SEARCYS’ LATEST DINING AND EVENTS SPACE HAS LAUNCHED AT THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB

Last week saw the launch of Searcys latest addition to their portfolio; The Commonwealth Club and The Commonwealth Kitchen Restaurant. The evening was a massive success with over 470 attendees from the events, conferencing, and hospitality industry. The Commonwealth Kitchen Restaurant will be open to club members and as part of their conferencing and events facility.

The launch was a result of a partnership between Searcys, The Commonwealth Club and London Launch who brought together the good and the great of the high end hospitality industry.
During the speeches, Searcys’ chief executive, Doug Tetley said “We are delighted to be working with The Commonwealth Club and are looking forward to putting it firmly back on the map as an events venue”.

The theme of the evening was Great World Leaders in celebration with the newly named main events spaces; The Mandela Room, The Nehru Room and The Gladstone Room, three of the largest events spaces within the venue. The menu for the evening featured canapés and bowl food and was on theme including King prawn tuwo with okra and coconut, Yoghurt and mint marinated launston lamb with Sri Lankan lentils and Dorset coast Slip sole and chips served with crushed peas.

The new 60 seat Commonwealth Kitchen Restaurant will feature a British menu with a contemporary Commonwealth and international twist and will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Providing a fresh contemporary feel, the interior of the restaurant showcases an impressive and unique colonial style clock, the only piece of artwork commissioned by Edward VII before he died in 1910. Suspended above the dining room entrance, the clock tells the time in all 54 Commonwealth countries, perfectly illustrating The Commonwealth Club’s grass roots and presenting guests with a grand welcome.

All rooms were impressively dressed, beautifully showcasing the endless potential of every space within the Club. The glass dining room which floats above the main restaurant was particularly striking with a combination of pink orchids draped from the ceiling, white and silver table wear and lighting all perfectly complimenting one another.

The Commonwealth Club, 25 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP
T: +44 (0) 20 7766 9200 F: +44 (0) 20 7766 9222
www.thecommonwealthclub.co.uk

Fortnum & Mason will be offering an assortment of delicious treats for Hallowe’en this year to fright and delight trick-or-treaters of all ages. This year Fortnum & Mason is daring all customers to embrace their wicked side, with devilishly decadent meals and treats in all of the restaurants to satisfy even the most refined of palates. There is even for the first time this year, a pumpkin carving competition complete with prizes for those whose carved entries make a gory impression on the judges…

New to the range this Hallowe’en includes a life size human skull made from velvety white chocolate, the perfect dinner party centrepiece; the chocolate cauldron, complete with edible stirring spoon; or the intricately detailed white chocolate gargoyle, ideal as a wicked witch’s dining table feature.;

The bloody eyeballs makes for a perfect party favour with white chocolate eyes filled with a gloriously grisly, gooey raspberry filling and the handmade chocolate lollipops come in three scary styles - Count Dracula, ‘Boo’ Ghost or Dancing Skeleton and all make great party favours. Enjoy the chilling Catacombs chocolate bar, delicious Fortnum & Mason milk chocolate covering bone-like bits of crunchy pastillage or if it’s the element of surprise you’re after, the chocolate toads are filled with space dust that crackles and pops when eaten. A trio of mysterious monks, detailed by hand and made from Fortnum & Mason’s creamy milk chocolate will also be available

The Splendid Sweets range is ever popular in store and Hallowe’en will be no exception with three special and spooky varieties – Splendid Sweets graveyard worms, Splendid Sweets Witches Fingers and Splendid Sweets Dracula’s Dentures, all deliciously chewy. Also in the Splendid Sweets range is the Create You Own Haunted House, a blank gingerbread house frame that comes with an array of goodies to make it as sweet or scary as you like.

Pumpkin Carving Competition
Hallowe’en is renowned for ghastly ghouls, wicked witches and of course the iconic pumpkin lantern. Fortnum’s invites you to unleash your creative side and enter their inaugural Pumpkin Carving Competition to be held on Friday 29 October from 4pm – 8pm. All generations are invited to take part and there are very special Hallowe’en prizes to be won in the two age categories:

5 to 18: Fiendish or Funny? The winners will receive a voucher for a meal for four in our Parlour restaurant

19 to 99: Traditional or Cutting Edge? The winners will receive a voucher for a meal for four in our Fountain restaurant.

The Golden Pumpkin Prize: The supreme winner (if over 18) will win a £1,000 Fortnum & Mason hamper, and a unique eau-de-nil broomstick (with plaque!). Every fashionable witch or wizard will want one. If the winner is under 18, you will be invited to visit Fortnum’s and fill your hamper with your favourite things.

Tickets are strictly limited, so please reserve your place early (0845 300 1707), and let your imagination fly.

Fortnum & Mason restaurants will be serving some Hallowe’en inspired menus using seasonal Autumnal ingredients.

The Parlour: Hallowe’en Sundaes of different ice-creams, raspberry coulis, edible eyes and Green Frogs

The Fountain: Devilled Whitstable Native Oysters; Braised Pig Cheek, Blood Pudding & Scallop Salad; Surf & Turf to Die for; and for dessert, The Pear Witch Project

The Gallery :Bloody Mary Oyster Shot; Roasted Pumpkin, pear & Pecorino Nero Salad; Taste of Windsor Estate lamb (Pressed Shoulder with Roasted Beetroot, Cutlet with Sauteed Spinach and Devilled Kidneys); Amedei Chocolate and Raspberry Fondant, Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream

The St James : For the week of Hallowe’en, the afternoon tea will offer the chocolate cake covered in chocolate with an orange web and spider on top

Available to buy at 181 Piccadilly, London or online at www.fortnumandmason.com

TEDDINGTON HIGH STREET SPARKLES AS GILLIAN MILLION OPENS ITS DOORS
Jewellery designer and local entrepreneur, Gillian Million, is emerging from the cocoon of her home-based studio to display the full brilliance of her work in her first Gillian Million boutique opening on the 23rd October at 34 Teddington High Street.

Renowned for her talent for creating breath-taking bespoke bridal jewellery, Gillian is celebrated by all who’ve discovered her. She has sought partnerships with like-minded visionaries to present a destination boutique showcasing her contemporary and traditional wedding accessories alongside exquisite new bespoke luxuries and gift lines.

With the emphasis on creating intricate one-off signature pieces, a sumptuous studio within the boutique offers an intimate setting for Gillian to work with brides to conceptualise their wedding adornments in the heady backdrop of beautiful beading, fresh water pearls, vintage jewels and Swarovski crystals. Previously by appointment only, Gillian Million will also give passers-by the chance to pour over the collections and buy from the ready-to-wear ranges as well as choosing bespoke luxuries such as beautiful personalised silver and gold jewellery, personalised stationery and so much more. Gillian will also be launching a bespoke wedding planning service and tailor-made honeymoons with experts working under the Gillian Million brand.

All the jewellery is created by a team of 12 in London and overseen by Gillian. An advocate of nurturing new creative talent, she is continually evolving her product range to bring in emerging artists and offer them a commercial opportunity. To mark the opening of her first boutique, Gillian is inviting budding designers to submit ideas for an area in the boutique entitled ‘Everything but a Hat’ – headwear that goes beyond bonnets! Details of this can be found on the website www.gillianmillion.com – deadline for submissions is 1st February 2011.

Of her first shop opening, Gillian says: ‘I’m so excited about moving into the high street and opening my doors. I love meeting people and interpreting their designs and creating a bespoke luxury to be treasured and admired. Being a special part of a bride’s wedding planning experience is to be cherished so a large part of the boutique is dedicated to the bespoke wedding accessory service that’s at the heart and soul of Gillian Million. A place where brides can share their vision, run their fingers through all the amazing treasures and vintage jewels, even bring in family heirlooms for us to recycle and transform into their perfect accessory, while knowing that they will leave with a headpiece, cuff, veil, necklace, or any luxury that is completely unique to them. We have a great team of really talented and friendly people waiting to welcome you into our bespoke luxuries shop’.

To book an appointment for a consultation with Gillian at the boutique please call 0208 977 0588 or 07712898281 or visit www.gillianmillion.com.

RARE ENGLISH MIRRORS CROSS THE POND

Ronald Phillips Ltd, one of the London’s finest antique dealers specialising in English furniture, will be coming to New York with some of England’s most precious antique mirrors.

Simon Phillips, owner of the Mayfair gallery, is returning to New York this October for the seventh consecutive year to exhibit at the Haughton International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show (22 - 28 October 2010). Amongst other items of furniture, he will be bringing with him some of the most exquisite mirrors ever seen, dating between 1660 and 1820.

Simon’s return to the States follows the huge success of his recent Mirrors show in London, the largest ever exhibition of its kind focused on English mirrors, and the launch of Masterpiece London, the luxury fair he founded along with other luminaries from the UK antiques trade.

Amongst the collection crossing the Atlantic is a George II giltwood mirror (circa 1750), which for generations has hung in Hawarden Castle - the family home of former British Prime Minister Sir William Gladstone. The mirror remained in the Gladstone family for 360 years, before it was put up for sale, and spotted in near perfect condition in a local sale room in Wales.

Commenting on his forthcoming trip, Simon Phillips said: “Some of these historical pieces have never left English soil before. They were made by the very best English craftsmen of their generation, from the finest English materials for grandest families in England. They are the best examples of their kind and this really will be a unique opportunity to see these beautiful objects.”

In addition to his stunning collection of antique mirrors, Ronald Phillips will show a range of English furniture including a rare lantern dating from the early 18th century, a writing table which once belonged to the iconic British actor Sir John Mills, and a selection of beautiful 18th century occasional tables and chairs. The collection will be on show, at stands B3 and B4, at the Haughton International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show (22-28 October 2010).

HOTPOINT CAMPAIGNS FOR BRITS TO GET CONFIDENT IN THE KITCHEN

The UK’s number one appliance brand, Hotpoint, has conducted national research* into the nation’s cooking habits and found a startling lack of confidence in British kitchens. Our busy lifestyles and a greater number of work commitments have lead to nine out of ten respondents saying that they are thoroughly stuck in a creative rut only cooking the same few meals over and over again.

The top ten most cooked meals in the UK are:

1. Spaghetti Bolognaise
2. Roast Dinner
3. Indian/ Curry
4. Chinese/ Stir-fry
5. Lasagne
6. Mexican Wraps/ Fajitas
7. Jacket potato
8. Shepherd’s Pie
9. Sausage and Mash
10. Chilli

To redress the balance, Hotpoint and Masterchef 2010 Champion Lisa Faulkner have teamed up to launch their Campaign for Cooking Confidence along with a whole panel of experts. Its aim: to equip consumers with the culinary skills needed to give them more confidence in the kitchen and be adventurous with ingredient and meal choices.

Lisa Faulkner said:
“I’ve teamed up with Hotpoint and their Campaign for Cooking Confidence, to help give others a helping hand. I learnt the importance of planning ahead and have a grasp on what flavour combinations work well together. This has enabled me to take pride in my cooking and I feel much more at ease in the kitchen – it's opened up a new world to me!”
The Hotpoint research also found that 15% of respondents have passed off shop bought food as home made to hide their lack of cooking skills from family and friends. The study found that whilst many of us enjoy spending time in the kitchen, we struggle with what meals to make and opt for the safest, easiest options – meaning that we fall into a rut of repeatedly making the same dishes.

The Hotpoint research has also found that:

• 21% of people say that they would like to be more experimental but that they tend to be put off following a recipe because it looks too complicated

· 1 in 4 of us cook what’s on offer in the supermarket

• 36% of people blame a hectic lifestyle for preventing them from trying new dishes
• 1 in 6 of us feel frustrated about having a lack of creativity in the kitchen

· 40% of us always go for what’s easiest to prepare when choosing our dinner

· 50% of us use up what’s in our fridges and cupboards rather than experimenting with new ingredients

· We spend an average of 1.6 hours in the kitchen every day

Tony Tobin, renowned restaurateur and Hotpoint Ambassador comments:

“Having worked in professional kitchens for most of my life I understand the pressure that cooking for other people can bring. By following a few simple mantras you too can be cooking confidently in no time. Planning, a bit of experimentation and a few simple styling tricks can have you creating restaurant quality food at home.”

For more cooking tips from Lisa Faulkner and our panel of experts please visit http://www.hotpoint.co.uk/vitalingredient

*The survey was conducted by One Poll independent of Hotpoint and surveyed 3000 people from across the UK.

CHATEAU CIVRAC AND RENOWNED CHOCOLATIER PAUL A. YOUNG ANNOUNCE A SPECIAL COLLABORATION

Cornish wine producer, Mark Hellyar, and renowned Chocolatier Paul A.Young have collaborated to produce a unique chocolate made using ‘new claret’ Chateau Civrac 2006.

The chocolate is fittingly in the shape of a bunch of grapes, costs £3.95 and can be purchased from Paul A. Young chocolate boutiques in Islington and the Royal Exchange. Paul uses only the very best chocolate blended with seasonal ingredients, hand producing each of his award winning creations.

Paul comments, ‘Usually I would say wine and chocolate do not make a very accommodating match but after tasting Chateau Civrac I found a 64% Madagascan Grand Cru dark chocolate which complements the wine, allowing its fruity finish to really shine through. The result is an intensely mouth-watering chocolate with a very clean finish’.

Paul is always true to the flavour of his ingredients and uses just Chateau Civrac, chocolate and a touch of organic unrefined sugar to create this chocolate.

Chateau Civrac, which is produced in the Bordeaux appellation of Côtes de Bourg, is a fruity, rich and long lasting ‘new claret’. The wine is a fusion of the quality of the old world, but with the approachability of the new. It’s a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec but made in a contemporary and honest style.
http://www.civrac.com/
http://www.paulayoung.co.uk/

THE PORTRAIT RESTAURANT GIVES YOU ‘AFTERNOON TEA FOR FREE’!

The Portrait Restaurant at the top of the National Portrait Gallery is offering a delightful treat this autumn. Visit the Restaurant for lunch in November and receive a voucher for buy one get one free Portrait tea to use any time in January 2011!

Afternoon tea at the Portrait Restaurant will be the perfect way to brighten up your January or take a well deserved break from shopping in the sales. A vast range of the finest Wiltshire loose leaf teas are available, including Darjeeling and Lapsang Souchong. Tea is accompanied by a selection of house sandwiches, Fresh scones with clotted cream and preserve and a delicious selection of great British cakes!

To receive your treat, simply visit the Portrait Restaurant for lunch in November*. The Portrait Restaurant menu features a wonderful selection of seasonal dishes including Monmouthshire air dried ham, green beans & shallot salad to start, Pheasant breast, crushed potato & Jerusalem artichoke served with red cabbage and red current jus and Plum bread & butter pudding with cinnamon custard to finish. Enjoy your meal whilst overlooking one of the most impressive views across London.

For bookings at The Portrait Restaurant, call 020 7312 2490 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
* To receive the 2 for 1 afternoon tea offer, total table bill must be £100 or more.
The Portrait Restaurant serves Afternoon tea from 15:30 until 17:00 Monday – Sunday and throughout December 16:00 – 17:00.
The Portrait Restaurant serves a set menu on Monday to Friday from 11.45 – 14:45:
2 Course £20.00 | 3 Courses £25.00
The Portrait Restaurant serves a pre-theatre menu on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from 17.30 – 18.30: 2 Course £16.50 | 3 Courses £19.50
The Portrait Restaurant serves a brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 – 15.00:
2 Course £22.50 | 3 Courses £27.50.
Opening Hours: Monday to Wed 10am – 5pm, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 9pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm.

FORGET THE TRICKS; MAKE IT A TREAT THIS HALLOWEEN WITH THORNTONS

Treat your friends and family to Thorntons frighteningly delicious collection of spooky treats, guaranteed to fuel every chocolate fiend this Halloween.

Your little ghouls and ghosts will love Thorntons’ assortment of Halloween inspired lollipops without leaving a scary hole in your pocket. Take a bite into the tasty milk and white chocolate Skeleton, sinister Pumpkin or the chilling white chocolate Ghost,
all priced at 69p each.

Sweeten “trick or treaters” with a hand-full of Spooky Coins (69p for 50g), which come with peelable spooky stickers such as bats and spiders, sure to entertain your “little horrors”; also perfect for sharing with friends and a welcome addition to any party bag.

What’s more, you can grab a hold of a mixture of any five of the Halloween treats for £3 in store, during the Halloween promotion; perfect for party prizes,
celebrating in the office, or simply a fun Halloween treat.

There’s no reason not to treat yourself and your friends and family this Halloween, as all of the products in the Thorntons’ Halloween range have no added flavourings or colourings. The Thorntons’ Halloween range is available to buy in stores nationwide from 12th September, and also online at www.thorntons.co.uk.

COLMAN’S BAGS YOU A WINNING RECIPE
Shake Up Family Meal Times with New Colman’s Season and Shake
Fuss-free family feasts are in the bag as Colman’s launches a new, fool-proof way to cook chicken. Brand new Colman’s Season and Shake combines delicious seasoning with a revolutionary baking bag that allows you to cook an entire meal while sealing in the flavours of the herbs and spices to create an instant family hit.

Colman’s team of taste experts has created three delicious flavours - Rustic, Mediterranean and Paprika - so that busy mums can rustle up a variety of week-night favourites in just a few simple steps:

Step one – Place chopped chicken and vegetables into the special baking bag (you’ll find recommendations for vegetable combinations on the pack of the pack of the Mediterranean and Rustic variants)
Step two – Pour over the Season & Shake seasoning
Step three – Seal and shake the bag for a few seconds
Step four – Cook on an oven dish for 40-45 minutes – no mixing or stirring required!
Step five – The meal is ready to serve for the whole family to enjoy!

Celebrity chef Tony Tobin gives Colman’s new seasoning his seal of approval saying; “It can be tricky to cook well-seasoned, juicy chicken in the oven and marinating can be time-consuming and messy. Colman’s Season and Shake is great because the baking bag allows the food to cook in its own juices, which seals in the flavour.”

The cleverly designed Colman’s Season and Shake bag not only captures all the flavour but all the mess too, which means there is less washing up and more time to spend with the family.

Colman’s Season and Shake can be found in the dry sauces section of all major retailers from mid October 2010, with an RRP of £1.49.

THE SUMMERHOUSE STAYS OPEN FOR WINTER AND BRINGS BACK FONDUE

This summer saw the arrival of The Summerhouse to Maida Vale and it has rapidly become a much loved neighbourhood restaurant. So much so that it is now being kept open throughout the winter, providing visitors with a touch of summer all year round. To celebrate they will be serving the perfect warming dish throughout the winter, fondue.

The Summerhouse is idyllically situated along the banks of Little Venice’s canal and has a nautical theme, serving delicious seafood in a space reminiscent of a Hampton’s beach house. It was initially due to close in October but, due to its overwhelming popularity, it will now remain a permanent fixture. Steps have been taken however, to ensure that guests are kept warm with outdoor heaters on the terrace, blankets, mulled wine and cider being served.

Whilst remaining true to their original seafood offering, the menu at The Summerhouse has definitely made the transition from summer to winter. Most notably they will be serving a Classic Swiss Fondue (emmental, gruyere and vermouth) served with rustic bread and green salad for £12 per person. Fondue is the ultimate sharing dish and The Summerhouse’s version will take it out of the seventies and into the 21st Century once and for all.

Other Dishes will be hearty and warming with starters including; Butternut Squash and Ginger Soup, Seared Scallops with Colcannon Mash and Pea and Bacon as well as The Summerhouse’s signature ‘Best Ever’ Popcorn Shrimp with Sweet Chilli Sauce. Mains will also offer the perfect meal for when the cold weather arrives, with dishes such as; The Summerhouse Fish Pie, and the more exotic Roast Spiced Chargrilled Calves Liver, Swiss Chard, Grain Mustard Crushed Potatoes with Bacon and Sage Jus and the more exotic, Halibut with Potato Swede, Spinach and Saag Aloo, Coconut and Coriander Sauce. Round off the ultimate winter’s feast with some truly indulgent desserts including; Apple and Rhubarb Crumble with Custard, Knickerbocker Glory, Pimms Jelly with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Pudding with Vanilla Ice cream.

There will be an extensive and varied drinks new drinks menu in celebration of winter’s arrival at The Summerhouse. Cocktails will be guaranteed to warm the cockles with delights such as the Smoky Martini, a comforting blend of Belvedere Vodka with a dash of Laphroaig Malt Whiskey and the Southern Winter Cup, Warm Cider blended with Southern Comfort, Angostura, Cinammon and Fresh Apple Juice. There will also be the addition of some full-bodied red wines to the drinks list, such as a Merlot and a Bordeaux.

Brought to London by leading dining operators, First Restaurant Group, The Summerhouse is their second venue in leafy Maida Vale. The popular Waterway is located just a few paces away and also has a heated and covered terrace making it an idyllic spot even during the coldest months of the year.

So keep that summer feeling alive all year round and head down to The Summerhouse.

The Summerhouse
Opposite 60 Blomfield Road
W9 2PD
Tel: 020 7286 6752
www.summerhousebythewaterway.co.uk

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm-12am
Sat: 10am-12am
Sun: 10am-11pm

BRING HOME THE PERFECT SPA GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS JUST £19 AT BOOTS - FOR ONE WEEK ONLY

Running from 22nd October – 28th October 2010

As part of this year’s festive ‘Gift of the week’ at Boots, for one week only, the Sanctuary Spa Perfect Pamper Box can be picked up for just £19 – that’s a saving of £21 (usual price £40).

If you know a party princess who could do with indulging herself after the Christmas parties, the Sanctuary Spa Perfect Pamper Box contains everything needed to wind down and pamper yourself from top-to-toe.

This is the ultimate indulgent beauty box, with over ten products to give any girl, any age the ultimate pampering experience! The gift collection includes various items from the popular Sanctuary range: Spa Skin Body Polisher; Salt Scrub Sachet (60g); Body Butter (150ml), Body Lotion (250ml), Foaming Bath Soak (75ml), Luxury Bath Float and a Luxury Shower Cap. If that’s not enough, the gorgeous gift set also has a Classic Eau de Toilette (25ml) fragrance, along with moisturising Hand Cream (30ml) to ensure skin stays silky soft and fabulously fragrant.

What’s more, these products are packaged in a decorative floral box that’ll look lovely next to the Christmas decorations on the mantelpiece. To give someone the Sanctuary Spa Perfect Pamper Box make a beeline for Boots on Friday 22nd October or visit boots.com, as the offer is only available while stocks last.

Advantage Card holders earn four points for every pound they spend at Boots, so take advantage of this hot offer and be rewarded with 76 Advantage Card points with this purchase.

• This week’s ‘Gift of the Week’ will be available to customers on boots.com from 0700 hours, Friday 22nd October. To ensure the offer is available to all customers, any boots.com shopping baskets containing the product, ahead of this date and time, will be reset
• This offer is not included in our 3 for 2 Mix & Match, from 22nd October to 28th October, at Boots and boots.com
• There are no restrictions on the number of customer purchases of the offer at Boots and boots.com

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