Food: Alma De Cuba's Mixologist Cocktail Challenge

Food: Alma De Cuba's Mixologist Cocktail Challenge

Thursday 31 May 2018

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One of the perks of being a blogger in Liverpool is that there is always something there to be explored. This week, I was fortunate enough to be invited along to a very exciting event at one of my favourite venues. Alma de Cuba is the basis of most of my ‘I have a full-time job now, I have my life put together!’ nights out with work-mates and pals alike, so being invited along not only to try out some brand new cocktails but also to be a judge for a cocktail challenge is probably one of my proudest moments. 

Those that know me well will know that I am not a big drinker: I’m normally far too sleepy to get too involved with a bev and nights out occur less and less frequently now that responsibility has hit. In spite of this, I was up for a good old fashioned taste-test of some delicious cocktails and of course, took my partner in crime along with me for the ride. I’ve been to Alma de Cuba for review before nowso my expectations were quite high – and rightly so. 

The premise of the night was simple enough: Alma’s talented bartenders would take centre stage and present their very own summer cocktails using specific spirits and mixers- the event was sponsored and the challenge set by Huyton-based Halewood Wines and Spirits. Competitors were asked to use gin and vodka from Whitley Neillor else premium Dead Man’s Fingers rum. Mixers should be incorporated- more specifically, those sanctioned by Lamb & Watt, made with Lake District spring water. There were prizes for the successful mixologists, including a stay in a prestigious Liverpool hotel for the night. The stage was set and the competitors were ready, but who would be crowned the Alma ultimate mixologist? I, for one, was excited to find out. 

Settled down at the bar with a pen in hand to judge, we were considering each cocktail in five ways: how humorous the mixologist’s presentation was, the story behind the cocktail, the taste (of course!), the look of the cocktail and how original the cocktail was. Each category was marked out of 5 giving each cocktail an overall score out of 25. Simple? Simple. 

Choosing a winner was a little bit less simple – the cocktails were all fantastic. Made with a range of ingredients including (although not limited to) egg whites, blood red orange gin, marmalade, grenadine, star anise and garden peas (!!!), no two cocktails were the same and it was fantastic to be able to see how experimentation can go really right (or really wrong). I could spend all day detailing the information behind all of the cocktails so I’ll just stick to my personal favourites and the winners so as to keep this post as focused as possible! One of my favourite cocktails of the night wasn’t actually one of the winning concoctions, funnily enough. My favourite thing to drink when I need something refreshing is ginger ale (the non-alcoholic kind, although I do love a Crabbies!) so the cocktail created by Jonathan, the Mora Star was one of my clear favourites. Made with a combination of Blood Orange Whitley Neill gin, ginger and Lamb and Watt Ginger Ale, the cocktail not only stuck to the brief but did so in a charming and inventive way. 

The top three cocktails were all showstoppers and it was difficult to decide between the three of them for sure, although I would argue that the overall winner was the best by a mile. Flowergirl, created by Ste, combined Elderflower gin, prosecco and Basil tonic to produce a sharp and refreshing drink. 

2^ndplaced Rosemary’s Ruibarbo, Gareth’s masterpiece, was definitely one of the nicest ‘fruity’ cocktails that I’ve tasted in a long time and Whitley Neill have definitely got a new fan of quince gin – I love quince jelly with my cheese but was blissfully unaware that there were other uses for quince flavourings! Rosemary’s Ruibarbo combined the aforementioned quince gin with pineapple and lemon juice and was topped delicately with raspberries. 

Last but definitely not least – the winner. Rhubarb Stilt Skin, humorously named, definitely had the last laugh as it romped away with the title. The mixture of rhubarb and ginger gin with marmalade, egg whites and pineapple and grapefruit juice left little to the imagination and much to be desired. A clear and fair winner, and my favourite of the night by a clear mile. 

I’d like to extend my thank yours to Georgie, who invited me over to the event, to Gemma who played a massive part in seeing the event through and finally to Haywood Wines & Spirits group who not only contributed the spirits for the evening but put together beautiful goody bags with our own little gin tasters to take home with us! The event was a huge success and we had a ball – I can’t wait to recreate some of these winning cocktails at home. I believe that the winning cocktails will be available to try on the Alma de Cubacocktail menu for a limited time so if you fancy seeing what all the fuss is about I recommend getting your butt down to Seel Street to try it out for yourself. 

(* I was invited along to this event by the organisers and was free to taste the cocktails as I so wished. Any and all opinions remain my own.) 

Food: What's been 'app'ening at McDonald's?

Food: What's been 'app'ening at McDonald's?

Wednesday 30 May 2018

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I think that anyone who knows is me is well aware of my love for McDonald’s – whether it be nipping into store for a bite to eat after a long day at work or a catch-up with friends over a frothy coffee, McDonald’s has always been the go-to place for a quick and easy meal that tastes great and lives up to its enormous reputation. 

Being invited along to an influencer event at one of the McDonald’s branches in Wallasey wasn’t something I was going to turn my nose up at – with the promise of an exciting event where I would learn a plethora of information about the much-loved brand, there wasn’t a lot to lose and I was excited to see what was in store for me. Armed with Richard in tow as my accompaniment for the evening, I arrived to the restaurant to be greeted by Lena, the lovely PR lady who had arranged my meeting with the franchisee and crew members. I was introduced to Paul, the franchisee, and had the opportunity to speak to him about the brand and about his feelings about ethical sourcing and how the industry is advancing as a result of technology. He explained that there is minimal waste generated by the company, with oils used to power lorries and the lorries delivering produce also used to take away any waste, cutting the brand’s carbon footprint. It’s fair to say that technology is essential in advancing businesses and the use of technology within McDonald’s is no exception to this rule; customers use electronic self-service kiosks to order their food and as a result avoid waiting in line.  

The main purpose of my visit to this particular McDonald’s restaurant was to meet with the branch’s franchisee and discuss the impact of technology on the brand as a whole. People are very habitual in nature and tend towards what they know – myself included- and this is more often than not the pressure of self-imposed time restraints. There is absolutely nothing worse than sitting in a restaurant and panic ordering your food when the waiting staff arrive unexpectedly. This mobile app works at improving and enhancing the restaurant experience for customers, allowing them to pre-order (and pre-pay for) their food before arriving at their nearest restaurant. 

The app is incredibly easy to navigate – it does request that new users register so that they have the option to pay for their food before they arrive at the restaurant – and the layout of the app is sharp, crisp and simple. The front page of the app allows the option of setting your nearest restaurant – allowing for orders to be made whenever you’re in close enough proximity. Nutritional information is also readily accessible on the front page, as well as detailed categories within the ordering page. The app also highlights meals under 400 kcal and 600 kcal. The app, because it links directly with the restaurant of your choice, also advertises in store offers and new meals. The app works the same way as ordering within store would – options to add and remove ingredients from your favourite orders are readily available and it’s just as easy to request condiments as it would be to ask for them at the counter. 

Order on the move, prior to entering the restaurant and pay beforehand. When you arrive at the restaurant to pick up your food, scan the barcode generated by the app at one of the mobile check in points around the restaurants – staff will not start preparing your food until you have scanned your code, meaning that there is absolutely no rush when it comes to getting to the restaurant. Order en-route to the restaurant and you won’t have to worry about the inevitable traffic that will hit or the phone call you receive seconds before walking inside. Order at your own pace, and collect your food with no issues and minimal waiting time. The perfect McDonald’s experience – just what was ordered. Having had the opportunity to explore the brand further, we were also able to meet with two of the crew members and discuss their experiences working for the brand. Emphasis was placed on the idea that working for McDonald’s is like being part of a family, where everyone clubs in and works together to succeed. The crew members explained the charitable side of the industry, and the work that McDonald’s do to help the local communities and hospitals. Clearly, working for McDonald’s has benefits beyond being a paying job and both girls seemed thrilled to be a part of such a warming and thoughtful community. The girls discussed the benefits to working for the brand and explained how hard work is the key to progressing within the ranks – what you put in is definitely what you get out and hard work is rewarded accordingly. 

Having tried and tested the app both within the restaurant itself and later on in the week, as a post-shopping treat, it’s fair to say that it works like a dream. I’m excited to see where McDonald’s will go next with their innovative ideas – today’s click and collect app may well be tomorrow’s direct home delivery service. I’d be happy to recommend the service to anyone and look forward to continuing to use it in the future. 

Life: Making a house a home on a budget

Life: Making a house a home on a budget

Saturday 26 May 2018

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Moving into a new house definitely comes at a cost: when Richard and I moved into our house just short of three months ago, we knew we had a lot of work to do. The house was a bit of a blank canvas, which was great as it meant that we could just furnish and think about decorating further on down the line. In spite of this, we’ve quickly realised just how expensive furnishing a relatively decent sized space is, especially if you have a specific idea of what you want the space to look like. Richard and I have very similar taste when it comes to interior design so we’ve agreed on most things, but I’ve found it incredibly difficult to accept that we’re going to have to make cuts and take our time with things. I decided to sit down and come up with ways of furnishing our house – and ultimately making into a home- on a budget. Here’s what I came up with: 

BUY SECONDHAND FURNITURE

Whilst we bought a few things new – a gorgeous new coffee table and TV stand from Oak Furnitureland for example, as well as a new rug for the lounge- I’ve finally accepted that buying things second hand doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s less impressive or nice. This week alone we’ve managed to pick up a gorgeous mirror- practically brand new- for £15 from Gumtree. I’ve been looking out for other titbits to add an element of antique to the house, as well. 

ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN’T DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE

Moving into this house has taught me lots of things. Mostly that everything will run smoothly and then collapse all at once and that furnishing a house is very expensive. We’ve started to realise that actually, adding small touches here and there and making the house look homely and cosy is a much better use of our time and money at this stage than blowing it all on one piece of furniture. Little touches, such as a bouquet of beautiful flowers in a sophisticated looking vase such as this one from Kilneradd a much needed dash of colour to the place, whilst also giving it a certain much needed element of comfort. Kilner is a brand that I’ve grown to love over the years- their jars feature in abundance around my kitchen and I really feel that they add a touch of class to a small space. I am a bit of an organisation freak and love things to look pretty and organised so Kilner* products are ideal for me: sorting out my different types of pasta and rice and displaying them in a way that makes them easy to access has made for a much more organised pantry space. I also have trays lining the bottom shelves of my kitchen cupboards for stock cubes, spices and other little foodie bits and bobs. Having everything organised in this small space makes cooking much more enjoyable and much less of a chore. 

UPCYCLE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE

When I had my little flat, I bought basic furniture and just put up with it, telling myself that I’d upgrade it as and when I could afford to do so. Moving into the house, most of the furniture WAS replaced and upgraded but what I’ve kept I’ve decided to upcycle and give a fresh lease of life. I’ve turned a cheap, garish white bedside table into one with a chic style that’ll fit perfectly into our bedroom, with a simple lick of grey paint and a beautiful new handle. Rich’s mum gave us a lovely stool that I’m going to sand down and repaint and I’m looking out for other pieces of furniture that, with a bit of TLC, would look at home in our home. I’m also planning on upcycling a plain old kitchen trolley for some handy bathroom storage! 

SHOP AROUND

I had my heart completely set on the most gorgeous ladder shelf unit from Next that would set us back a tidy £175. Whilst not the most expensive piece of furniture I’ve ever purchased, I knew that I’d probably be able to find something similar for a fraction of the price and I wouldn’t feel sick afterwards. After a lot of googling and searching around I ended up picking up something that was incredibly different from my original choice, but that I actually have ended up liking just as much. It fits in better with the colour scheme we have going on in the lounge and at £50 was an absolute steal in comparison.

There is still a lot left to be done. There are still so many things to buy. However, our house is finally starting to feel like a proper home. 

(* Some products mentioned here were provided free of charge for review by the brand. All opinions are honest and my own.) 

Book Review: Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen

Book Review: Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen

Saturday 19 May 2018

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It’s very rare to find a book that is both comedic and has a decent story line. As a youngster, I went through the Bridget Jones phase and never did I think I would find a book that resonated with me in the same way. Growing up, I thought I was very much a Bridget Jones kind of girl – clumsy, unfortunate and ready to make a fool of myself at every possible opportunity, through absolutely no fault of my own, of course. Having been treated to Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling by friends Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen has changed my view – I am not a Bridget, I am very much an Aisling.

Aisling is the girl that plays it safe – Aisling wears kitten heels for comfort’s sake, the daughter of a hardworking farmer and a country girl through and through. She has a solid group of friends both at work in the ‘big city’ and in her hometown and has had a steady, long-term boyfriend for a good while. After a romantic getaway turns into a hellish break after she realises that her boyfriend is –never- going to propose to her, she decides that enough is enough and ends the relationship. Breaking up with John gives her the push she needs and after about five minutes of deliberation, moves in with her friend in the centre of Dublin and sets about living as a newly single woman. Add in a work based scandal and a new potential love interest and things really have started to spice themselves up for ‘vanilla’ Aisling.

Aisling is a hilarious character and I really found myself attached to the characters – once I got used to the Irish names, that is! You can’t help but love Aisling and her story, feeling sorry for her when she is at her lowest points and yet excited when the good things happened.  The book is laugh out loud funny but has a heart-warming touching side, dealing with deeper issues such as grief and the different ways it is shown. I absolutely flew through the pages, finishing it in the course of an afternoon and wish I could go back to the beginning and reread it all over again for the first time.

Thanks to Jenny at Penguin for arranging the tour and for my copy of the book – I would recommend it to lovers of Bridget Jones (or not!) alike. Definitely a 5 star read.

Food: The Florist, Liverpool

Food: The Florist, Liverpool

Monday 14 May 2018

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Everything these days, concerning bars and restaurants, has the added task, on top of serving fantastic food and drinks, of being ‘instagram friendly.’ I’ll admit it myself- as a blogger, whether a place will provide excellent social media content or not does have an influence on whether I choose to go there or not, as sad as that might seem. It’s no longer enough to just have good food and drinks- the vibe has to be right to attract the crowds and there has to be a certain je ne sais quoi about the place to ensure that the crowds return.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to the opening night of The Florist, a brand new restaurant and bar opening in the heart of Liverpool City Centre, on Hanover Street. Hanover Street already has a plethora of stylish bars in its midst, and occupying the Old Blind School, The Florist certainly sits in with these – it arguably even stands out as being a cut above the rest.

The event was spread across the weekend, with an emphasis on cocktails and nibbles on the Saturday evening and then a taster of the Sunday lunch menu on the Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, due to my intensive schedule and some serious time constraints, I was only able to attend the Saturday night part of the weekend but that by no means was a complete negative. With my friend Emily in tow, glammed up to the maximum, we arrived at the beautiful venue ready to explore and see what The Florist has to offer.

It has a LOT to offer.

The entire venue is beautifully decorated- every single detail has been thought through with the most intricate of designs presented. The drinks menu has been crafted with their vision completely in mind and nothing is out of place. Walking around the inside of the building was a treat in itself – beautifully crafted flower arrangements adorn every possible area and it is, to be frank, a blogger’s haven. It honestly felt as though I’d walked into a showroom – I and everyone around me was completely blown away by what we had before us. Terrace areas outside allow for the fun to be extended to beautifully sunny days. We walked in to the event to be greeted by charming, excited staff members and the most incredible tasting Elderflower and Lychee Daiquiri that I’ve ever had the fortune of drinking. It was incredibly light tasting and adorned with a beautiful sprig of flowers – really adding that glamour to a classic drink. Over the course of the evening, I tried a number of different cocktails, including one called Rhubarb in Bloom (10/10 would drink again) and another that was a refreshing mixture of Prosecco and peach liquor stylishly named Peaches and Prosecco. The Florist offered a number of workshops on the night, ranging from flower arranging to gin tasting, all courses which are available to book in your own time if you so wish.

Of course, me being me, the highlight of my evening was, of course, the food and the nibbles that were on offer went above and beyond the call of duty. Emily and I filled our plates with a combination of different nibbles, including Crispy Mussel Popcorn, Baked Kale Crisps, Potatoes, Sweet Potato Fries and, my absolute favourite, Lavender, honey and Sunflower seed bread dipped in whipped goats cheese butter. I would return to The Florist JUST for that bread, no word of a lie. It was divine. To say that I was gutted not to have a taste of the roast dinner on Sunday is a complete and utter understatement but it just gives me reason to return in the future (as if I needed any convincing on this!)

In fact, I’ve already booked Richard and I in to return at the end of June to have a proper taste of the menu for a lovely romantic date night. I’m excited to try out their mains and see if they’re as delicious as everyone I know has said that they are!

Long story short? Go. It’s worth every single penny.