Sponsored video: Unrush Your World with Yeni Raki

It was last week that a bunch of us were discussing about doing something fun on a friends birthday and Dabbous in Fitzrovia came up. This friend mentioned she was doing her birthday dinner at Dabbous, a restaurant she had been itching to check out and finally got a table sorted after months of waiting. That was indeed a good birthday gift, we chimed.

Truth be told, that's the first time i heard about Dabbous. It made me read up on Ollie Dabbous, and the Michelin star restaurant that serves some mean Modern European grub. After all this info, we couldnt not check it out, and so we decided to do a few cocktails at the bar before the dinner reservation. The bar was gorgeous, the cocktails innovative and an experience that was cherished.

And as if on cue, I get the opportunity to write about Ollie Dabbous and Yeni Raki here :)

Yeni Raki is an aniseed flavoured spirit native to Turkey, and the campaign 'Unrush Your World' is all about the spirit of slow, highlighting the importance of taking the time to enjoy food. In partnership with Ollie Dabbous, the drink aims to encourage consumers to enjoy the drink with good food and get to know the spirits traditional slow dining culture outside of Turkey. 

Take a look at this very artistic video where the chef explains his approach to food, while he prepares a fabulous dish for the Raki table- clearly depicting the fact that food isn't meant to be rushed and eating isn't meant to be hurried. I warn you though, watching the video when you are hungry is not a good idea!

But you have your chance to enjoy this experience as well. Yeni Raki is hosting a series of slow-dining sessions where top restaurants across the UK capital create bespoke menus of food paired with this anise flavoured drink, to encourage Londoners to unrush their world. So keep a look out, and in the mean time, be satisfied with this delicious video.

For upcoming events and updates follow Yeni Raki on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

This is a sponsored post for Yeni Raki.

Sponsored video: Glorious Nothing Days by Anchor

This is such an apt topic for me to talk about, because I am a big fan of 'glorious nothing days.' Much to the extent that I wonder if I should be celebrating the 'doing something days' rather than the other way round. Any-ways, the point is that, everyone, even my energised, enthusiastic, husband has days when he wants to do nothing.

For me, a day like that would start off with waking up late, then a leisurely breakfast of coffee and pastry from the next door bakery and then sitting down with my laptop to catch up on stuff. Lunch would either be at the pub in the village or a late one with friends in a restaurant we've been dying to check out. The sun would be out, the shorts would be worn and there would be loads of cocktails and beers doing the rounds. We'd finish off with dessert and if we are not too tired, catch a movie or head back home and retire on the couch with some green tea and conversation. A day spent just the way you like.

Anchor's campaign 'Glorious Nothing Days' tells you to do just that. Sunny days spent at the park reading a book, or baking that cake you'd bookmarked aeon's ago, or deciding to suddenly go on a long drive or just staying at home in your pj's. Whatever be your scene, if you manage to take a snapshot of your perfect day by selecting four images to set the scene then you'll be in with a chance of winning a set of exclusive personalised Anchor aprons.

Head on over to the Anchor website for full details and also watch this cute video of 3 families enjoying their perfect day.

This is a sponsored video for Anchor

Sponsored video: #GETSQUASHD with Robinsons

I loved the movie Gravity. Well loved it mostly because of George Clooney and after they killed him off (sorry for the spoiler, but I presume most of you would have seen the movie by now)..which was after the first half hour or so, I kinda lost interest. I still sat through the movie, but wishing Mr Clooney would miraculously appear. The movie went on to win 7 Oscars including Best Visual Effects... which brings me to the #GETSQUASHD campaign by Robinsons (yes, the squash people). These sachets of squash are small enough to fit in your pocket but is strong enough to make quite a few glasses of drinks. I'm definitely going to try it out, especially the apple flavour.

Robinsons decided to take things to a different level by challenging the Oscar winning VFX team behind Gravity to GET SQUASHD in zero gravity. Do they succeed in doing so? Well, you will just have to watch the video and find out for yourself. 

The best part however is that you could take on the challenge to GETSQUASHD as well. All you need to do is put a Robinsons SQUASH'D in your pocket, get out there and #GETSQUASHD and send over the proof. You could be the lucky one to win a GoPro Hero 3.

Check out the other entries and upload your own #GETSQUASHD video on their website

This is a sponsored post for Robinsons

Launching People- a celebrity mentorship programme by Samsung

Here's a platform for all you film makers, singers, foodies and photographers. Samsung is joining hands with UK's hottest talent to give people an opportunity of a lifetime. 'Launching People' is a programme that will aim at helping those who want to launch a career in the respective fields. These talented artists along with Samsung, will search high and low for undiscovered talent in the country. They would aim at finding people with extraordinary potential and original ideas. The chosen candidates would then be guided on a one-on-one basis by their inspirational mentor and work towards creating a unique project. The journey from selecting the candidate, to working with the mentors, to finally launching the project will be documented and aired on television later in the year.

The celebrity mentors are:

Idris Elba- award winning actor, producer and DJ for the film category

Singer-songwriter, performer and actress Paloma Faith for the music category

For the food segment, Gizzi Erskine- the leading pop up chef and food writer and

Rankin who is a world famous portrait and fashion photographer mentoring the photography segment.

If you are food lover, budding film maker, musical game changer or photographer, then use this platform to pitch your brilliant ideas to those who are good in what they do, and can mentor you towards a great career. Andy Griffiths, President of Samsung UK and Ireland says, 'Everyone knows Samsung for launching products and every day we’re inspired by people who use those products to achieve amazing things. ‘Launching People’ is all about doing just that – launching people’s potential through technology, whatever their stage in life. We hope to give people with passion, ambition and a hungry mind, a launch pad for their bright ideas and change their lives in a positive way.'  

For us foodies, here's what Gizzi Erskine has to say. She is looking for someone who has passion and knowledge about food, and who is happy to be a little unconventional and break the rules. I'm sure there are readers out there who fit this bill to the T. Even if you don't, there is no harm in giving it a go. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next big thing in the food industry :)

This is how you can get involved:

Make a 2 minute video all about you and your ambition - a perfect chance to show off your passion, personality and your project idea to get the attention of the mentors. Add an image to it along with some copy and you're good to go. Log on to www.launchingpeople.co.uk to find out more, and you can also upload your submission there.

Up for grabs:

There are 2 opportunities for everyone:

1. The mentors will select four candidates with whom they'll work one-to-one. The chosen proteges will spend 2 to 3 weeks together, working closely with their mentors in a house fully furnished with Samsung's latest technology on their personal projects, building towards a grand launch event and making their ideas and ambitions a reality.

2. The public will get to vote for one winner in each category to receive GBP 500 for personal tuition and Samsung technology up to the value of GBP 2000.

Submissions are open till Thursday 6th March, 2014, and the final four will feature in a television series which will air on TV in spring this year

The 'People's Choice' winners, voted for by the public on Facebook, will be announced on Friday 7th March, 2014

There are so many of you out there who are so good in what you do, but have not been given an opportunity to shine in the field. So make use of this fabulous opportunity Samsung has put forth and make yourself proud.

Disclaimer: This is a featured post for Samsung. All views and opinions are my own. Photographs and videos are courtesy of Samsung Launching People.

Sponsored video: Cinco Jotas Iberian Ham and mini master classes

I first tasted Spanish food about 5 years back, when we landed in the UK. I loved it. The tapas, the Sangria, the paella..all good. It was a completely new experience, trying out these small portioned dishes which you doubt would be enough but would nicely fill you up. Oh and the variety of cured meats, that was quite an eye opener. Chorizo was my favourite out of them all for quite some time. It was only after a while that I kind of got the hang of the other cured meats.

The Cinco Jotas Pure Iberico Breed Acorn Fed Ham falls under this category- a class apart and a masterpiece of its own. Its production began way back in 1879 in Jabugo by experts whose mission was to produce the best quality of meat, a tradition they continue even now so us foodies in the 21st century can enjoy this gorgeous ham. A lot of care goes into the diet and breeding of the Pure Breed Iberico pigs and this results in the worlds best quality ham. Talking about flavours, it is very unique and reminds you of acorns and other nuts. They have a high amount of Omega 9 oleic acid (yes the good kind, if you must know) and contains a whole lot more antioxidants than other hams. 

October 12th was Spain's National Day and to celebrate this in style, Cinco Jotas has released a couple of interesting mini master classes with renowned Michelin three starred chef Pedra Subijana of Akelarre restaurant in San Sabastian. The videos show some of the most interesting ways to enjoy the ham and I sure cant wait to get my hands on some. Do check out these videos, and you'd get an idea about how much fun tapas dishes are- both to make and to eat.

Enjoy!

This is a sponsored post for Cinco Jotas, but all thoughts are my own.

Sponsored video: Fairtrade and the 'Finding Hannah' competition

Ro and I are hardcore coffee drinkers..well me more than him. I NEED my cup of coffee first thing in the morning and its not funny how grumpy I get when I haven't got my caffeine kick.

Talking about coffee, I'm sure you have noticed the Fairtrade stamp on a lot of the coffee packs. I buy my coffee from  a local supermarket and I'm proud to say that, although not intentional, the coffee I buy is Fairtrade. The Fairtrade Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims at helping producers in developing countries to enjoy better trading conditions. Their main focus is to tackle poverty and help farmers and workers attain a sustainable price for the products they sell, thereby improving their quality of life and securing their futures. The Fairtrade mark on products mean they comply to the rules and regulations as per Fairtrade standards, and so the next time you are out shopping for coffee, cocoa, sugar etc, make sure you look out for the Fairtrade stamp and support them.

The Finding Hannah campaign aims at creating awareness about fair trading to the general masses. The first episode shows comedian Tony Law roaming around a supermarket trying to talk to shoppers about what Fairtrade means. After a few unsuccessful attempts, he finally gets 'actor' Hannah (who is a Fairtrade novice) to play the part and sets off with her to show her what choosing Fairtrade coffee really means. Watch the second episode from the series to see what they are up to now.

And before you log off, don't forget to enter the "Finding Hannah" competition wherein you have to guess which location Hannah was whisked off to, and if you're lucky, you'll win a trip there for two. Watch the episodes carefully and you'll be able to gather some hints and clues. Good luck!

This is a sponsored post for Fairtrade Foundation, but all thoughts are my own

Sponsored video: Samsung's Monkey Thief

I saw the above video and thought it was absolutely adorable. I mean I can soooo understand the whole 'monkey thief' campaign because during my short stint in Bangalore right after college, the apartment where I was staying had a temple next to it with a huge banyan tree and so so many monkeys (I dont know what their attraction to the place was though) and these cheeky things would just come through the kitchen windows and steal food and sometimes even spoons and the like. Needless to say I was super scared to walk out of the apartment if I could spot any monkeys monkeying around :)

This video reminded me so much of those days, and I couldn't help smiling while watching the same. Coming to which, the video describes how Samsung's new refrigerator is their target. The refrigerator, which offers a lot of new features, ends up being on their radar, that too after exploring another refrigerator that doesn't fit their criteria. 

One of the most important features of a refrigerator is space utilisation, at least according to me. This one fits the description perfectly by eliminating all dead space- large items can be put in the drawer and a wider and deeper door helps in accommodating big and tall bottles. The new bottom mounted feature has the superior digital inverter technology which means there is no unnecessary energy consumption and offers better cooling performances. Finally, the refrigerator also ensures optimal freshness which means we all get to enjoy a healthy eating style. The CoolSelect zone allows temperature control on specific compartments, the MoistFresh zone controls air circulation, maintaining the humidity needed for fruits and vegetables and the No Frost technology prevents ice build up and prevents water drop

formation which can harm the refrigerator. 

These monkeys know what they are looking for and finds its all in the Samsung refrigerator. They raid the fridge and sneak off, only to leave the owner with an empty fridge. Easy in, easy out! that sums it all.

To know more about the refrigerator and its features, check out their newsroom, website and also follow Samsung on Youtube

This is a sponsored post for Samsung

Sponsored video: Tropical Sun's Free Vending Machine

With snow expected in most parts of the country this week, we are all getting ready to braze the minus degree temperatures and the ghastly winds. As much as I love snow, the feeling soon dies by day two when it turns to slush and walking on ice becomes a feat. With the gloom over our heads, the least we can do is enjoy this video by Tropical Sun, with the hope of better things to come. The sun, the sand, the sea..ah summer, you are so so far away aren't you?

Anyway, to not let the weather dampen your spirits, take a look at this interesting video set in the Caribbean. The team at Tropical Sun (aptly called Ray) have introduced a live wending machine which lets you choose free samples from their range of products and loads of free discount coupons which can be redeemed at various retailers. Some meat seasoning, jerk seasoning, Barbecue sauce etc. can certainly do wonders to lift your spirits I'm sure.

Watch the video to see how the 'Rays' get the vending machine stocked up. It sure is fun!

http://www.tropicalsunfoods-vendingmachine.com/

Click on the link to view the free vending machine and claim some of those goodies.

I could just spend my day watching the live web cam with a Pina Colada in my hands and pretend I was on the beach..sigh! :)

This is a sponsored post

Sponsored video: Blacksticks Blue Cheese

We love cheese. Period. 

When we were in India, the only cheese we used to get were the processed ones, which in all honesty was no where near the real 'cheese.' Since that was the only option, we thoroughly savoured it and didn't complain one bit about it not being 'the ultimate cheese.' I even remember buying a very expensive block of cheese from a supermarket back home, grating it on pizza and patiently waiting for it to melt. The pizza was done, but the cheese was rock hard and wouldn't even budge. Yes! that basically sums up our cheese experience in India. I am sure things have changed a bit in the big metros, and it is only after experiencing the varieties of cheese abroad that you realise what you were missing out on. Blue cheese was one of the cheeses introduced to us after we got to the UK, and we took a liking to it. 

If you are looking to do a cheese platter this Christmas then make sure you include the Blacksticks Blue Cheese- an exciting British Blue cheese created by hand at the Butlers Farmhouse Cheese dairy in Inglewhite, Lancashire. With three generations of cheese making behind the family, and loads of awards to their credit, the Butlers' aim at making their cheese to a very high standard in every possible way. Added to their range of high quality farmhouse cheeses is the Blacksticks Blue cheese, a soft, blue veined cheese with a creamy, smooth and tangy taste. The distinct amber colour makes the cheese stand out on any cheese platter, which is more than enough reason to have it on you Christmas menu this year. You can also choose from Blacksticks Creamy, Blacksticks Silk and Blacksticks Velvet, which are some of the other cheeses in their range.

From including the cheese in a variety of recipes, to just enjoying it with a cracker on the side, your options are endless. After all, celebrity chefs like Simon Rimmer, Nigel Howarth and Glynn Purnell can never be wrong with their choice. So pick one up for your party this year and you wont be disappointed. In the mean time, enjoy this fun video that sums up the cheese beautifully.

The cheese is available at most of the leading supermarkets and online as well. Check out their innovative website for more details, and also follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates. 

This is a sponsored post by Blacksticks Blue Cheese.

Sponsored video: The Truffle Kerfuffle

There are days when I just dont even want to think about cooking, leave alone actually do it and on those rare occasions, I actually do wish I had some other option other than the ready microwave meals or take away. Scouting around on the internet looking for easy recipes when you are short of time, or even worse..hungry, is not a great idea. First of all, the numerous food pics make you hungry and second, you have waaay too many ideas put in front of you, you end up being more confused and frustrated.

But not to worry people...Scratch Meals comes to your rescue with their wonderful, fresh meals which can all be cooked in the time it takes to heat a ready meal. And what's even better, they are all collaborated by Michel Roux Snr, arguably the finest chef in the world. So you head over to Sainburys on your way back from work, take your pick from Chicken Tikka Masala, Chorizo Paella (I feel stupid thinking I have slaved over this for hours in the past), Chicken Thai Green Curry, Noodle Laksa and Tagliatelle Pistachio Pesto, get home, follow instructions, and in under 8 minutes you have your meal ready.

But there seems to a be slight problem now. Michel Roux has lost a very expensive (30K! gasp!) truffle and a reward is being given to anyone who finds it. It is known to have fallen into Scratch Meal packs and anyone who finds it could win £1 off their next meal and also stand a chance at winning the £10,000 reward for its safe return. For more information on the hunt and clues regarding the missing truffle follow Scratch on Facebook and Twitter.

A heated discussion with Michel's sous chef Richard over a video call has been recorded the day after the truffle went missing. Check it out if you want to get some clues regarding the same.

PS: Apparently pigs are better at finding truffles than dogs. Just a hint ;)

The post has been sponsored by Scratch Meals

Sponsored video: Black & Decker steam mop

Black & Decker is a brand known to most of us. In fact my first kitchen gadget was a B&D chopper my mom handed down to me after we moved into our first home as a newly married couple. The fact that I never used it much (thanks to the awesomest cook we had who preferred to chop, slice, blend the traditional way) is not to be highlighted though.

The latest addition to their home products range is the Steam Mop, a swanky looking gadget that you would want the moment you lay your eyes on it. I am not a big fan of vacuuming the house but when it comes to mopping, I actually don't have a problem. I don't find it therapeutic, but it does give a sense of achievement to see those wooden floors of mine gleaming.

Its for people like me, that the steam mop comes as a saving grace. The mop boasts killing 99.9% of germs and bacteria and is natural in its cleaning process, which means it needs only tap water to do the job, not to mention the fact that it is both family and eco- friendly. All you need to do is fill up its tank with water, plug in and go. The super heated steam kills any germs or bacteria on your floor and also loosens dirt and grease in seconds. The mop is convenient to use, with the 'Auto Select' technology ensuring the right amount of steam released, of course depending on the floor type selected (hardwood, laminate, marble, tiles etc.). The 500ml easy-fill water tank provides 22 to 40 minutes of cleaning time and is perfect for all those of you who want sparkling clean floors without the hassle of a cloth mop and bucket of water.

Go on, put it on your wish list for Christmas. I know I want one for sure. If the husband is reading this...hint hint!

To get a better idea of how the Steam Mop works, check out this video.

Plenty - Juan Sheet advert

Somehow, the concept of using kitchen towels is not that popular in India and although I used to have a roll in my kitchen back then, it was never put to much use and all i did was admire the wrought iron kitchen roll holder I'd picked up on a trip to the US.

Fast forward to a year later and I was using kitchen towels like nobody's business and was running out of rolls every 2 weeks or so. I was so used to having them at arms reach in my kitchen here in UK and with this practise in mind, I tried the same in my moms kitchen back home. She used to panic about the number of kitchen towels I use and the usual line, 'its so expensive to buy a roll here, you cant use it like you do in UK. Please use the cloth towels to wipe surfaces.' I tried to explain to her it was so much more convenient, but then understood the problem. The towels were hopeless They were so thin and pathetic that one towel wouldn't do to mop up a spill, but I had to use 2 or even 3 in layers for it to have some effect. Needless to say, that kinda put an end to my cooking expeditions in my moms kitchen, well that and a couple of other mishaps :)

Back in my own comfortable kitchen and I was glad I had the option of using kitchen towels without much fuss. There are so many options available at the stores, but my favourite so far is Plenty which in itself has a few different types of towels, for any occasion you can think of. The original one (which I personally think is the best), the fat one (which is the latest addition and well, has 50% more sheets per roll; oh and also comes in fun prints) and the wipe, rinse and reuse one (which is such a brilliant discovery, I love it. You also end up using fewer towels). I mostly use my towels in the kitchen- to drain the oil off fried food, to wipe my glass hob top, to mop spills, wipe the bins and surfaces etc- but I also occasionally use them to wipe down glass windows, bathroom mirrors and the shower glass. It works like a charm and I'm so glad its affordable and widely available in all the stores.

To know more about Plenty and its uses, check out their website and don't forget to stop by at Juan's (the cleaning superhero), who does his magic to reveal what all Plenty can do. Check out the fun video below (he's quite funny).

PS: A recent discovery of rolling up herbs like coriander and mint in Plenty towels, and keeping them in the refrigerator making it last much longer, was jackpot. It really works people, trust me!

Sponsored video: Rekorderlig Cider, Where's your Swedish Side?

I was introduced to this amazing drink called cider about 4 years back when we had just relocated to UK and was invited to a friends place for a BBQ. I am not so much of a beer person and so I was a bit apprehensive on trying out cider. But once I did, I knew I had found a favourite drink. So that whole year, we were on a major cider trip, buying cans by the truck loads, trying different brands and even making a visit to a cider farm to see how it was pressed...yes that's how obsessed I was, or rather we were that year.

Then we forgot all about it, discovered other drinks and life went on, Till about a couple of months back when we were at a pub and my cider instincts picked up. I asked for cider and the guy behind the bar read out the various brands available and I picked up the name Rekorderlig since I had not heard of it before. I said I'll have that and then he blurts out the various flavours available.

Now before going further, I must say I am a sucker for anything with flavour options available. The fact that there are options is a total winner for me. So there I was put forth with flavours like wild berries, mango and raspberry (which is my current fav!), strawberry and lime, orange and ginger, apple and blackcurrant and of course the basic flavours- apple and pear. Without showing that I was intimidated by the flavours available, I chose the strawberry and lime and was a happy girl.

Came back home and did my research and here's what I found. Rekorderlig is a Swedish cider from Vimmerby and it translates to being 'dependable' or 'reliable'. Made from pear and apple wine of excellent quality and the purest of spring water, the brand has become a much loved cider of many. Check out the video below, take a sip of this fruity cider and I'm sure you will find your Swedish side. I sure have found mine (over and over again!).

If you want to know more about Rekorderlig cider you can check out their website, and to get updates and such follow them on Facebook, Twitter or even subscribe to their Youtube channel here.

Article sponsored by Rekorderlig