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There is something truly magical about London’s Southbank, even in the depths of winter. As you are expelled from Blackfriars station, wind whipping scarves and blow dried curls around your face as you take in the expanse of the inky black Thames. The slightly ominous stretch is softened as you peer over the wall to see the gentle lapping waves tickle a sheltered bank where two geese have decided to make home for the night and you wonder if they take stock of the cityscape in front of them the same way you do. The dome of St Paul’s casting majesty over his more modern counterparts, the wobbly walkie talkie looking slightly embarrassed by his drunken addition to the other bolt upright city slickers. You take it in, you digest it and then you realise how frikkin’ cold you are in this battering wind when finally your eyes settle on the bright neon lights and you know Sea Containers is your salvation.

Welcomed in to the sleek, modern restaurant with nods to both British and American culinary institutions – think display cubes filled jars of Marmite and bottles of French’s mustard – an open kitchen offers a background chatter of hustle and bustle and a centrally located 360 bar presents the perfect opportunity for people watching. Floor to ceiling windows allow diners to continue basking in that Southbank view whilst staying safe from the elements.Nautical curiosities are elegantly positioned around the venue allowing guests to feel like they are on a 1920’s cruise liner minus the sea sickness and scurvy (one would hope) – this restaurant truly is dinner and a show.

Before diving into our meal we started with cocktails – a SeaCo Gimlet and a Seven Seas Old Fashioned – as beautiful as they were delicious, the mixologist clearly knows their way around a cocktail shaker. The perfect lubrication for the new ‘Transatlantic Journey’ menu. Designed by Exec chef Ryan Matheson and Head Chef Terence Barrow, this menu promises a combination of Modern American and British cuisine with hints of West Indian Spices as a nod to both chef’s roots.

SeaCo Gimlet & a Seven Seas Old Fashioned.

The menu consists of small and large plates, designed to be shared with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Before I go any further, I must admit that I chose totally the wrong dining partner for this event. I broke my cardinal rule and took a vegetarian, well pesci if we are going to get into it. Little did I know we would be having the same meal because ya know, sharing plates. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the fruits of the sea as much as the next person, I am even partial to a pulse-y plant based dish from time to time. However, when you are nibbling on grilled sea bass and green beans and a whole deep fried chicken with homemade hot sauce rolls past to the next table, fish is just not going to cut it. Don’t get me wrong, our food was delicious – this is just a warning to those carnivores with herbivore friends. Take someone else.

I digress. Let’s talk about the food I did eat. Tomato flat bread loaded with onion, blue cheese, cheddar, basil and rocket was the perfect way to begin our Transatlantic journey, for something that read as quite simple, the flavour packed into each bite was fantastic and enough to make my veggie friend squeal in delight. I was too busy begrudgingly staring at the curried goat edition to squeal.

On to some small sharing plates, squid on soft potatoes with chilli and garlic. I honestly feel there is an art in the perfect pomme puree. Sure, you can get a good one just about anywhere but to get one so smooth and perfectly seasoned that it makes you want to cry with joy is rare. Praise be, Sea Containers delivered. The grilled sweetheart cabbage was magical. Drowned in red miso aioli and crispy shallots. Drowned usually has a negative connotation, especially when in a restaurant designed to look like a cruise liner but I mean this with the utmost respect – I would have bathed in that dressing if I had the chance. Massive punches of umami paired with the bitter char of the cabbage leaves. This dish was enough to make me consider turning my back on protein. Until I saw another of those deep fried birds go past. And so on to our big boy sharer – a whole grilled seabass stuffed with lemon and parsley. It was nice. It was lovely in fact, perfectly cooked, delicately flavoured to allow for the subtle sweetness of the fish to shine.

For dessert roast pineapple and pistachio ice cream. How they made that pistachio ice cream is beyond me. It was more pistachio-y than a sack full of pistachio nuts but not in the synthetic flavouring way. I think someone may have spent a week hand grinding pistachios to a paste added in some unicorn hair and dragons blood and set it in an ice cream machine because holy macaroni, that shit was magical. I have a friend who searches high and low for the perfect pistash and always wails that nothing ever compares to one she had in some boujee place in Italy, it’s very annoying but now I rejoice, because for birthdays furthermore I shall take her here, plonk her down in front of a bowl of the green stuff whilst I dig into my fried chicken for two, for one.

Make Valentine’s Day extra special… without leaving the house. These delicious recipe boxes and takeaway options mean you can enjoy a restaurant-style experience at home.

Don’t fancy a night out this Valentine’s? Who can blame you… It’s cold, it’s on a Monday, and Pam & Tommy just dropped on Disney+. If it’s a cozy night in for you, why not treat yourself to something special, whether that’s a fancy takeaway, delicious meal kit, or extra-special dessert. Staying at home can be just as good as going out with these tasty – and easy-to-prepare – options.

  1. Burger & Loster DIY Meal kit

Enjoy a signature spread from the favourite London restaurant with whole Nova Scotian lobster followed by an 8oz Nebraskan beef burger and a lobster roll to share, plus two Potts & Co Lemon and lime possets to finish. Just to top things off, the kit also comes with two Espresso Martinis from MOTH Drinks.

£85, Burger & Lobster

2. Mai Dim Sum Valentine’s Dim Sum Date Box

This dim sum date box includes innovative and delicious dishes such as limited edition rose leaf bao and scallop and Chinese leek dumpling. We love this 100% handmade, gourmet-style dim sum, from London based Mai Dim Sum, who have recently opened their first pop-up restaurant as well as a home delivery service.

£45,Mai Dim Sum

3. Farmison & Co Luxury Steak & Caviar Box

For those who want some real luxury this Valentine’s Day, try this box of treats from Farmison & Co. The Luxury Steak & Caviar Box includes a British chateaubriand heritage beef and Kings Imperial caviar. This is accompanied by a decadent truffle and parmesan butter, a full-bodied rich red wine sauce, and some beef dripping koffman chips, as well as a starter of hand-carved smoked salmon, with a traditional London cure.

£135, Farmison & Co

4. PAUL Bakery Sweetest Love Box

Why not just go straight to dessert with this box of sweet treats from PAUL Bakery. The box includes four sumptuous heart-shaped cakes, generously packaged alongside a box of 12 PAUL mini macarons.

£29.99, PAUL Bakery

5. Hoppers Valentine’s Meal Kit

London-based Hoppers offers delicious Sri Lankan and south Indian-inspired dishes packed with flavour. The kit includes a feast of lamb shank Kari, bream with lemongrass and chilli, mutton rolls with Sri Lankan hot sauce, and Love Cake to finish.

£68, Hoppers

There is nothing that says I love you more than the clink of ice and your favourite cocktail poured right in front of your eyes. The lockdowns have certainly made us creative with liquor and this Valentine’s Day there is a huge array of cocktail kits for a decadent sip on the day of love – whether that be in the form of unsolicited self-love, classic mini cocktails sent through the letterbox or a fizzy tipple for a Galentine’s Day celebration. Here are some of our top picks…

(1) For the letterbox lover…

The brand new Valentine’s Collection from Kocktail features gorgeous drinks co-founded by two best friends in 2020, who decided it was high time beautifully fresh, premium, bar-quality cocktails were made available for all to enjoy at home. Chief Kocktail curator Neil Donachie has perfected his craft in some of the best bars in the world, including Kenny Atkinson’s Michelin starred House of Tides and the famous Savoy Hotel’s Beaufort Bar, where he was Senior Bartender when it was crowned the best hotel bar in the world. This is the ideal letterbox gift for a loved one this February. The Valentine’s Collection includes four delicious takes on the classics – the Chocolate & Mint Espresso Martini, Rose Petal Martini, Peach & Hibiscus Spritz and Rhubarb & Cucumber Spritz and includes ‘story behind the serve’ cards and accompanying garnishes for each drink to make them even prettier. The Valentine’s Collection, £29, kocktail.co.uk

(2) For the self-lover…

This Valentine’s Day, BLOOM Gin is shaking off the usual traditions and choosing to celebrate self-love in a major way. BLOOM Gin has collaborated with quality sex toy company, So Divine, to create the ultimate self-love gift box. The kit contains a delicious bottle of BLOOM Gin to try out in an array of cocktails, a signature cocktail recipe to follow along, a gorgeous scented candle to create the perfect atmosphere and a sex toy from So Divine, the ultimate treat for all things pleasure and relaxation. Welcome to the self-love club, we like it here. Bloom Gin Self-Love Gift Box, £49.99, bloomgin.com

(3) For the Negroni lover…

For the Negroni connoisseur, Nouaison Gin has the perfect cocktail kit for two. The Nouaison Gin Negroni Gift Box is a spectacular celebration of premium gin and luscious vermouth. The cherry on the top are two stunning Negroni glasses, which make any cocktail look like an art form. The Vermouth Royal is a tribute to the Sun King’s Botanist, at the Palace of Versailles and the Nouason Gin is intensely aromatic, and a French twist on the classic botanical mixture. The Vermouth is defined by an eclectic mixture of 28 plants and spices and is a great choice for bon-vivants (those who like to live in luxury!). The gin is a combination of 14 exclusive botanicals, with a few extra distinctive ones such as juniper, plum, and bergamot. Serve across ice, and enjoy. Nouaison Gin Negroni Gift Box, £65, whiskyshop.com/nouaison-gin-negroni-gift-box

(4) For the sweetie lover…

This Valentine’s Day why not try something completely different and have a taste of the Smith & Sinclair edible cocktails. The aptly named, ‘The Love Box’ offers yummy Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies including a Passion Fruit Mojito, Berry Daquiri, Cosmopolitan, Mandarin Spritz, and a delicious Tequila Sunrise. Smith & Sinclair are on a mission to make ‘Adult More Fun’. After all, the days of swigging from the bottle are so last year, bring on the sweets. The Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies hold a subtle kick at 5% ABV so you can have a taste of every cocktail, without the hangover. The Love Box, £15, smithandsinclair.com

(5) For the flower lover…

The Floral Cocktail Collection is the perfect alternative to flowers this Valentine’s Day and the ideal Galentine’s treat to get creative with cocktails! Fruity, floral, and aromatic, these elegant mixes are sure to win anyone over. Designed by Pritesh Mody, founder of World of Zing and Channel 4 Sunday Brunch cocktail expert, each Floral Prosecco Cocktail Collection is presented in a gift box and includes: 1x Orange Blossom & Passionfruit Spritz 50ml, 1x Peach & Elderflower Spritz 50ml, 1x Saffron & Rose Gimlet & 1x 200ml Bottle of Bottega Gold Prosecco. Cheers! Floral Cocktail Collection, £20, worldofzing.com

You guys know by now that we are happiest when eating, so hearing about the latest addition to the Trinity Kitchen lineup has seriously whet our appetite. Trinity Kitchen has unveiled its brand new concept today – with an eye-catching shipping container, horse trailer, converted VW Camper Van, a Citroen H van, and a horse trailer joining the set-up.

The bespoke street food vans will host a rotating line-up of up-and-coming cooks, chefs and street food aficionados every eight to nine weeks, with the first residents including:

  • Yorkshire Cheese Grill
  • Ka-Bao
  • The Little Pasta Company
  • Good Boy Burger
  • Spuds n Bros

The concept has proved incredibly popular, with the new vans already fully booked until January 2023.

The pre-loved vans are fully refurbished and kitted out with kitchens, personalised branded lightboxes, signage and menus for each new vendor, and follow on from the success of Trinity Kitchen’s custom-made, converted Peugeot J7 van which arrived last year.

Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “We’re so excited to finally see the new arrivals take pride of place at Trinity Kitchen. It took a great deal of planning to make it happen but it has transformed the space and created even more excitement and buzz.

“Trinity Kitchen continues to grow and expand and we’re thrilled to take the experience to the next level – all whilst giving independent street food traders the chance to shine, without the need for their own van or kitchen set-up.”

Since its launch in 2013, Trinity Kitchen has hosted hundreds of food trucks, trains and vans from across the country – hoisting them up to its first floor location using a special hydraulic lift. The new vans will allow budding street food businesses to showcase their talents without needing a van of their own.

The new Trinity Kitchen vans and vendors sit alongside permanent eateries including Archie’s, Pho, Rola Wala, Tortilla, Pizzaluxe, Absurd Bird and Doner Shack.

For more information, visit www.trinityleeds.com.

Whether you’re romantically cooking for two, treating yourself to some tasty snacks for one, or having a bit of a boozy party to celebrate Valentine’s Day we’ve got you covered.

Let’s talk food, first and foremost you want something that you wouldn’t usually eat on an average Monday evening. Then you need to indulge in the most tantalising snacks to tuck into on the sofa especially if you’ve got a movie planned to end the night. And, finally you obviously have to drink something ultra glamorous, otherwise what is the point of even celebrating Valentine’s Day?

1. Petrossian, Sweet Valentine’s Macarons, £32 (12 x macarons), from Petrossian

Valentine’s bliss in a single bite! Delicious soft, chewy ganache filled French favourites. Delectable assortments include Classic Macarons in dark choc, vanilla, pistachio, espresso, raspberry, and almond (2 of each). Alternatively delve head first into a selection of Fruit Macarons, which include raspberry, passion fruit, rose lychee, honey lavender, earl grey, and espresso (2 of each).

2. LoveRaw, M:lk Choc Bars, £9.99 (6 x bars), from LoveRaw

The perfect timing of this launch just in time for Valentine’s by LoveRaw is ideal for chocolate lovers and vegan chocolate lovers as they’re all decadently indulgent. The brand new M:lk Choc Bars come in three distinct flavours including Choc, Caramel and Orange. Super cute to tuck into whilst watching a movie on Valentine’s night.

3. Baileys Strawberries & Cream and Baileys Salted Caramel Popcorn Bundle, £22.49, from The Bottle Club

The romantic taste of strawberries and cream is blended with the velvety flavours of Bailey’s Original Irish Cream for this ultra creamy drink. Creating a luxurious treat the drink sits perfectly next to a crunchy bag of Bailey’s Salted Caramel Popcorn to add a little zest of naughtiness to your Valentine’s Day.

4. Tesco, £15 (Meal for 2 including drink), from Tesco

A selection of limited edition menus for two from Tesco this Valentine’s includes 32 choices to pick from for dinner. Our image showcases two glasses of Tesco Finest Prosecco, Tesco Finest Feta & Red Pepper Tartlets, Finest Duck Breast portions with Raspberry Hoisin Sauce, Heart-shaped Potato Croquettes, Green Veg Trio, and Millionaires Tarts. A proper indulgent Valentine’s meal!

5. JING Tea, Jasmine Pearls Sparking Tea, £17.95 (740ml), from JING Tea

This sparking tea has a pure tea base made from green tea buds lovingly picked from Shekou garden, Fujian in China. The buds are then hand rolled into pearls and traditionally scented with jasmine flowers. A stunning drink to celebrate Valentine’s Day breakfast with your loved one. Completely alcohol and sugar free, with hints of honey, subtle fruit notes, and refreshing green tea.

6. Knoops, Valentine’s Hot Choc Gift Set, £21, from Knoops

The perfect hot chocolate treat for yourself, your lover, or to share with your mates in front of a roaring fire this Valentine’s evening. Knoops gift set includes a classic combination of luxurious 34% milk hot chocolate flakes with a special edition heart-shaped marshmallow tube and packaged in a stunning black Knoops gift bag.

7. Inginious Gin, £26 (20cl = 40 serves), from Inginious Gin

Newly launched in time for Valentine’s Day, Inginious Gin creates the perfect serve for you and your lover. Maximum taste with minimum alcohol, Inginious Gin enters the world with a new take on alcohol. With 10 times the flavour concentration it means that your Valentine’s cocktails only need a small amount to produce a mindful yet memorable drink.

8. Isle of Barra Distillers, ‘Sealed With A Kiss’ Rhubarb + Heather Gin Liqueur, £22 (50cl), from Isle of Barra Distillers

The pretty limited edition Valentine’s bottle is sealed in hand dipped wax, stamped by hand with love, and is available for a short time only. The most beautiful of Valentine’s drinks packed with sweetness from rhubarb, spice from ginger, and a hint of lemongrass topped with heather for a true island flavour.

There is no doubt that when you eat out and have nice food, it is helped by the fact that the chefs can use the most luxurious ingredients. These can often elevate their dishes to something far beyond those that you make at home. These usually come with ridiculously high prices, unfortunately.

If you are on a budget, then you may have to miss out. However, a cheat around this is to prepare the dishes yourself. This may sound intimidating but here are some tips on how to prepare and cook with luxurious ingredients.

Wagyu

Wagyu steak is one of the most expensive cuts around. The highest grade of wagyu beef can cost over $1000. Though you do not need a super high-grade steak to have a good quality wagyu. There has been a recent trend of more approachable and affordable steaks being available like olive-fed wagyu beef.

Despite this being an expensive steak, there is no real need to cook it any differently. If anything, this steak is bursting with flavor and requires less than others. You need a hot pan that will sear the steak without burning it. Then just cook it how you like it. Do not overthink it. The steak provides the flavor you just need to cook it.

Truffles

Another popular ingredient that has become a mainstay on premium restaurant menus is the simple truffle. They can be used easily to recreate a restaurant-grade dish at home without too much hassle. An important thing to know is that you need to make the truffle the star of the show. Pick simple foods like pasta, eggs, or potatoes to keep the simplicity.

In order to use them, many fresh truffles are shaved or grated into dishes. The tricky part is preserving them. Fresh truffles only stay that way for a few days. If you cannot source fresh ones, then you should consider more preserved versions of them like oil or butter.

Oysters

Every film seems to have these in when the character goes to a fancy restaurant. They are known to bring a glamourous and premium feel to any occasion. Oysters can be purchased relatively cheap if you live near a coast where they are harvested. The fresher they are, the better.

In order to prepare them, then you will need to take some time and effort. One of the safest ways to prepare them is to use a flat-head screwdriver and a knife. Use the screwdriver to pry open the oyster then use the knife to slide it open. Oysters can be cooked but are equally good raw. You should think more about the accompanying sauce or condiment.

Luxury ingredients

These ingredients can seem intimidating due to them being more expensive than your bog-standard ones. However, many of them are easy to prepare and can give you full flavourful food. Research your options and then see how best to cook them. One piece of advice is to look at what is local, this will save you on cost and may minimize your risk.

Tucked up a lane in Hertfordshire is an old inconspicuous farm plot. Blink and you could easily miss it but for those in the know, it has quickly become a buzzing weekend outpost for locals, Londoners, and the occasional celebrity. The site has been home to fashion and homeware brand, Osprey for 15 years and has gradually expanded to include a gin distillery, beauticians, and more recently, JJAM, a countryside kitchen serving brunch style breakfast plates, light lunches and delicious dinners using fresh and where possible, local, seasonal ingredients.

JJAM Cafe

Set in a pretty courtyard, JJAM was founded by school friends Jack Ellisdon and Scott Martin during the first lockdown. The pair have a hospitality background, Jack previously worked in the hotel industry for the likes of Dorchester Collection Hotels while Scott has experience in private members clubs including the renowned Annabel’s.

I took my daughter and husband on a Saturday afternoon in January and the place was literally JJAM packed. The indoor space seats around 30 covers which adds to the intimate personalised service however, outside there’s a courtyard with a firepit for those who prefer to dine alfresco. Despite a chill in the air, there were couples meandering around the Osprey outlet store, people nipping in and out of the distillery and groups relaxing around the courtyard with hots drinks. Ellisdon tells me “People tend to come here for the best part of the day. They might have a leisurely breakfast with us then have a look around the shops or perhaps have a beauty treatment with Francessca, (who is also an old school friend), then pop back to us for drinks and dinner”. Dinner at JJAM is a big hit, especially in the summer when you can make the most out of the outdoor space, but more on that later. We were sat on a cosy corner table with a chilled glass of Sancerre while we scanned the food options. The menu at JJAM is refreshed every month and is an eclectic mix of classic British, and rustic, internationally inspired dishes. The chef has put his own spin on flatbread style pizzas, sharing platters and sandwiches which make this place more than a café. Front of house is big Dutchman, Parcifal, who casually mingles around the café chatting to people, answering any questions about the menu, and making you feel welcome.

We ordered the JJAM toastie, steak sandwich and triple stacked pancakes. Each plate served would look at home on any foodie’s Instagram page. Presentation here is next level and when our food arrives it looks too good to eat. The conversation grounds to a halt as we tucked into each plate. For the next few minutes, the table was filled with lots of nods and moans of appreciation. My daughter, a pancake connoisseur, took one bite from her fluffy stack and exclaimed it was the best plate of pancakes ever! My toastie was not your regular Breville toastie, wedged between a parmesan crusted sourdough was succulent, chunky slices of Wiltshire ham, melted mature cheddar cheese and a tangy onion chutney. The sourdough had just the right amount of crunch while the sweet onion chutney balanced out the cheddar and parmesan. I sneaked a bite of the steak sandwich and again it didn’t disappoint. The meat was melt in your mouth tender, enveloped in a toasted ciabatta bun.

Dinner at JJAM is the jewel in the crown. They switch up the menu to include specials and larger plates. There’s live music every weekend and no time limit on tables. In the summer tables are like gold dust with people vying over a courtyard seat. Fairy lights adorn the space, blankets and fire pits keep it cosy.

After lunch I had a wander around the shops. Ellisdon tells me they have plans to expand the site, host regular events and turn it into a destination location. The venue lends itself to private events and is already popular for parties and weddings. From May, they will be running JJAM x WELLNESS, a series of weekly subscription-based yoga, running and fitness classes that will be followed by a light breakfast, juice and coffee. The view is to then expand these ‘wellness brunches’ to include beauty treatments such as massages by their onsite beautician. As well as the venue in Hertfordshire, JJAM Regent Street has just opened offering coffees and tasty bites served with the same enthusiasm and passion.

JJAM has vibe, it’s one of those places you want to take your friends just to show off but at the same time you want to keep this place a secret. Word is already getting around so book your table in advance to avoid disappointment.

To book a table or find out more on the wellness events visit JJAM Group or follow @jjamgroup

Picking the perfect tipple isn’t easy, choosing wines can be overwhelming and if you’re like me you tend to stick to what you know and rarely stray away, nobody wants to pick an expensive wine that they don’t end up enjoying. Step up pioneering wine bar group, Vagabond, that has launched a new intelligent wine subscription service bringing a bespoke sommelier experience to your home.

Driven by AI, Vagabond SOMM learns each subscriber’s palate, recommending wines from an extensive selection of Vagabond’s ever-changing cellar. After completing a short questionnaire, I receive a tailored box of five 100ml wines reflecting my tastes. As a white wine drinker, I favour Spanish Alberino and Rioja or something from the Marlborough region. I also like full bodied reds. Based on this I ended up with an Australian Semillon, a French Sauvignon, a Spanish Garnacha, an Italian Piedmont and South African Syrah. Being totally honest, apart from the Sauvignon, I’m ashamed to say I’d not tried any of the other wine varieties. Like I said I stick to what I know. All the tasting notes were on the app along with suggested food pairings, a bit of information on the producer and stockists. The SOMM app then asks for feedback, and I rate each bottle. Based on my likes and dislikes the innovative AI-driven technology chooses my next box of wine.

I loved that SOMM allowed me to discover new wines with confidence and without wasting a full bottle of something I might not like. The box I received was spot on and a good match to my tastes. I enjoyed all the reds and plan to get a couple of bottles of the Australian Semillon. It’s a great way to uncover lesser-known grape varieties, emerging wine regions, and learn more about wine without leaving the house.

Stephen Finch, Founder of Vagabond, commented, “Since 2010, we’ve been introducing our customers to new and exciting wines from around the world. A big part of our success has been empowering customers to explore wine at their own pace thanks to the 100+ wines we have available for customers to pour and sample themselves. SOMM recreates the Vagabond experience for the home. Leveraging the benefits of AI, we can refine our understanding of customers’ preferences even when they’re not in a Vagabond venue, enabling the world’s first truly personalised wine subscription service”.

As a wine lover my subscription box successfully opened my eyes to some new wine regions and unlike other wine subscriptions SOMM delivered a bespoke wine offering. Vagabond SOMM is about to disrupt the UK wine subscription scene and I can’t wait to uncover more super sips.

Available to subscribe from £25.00, the Vagabond SOMM app can be downloaded here

Wagyu is the legendary super-marbled, super-pricey beef from Japan normally served in high end restaurants. Gunma Wagyu, one of the world’s most expensive cuts of beef, is now available to consumers in the UK bringing the restaurant experience to your kitchen. While foodies might expect to find such high-quality cuts in a Michelin star restaurant, Gunma Wagyu Beef offers a deliciously premium eating experience delivered direct to your door.

This indulgent dine at home experience is perfect for fans of STK or those looking to create their own Salt Bae vibe. There’s a lot of hype around this bougie piece of beef and once you’ve tried it you will understand why.

The delicious cut of meat arrives frozen in vacuum sealed packaging to ensure optimum quality. I treated my other half to some for a date night dinner, and it went down a storm. It was so easy to cook, so no wasting time slaving over the stove. It only needs a light seasoning of sea salt then you simply fry it 10-30 seconds on each side in a hot cast iron pan, greased with butter and serve. I paired mine with a glass of Malbec and a side of greens. The meat was juicy and melt in the mouth tender. The cut is highly marbled which gives the meat a unique buttery flavour. The marbling is rich in omega-3 and omega-6, improving the ratio of monounsaturated fats compared with regular beef so its healthier.

The reason Wagyu is expensive and let’s be honest, so tasty is down to the care and standards the cattle are raised in. Gunma Wagyu Beef is reared authentically in Japan by experts who mature Japanese Black cows in stress free environments for approximately 30 months to ensure good quality, high grade piece Wagyu. The cattle are raised in Gunma, a location in Japan with an abundant water resource from the Tonè River and are surrounded by green mountains which contributes to their zen lifestyle, as well as flavoursome meat.

Gunma Wagyu Beef Yakiniku cut (200g) is available to purchase on Asian Harvest, from £65. You can get next day delivery for orders placed on Monday to Thursday.

Let’s face it. Wine, especially the finer varieties, can be a bit intimidating, but this is exactly the stigma that Bottle Bazaar Wine Club seeks to quash with its laid-back and accessible wine club.

Members get a monthly package of four fabulous wines delivered straight to their doorsteps each month. They can also join the Bottle Bazaar Wine Club Facebook group, where they can learn all about the month’s vintages from Founder and hostess with the moistest, India Marshall-Roads who brings fifteen-plus years of wine industry experience to the virtual table.

India pre-records videos to introduce each wine, so there’s no need to turn up on a certain day, fret that you might be picked on for an opinion or worry that you’ll be judged in any way. This is wine appreciation on your terms. She also recommends easy to achieve recipes and perfect seasonal pairings to enjoy your Bottle Bazaar wines with. In addition, India also provides easy-to-use tasting sheets so you can hone your wine tasting skills and knowledge and rate and review each bottle.

Bottle Bazaar Wine Club is a fantastic way to enjoy the wonderful world of wines whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a novice. At the very least, it also helps connect people to fellow wine afficionados during these distant, tumultuous times and we at Team Coco are all for it.

Prices: From £64/month (based on a 3-month subscription, including a curated selection of four wines delivered to your doorstep each month plus full membership benefits)www.bbwineclub.co.uk