Author: Karen Contrino

Luxury single-origin dark chocolate brand, Cox & Co, has created the perfect mini treat for dark chocolate fans with the launch of its new 15g bar selection.  Providing bite-sized versions of its most popular flavours, the new 15g bars are available in four delicious flavours; Miso & Caramel (47%), Blood Orange Crunch (60%), Mint Crunch (60%) and Plain Milk (41%) and are perfect for retailers looking for high quality grab and go sweet treats. Cox & Co’s chocolate bars are crafted from the finest single-origin Colombian cacao, using Luker Chocolate blended with delicious superfoods to create unique flavour combinations. “We…

The 2024 World Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologists (YYY) World Finals were held in Singapore from 22nd to 24th November 2024. The Champions of the prestigious competition were announced at The Exchange by Tadcaster Hospitality in Singapore. The announcements were made by Robert Walton MBE and Nikesh Mehta, the British High Commissioner to Singapore, during a special awards ceremony on the 24th November. Each of the three winners received a share of the $15,000 USD grand prize. We are delighted to announce that the Champion of the World Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist competition are: Team…

Inspired by classic Christmas chocolate brand Cadbury Roses, top spirits Beefeater Pink and Havana Club Cuban Spiced are bringing limited-edition seasonal cocktails to glamorous, late-night cocktail bar Blame Gloria. Exclusive to Blame Gloria, each cocktail is inspired by and served with a different flavour of Roses chocolate, making it the perfect treat for those with a sweet tooth. This unique pairing provides a moment of pure indulgence, making December nights out even more special. Combined with Blame Gloria’s eclectic and outrageous atmosphere, where interiors are inspired by Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie, guests are in for a real treat. These decadent, Instagrammable cocktails can be enjoyed…

As Christmas approaches, parents and gift-givers across the UK are seeking meaningful presents that won’t contribute to the 5 million tons of waste generated during the festive season (Note 1). Little Starts Gift Cards offers a sustainable solution with their digital gift cards, providing access to over 20,000 children’s activity classes nationwide. With nearly half of UK adults receiving unwanted Christmas gifts (Note 2), the trend towards experience-based presents is growing. Little Starts Gift Cards enable last-minute shopping by parents, grandparents and aunties and uncles to purchase meaningful gifts for little ones from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the…

A year ago, Artificial Intelligence was on everyone’s lips — its potential hyped beyond anything we have seen since the advent of social. But as we step into 2025, the conversation is shifting. The initial frenzy has given way to pragmatism, and industry leaders focus on three defining themes: agentic AI, trust, and more robust privacy measures for users. What will this next phase of AI innovation look like? From the maturation of business models to the emergence of trustworthy, privacy-conscious systems, experts across the field weigh in on the trends they believe will shape the year ahead. Niklas Mortensen,…

As we step into the new year, we embrace the dawn of an exciting new era of culinary trends. This year, fast casual food trends faced a transformative shift, bidding farewell to the familiar and welcoming a bold reimagination of flavours, techniques and dining experiences. In 2025, these trends are set to become even more influential. In this article, Laura Bruce and Sanj Sanghera, founders of Doner Shack, share their predictions on the future of fast casual dining, offering advice on navigating current entrepreneurial challenges and capitalising on existing trends. It’s getting personal In 2025, the fast casual food sector…

As 2024 draws to a close, Petpals, the UK’s longest-established pet care franchise, is celebrating a year of growth, innovation and community impact. From spreading festive joy in Sefton to scooping prestigious awards in Milton Keynes, the Petpals network has shown the strength of its franchise model and the dedication of its franchisees. Suzie Mossman, who took over Petpals Sefton earlier this year, has been making waves in her local community with a heartwarming Christmas initiative. Partnering with Freshfields Animal Rescue, Suzie has invited her clients to donate gifts to support the charity’s vital work. Her efforts have been met…

Foodinjoy, a leading innovator in ConsumerTech, is proud to announce its recent triumph at the prestigious UK Business Awards, commonly known as The Dons. The company was awarded Gold in the Best Use of Technology category and Silver in the Best Customer Experience (Micro Business) category. The UK Business Awards, a hallmark of excellence in the business world, recognizes companies that demonstrate exceptional performance, innovation, and customer focus. This year’s awards saw fierce competition from top-tier businesses across the UK, making Foodinjoy’s achievement even more significant. Dr. Joydeep Pal, Founder and CEO, Foodinjoy expressed his excitement about the award, stating,…

Earlier this week, it was reported that 999 services were under extreme pressure and callers for even heart attacks and strokes were being asked to make their own way to hospital. Local entrepreneur and healthcare professional Dave Hawkins, founder of MET Medical, states the company’s Urgent Care at Your Door service is the solution for many. The service launched earlier this year is designed to address the growing crisis in emergency response times; the service offers rapid, expert care directly to patients’ homes. From advanced diagnostics to immediate treatment, the initiative ensures that those seeking urgent medical assistance can access…

Disability advocate and former Royal Navy Commander and barrister Penny Melville-Brown, has achieved another milestone in a life of incredible accomplishment having been recently elected as chair of her local beekeeping branch in Hampshire. Penny was still serving in the Navy when her sight started to fail, a health challenge that she refused to let hinder her ambition. She went on to launch a new career running her own business, as well as holding a wide range of public appointments and roles in voluntary organisations. She has since won an international prize for blind people, cooking around the world and…