VALENTINE’S GUIDE
Looking for wonderful gifts for Valentine's Day? Look no further than this delightful selection, including special offers for HBCP readers.

WONDERFUL CHOICES FOR HIM AND HER FROM THE HANDPICKED COLLECTION

Find something inspired and thoughtful this Valentine’s Day from The Handpicked Collection’s selection of gifts chosen by their Expert Panel of journalists. They’re also offering FREE standard DELIVERY for any order over £25 until 12th February quote HBCP.

http://www.handpickedcollection.com/

CRUMPET


For Valentine’s this year think pink at Crumpet......The sumptuous cashmere ‘Chelsea’ cardi in bubblegum can be worn on its own or over the ‘Daisy’ mini jumper dress with some and accessorised with a gorgeous patterned Ikat stole in pink. Crumpet’s signature printed cashmere scarves are highly sought after as iconic additions to every fashionista’s wardrobe. www.crumpetengland.com

FLIRTATIOUS VALENTINES 2010

The romantic season is upon us and it’s time to indulge in some gorgeous gifts for Valentine’s Day to entice the senses. Estée Lauder introduces a collection of desirable goodies to make the heart flutter.

Seductive Scents

Discover an all new way to experience Sensuous with this subtle, lighter concentration spray. Sensuous EDT is a celebration of a woman in full possession of her powers. Confidence, femininity, quiet strength and timeless grace. Every woman defines Sensuous in a different way making it this year’s perfect gift. The warm accord is a rich, mysterious core of molten woods and glowing amber that pulses with warmth, luminosity and feminine passion. Sensuous is a fragrance that is truly pleasing to the senses for the ultimate Valentines scent.
Available at Estee Lauder counters nationwide from 1st February
Sensuous 50ml RRP £34.50 €52.00
Sensuous 100ml RRP £55.00 €79.00

Love Your Lips

Pucker Up this Valentine’s Day with the new Love Your Lips limited edition lip collection of 12 lip-loving Estée Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick shades and four new kissable lip glosses.

Estée Lauder Signature Lipstick’s lustrous, creamy, comfortable formula delivers hours of moisture and wear to lips with a sensual, high-shine finish. Each lipstick features a special “love” logo on the bullet and the glosses are packaged in uniquely designed vials specially adorned with the same logo. These two undeniably attractive lip formulas will make sure your lips don’t go unnoticed this.

Limited Edition exclusive to Debenhams
Love Your Lips Signature Lipstick, 3.8g RRP £17.50 €23.00
Love Your Lips Kissable Lip Gloss, 3.8g RRP £15.00 €20.00

For Stockists 0870 034 2566 or www.Estéelauder.co.uk

LOVE IN THE LAP OF LUXURY THIS VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE ROCCO FORTE COLLECTION’S BROWN’S HOTEL

Having first opened their doors 1837, Brown’s Hotel has the most romantic history which includes Theodore Roosevelt staying there on his honeymoon. This year, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Brown’s Hotel is offering a series of special events:

Romantic Retreats accommodation package:

• Overnight accommodation in a luxurious room or suite
• Upgrade on arrival
• Bottle of Champagne, fresh fruit and home-made chocolates
• Full English breakfast
• Romantic turn-down with candles, rose petals and bath salts
• And as a gift to remember their stay, each couple will receive

2 monogrammed honeycomb bathrobes*

Rooms start from £395+VAT per night, subject to availability.

* Five days advance notice is required to have the bathrobes monogrammed, due to this the cancellation policy for this booking is five working days, if a guest cancels after this, they will incur a full one night stay charge

Tasty Romantic Treats at The Spa at Brown’s Hotel:

The Chocolate & Rose Pedicure - Whilst reclining on a heated treatment bed, guests can sip either a rose & lychee martini or a hot chocolate. This pedicure starts with a soothing massage using a warm chocolate sauce. A delicious blend of brown sugar and chocolate will be the ingredients used for an invigorating exfoliation. Their feet are then soaked in warm milk infused with rose oil, before enjoying a pressure point massage and a vanilla paraffin foot wrap, making the feet feel super soft. The nails are shaped and painted with a colour of their choice. (90 mins - £85.00)

The Chocolate & Rose Package - This relaxing treatment starts with a back massage, using a delicious chocolate cream, to ease away tension. The skin is then cleansed and is followed by a rose oil face, neck and shoulder massage. A chocolate face mask consisting of a blend of cocoa, honey and oatmeal is then applied and whilst the mask works its magic, guests can enjoy a relaxing scalp massage. The face mask is then buffed away, allowing the oatmeal to gently exfoliate the skin, before a nourishing face cream is applied. After the treatment, guests can relax on the heated treatment bed with a glass of chilled Champagne. (75 mins - £90.00)

The above packages are available from 1 February to 31 May 2010. For Spa reservations please call 0207 518 4009.

Valentine’s Culinary Day – 6 February 2010

Following the success of Lee Streeton’s cooking courses, he will be hosting a Culinary Day specifically focusing on Valentine’s ingredients.

The Culinary Day includes:

• Morning coffee with Executive Chef, Lee Streeton
• Private transfer to Borough Market with Lee to meet the hotel’s suppliers and select the seasonal ingredients
• A demonstration on how to prepare and cook all the ingredients

• Lunch in the restaurant, tasting the prepared dishes and including ½ bottle of house wine

Price: £150 per person. The master-classes will start at 9am, for a maximum of 6 people. To make a reservation please contact the hotel on 020 7493 6020. Gift vouchers are available.

Valentine’s Cocktails in The Donovan Bar
The fashionable and romantic Donovan Bar will be offering a series of exclusive Valentine cocktails at £14 each. The Golden Kiss will be made from Taittinger Champagne, 43 Liqueur and finished with gold leaf, whilst the Blushing Geisha contains an Asian aphrodisiac liqueur - TY KY, along with Pinky vodka, pomegranate juice and Sense rose nectar. Should some wish to propose in front of the roaring log fire, the ring could be placed within a cocktail, making it a truly magical cocktail!

Valentine’s Presents
All of the above can also be bought as a gift voucher, providing the ideal Valentine’s present for a loved one www.brownshotel.com/central/gifts.asp

Other Valentine’s Day experiences include:

• A romantic candle-light dinner will be served in The Albemarle, using only the finest local seasonal ingredients.
• Champagne Traditional Afternoon Tea in The English Tea Room with Taittinger Rosé Champagne, scones, delicate finger sandwiches and a delicious selection of romantically-inspired pastries. A roaring log fire, candle-light and the resident pianist tinkling away on the Grand piano complete the ingredients for a perfect Valentine’s afternoon. This special tea is priced at £50 per person.

A VENETIAN JOURNAL BY TESSA KIROS
A companion to the bestselling Venezia by Tessa Kiros, A Venetian Journal encourages food lovers who travel and those who explore the world via recipes to map their own journey, recording favourite recipes and memorable cooking and eating experiences.

Structured around the classic Italian meal: Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Contorni, Dolci, A Venetian Journal features the photographer Manos Chatzikonstantis' personal selection of photographs from his frequent visits to Venice with Tessa and fragments from her own journals as she sought to imbibe the very essence of the world's most romantic city.

(Hot Brands Verdict-This is an absolutely delightful gift, beautifully illustrated with atmospheric photographs and space to record your own thoughts. It would make the most special gift to a loved one, particularly if combined with a romantic trip to Venice ! Highly recommended for all lovers of Venice)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Venetian-Journal-Tessa-Kiros/

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEET!

Roses are red, violets are blue, but chocolates are tasty so give her those too!

Visit www.gallerchocolates.co.uk and get chocolate gifts from Galler delivered straight to your Valentine’s door!

If you don’t want a broken heart this February 14th, give your Valentine four to play with! Galler’s exquisite

Oh! Les Coeurs (£20.50 online) are so beautiful to look at he or she is bound to be extra careful. There are two dark hearts, one white and one milk heart, all with natural colouring.

Say it with chocolate this year with Galler’s “Les Inseperables” (£9.95 online). Two hearts intertwined in a fabulous fusion of milk and 70% dark chocolate.

Give your heart in style this February 14th, wrap it up with ribbon and deliver it through your Valentine’s door with

Galler’s Coffret Corsage (£44.95 online). This chic hollow dark chocolate heart contains 22 wrapped mini-hearts,

11 with a praline centre and 11 containing coffee caramel.

To order award winning Galler chocolate online visit www.gallerchocolates.co.uk, alternatively call 0207 351 1668 to

order over the phone or visit the Galler retail outlet at Harrods, Harvey Nichols (London) and John Lewis Food Halls

(Oxford Street and Bluewater branches).

For up to the minute information from Galler you can now follow us on Twitter!

You can also follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galler-Chocolate-UK/34079031442?v=info&ref=search

LET HER BE THE LADY IN RED THIS VALENTINE’S DAY


Swarovski introduces their stunning Valentines collection, combining style, elegance and class - The perfect gift for your special one.
See her sparkle in the Lala set, a beautiful heart crystal necklace with matching earrings. Perhaps a simple ladybird luggage tag, so she can be reminded of you whenever you’re apart. Whichever gift you choose to give, Swarovski is the answer this Valentine’s day.

http://www.swarovski.com/Web_GB/en/index

AT COCOONU WE OFFER THE PERFECT VALENTINES GIFT FOR ALL BUDGETS AND ALL ETHICALLY SOURCED


For a smaller gift, our gorgeous organic loofah soaps offer a bath time pampering gift or from our jewellery collection, one of our stylish horn bangles - contemporary and individual.

For sheer luxury, why not buy her one of our exquisite and chic 100% cashmere lace shawls or fine wraps? Luxurious and timeless, they are designed in a range of patterns and gorgeous colours, offering unsurpassed beauty, warmth and quality. They are also incredibly lightweight and perfect for travel.

And what about something you can both share? Bring the ultimate indulgence and style to your home with one of our beautiful cable knit throws and buy something which will wrap you both in sublime warmth and softness.

We haven't forgotten that the boys like to receive a gift on Valentines Day too. Why not give a pair of our 100% cashmere socks together with (or) gorgeous Indian sandalwood soap. Both a touch of luxury, not something you would buy everyday and will not break the bank.

THE ULTIMATE VALENTINE’S TREAT – LEICA C-LUX 3


Sophisticated, sexy and seductive… and that’s just the camera!

12 January 2010: Treat your partner to the ultimate in style and sophistication with the LEICA C-LUX 3 this Valentine’s Day. With its beautifully slim, glossy black body, and chic leather case, the lucky recipient of this stunning digital camera will be the envy of their friends and colleagues.

The ultra-compact LEICA C-LUX 3 simply oozes glamour, and is sure to make any photographer passionate about their pictures. This highly desirable camera has a powerful 5x optical Leica zoom lens, easy to use controls and menus, and an intelligent automatic mode making it simple to take great spontaneous pictures any time.

Whether you’re going out or staying in, the automatic scene recognition feature ensures the perfect shot in all situations – the LEICA C-LUX 3 simply selects the appropriate settings for macro, landscape, portrait or night portrait, as well as moving pictures in film mode. A special Leica image stabilisation system helps avoid camera shake, and the 10.1 million pixel sensor guarantees excellent picture quality in every shot.

For portraits and group scenes, Leica’s special face recognition technology adjusts the camera’s focus and exposure to the faces in your photo, so you’ll have perfect people pictures every time – leaving you to concentrate on more important activities this Valentine’s Day.

Pricing and availability

The LEICA C-LUX 3 including matt black leather case is available at an SRP of £335 inc VAT from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair, http://www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351.

For a full list of dealers, customers can visit the Leica Dealer Locator at: http://uk.leica-camera.com/service/dealer_locator/

VALENTINE'S IDEAS BY BRITAIN'S FINEST CHOCOLATIER - WILLIAM CURLEY

The UKs favourite chocolatier William Curley has recently launched a stunning new shop in Orange Square, Belgravia offering an incredible chocolate counter bursting with an unrivalled range of delicate chocolates; a cafe and patisserie; a specially designed dessert bar; an impressive retail selection of scrumptious baked goods and sweet treats not to mention its very own chocolate making master class kitchen. This Valentine’s Day why not treat someone special to a selection of some of Britain’s finest chocolates or for something a bit quirky book yourself into an intimate master-class with a William Curley Chocolate expert, or even the chocolate master himself.

UNIQUE VALENTINE’S CHOCOLATE MASTER-CLASSES
Valentine’s Day, an age old tradition when lovers express their love for each other by sending cards and flowers, but more importantly chocolate. Why not take it one step further this year by buying your Valentine a chocolate making master-class at Britain’s best chocolatier’s new store in Belgravia – William Curley.

The course includes:
· Welcoming with William Curley House Blend Hot Chocolate, talk on history of chocolate, beans to bar and tastings of origin of chocolates, then moves on to taste Award Winning Couture Chocolates

· Unique Valentine’s Chocolate making master-class: make your own chocolate heart filled with delicious Framboise truffle

· Finish with a complimentary glass of Champagne with Fraiser (Fresh strawberries with a vanilla bavaroise, berry compote and Genoise sponge).

Time: 2hours 30mins – prices from £100 per person
For further information or to book your course, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 020 7730 5522.

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Gifts
Alternatively, treat your loved one to some delicious, adventurous treats from William Curley’s extensive range of chocolates specifically designed for Valentine’s Day. For example encase a unique message, a ring (!) or accessories in a bespoke chocolate heart or treat that someone special to a unique and exciting array of delicious chocolate treats.

1. VALENTINE’S HEARTS -

a. Toscano 70% hand cast chocolate heart filled with our award winning house dark truffles, surrounded with couture chocolates - £35.00/£50.00

b. Dark chocolate heart filled with Gianduja almonds …or….Milk chocolate heart filled with Gianduja almonds - from £12.50

c. Valentine’s Baby Hearts - Assortment of solid chocolate baby hearts of House Dark 70, House Milk and White Chocolate - £7.50

For further products from William Curley’s range please visit www.williamcurley.co.uk.

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT IDEAS - COVENT GARDEN APPLE MARKET

Have you decided what to buy your loved one this Valentine’s Day? If you want to earn some brownie points, get something different that can’t be found on the high street, from The Covent Garden Apple Market.

In the heart of the West End, the Covent Garden Apple Market offers a wide selection of products with an exciting mix of gift ideas ranging from Swarovski encrusted heart pendants, vintage-inspired jewellery pieces, luxury bath soaps and hand painted silk ties. Spoil your special someone this Valentine’s Day with goodies you won’t find anywhere else!

Swarovski encrusted heart pendants by Mary Sirett
Prices start from approx: £25

Sterling silver cufflinks with lace by Lily Gardner
Prices start from approx: £55

Pink lace and silk heart necklace by Lily Gardner
Prices start from approx: £25

Individually hand-painted silk ties by Lorna Neary
Prices start from approx: £18

Luxury Lavender-infused cupcake -shaped bath soaps by Tomasz Kosmala
Prices start from approx: £6

The Covent Garden Apple Market is open:
Monday – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
North Hall
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 8RF

Established in 1980 the historic Apple Market is dedicated to offering Londoners and visitors the best in hand-made British craft. For more information visit http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com or call 020 3047 2555. You can also follow Covent Garden on Twitter@CoventGardenLDN twitter.com/coventgardenLDN

VALENTINE’S VELVET ROSE FROM BRONNLEY


Offer your heart this Valentine’s Day with Bronnley’s romantic Velvet Rose Collection which includes the beautifully fragrant Velvet Rose Eau De Toilette, a quality box of luxury triple milled Velvet Rose Soaps and a luxurious individual triple milled soap to pamper and indulge. Let your loved one indulge in a little luxury with an extra special gift this Valentine’s Day.

Bronnley’s Velvet Rose is the ultimate enduring fragrance to celebrate the heritage and spirit of this classic British brand and is available from leading department stores and independent chemists nationwide. It is also available online at www.bronnley.co.uk or by calling 01280 702291 for stockists.

SPOIL YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY WITH CHOCOLATES FROM THORNTONS

Personalise a Thorntons Champagne Bottle with a special message, say I love you in chocolate with the ‘I love you cups’, tweet sweet nothings with the cute milk chocolate lovebirds or give your loved one the new stylish Thorntons praline Melts.
Whatever your budget, Thorntons has something for everyone, and nothing says I love you better than chocolate from the nation’s favourite chocolate company.

Please find below details of the Thorntons Valentine’s Day range, and visit www.thorntons.co.uk for more information.

Valentine’s Day Lollipops –
Lovely milk chocolate heart lollipop decorated with white chocolate strickles. Perfect as an add-on gift or as a cheeky chocolate treat.99p each

Filled Milk Chocolate Hearts -
Share the love! Thorntons chocolate hearts filled with caramel and soft chocolate and wrapped in red and pink foil.

£1.00

I Love You Cups -
What better way to say those special words than in chocolate! 5 yummy chocolate truffles.

£2.99

New Praline Melts –
Delicious new single variant praline balls wrapped in a smooth milk chocolate shell guaranteed to melt hearts.

£3.99

New Heart Collection Box -
Truffles, pralines and caramels in a smooth milk chocolate heart. Presented in a beautiful seasonal gift box.

£4.99

Heart Message Milk Plaque –
Love love love. This heart shaped plaque in milk chocolate is perfect for delivering 'sweet' messages.

£4.99

Love Birds –
Ahhh - how sweet are they! A pair of milk chocolate love birds with a foiled chocolate truffle heart in the middle.

£5.99

Laced Heart Model –
Any message iced on this stunning milk chocolate model is sure to melt hearts.

£5.99

Pink Champagne Bottle –
Love pink? Well this fab pink champagne bottle is the one for you. Iced with love.

£6.50

Love Hamper –
This hamper is crammed full with traditional favourites as well as a taste from the Continent: 120g Milk fudge bag, 215g milk chocolate smothered original special toffee bag, 130g Continental milk collection bag, 130g Continental Viennese Truffle Bag. Perfect for the grown up love.

£10

Red Continental Heart –
24 European inspired Continental chocolates in milk, white and dark, beautifully presented in a red keepsake heart gift box. The ideal gift for her.

£11.99

THE WRIGHT BROTHERS OYSTER & PORTERHOUSE

Award-winning oyster merchants Wright Brothers of Borough Market are 'rocking' the seafood world with what they've got on offer this Valentine's Day. Forget ‘shucking’ oysters and think ‘shocking’ oysters. This valentine’s weekend get down to London’s Borough Market where Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House will be selling the ultimate valentines gift. Gorgeous pink wooden boxes filled with a dozen Brownsea Island Rocks from Poole, tied up in a huge ribbon. A must-have for all foodie’s this Valentines, and partnered with a bottle of pink champagne – what could be more delectable?

A dozen Valentine oysters cost £15 and will be available from Friday 12th through to Sunday 14th from The Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House at Borough. They will also be available to order online at www.wrightbros.eu.com for the price of £17.45 (includes temperature controlled packaging for delivery).
Alternatively the place to dine this Valentine’s Day is at the cosy but bustling Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House in Borough Market. Their menu boasts some of the finest oysters from around the British Isles and France. Select from a wide range including Carlingford Loughs from the pristine waters of this Irish Sea Lough. A full rich creamy oyster with a creamy finish; Maldon Rocks, from the Blackwater River in Essex, its initial muddy flavour develops to a long mineral after taste; Wild Colchester Rocks, a generous sized oyster with a robust earthy flavour from the historic beds off West Mersea Island; and Cumbrae Rocks, delicious and plump, these Scottish oysters from the beds opposite the Isle of Cumbrae have a briny lovely mineral finish.
Oysters are also available from Wright Brothers online shop visit www.wrightbros.eu.com or email wrightbros.eu.com
Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House, 11 Stoney Street, Borough Market London, SE1 9AD. Tel: 020 7403 9559

QUINTESSENTIALLY GOURMAND PRESENTS STUNNING VALENTINE’S DAY HAMPERS:


The caviar and Champagne experience is a wonderful decadent surprise (RRP: £199.95)

The experience includes:
· 30g Imperial Oscieta Caviar

· A bottle of Exquisite NV Ayla ‘Extra Age’ champagne

· A hand-blown Caviar serving dish

· Two mother of pearl spoons


The hamper will be delivered chilled and ready to serve.

Classic Chocolate and Champagne hamper: (RRP: £85.00)

This hampers is a winning combination of bespoke chocolate and aged premium champagne. These exclusive and indulgent chocolate are handmade and luscious, and the Aged Champagne is a connoisseur’s delight.
Creating your own mixed box of 20 chocolates you can choose from Salted Caramels (made using fleur de sel), the classic Marc de Champagne chocolate, or try the robust dark chocolate ganache or the exclusive single estate from Madagascar. To perfectly accompany the intense flavours of the rich chocolates sip on the stunning Ayala Extra Age champagne.

Quintessentially Driven:

This Valentine’s Day make every moment special, and what better way to do this than book a Quintessentially Driven car for the ultimate gesture. Quintessentially Driven are offering members and non-members an exclusive rate of £85 for a drop off anywhere in London in one of their stunning cars that include and unrivalled array of: Jaguars, Mercedes, BMW’s and Range Rovers. The perfect way to soaking up the sights of London and indulge in the most elegant way to travel .

The Quintessentially Wine Classic Selection

The perfect gift for all wine lovers this Valentine’s day. A stunning selection of twelve bottles, handpicked by Matthew Jukes, the case comes complete with Matthew's personal tasting notes, is beautifully packaged and delivered straight to your door. The case features top class Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Sancerre, and is certain to impress and delight.

Prices start from £180. www.quintessentiallywine.com <http://www.quintessentiallywine.com> / +44 (0)845 224 9261

Composed with Quintessentially Music

Quintessentially Artists bring you a unique opportunity to work with EMI Music Publishing’s stellar cast of world renowned writers, producers and engineers to create bespoke songs for any occasion. Working with professionals in state of the art studio facilities, EMI Music Publishing will work with you through every stage of the creative process, whether you already have a song written and want the experts to help you record it, OR if you would like one of their hit-making writers to compose a song to celebrate help express your feelings for your loved one; Quintessentially Music can make it happen.

Prices upon application. www.quintessentiallymusic.com <http://www.quintessentiallymusic.com> / +44 (0)845 388 2777


THE VIRTUAL FARMER BRINGS YOU HIS ‘N’ HERS VALENTINE’S HAMPERS WITH LOVE


This Valentine’s Day, take a trip down to the Virtual Farmers’ Market www.vfmuk.com and order your beloved a delicious romantic hamper for only £30 with free delivery.

The Virtual Farmer has created two lovely hampers using delicious farmers’ market produce to tickle those taste buds this Valentine’s Day. The best thing is, you can virtually ‘meet’ all the great people who made this lovely food & drink via video streams on the website.

Why go out this 14th February when you can dine in and indulge yourself with BLUE Chocolate, crumbly fudge and Choi Time’s special chrysanthemum flower tea?

Valentine’s hamper for her (£30 with free delivery):

Chrysanthemum Flower Tea from Choi Time
Crumbly fudge made lovingly by Burnt Sugar
Butterscotch and Mascarpone Sauce from Potts Partnership - Creamy Mascarpone blended into a sumptuous butterscotch sauce, delicious when warmed and drizzled over crepes
Tomato and Onion Spelt Bites from Sharpham Park
BLUE Chocolate – 70% Belgian chocolate combined with 150g blueberries forms this jar of deliciousness that is part sauce, part spread from the Wood Cottage Berry Farm

Valentine’s hamper for him (£30 with free delivery):

Serrano Coffee Roasted and Ground - Elegant, smooth and a well balanced coffee with some hints of fruitiness; it’s the preferred choice for morning coffee in Cuba. 250g from Café de Cuba

Crumbly Fudge with a hint of Sea Salt from Burnt Sugar
KOEZE CREAM-NUT Natural Peanut butter from American Food 2 UK

Moorish Kilner - Kalamata olives prepared to a Moroccan recipe with cumin, coriander and cardamom, great with red wine. 800g From Olives et al

Oxford Sauce - Baron Pouget's Original Oxford Sauce is a delicious table sauce which has a variety of applications. It can be used as a marinade for chicken, fish or seafood or as an accompaniment to a variety of dishes, from Oxford Fine Foods

The Virtual Farmers’ Market

The VFM is a fabulous new website that, using the latest games technology, allows you to ‘stroll around’ a 3D farmers’ market world, where you can ‘meet’ the people that produce your food & drink via video streams and buy delicious farmers’ market produce from more than 45 market stalls from the comfort of your own home, with your very own Virtual Farmer helping to guide you around!

The VFM has some amazing producers. Choose from Gower Brownies (some say the best they’ve ever tasted!), William Chase vodka, Paxton & Whitfield cheeses, Dave’s Chilli Oil, O’Shea Butcher, Burnt Sugar fudge, unusual teas from Choi Time & Teapigs and so many more. New producers and products will feature in the VFM the whole time, so it’s just like popping down to your local farmers’ market.

http://www.vfmuk.com/

BE PRETTY IN PINK THIS VALENTINE’S DAY WITH CHAMPAGNE LANSON ROSÉ
Be pretty in pink this Valentine’s Day with the gorgeous new pastel pink edition of Champagne Lanson’s Rosé Label. It contains the same mouth-watering, crisp rosé champagne as the original bottle, only now it’s dressed to impress!


What could be more romantic than starting off your Valentine’s Day evening with a glass of Champagne Lanson Rosé - packed full of redcurrant, raspberry and forest fruit flavours, this crisp, refreshing champagne makes a perfect aperitif. It’s also delicious served with delicate seafood dishes such as scallops, oysters or prawns. Pair with strawberries or berry fruits for a sumptuous Valentine’s Day dessert.


Why not go pink all the way, with a bunch of pink roses or a long-stemmed pink orchid? Or if it’s just the girls this year, get creative with a pink themed girls night in. Whatever you have planned for Valentine’s Day, if you’re planning on staying in, don’t go without a bottle of Champagne Lanson Rosé.
Stockists: Champagne Lanson Rosé Label Brut NV pink bottle (75cl) - Waitrose, Tesco

Always drink responsibly http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

HARVEYS PX AND CHOCOLATE: THE SWEET TASTE OF VALENTINE’S
Seduce your sweetheart’s palate with a chilled glass of velvety Harveys Pedro Ximénez wine paired with decadent dark chocolate this Valentine’s Day. Newly available at Waitrose, this delectable dessert wine, made exclusively from sun-drenched Spanish PX grapes, will provide a truly sensory sweet treat for your loved one – or for that special someone to be!

Truly irresistible, try serving Harveys Pedro Ximénez as a digestif to follow a romantic Valentine’s dinner. The vigorous yet sweet balance of the PX grape perfectly complements the smooth textures of dark chocolate. Harveys PX is also superb served chilled in a wine glass alongside a bitter chocolate mousse or sticky toffee pudding.

Harveys Pedro Ximénez is made from PX grapes grown at Harveys’ own vineyards and blended in the traditional method at its bodegas in Jerez in southern Spain. Steeped in heritage, Harveys Pedro Ximénez is a Very Old Rare Sherry (VORS), certified by the Denomination of Origin to be an average age of over 30 years; it is made from a Solera that was founded in 1919. This wine is full and vigorous with a lovely sweet balance, together with a long and persistent finish.

Harveys Pedro Ximénez (50cl RRP £19.99) is available exclusively at Waitrose nationwide. Available only in a half bottle size (50cl), it is the ideal wine for two to share - and you won’t be tempted to over-indulge!

Always drink responsibly http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

AND FINALLY A WONDERFUL INVITATION FROM LINLEY

Please Note
All information is supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, promotions, or news items. Inclusion in a news item does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Recipes have not been tested by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.