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Mauritius is a melting pot of culture, this beautiful island in the middle of the Indian Ocean is steeped in history and hidden gems. Having been under the rule of the British, French and Dutch as well as being a shipping conduit to India and China you’ll find a plethora of cultural experiences and influences.

One of the best ways to experience the local culture is through the cuisine and at Anantara Resort on the unspoilt, less commercial south side of the island you’ll find Didier Jacob, Executive Chef and foodie. Originally from Mauritius, Didier has a wealth of experience having trained in France under the guidance of Michelin starred chef, Jean Gorge Vongerichten, he’s cooked for heads of state including Donald Trump, partnered with Heston Blumenthal in Barbados and had a stint at Le Caprice. The Anantara Spice Spoons cookery masterclass run by Didier and his equally talented number two, Warren Domah, is an experience not to be missed.

As soon as you meet Didier you catch on to his passion for food, he has this amazing ability to make you look at food differently, he awakens your senses, getting you to experience the smells, the textures and flavours. His cookery classes are open to both hotel guests, locals, aspiring chefs and beginners.

The nation’s French, Creole, Indian and Chinese inhabitants have contributed to a unique culinary culture. Couple that with fresh locally sourced produce and a vibrant, knowledgeable chef and you have an authentic Mauritian cookery experience. The masterclass is around two and a half hours and you learn about ingredients that are synonymous with Mauritian food, as well as the cooking techniques and ethos behind the cuisine. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the culture, taste the local dishes as well as sharpen up your skills.

My lesson starts with some of the basics and one thing I’ve always wanted to do is that chef chop, you know the one where they chop up veggies at an alarming speed? I get a demonstration from Didier and soon pick up the rhythm of the knife and am chopping like a pro until I manage to catch my knuckle and cut myself, epic fail on my part. Apparently, I am scared of the knife and he’s not wrong, I am clumsy in the kitchen and have the scars to prove it. What Didier does brilliantly is build your confidence. A quick plaster and he soon has me chopping again, this time with assurance.

I was tasked with mastering the curry. My cookery station was jam-packed with herbs and spices all of which fill the kitchen with an amazing aroma. Because of the diversity of the island I was shown how to change a basic curry base into either a Thai, Malaysian or Mauritian dish. The pace of the class is just right and as you are taken through each step there’s lots of opportunities to ask questions while listening to anecdotal tales peppered with Didier’s tips and cookery secrets. It’s a relaxed, fun environment and before long you’ll be sprinkling spices and stirring like a natural. Once the masterclass is finished you get to enjoy your dish with a glass of wine and come away with a recipe file so you can cook up a storm at home and recreate your very own taste of Mauritius. Set in a nature reserve and with breath-taking views of the Indian ocean this is the perfect setting to learn to cook.

The Anantara Spice Spoons cookery masterclass can be booked via www.anantara.com

A stay at Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort costs from £335 (390 Euros) per room per night on a half board basis. www.anantara.com

Let’s talk about the F word, failure. However you square it off in your head failure is painful and can knock your confidence. The more skilled you get at dealing with it, the less you’ll worry about failure and start living your life because the more we worry about failing the less risks we take and nothing ever changes if you always do the same thing. Avoiding failure is the biggest failure of all because its worse to have never tried at all. Here’s how to stop worrying about failure and start living your life.

Get present

Worrying comes from living in the future and second guessing what is going to happen. The more you live in the moment and focus on the present the less likely you’ll spend time worrying about failing. Practicing meditation or being mindful is a great way of being present, try and build daily habits that help you be more present.

Reframe failure

Changing the way you view failure can make it easier to deal with. Failure brings us closer to success so reframe failure as a steppingstone to success and achieving your goal.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable

Fear of failure can cause paralysis and stop you from doing anything. Nothing good comes out of comfort zones so allow yourself to feel a state of discomfort and take a chance by doing things you wouldn’t normally do. Our mind likes familiar situations and when we try new things or think differently it becomes worried but the more you expose yourself to uncomfortable situations the mind gets more familiar with it and worries less.

Start small

Start by taking small calculated risks and gradually your confidence will grow pushing you further to do new things.

Own your failures

Being accountable and honest shows you are responsible and have integrity. When you are responsible you have the power and ability to learn, grow and make changes.

Failure helps build resiliency

Failure forces you to rethink, reconsider and find new resources which helps us bounce back quicker.

Use your energy where it will make an impact

Worrying burns a lot of energy and we only have a finite amount of energy each day so channel it into the good stuff, the things that are going to make an impact on your day and life.

With the ski season almost upon us you need to be swift if you want to bag the best hotel. House of Coco recently visited the Mont-Blanc region of the French Alps to check out two very different places to stay this winter.

Just 45 minutes from Geneva airport is Saint Gervais, home to four villages and two ski areas, including ‘Evasion Mont-Blanc’ and with more than 400km of pistes this is the third largest ski area in France.

Nestled against the mountain of Saint-Gervais at an altitude of 1,150 metres in the heart of Saint-Nicolas is The Armancette Hotel. This brand new, 5-star hotel is a luxurious après-ski haven. Tucked away in a remote valley it offers guests a magnificent Alpine setting, with views of the Mont-Blanc as well as Mont-Vorassay.

The Armancette is an intimate boutique hotel with just 17 rooms, each one uniquely designed to reflect the environment and nature, think lots of wood, granite, stone and luxurious faux fur and silk. The rooms are elegantly designed and with an outdoor balcony you can wake up to breath-taking views across the village and valley.

This alpine jewel has successfully created a relaxed, calm vibe, making it a great place to stay if you want to chill-out after a day skiing. If you don’t fancy a drink in bar you can always retreat to the hotel library and games room to read or challenge your pals to one of the many board games. For those who want to take time out to unwind then hit the spa where you can make the most of the treatments, sauna and steam room. There’s an indoor pool with relaxation area as well as a heated outdoor pool with a terrace offering a magnificent, panoramic view of Mont-Vorassay, the Aiguille de Bionnassay, Armancette glacier and the Domes de Miage.

Located on the site of the village bakery, The Armancette is keeping the tradition alive with their on-site bakery serving golden pastries, an array of mouth-watering cakes and fresh bread daily. The smell of warm bread fills the ground floor each morning and is so enticing. I challenge anyone to walk by and not come away with some delicious tasty treat. The hotel restaurant, La Table d’Armante is modern yet cosy with an extensive menu offering fresh, local, seasonal dishes. There’s also a great choice when it comes to breakfast, so you can fuel up with one of their speciality juices or scrumptious omelettes before hitting the slopes.

20 minutes from Saint-Gervais and you’re in Chamonix, ski heaven! With plenty of ski runs this is the perfect place for any seasoned skier.

Catering for all budgets is La Folie Douce. Synonymous with après-ski partying and situated in the centre of Chamonix, this funky hotel has fantastic ski-in, ski-out access to the Brevent and Flegere ski areas.

What was once the historical palace of Le Savoy is now a chic, opulent, insta-worthy place to stay. The carpets depict life-sized synchronized swimmers, ice skating boots hang from the walls and there’s the odd mannequin and telephone booth scattered around the place.

The vibe is cool and eclectic. They’ve successfully nailed the trendy industrial look with exposed brick work juxtaposed elegant plush velvets and statement lighting giving the place a chic air. The hotel has 250 rooms, including premium (four star), access (three star) and dormitory rooms (three star), offering cheaper accommodation for groups. The premium rooms have views of the mountains and that quirky, luxury feel that runs through the whole hotel.

This is the après-ski party palace, with three restaurants, a main bar upstairs with a vast cocktail menu and for those looking for some fun and live entertainment, there’s the basement bar where you’ll find people dancing on the tables alongside the cabaret performers and DJs.

If you don’t feel like partying and want to rest your ski-weary legs then you can try out the yoga and spa. Here you can soak up glorious views of the Alps from the heated outdoor pool, take in a treatment or relax in the sauna and steam room.

Whatever you are looking for in a ski holiday, La Folie Douce caters for everything and everyone and is bound to be a hit with the ski crowd this winter.

House of Coco travelled to Saint Gervais and Chamonix courtesy of Savoie Mont-Blanc www.savoie-mont-blanc.com

For more information on The Armancette hotel visit www.armancette.com/en and La Folie Douce hotel www.lafoliedoucehotels.com/fr/hotel-chamonix

It’s that time of year when you may plan to visit a Christmas market, but where have you opted for this Christmas? Are you staying in the UK or are you planning an overseas trip to a Christmas market in Europe?

#TeamCoco love this time of year, whether in the UK or in a new city that we haven’t visited before, the festive feels are just epic. We love the unique ambience of a Christmas market from the music and the food, to the local traditions and the mulled wine, what’s not to love!

We have put together a few options of Christmas markets this year including Gdansk, Strasbourg, Cardiff, Munich, and London. With a little help from IHG Hotels who have offered us an insight to some of their hotels in each of these cities.

GDANSK, POLAND

The main Christmas Market in Gdansk and the festive Arts & Crafts market will take place on the Main Town’s Coal Market this year – from the 1st until the 23rd of December. One of the most beautiful and magical in Poland, the Christmas Market in Gdansk will open on the first day of December. Visitors will be immersed in a Christmas fairy-tale. The market’s area will be divided into three lanes named Angel’s Lane (Anielska), Chocolate Lane (Czekoladowa) and Cinnamon Lane (Cynamonowa).

Where to stay:Having opened in August, Holiday Inn Gdansk®, the 240-room Holiday Inn Gdansk – City Centre is located on Granary Island. The seven-storey hotel has five conference rooms, a 24-hour gym, restaurant and a Sky Bar. It also features the new Holiday Inn ‘open lobby’ concept, which includes a bar and workspaces and is perfect to come back to after a day of festivities. In addition, kids under 12 eat and stay for free.

Room rates: From £103.59 or ‎zł 494.70
To book: Book direct via www.ihg.com/holidayinn or through the IHG Rewards Club app.

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Opening at the end of November, this festive market remains a favourite for Christmas lovers with its four Advent concerts and its Living Nativity, along with authentic live music and cultural events. Having first launched back in 1570, travellers come from around the world to visit this magical place and experience what it has on offer, with its famous Christmas tree, scenic wooden chalets and mulled wine to add to the occasion.

Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express® Strasbourg – Centre is located in the city centre, only a short stroll away from the Christmas market. The hotel is the perfect place for travellers seeking a spot of Christmas magic in Europe within easy reach of the market. An Express Start™ Breakfast is included in the room rate with free Wi-Fi on offer. Being only 13km away from the airport, Strasbourg is a great place for on the move explorers, who are visiting the town during the busy festive period.

Room rates: From £110 or €120.84
To book: Book direct at www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/ or via the IHG Rewards Club app.

CARDIFF, WALES

The Cardiff Christmas Market will return to the pedestrian streets of Cardiff City Centre in St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes on Thursday 14 November until Monday 23 December 2019 with yet another exciting and eclectic mix of both new and returning exhibitors as their original, hand made products are the essence of what makes this market so different and special every year.

Where to stay:voco™ St David’s Cardiff is set on Cardiff Bay’s waterfront, with glass-fronted façade, private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a coastal setting. Less than 10 minutes away from the city centre, this hotel is the most angelic setting for a magical Christmas break. After a day of festivities, return to the hotel’s restaurant and bar – The Admiral St David- which draws inspiration from the eclectic food culture and bold flavours of Australasia and Asia-Pacific or book yourself in at the award-winning Marine Spa to indulge an relax.

Room rates: From £190.44
To book: Book direct at www.vocohotels.com or via the IHG Rewards Club app.

MUNICH, GERMANY

This Christmas market is held in the heart of the city in Marienplatz square, with plenty of delicious foods, carol singers and a nativity display. The traditional German Christmas cuisine is a must and be sure to check out one of Germany’s most famous attractions, the Hofbräuhaus Brewery to get you in the festive jolly spirit.

Where to stay: Holiday Inn® Munich – City Centre Hotel is only a short walk away from the iconic Marienplatz, in the quiet and enchanting atmosphere of Haidhausen, a quarter close to the Isar river. Families can mingle in the hotel’s Open Lobby where kids can play games whilst parents can unwind and grab a drink. The property boasts 582 rooms, offering a beautiful view of Munich’s skyline. A pillow menu and blackout curtains are provided for every room with central heating for a restful night Kids aged under 12 eat and stay for free too so this is a great choice for those wishing to escape on a budget this Christmas.

Room rates: From £96.27 or €105.36
To book: Book direct at https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/ or via the IHG Rewards Club app.

LONDON, ENGLAND

Running for over a decade, London’s Winter Wonderland exudes Christmas spirit during the winter. The attraction hosts Christmas-themed activities, including an enormous ice-skatings rink, roller coaster rides, street food stalls, a Ferris wheel, Bavarian-themed beer halls with live music and a huge Christmas market. Winter Wonderland is the perfect place for families and friends to spend time with loved ones this Christmas.

Where to stay: Crowne Plaza® London – Kensington makes for a perfect base for travellers wishing to discover the city’s culture and heritage in a short amount of time, being only a twenty-minute walk away from Winter Wonderland. The hotel is only a five-minute taxi ride from the elegant shops and restaurants of Mayfair and Knightsbridge, allowing guests to quickly navigate around the city and experience everything London has to offer. This is a desirable destination for those who want space in an intimate setting and offers a stylish Umami restaurant and cocktail bar to dine at after exploring the festivities of the city.

Room rates: From £183 or €205
To book: Book direct via www.ihg.com/crowneplaza or through the IHG Rewards Club app.

So, what are you waiting for – getting booking your Christmas market visit.

‘Tis the season to start drinking spiced cocktails, enjoy wintry warmers by the open fire, and lap up luxurious tipples – we are totally on it like a car bonnet here at #TeamCoco HQ.

Look no further than our little listicle below, we’ve included a seasonal spiced rum, the best ever ‘morning after the night before’ Bloody Mary, a countdown to Christmas daily treat, an old fashioned traditional drink that recently made a comeback, a rather wonderful mulled cider for Christmas eve, and a bottle of English bubbly for that all-important Christmas day dinner.

Bring on the season of joy, but remember to drink sensibly and responsibly.

Captain Morgan, Gingerbread Spiced Rum

Captain Morgan’s Gingerbread Spiced is a limited edition gingerbread-flavoured spirit drink, guaranteed to spark festive nostalgia in drinkers with tasting notes of gingerbread biscuits.

Gingerbread Spiced boasts warming hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper and is best served with either hot or cold apple juice – offering drinkers a delightfully different way to cosy up with their crew as the nights draw in.

Priced at £12 (500ml), available exclusively to Asda (until stocks last) or from Green King Pubs. www.asda.com

Bloody Drinks, The Bloody Classic

Bloody Drinks has launched a range of premium, pre-mixed Bloody Marys in a can in the UK.

Crafted using nothing but proper, quality ingredients then canned for maximum freshness, Bloody Mary enthusiasts can rest safe in the knowledge that their cocktail will now be bloody perfect, every time.

The Bloody Classic, Bloody Drink’s signature recipe, has been carefully considered to produce a beautifully balanced bar-quality cocktail. The unique recipe includes premium vodka and cream sherry for body, the finest tomatoes from Italy and Spain for natural sweetness, fresh lemons for acidity, and Worcestershire and soy sauce for a rich, umami-packed base.

Priced at Bloody Classic packs of 4 (£16.00), 6 (£24.00) and 12 (£48.00), available from www.bloodydrinks.co.uk

The Bottle Club, The Irish Cream Liqueur Advent Calendar

This treat of an advent calendar counts down to Christmas Day with the world’s all-time favourite Irish cream liqueur. With three delicious flavours, including festive Orange Truffle, warming Coffee, and original Irish Cream Liqueur. The calendar also features an exclusive Baileys cocktail recipe. Available to pre-order now, the calendar will be delivered from 11th Nov.

Priced at £29.99 (12 x 5cl), available from www.thebottleclub.com

Advocaat by Warninks, Snowball Cocktail

Warninks, the UK’s number one Advocaat renowned for its custard-yellow hue and velvety texture is bringing back a taste of nostalgia this Christmas with innovative new serving suggestions for its iconic Snowball cocktail.

Elevate a Snowball to a Snowball Fizz, pure Christmas in a glass! Featuring another festive staple, Prosecco plus a dash of vanilla syrup, this delicious drink is finished off with a stylish garnish of lemon rind and an icing powder rim, for a beautiful snowy touch. You’re welcome!

Priced at £12 (70cl), available from all good retailers including Budgens and Londis.

Caorunn Gin, Caorunn Mulled Cider

Fancy a unique gin based mulled cider this Christmas, then check out the Caorunn Mulled Cider with its warming deliciousness and seasonal ingredients.

Ingredients: 150ml Caorunn, 50ml Honey syrup, 250ml Mulled cider, 100ml Hot water

Method: Heat cider on low heat in pan with cinnamon, cloves, star anise and nutmeg. Leave to cool and strain into punch bowl. Top with 100ml hot water, Caorunn and honey syrup and stir.

Caorunn Gin Priced from £28 (70cl/75cl), available from selected Waitrose & Partners, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco.

Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney Bubbly

This Christmas day what bubbly are you going to serve at the dinner table? Have you thought of enjoying a Bolney Bubbly this year, an English bubbly that is delightfully floral with brioche notes combined with zesty citrus fruit, honeysuckle and elderflower. It is delicate and well balanced, finishing with a soft fresh hint of sweetness.

Priced at £23.99 (75cl), available from www.bolneywineestate.com

Be Drink Aware.

There’s nothing beats a night out with the girls but with cocktail bars popping up every week in London it’s hard to know where to go. Luckily here at #TeamCoco we have the inside scoop on the best places to take your girl gang for a catch up and cocktail in the Capital.

Disrepute

This glamorous members bar has a 60s vibe, with lots of plush jewel coloured velvet and touches of marble and brass. DRP (to those in the know) was once known as the Kingly Club, and before that the Pinstripe Club, has had its fair share of scandal: it was one of the places cabinet minister John Profumo met call girl Christine Keeler in 1961, and has hosted the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Peter O’Toole and Audrey Hepburn. The extensive cocktail list is told in stories, with fictional descriptions in place of ingredients. Sip on a Scandal and Espionage, made up of vodka, brandy and honey syrup. Book a booth in advance as this place gets busy.
www.disrepute.co.uk

Cahoots

Cahoots is a 1940s-themed bar located in the heart of Soho. Set in an abandoned train station this speakeasy serves up spiffing cocktails and live music seven days a week. The venue was once used as an air-raid shelter and has been transformed into an Underground station, complete with tube carriage and sandbags. Get in a round of Vera Lynn cocktails, a delicious combination of gin, ginger wine, apple juice, lime juice, peach puree and elderflower.
www.cahoots-london.com

Archer Street

This is a great venue to get together with the girls. The sumptuous décor, candle lit tables and fresh flowers are more like a hotel lounge than a Soho bar. This is a cocktail bar with a twist, once your waiter has served your drink don’t be surprised if he jumps on the table and bursts into song. The staff at Archer Street are made up of West End performers and throughout the evening they all grab the mike and belt out some classic hits. After a couple of cocktails, you’ll be dancing on the tables.
www.archerstreet.co.uk

Tonight Josephine

Tonight Josephine is an Instagrammer’s paradise with more glitter and neon than you can shake a stick at. This basement cocktail bar is oozing sass and a great place to go with your girl gang. The drinks menu is as pretty as the venue, try The Violet Femme, a purple, gin-based drink, which comes with a tube of Parma Violets balancing on its fluffy egg-white top.
www.tonightjosephine.co.uk

The Blind Pig

Tucked upstairs from Jason Atherton’s Social Eating House is The Blind Pig. It’s easy to miss from street level, hidden under the vintage ‘Optician’ sign is a blindfolded hog doorknocker, give it a tap and you are in. There’s a real retro feel to this bar, lots of dark wood panelling and antique mirrors are peppered around the copper topped bar. The mixologists here are super talented and are always experimenting with new flavours. Signature drinks include the Silver Screen, which is comprised of popcorn-infused Buffalo Trace bourbon, a “bespoke-a-cola” reduction, “3D” bitters, and lemon oils, served with a tiny striped bucket of popcorn pinned to the glass. Reserve one of the leather booths for you and your gals and make your way through the cocktail menu.
www.socialeatinghouse.com

Did you know that there is an International Coffee Day? How did we not know at #TeamCoco, especially as coffee is our ‘go to’ morning fix for most of us! We like to drink it black, we like it milky and sweet, we like it strong with a froth, we like it flavoured and with chocolate powder on top, and we like it on the go.

With International Coffee Day (1st October) on the horizon, #TeamCoco have asked the experts at illy, the premium Italian coffee brand, to share their top 5 tips on how to create a barista-style coffee at home, as well as providing their recommendations on the best supermarket coffee offers and machines for caffeine lovers to celebrate with on the international day of coffee!

In the UK we drink an average of 95 million cups of coffee a day and with 65% of this enjoyed at home, being able to create the perfect coffee at home is at the top of many peoples’ wish list.

Here’s 5 simple tips by illy, to recreate a barista-style coffee from the comfort of your own kitchen:

1. Get freshly roasted coffee beans

There are two main types of coffee beans – the Arabica (sweeter, softer taste) and Robusta (strong, full-bodied). Finding the right coffee bean for you is essential to prepare the perfect beverage every time.

2. It’s all in the grind

The grind of your coffee will greatly influence the end result, as it impacts the amount of contact time between the hot water and the beans. Grind it too fine and you will have a bitter coffee, whilst grinding it too coarsely will give you a watery blend. Invest in a quality coffee grinder or machine to ensure every cup tastes like it was made by a professional barista.

3. Storage wars

Many underestimate the importance of proper coffee storage and its effect on taste. It must be stored in a cool, dry place but never in the fridge or freezer, as the defrosting process can actually damage the coffee beans, making them lose their original flavour. Keep coffee in an airtight container where you’d normally store your other cool dry goods.

4. Use a filter

Water hugely affects the taste of your cup of coffee, as it makes up 90% of the drink. Tap water can contain impurities such as minerals, metals and salts that can alter the taste, so the best thing to do is to use filtered water to give your coffee the best flavour.

5. Keep it fresh

Don’t forget that coffee goes stale. Ideally you want to drink it within a month of being roasted to savour that fresh taste. If you buy your beans whole you can choose to only grind what you need, when you need them.

Best Supermarket Coffee Offers for International Coffee Day

Illy Instant Smooth Taste – Velvety smooth and perfectly balanced

Discover the rich and perfectly balanced taste of the unique illy blend, now available in an ultra-convenient instant coffee version. Tapping into the trend for premium instant coffee, which is driving growth of the instant category, this velvety smooth and perfectly balanced coffee is ideal with a touch of milk.

RRP: £5.85 Now: £4.50, Stockists: Sainsbury’s

Ground Espresso Medium Roast Coffee – mild and balanced

illy’s distinctive blend of fine Arabica coffees with a smooth, rich and full-bodied taste is created from the skilful blending of 100% sustainably-grown Arabica beans, meticulously selected from different growing regions around the world. The result is an authentic Italian coffee that is flawlessly consistent, smooth, balanced, and never bitter.

RRP: £6.50 Now: 5.00, Stockists: Sainsbury’s

Best Coffee Machines for International Coffee Day

Going retro – Francis Francis X7.1 Espresso Machine

This retro-style, new generation appliance is effective, fast and simple to use. The illy patented pannarello milk frother is perfect for creating a soft, velvety foam, and it’s able to rapidly switch from cappuccino to coffee mode to suit every coffee order. For those in search of a café-quality espresso in the convenience of their own home, this machine could be the perfect treat this International Coffee Day.

RRP: £156 (will be 50% off in Black Friday sales), Available from Amazon and illy.co.uk

For technology lovers – Y5 BT Espresso & Coffee Machine

Forget Alexa, this is the technology you want in your kitchen! illy has connected with Amazon to integrate its popular coffee machine with the latest Amazon Dash Replenishment system. Using this new technology, coffee-lovers no longer have to fear morning coffee deprivation as the machine can automatically track your capsule usage and reorder before you run out. Perfect For those that love both technology and great coffee.

RRP: £183.50 (will be 50% off in Black Friday sales), Available from Amazon and illy.co.uk

The space saver – Y3.2 Espresso & Coffee Capsule Machine

This elegant and compact machine creates the perfect cup of coffee at the touch of a button. The secret is in the capsules, each one is created to give the harmony and essence of the famous 100% Arabica illy blend in every coffee preparation. Designed by architect, Piero Lissoni, this sophisticated machine offers an intuitive and easy-to-use experience.

RRP: £110 (will be 50% off in Black Friday sales), Available from Amazon and illy.co.uk

Whatever your personal coffee preference, enjoy a cup of the brown stuff this coming Tuesday and raise a cup to International Coffee Day.

The Arches is situated in Bethnal Green and it one of East London’s coolest and also newest drinking spots. The space is ideal for pop up food events to shake up London’s food scene. We checked out the Spanish Supper Club with the Modest Merchant. These Supper Clubs, intimate, fun and entertaining are set to run on the last Thursday of every month.

The bar in the venue, aptly named Bubbles, is situated in the railway arch of an old car wash. It was truly fizz galore with an amazing choice of tipples from around the world. The Bubbles menu features 15 sparkling wines from around the world. Each wine paired perfectly with different dishes from the spectacular tapas style supper that we were served.

The Modest Menu supper club series returns to The Arches on 26th September with an evening extravaganza by Oxalis and The Modest Merchant. Expect an evening filled with wonderful wine and a Modest Menu focused on the Oxalis specialty, Game.

The Arches is situated in South Bethnal Green and housed underneath 6 Victorian railway arches, of which exist 3 brand new venues – 640East, Taproom by Bethnal Green and Drop Yard. The Arches can be found at: Railway Arches, 157-162 Malcolm Pl, Bethnal Green, London E2 0EU.

If you are ever looking for me I’ll normally be nose deep in a good book, whether it’s a chick lit, thriller or self care guide I’m never far away from a decent read and despite being an owner of a Kindle you’ll still find paperbacks at the side of my bed, on my desk and next to the sofa. So, when I heard that Bagni di Pisa, a five-star spa hotel in Tuscany were running a ‘Tuscan Literary Weekend’ package for book worms and literary connoisseurs I got excited. Books, spa, sun and a luxury hotel sounds right up my street.

Located above natural hot springs in the picturesque Tuscan countryside, Bagni di Pisa is the former 18th century summer residence of the Grand Duke Francesco Stefano of Lorena and its ancient thermal pools have long been renowned for their soothing and healing properties.
The package allows guests to delve into the 19th-century literary masterpieces written by Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, and uncover the life of one of Britain’s most revered novelists, all whilst experiencing Bagni di Pisa’s impressive spa, renowned thermal pools and world-class treatments.

Literary fanatics participating in the hotel’s exclusive three-night package will enjoy a theatrical performance by Mary Shelley herself and a 19th-century style private dinner. The dinner will be hosted in the Dei Lorena Restaurant or in the hotel’s infamous Bar Shelley, where Mary’s inspiration for Frankenstein is said to have bloomed during a visit to the former palace.

There’s an opportunity to enjoy an amazing journey back in time, exploring the hotel’s grounds and illustrious past through a 60-minute theatrical private performance with the famous author and her friend, doctor Andrea Vacca Berlinghieri.

Foodies will love the private evening dinner where exquisite 19th-century inspired Italian dishes will be served to the backdrop of music from this historic period.
To complete the getaway, spa enthusiasts will have the opportunity to unwind in the natural thermal grotto and thermal spring bath, before receiving a 50-minute relaxing body massage performed with a mix of aromatic oils by Bagni di Pisa’s expert masseuses.

Guests booking the ‘Tuscan Literary Weekend’ package will be hosted in Bagni di Pisa’s impressive rooms and suites and will receive full access to the hotel’s thermal spa, thermal Bioaquam circuit, Etruscan circuit complete with sauna, hot plate and steam bath, fitness room and daily morning hikes with a local guide.

Nightly rates at Bagni di Pisa start from €155 (£136*) per person per night in a Comfort room on a B&B basis. Tailormade rates for the ‘Literary Weekend Package’ are provided upon request.

www.italianhospitalitycollection.com

Let’s be honest here, there are some days when all we crave is chocolate, our mind wants chocolate, and every bone in our body seems to want chocolate too. Well, now is the time to crave delicious chocolate that’s not necessarily full of sugar and bad stuff.

So, when the tough gets going and all you want in life is a bite of something chocolatey and delicious, reach for one of these little beauties, they’ll give you the chocolate fulfillment your mind and body desires.

Prodigy

Prodigy’s motto is ‘Eat No Evil’ and each bar is a reinvented classic chocolate bar using only natural ingredients and no refined sugars. Prodigy was established in 2017 by Sameer Vaswani who aims to bring chocolate products to the mainstream market, which are made from clean, natural ingredients with nutritional benefits, and are packaged in sustainable materials. Each bar is gluten free, dairy free and vegan approved, plus each bar is made with raw and organic ingredients, and is high in fibre.

Prodigy has been two years in the making and endeavours to be a company, which creates goodness for its consumers and the planet.

#TeamCoco are seriously loving the Chunky Chocolate Reborn Bar, and the Orange Chocolate with Baobab Reborn Bar.

Available from www.prodigysnacks.com, WH Smith, Amazon, Ocado, Yumbles and Borough Box. Priced from £4.99 per box of 3 x 35g bars.

Montezuma’s

Montezuma’s Milk Chocolate Alternative ‘Like No Udder’ is a wonderful creation of a chocolate bar that is as close to milk chocolate as possible without ever going near a cow!

It is a smooth creamy bar that is high in cocoa, but without the dairy. The result is an organic bar with a milky taste, and is idea for vegans.

#TeamCoco are into both bars from the range including the ‘Like No Udder’ Chocolate and the ‘Like No Udder’ Chocolate with sweet orange.

Available from www.montezumas.co.uk. Priced at £2.99 per 100g bar.

Ombar

Ombar 72% Cacao Ecuadorian is a lower sugar, vegan alternative to the usual chocolate bars, which contains all natural, plant-based ingredients.

The new Ombar Centres range is now available in zingy Raspberry & Coconut, mouthwatering Coconut & Vanilla, and delicate and creamy Pistachio. Thanks to a velvety coconut cream as the base, encased by Ombar’s 60% chocolate – each bite will melt in your mouth and leave a lasting impression, no matter the flavour!

#TeamCoco are totally enjoying the 72% Cacao at the moment, for health benefits of course!

Available from Waitrose stores and online via www.waitrose.com. Priced at £3.29 per 70g bar.

Divine

Divine Rich Dark Chocolate with Quinoa and Blueberry is made with 85% dark chocolate, is free from dairy and palm oil.

Divine is made by experts in Germany, and this chocolate bar not only has a bold taste, but also a delightful texture with a slight touch of fruitiness. The ingredients are all organically grown to create the most natural taste possible, leaving out all the nasty chemicals. The recipe is made to create a treat that is also vegan friendly. Ingredients come from fair trade sources, earning each bar official FairTrade label certification.

#TeamCoco loves everything from Divine, especially this gorgeous bar.

Available from www.divinechocolate.com. Priced at £2.39 per 80g bar.

Nairn’s

Nairn’s Gluten Free Oat Bar Cacao & Orange isn’t technically a chocolate bar, but if you need a slight chocolate fix and you’re in the mood for something different, then check out this little treat.

This bar contains 40% less sugar than the average fruit or cereal bar, it is suitable for vegans, is high in fibre, contains nothing artificial, boasts no hydrogenated fats and no GM, plus is totally packed with gluten free wholegrain oats.

#TeamCoco says that the combination of chocolate and orange is always a winner!

Available from the Free From isle within most good supermarkets, plus whole food stores, and online via www.nairns-oatcakes.com. Priced from £0.89p per 40g bar.