Author Archives: tikichris
City vs. United: The Ultimate Manchester Derby Experience
The Manchester Derby is one of the most anticipated fixtures in the football calendar, a clash that divides the city of Manchester in a sea of blue and red. The fierce rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United is more … Continue reading
Napoli on the Road + Duci + Tamp Coffee (All Consumed)
Neil and Chris are back to share what they’ve been doing in the weeks since they last recorded. For this episode, the fellas head to Devonshire Road in Chiswick, west London for a taste of what’s rated 2024’s best pizza … Continue reading
A Guide to the Osaka Science Museum
The Osaka Science Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in science, space, and technology. Located on Nakano-shima Island in Osaka, this impressive museum has exhibits spanning four floors and is home to one of the largest planetariums in … Continue reading
Meiji Brings Japanese Treats to the UK
Popular Japanese snack brand, Meiji, is set to debut in the UK this year with the launch of two of its most iconic snacks – Chocoroooms and Uproll. I was invited to sample these tasty treats by the folks doing … Continue reading
At Home (All Consumed)
On the go with little time to catch up in person, Neil and Chris record a ‘not in person’ episode via Zencastr. Give it a listen to hear all they’ve been up to and recommend for you to enjoy. Listen now:
Scrubba Travel Wash Bag
Some months back, I was sent a complimentary Scrubba – a 150g pocket-sized wash bag featuring a patented washboard-in-a-bag design. This past week, I finally got a chance to use it. The Scrubba is essentially a small dry bag with a … Continue reading
Weirdough Bakery (All Consumed)
Chris and Neil have been eating well since their last episode of All Consumed – in London and elsewhere (specifically the Isle of Man and Cambridge). Sips, sights and activities galore were enjoyed between their meals. Best of those exploits … Continue reading
Popular British Foods to Entice your Taste Buds on Your Next Trip to London
Bland is a popular misconception regarding British cuisine, and there is a reason for this. You see, many consider Italian, French, and Spanish cuisines to offer the finest dining experiences globally. But did you know you don’t have to order … Continue reading
Review: Evil Does Not Exist Written and Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Does evil exist? Is one person’s evil just another’s self preservation? Those and more questions about the nature of evil or even its existence still crop up in my mind weeks after viewing a press screening of Evil Does Not … Continue reading
Cafe Kitsune (All Consumed)
Neil and Chris meet up at Cafe Kitsune in Knightsbridge for an upscale start to a recent Sunday morning podcast recording. While there they marvel at the Japanese-French cafe’s pastries and the drinks (miso rice pudding brioche with a chestnut … Continue reading
Occupied City
In a recent episode of the All Consumed podcast, I sang high praises about Steve McQueen’s new feature-length film, Occupied City. Follow this link to hear those thoughts: Now that the film out and being screened, I thought I’d take … Continue reading
Forno (All Consumed)
New year, new episode of All Consumed! Neil and Chris meet up for an early m/’orning chat at celebrated East London bakery, Forno, where they wag chin about resolutions, art, stuff to eat, the remnants of an execution from the … Continue reading
Resolved | 2023 Resolution
So, here we are at the end of 2023. Was my new year’s resolution resolved? It was! Maybe not quite how I had envisioned it would be back in January or yielding exactly the same sort of feelings of accomplishment … Continue reading
Qima Cafe (All Consumed)
Neil and Chris manage one more episode before Christmas hits while enjoying some coffee at Qima Cafe, the UK’s first tree-to-cup cafe. Chris shares some easterly lunch tips for Barking and Hackney Wick. Neil shares his five must-hear Christmas songs … Continue reading
New Viva! Cookbook: Everyone Can Cook Vegan
Tis the season to be vegan? You decide. But for those who are, a nifty new cookbook from vegan charity, Viva! would be a right tasty Christmas present. The book, Everyone Can Cook Vegan, features more than 100 recipes designed … Continue reading
Supernova + Dunkin’ (All Consumed)
After a several-weeks hiatus, Neil and Chris are back from their trips to the States and finally ready to record a new episode of All Consumed, during which they mostly chat about what they did (and ate) while away. Be … Continue reading
Cocktails and Curiosities: Unveiling London’s Trendy Drinking Spots
Welcome to Cocktails and Curiosities – the ultimate guide to London’s most fashionable drinking destinations by Bloc; Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or a curious drinker, this guide will take you on a journey through the city’s most innovative and … Continue reading
Not Much to Say | 2023 Resolution
It’s been a few months since posting anything in my 2023 Resolution series. At first blush that might seem bad, but I actually reckon it’s good. I’ve been so busy meeting the goal of the resolution that I haven’t needed … Continue reading
The Devil’s Chair: Organic Signature Blend from Apostle Coffee
Family-run, UK-based, 100% organic and carbon neutral from the onset – there’s a lot to love about Apostle Coffee before even catching a whiff of the product. I’m pleased to report the coffee roasted in Shropshire by the bean-to-cup company … Continue reading
The Wrath – Part 6 – Echoes of the Grove
Lily and Oliver, guided by The Wrath’s silent whispers and an inexplicable urge, ventured deep into the marshes in search of answers. Meanwhile, Maya, the street artist who had set this extraordinary journey in motion with her mural, had also … Continue reading
The Wrath – Part 5 – Storm and Sanctuary
On the edges of the Walthamstow Marshes, a tempest brewed. A fierce clash was imminent, pitting urban development against ecological preservation within the marshland. The tranquil sanctuaries faced obliteration by construction plans. Tensions mounted as construction crews confronted environmental activists … Continue reading
The Wrath – Part 4 – Harmony of the Wetlands
The guardian’s influence extended beyond the wetlands, fostering an unexpected connection between two unlikely characters—the young botanist Lily and Oliver, a tech-savvy urban planner with a vision for harmonious development. Lily’s expertise in the natural world led her to frequent … Continue reading
The Wrath – Part 3 – Ripple Effect
Walthamstow Marshes had long been a sanctuary for both nature enthusiasts and urban dwellers seeking respite from the city’s hustle. But lately, something extraordinary was happening. The marshes seemed to come alive with a vibrant energy that even the most … Continue reading
The Wrath – Part 2 – The Mural’s Call
Weeks after Maya’s mural graced the brick wall near Walthamstow Marshes, an unspoken energy lingered around the artwork. Passersby found themselves drawn to the vibrant depiction of the guardian, its eyes seeming to follow their every move. The mural had … Continue reading
The Wrath – Part 1 – Whispers in the Wind
The Waltham Forest district of Walthamstow woke to a peculiar shift in the air—an intangible change that rustled through leaves and danced with the scent of rain. It was as if nature itself held its breath, sensing something extraordinary. A … Continue reading
The Wrath of Waltham Forest – Prologue – The Origin of The Wrath
Long ago, in the east London borough of Waltham Forest, a convergence of forces brought forth an enigmatic entity known as “The Wrath.” Born from the melding of nature’s fury and humanity’s technological impact, The Wrath emerged as a guardian … Continue reading
Introducing The Wrath: Chronicles of a Guardian Unveiled
Welcome to The Wrath, a new series that I’m ‘cowriting’ with ChatGPT. Basically I’m coming up with suggestions for a story I might like to read and letting the AI generate much of the content. I tweak and edit and … Continue reading
Coming Soon – The Wrath of Waltham Forest
Hey folks! I’ve been dabbling in fiction for the first time in a long time – science fiction to be exact with a twist of fantasy. The result is a story about a monster lurking in the woods and marshes … Continue reading
NomNomNom – Cookery School at Little Portland Street – 2023 Reunion
Once upon a time, I used to take a lot of photographs. I mean a lot a lot of photographs. This was the late noughties, a window of transition from film photography to mobile phone photography when the DSLR (digital … Continue reading
At Home (All Consumed)
A new episode of All Consumed, during which the following occurs: – Chris raves about a couple of London street food vendors.– Neil marvels at a couple of upscale London restaurants.– Both look forward to some upcoming adventures in the … Continue reading
Don Papa Rum Seven-Year-Old Limited Edition Eco Canister
Distilled in small batches from sugarcane grown on the Philippine island of Negros Occidental and aged in ex-Bourbon American oak, Don Papa Rum Seven-Year-Old is an excellent rum. With a pronounced vanilla profile and a hint of tropical spice (and … Continue reading
Poon’s Wontoneria (All Consumed)
Neil and Chris experience a moment of wonton abandon at the wonderful Poon’s Wontoneria on Charlotte Street. Reveling in the moment, they chat about two individual trips recently taken to Shrewsbury – and how much they both loved this historic … Continue reading
Oops! | 2023 Resolution
In the last post for my 2023 Resolution series, I started envisioning the rest of year – and then nothing! It’s been nearly two months since then without any followup or much activity at all on this blog. Time’s slipped … Continue reading