MERCEDES-BENZ TAKES ROOF OFF LIMITED EDITION STIRLING MOSS SLR
London, 8th January 2009 - Mercedes-Benz today announces the launch of an exclusive SLR model inspired by British motor racing legend, Stirling Moss. A true collector’s car, the production run will be limited to 75 units in total with a price tag of €750,000 each.

Characterised by sophisticated technology and breathtaking composition, the SLR Stirling Moss combines unique roofless and windowless design alongside a supercharged V8 engine and 478 kW/650 hp. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 350 km/h this puristic high-performance sports car celebrates new dimensions in open-top driving.

Inspired by racing hero Stirling Moss, who drove the legendary Mercedes-Benz SLR racing cars from victory to victory during the 1950s, the car silhouette displays a pronounced arrow-shaped form, elongated bonnet and a compact, muscular rear. The bonnet stretches from its striking tip right down into the interior, giving the vehicle body a distinctly sleek air. The signature design style is completed with an aluminium plate, by the shift lever, carrying the engraved signature of Stirling Moss.

Production of the SLR Stirling Moss will commence in June 2009.

LOVING DEVON!
Declaring your love for your country is easy, but it is a bit more difficult when you have to prove just how much you care and that’s exactly what I have been charged to do. I have been chosen as a finalist of the Lovemydevon campaign which is being run by Visit Devon (formerly Destination Devon). Visit Devon set up a competition to find people with a passion for Devon and the skills to promote it out of county in a bid to generate more tourism to our region. The judges, who included celebrity chef, Michael Caines, selected three finalists and whoever generates the most publicity about Devon during the month of January will win the competition. I have come up with lots of ways to promote our beautiful county and set up a website www.comeandlovedevon.co.uk which includes an on-line survey (just 5 questions) and if you complete it you could win a weekend break in Devon. My site will direct you to www.visitdevon.co.uk who will tell everything you need to know about all that is great about Devon.


TIME TO QUIT, SAYS BUPA
Keeping the toughest New Year’s resolution of them all could be made a little easier for Facebook users this year thanks to a new application - the Bupa ‘QuitClock’. Bupa has exclusively designed this new application to both help and encourage any potential ex-smoker to give up cigarettes.

QuitClock is a Facebook application that not only helps track the time since the last cigarette was smoked but also offers an at a glance view on how much money has been saved. By using Facebook, Bupa enables users to also draw on the online support of friends and family to track progress and leave messages of support.

Two-thirds of smokers start before the age of 18, and smoking is highest among 20 to 24 year olds. By engaging users of this popular social networking site, Bupa hopes to target the most prolific group of smokers.

Along with losing weight, the top New Year’s resolutions each year are to stop smoking and to save money. Whilst resolutions can be very hard to keep, Quitclock encourages users with a week by week approach plus the added support and encouragement from their nearest and dearest.

“Seven out of ten smokers want to give up, but it isn’t an easy process,” explains Dr Annabel Bentley, Bupa Assistant Medical Director. “By installing Quitclock, ex-smokers can keep track of their progress and get positive feedback and support of their friends which should encourage them to keep going.”

Alastair McQueen, senior health editor at Bupa who led the project, explained: "Quitclock is the first Facebook application Bupa has released. It's a new way to engage people who use social networking sites and who want to stop smoking.”

People who stopped smoking in the past can backdate the clock to see how much they have saved since they quit. "I personally stopped smoking around eight months ago. It's really satisfying to see Quitclock tallying up the money I have saved." Alastair adds.

Quitclock is freely available to install on your Facebook profile at http://apps.facebook.com/quitclock, or search for "Quitclock" on Facebook.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION: LAURENT-PERRIER ULTRA BRUT
This year, enjoy a guilt-free toast to 2009, by popping open a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut Champagne. With only 65 calories a glass*, Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut is the lowest calorie bubbly for those who wish to start the year as they mean to go on.

Not only ultra-low, but ultra-dry, Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut has a fresh, clean taste and is the perfect champagne for the post-festive period. Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut is also the champagne of choice in many of the UK’s top spas and health clubs.

Unlike most champagnes, which are made with a final addition of sugar to the wine, Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut doesn’t require any additional sweetening as only the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes make the grade.

Featuring a distinctive blue and metallic silver label, Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut retails at Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols for £43.99.

* Regular Brut champagne averages 90 calories per glass.

DIAGEO RESERVE BRANDS LAUNCHES ‘WORLD CLASS’: A SEARCH FOR BRITAIN’S FINEST BARTENDER
Diageo Reserve (including brands such as Tanqueray® No. Ten™, Johnnie Walker® Blue Label® blended Scotch whisky, Ketel One ® and Cîroc® vodka) has launched its ‘World Class’ bartender programme in a bid to do just that. In a nationwide search to find Britain’s finest bartender, the competition will pit the best against the best, culminating in a highly competitive Great Britain final and ultimately, for the GB winner, a global final which will see them competing against the finest bartenders from around the world including Australia, China, Singapore, Brazil and Greece.

Cocktail drinking across the UK has undergone a revolution. As discerning Brits are increasingly expecting liquid masterpieces, the drinks that are being served are as thoroughly researched, and sometimes as complicated, as a dish offered on a Michelin starred-menu. Far from the days when a bartender was simply expected to be able to pull a good pint, these days a professional bartender is likely to undergo rigorous training, be expected to memorise recipes for hundreds of classic drinks and, of course, anticipate their customer’s expectations and refined tastes.

Barrie Wilson, Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador Team Manager, says “The role of the bartender is often overlooked and more and more of the country’s best are frustrated that they don’t receive the kudos they deserve. A first class bartender is the key component of a great night out or a fine dining experience. They have the ability to make a drink that will capture the spirit of the moment and World Class is a great platform to highlight bartending as the artform that it has become.”

The GB final will be judged by some of the country’s most esteemed experts in taste, style and bartending, namely Marco Pierre White, Michelin-starred chef; Andy Pearson, TV Mixologist; Bill Prince, Deputy Editor of GQ; Tom Innes, Editor of Theme (one of the bar industry’s leading publications) and Barrie Wilson, Diageo Reserve Brands Ambassador.

Marco says “A truly great barperson needs to be as creative and skilful as a leading chef. The liquid masterpieces that these competitors are creating are quite something. These bartenders have incredible skill sets and this competition will allow them the chance to win the equivalent of a Michelin star – I’m excited to be a part of that.”

“London is one of the most exciting cities in the world,” comments Bill,” and being able to offer bars, clubs and restaurants that compete with, if not exceed, the levels of service in the rest of the world is a major component of that. We should not underestimate the role of British bartenders in propelling London to a level that rival’s New York, making us serious contenders for the most cosmopolitan city in the world.”

Also, from 1st August, anyone with a Bluetooth facility on their mobile phone will receive a text message when they walk into any bar taking part in the World Class competition. The message will recommend a World Class cocktail for you to try, as well as providing you with the recipe so that you can try making it in the comfort of your home.

The winner of the GB final will win a place in the prestigious global final, to be judged by a star-studded panel. The global winner will go on to have their definitive book of cocktails published courtesy of Diageo and be the face of a global campaign to raise the profile of the industry, themselves and their bar – a once in a lifetime opportunity.

So, if you think you have what it takes to take on the best in the world, simply log on to www.weareworldclass.com to enter the competition.

CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR AT GILGAMESH
Acclaimed Pan-Asian restaurant Gilgamesh will celebrate Chinese New Year on Tuesday 27th January from 7pm until late. The Year of the Ox will be celebrated with a lavish feast devised by celebrated chef Ian Pengelley and a host of themed entertainment and music.

Guests will discover an oriental paradise lit with Chinese lanterns and decorated with a host of traditional decorations. They will be treated to dancing lions, drummers and world music DJS and can enjoy a delicious Mandarin Fizz Cocktail, as the Mandarin is eaten at Chinese New Year and is believed to be a sign of health and prosperity. Guests will also be able to find out their Chinese horoscope and what 2009 will bring them.

Ian Pengelley has created a menu inspired by Chinese New Year and delights include “Yee Sang” a dish traditionally eaten at New Year and said to bring wealth to whoever eats it. It is a salad of Salmon, Vegetables, Pickled Garlic Shallots and Plum Sauce. Other dishes include “Ho See” a dish meant to bring luck in the realm of business and consisting of Dried Oyster and Pork Belly and “Sap Cham”, a dish bringing friendships in the year ahead and consisting of Stir-Fried Chinese Vegetables, Mushrooms, Pickles and Broccoli.

Come to Gilgamesh to say “Gung Hay Fat Choy!”

GILGAMESH RESTAURANT
Camden View
Camden Stables Market
Chalk Farm Road
London NW1 8AH
020 7 482 5757
www.gilgameshbar.com

NEW AIRLINE FAILURE COVER FROM SAGA TRAVEL INSURANCE
It has been a turbulent year for travellers with the failure of several high-profile airlines and who can tell what dramas 2009 will bring.

Whilst those whose flights come as part of a package holiday are protected – the independent traveller who has booked their flights direct have most to fear as they can be left high and dry if their airline flops.

A growing number of older people travel independently. Saga Travel Insurance has protected some 2 million holidays since its inception and the breadth of cover has developed over the years in response to holiday trends and customer feedback. It was following such feedback from our intrepid over 50s customers that Saga Travel Insurance has introduced extra protection covering scheduled airline failure.

Unlike some other insurers who may offer this cover as a paid for add-on to their standard policies, Saga has included this as standard.

In the event of the scheduled airline with whom you are travelling going into administration, the new cover provides up to £1,500 for each insured person, for the costs of flights paid in advance, or the cost of return flights to the UK.

This cover comes into effect for new Single Trip and Annual policies purchased from the 2nd January 2009, and Annual Travel renewals from the 25th January 2009.

Paul Green, Head of Communications, Saga Group said: “In today’s uncertain economic climate the savvy independent traveller needs to check if their insurance covers airline failure if they want to travel with confidence in 2009.”