of cracking open a Creme Egg, now in a format made for dipping and eating with less mess. The idea first appeared in 2023 as an April Fools’ social media joke, where OREO teased…
Sides are adding festive flavour with a new UK Christmas menu available in all UK restaurants this December. The limited-edition bundle brings a full roast chicken dinner into a crispy burger, served with roast chicken gravy, waffle fries, a dip and a drink. Aaron Moore-Saxton, Managing Director at Sides, said: “It’s everything you love about a Christmas dinner without the prep, dishes or even touching your oven.” Sides, known in the UK for Nashville hot chicken, has introduced its new festive menu, now available in all UK locations this December. The seasonal launch centres around the Roast Chicken Dinner bundle,…
Why Good Blog Writing Matters Writing a good blog article thetechnotrick com is important. A well-written article helps readers understand your ideas easily. It keeps them engaged. When a blog post is easy to read, more people stay and read till the end. This also improves how your site looks to search engines, which helps your blog rank higher. If you write clear, helpful, and well-structured posts, you build trust with readers—and maybe turn them into regular visitors. 🧑💻 What Makes a Blog Post Search-Friendly To make your blog post ready for search engines (so it shows up when people…
Why Instagram Success Matters Many people use Insta up (Instagram) to share photos, videos, and ideas. If you use it smartly, you can get many followers, more likes, and real attention. A good Instagram presence helps you show your talent, your brand, or your message to lots of people. But Instagram is not just about posting random pictures. It uses its own rules (algorithm) to decide what shows up to more people. So if you want to “rank up”—that means getting more reach and engagement—you need to understand those rules and follow some good practices. In this article, I show…
What is “Mood-Off Shayari”? “Mood Off Shayari” means short poetry or lines we write when our mood is down—when we feel sad, lonely, disappointed, or emotionally tired. It’s a way to express inner pain, broken feelings, or silent sorrow when words seem not enough. People often use mood-off shayari when they don’t want to talk but want to share what’s in their heart. It gives voice to feelings like heartbreak, loss, loneliness, or the struggle inside. Why Do People Write or Read Mood-Off Shayari? 1. To Express Feelings When you feel heavy inside—maybe because of heartbreak, betrayal, or sadness—mood-off shayari…
As the UK enters the peak season for coffee and chocolate in the lead-up to Christmas, new research shows that while many people prioritise ethical sourcing, most are unaware that horses and mules are involved in transporting coffee cherries and cacao pods long before these products reach shop shelves. A recent YouGov survey commissioned by the international working animal charity Brooke highlights a clear gap between consumer expectations and awareness. The findings have prompted renewed calls to ensure that increasing demand for imported coffee and cocoa does not lead to overlooked welfare issues. Although 77% of adults in Great Britain…
A recent study has identified the highest-rated meal deal components in the UK based on consumer reviews and scores. According to the findings, the top-rated main item was Sainsbury’s Summer Korean Style Chicken. The highest-rated side was the KIND Caramel Almond & Sea Salt bar, and the best-rated drink was the Naked Gold Machine Passionfruit Mango & Guava Super Smoothie. As the festive season approaches and household spending becomes more selective, the value of the traditional meal deal has become more noticeable. Once known mainly as a convenient choice for commuters, students and office workers, the meal deal is now…
Winter in the UAE marks a shift in daily routines. Outdoor terraces reopen, events return, and bookings at sought-after venues become highly competitive. During this season, securing a preferred table often determines the quality of the experience. A new UAE-built platform, iReserved, aims to simplify that process. The app offers a more streamlined and transparent way to book restaurants, hotels, lounges and beach clubs at a time when demand is at its peak. A key feature of the platform is seat-level selection. Users can view venue layouts and reserve a specific seat or table. Whether someone wants a sunset terrace…