By me William Shakespeare at Somerset House

Posted on 2016-02-03 by tikichris

By me William Shakespeare at Somerset House - DSC_2763Portrait by David Maghradze

Go deep into the life and times of William Shakespeare and get a close look at original documents related to his career and personal affairs at a new By me William Shakespeare exhibition at Somerset House.

Opening today (3 February), By me William Shakespeare marks the first joint exhibition by The National Archives and King’s College London. For the show, record specialists at The National Archives and academics from the London Shakespeare Centre at King’s College London – the world’s foremost centre for the study of Shakespeare – have selected six of Britain’s most important documents held by The National Archives relating to Shakespeare’s life. These include Shakespeare’s Last Will and Testament as well as four of six known signatures in existence alongside related artefacts and digital installations.
Continue reading →

Posted in Art, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

wonder.land at the National Theatre

Posted on 2016-02-03 by tikichris

DSC_2752

wonder.land: it’s a tale we all know well, this time reexamined through the prism of our 21st century addiction to the digital doings on our gadgets’ screens and good old fashioned teenage malaise.

Now showing at the National Theatre, wonder.land – a new musical by Damon Albarn and Moira Buffini, directed by Rufus Norris – reimagines Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland for the digital age. An invitation to go behind the scenes of the show and attend a performance drew me down the rabbit hole last week.

Woo hoo? For sure. I very much enjoyed the show (and was wowed indeed with the chance to shimmy backstage just before it).
Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Entertainment, London, Music, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 of the Coolest Things You Can Do in Iowa (Miles Away)

Posted on 2016-02-02 by tikichris

Biking IowaPhoto/Andrey Armyagov/Shutterstock

Think Iowa only gets exciting around election season? Not so!

It’s notoriously underrated, but the votes are in and everyone agrees: Iowa is an awesome place for traveling fun.What awaits you in the friendly Hawkeye State? We’ve rounded up some of the highlights for you!

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, Miles Away, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pizza Masterclasses at Rossopomodoro

Posted on 2016-02-01 by tikichris

DSC_2705

I love Neapolitan style pizza. It’s one of my favourite foods and probably the one dish I could eat everyday for the longest time without getting tired of it. I reckon the pizzas coming from the wood-fired ovens of Rossopomodoro are among London’s finest. So when the invitation came my way to attend a press night preview of its new pizza masterclasses hosted by the restaurant group’s senior pizzaioli I was keen to attend.

The class, held at Rossopomodoro’s Chelsea location, turned out to be a lot of fun. After a long workday of sitting on my bum and staring at a screen, it was nice to use my hands to make something simple and yummy, socialise with some folks and enjoy a nice meal.
Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Pizza, Recipes, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jimmy’s Farm Sausages at Shake Shack

Posted on 2016-01-31 by tikichris

DSC_2699

Scarf this down hot dog aficionados: award-winning and traditionally prepared Jimmy’s Farm Cumberland-Style sausages, made of 100% free range Suffolk pork, are now on the menu at Shake Shack.

The sausages are available at all UK Shake Shack outlets (there are four at the moment, three in London and one in Cardiff) as the main ingredient of two hot dogs: a Jimmy’s Farm Cumberland-Style Sausage Flat-Top Dog; and the ShackMeister Sausage, a flat-top Jimmy’s Farm Cumberland-Style dog topped with cheese sauce and crispy ShackMeister ale-marinated shallots.
Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff #50

Posted on 2016-01-30 by tikichris

Marc-Riboud_Vietnam_1975Photo by Marc Riboud courtesy of Thames & Hudson

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy.

Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Food, Good Stuff, Hotels, London, Photography, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Window to the World with LG OLED and Bompas & Parr

Posted on 2016-01-30 by tikichris

Window to the World with LG and Bompas & Parr - DSC_2648

Promising “maximum picture quality and minimum power consumption,” LG reckons its new OLED TV is a game changer.

I must admit I was impressed with the crisp definition and vivid spectrum of images on screen when I had a look-see at a recent “Window to the World” dinner at Bompas & Parr’s soon to wrap up British Museum of Food (which apparently was the only actual meal ever served during the museum’s run).
Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Food, London, Shopping, Television, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Taste of Jersey in London (Great British Chefs)

Posted on 2016-01-30 by tikichris

A Taste of Jersey in London

Chris Osburn heads to Pascal Proyart’s One-O-One in London to preview a very special meal showcasing the best of Jersey’s produce.

The weekend of 29 January saw head chef Pascal Proyart of One-O-One Restaurant at The Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge making space in his kitchen for chef Mark Jordan of the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey. The duo were giving London foodies and hotel guests the chance to try a collaborative range of four, six, and eight-course sustainable seafood menus showcasing ingredients from Jersey alongside ingredients like seaweed butter and salt caramel from Pascal’s home, Brittany.

Read my complete post at Great British Chefs.

Posted in Drink, Food, Great British Chefs, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win Your Very Own Yoghurt Maker from Hansells Yoghurt

Posted on 2016-01-29 by tikichris

Win Your Very Own Yoghurt Maker from Hansells Yoghurt

COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!

Yoghurt! It’s certainly easy to eat. But did you know its super easy to make for yourself. Save your pence and learn how to make something good and healthy for yourself with your very own Hansells Yoghurt Maker Starter Kit. There’s one complete kit set aside for a lucky tikichris reader. Could it be you?

Not yet available on the high street, Hansells’ easy-to-use yoghurt maker enables you to make your own homemade yoghurt. Not only is this more convenient than lugging tubs of yoghurt from the supermarket, the yoghurt you make will be fresher and contain more active live cultures than most store-bought yoghurts.
Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Food, Freebies, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why You Should Consider Pursuing A Career In Baking Cakes

Posted on 2016-01-29 by tikichris

Baking Cakes

Is there a profession that combines art and science and offers sweet rewards? There is – just ask a professional cake crafter. Cake specialists with the ability to bake a tasty treat and to customise its trimming to make it uniquely suited to the occasion are in demand year around. Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, job promotions and retirement parties are a few of the celebrations that merit a cake. Learning to master the art and science of baking and decorating cakes can lead to a lucrative hobby, cottage industry or full-time career.

In 2014, there were 262,240 marriages performed in the UK. Even if half of those couples opted not to have a traditional wedding cake served at their reception, that still leaves over 100,000 cakes to be baked and decorated. And for an upscale event in which the cake involves multiple layers and is heavily embellished, one cake can sell for as much as £1,000.
Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Namibia | Index

Posted on 2016-01-28 by tikichris

DSC_2508

Namibia. If you can go, do go. And if you have the chance to drive around, you’ll come back from your trip with rich memories … and an intense longing to return.

It’s hard to imagine a landscape more dramatic than that of Namibia. Add to the scenery an amazing (and rather accessible) assortment of big game and wildlife. Then, lightly apply a sprinkling of well-maintained roads across the country to help folks get to its towns and settlements, best beauty spots, and welcoming network of bush camps and luxury lodges. If you like the idea of hitting the open road, experiencing true wilderness, seeing lots and lots of game, and still being able to take a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed every night, Namibia’s the place for you.
Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels, Luxury, Namibia, Namibia 2016, road trip, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chill Out in the World’s Top 10 Ice Hotels! (OneTravel)

Posted on 2016-01-28 by tikichris

Sorrisniva Igloo HotelPhoto: Ksenia Novikova

At these ten ultra-cool hotels, an icy reception is guaranteed, but don’t worry!

Warm smiles, plenty of cozy sleeping bags and blankets, and heated areas made of less temporary building materials abound, to ensure you won’t freeze while having your frozen fun.

Read my complete post at OneTravel.

Posted in Hotels, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Namibia | Sossusvlei

Posted on 2016-01-27 by tikichris

DSC_2509

Last stop on my luxury safari road trip across Namibia was Sossusvlei. Not just the ultimate destination of my itinerary but also the ultimate choice for a desert break.

You might not realise it, but you undoubtedly have seen images of the famed (and huge) red sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Maybe you thought is was the Sahara, the American southwest or some other desert but it was this arid beautiful region of Namibia. A landscape photographer’s dream, the area didn’t teem with as much big game as other parts of the county. Still, spotting a sidewinder (with trained guide Forster at my side), eavesdropping on a pack of cape foxes with newborn cubs, being dazzled by a gazillion stars in one of the clearest, cleanest skies I’ve ever gazed upon – these were all experiences that made the end of my trip so extraordinarily memorable.
Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels, Luxury, Namibia, Namibia 2016, road trip, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#TravelexTourist for a Day

Posted on 2016-01-27 by tikichris

#TravelexTourist for a Day - DSC_2645

Travelex, the foreign currency experts, got in touch recently to see if I’d like one of its Multi-Currency Cash Passport cards pre-loaded with $150 for a day out in London.

Yeah, a $150 hardly adds up to a dream spree in London – especially when converted to pounds. For every dollar, I got £0.6216 – so, just under 100 quid. Regardless, the chance to breeze through town on somebody else’s dime wasn’t something I thought I should pass up. Besides, if anybody should be able to stretch £100 to great effect, it’d be a cheapskate like me.

So, I told ‘em to sign me up, and I’d have at it.
Continue reading →

Posted in London, Money, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Namibia | Skeleton Coast

Posted on 2016-01-26 by tikichris

DSC_2493

Ditching my hired car for a couple of nights, the next stop on my itinerary was Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, accessible by 45-minute bush flight over an expanse of desert where hardly a bush might be seen. As formidably named as it was, the Skeleton Coast was a serene and gentle place to discover – at least while in the shade and in the company of my competent guides.

The camp was a khaki canvas paradise of haute design fixed lightly to one of the world’s most desolate and pristine wilderness areas. Open just over a year, this fully solar powered joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the neighbouring Conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein, was the very model for cutting edge – and sustainable – luxury.
Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels, Luxury, Namibia, Namibia 2016, road trip, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

6 of the Best Biking Destinations on the Planet (OneTravel)

Posted on 2016-01-25 by tikichris

Cycling-in-French-Alps-visuall2-ShutterstockPhoto: visuall2/Shutterstock

The cool thing about biking is that riders get to challenge their minds and bodies, while checking out some of the world’s most beautiful places!

Let’s take a ride through our top 6 best biking destinations on the planet.

Read my complete post at OneTravel.

Posted in OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Namibia | Doro Nawas

Posted on 2016-01-25 by tikichris

DSC_2284

From Etosha, I made west for Damaraland – an arid dreamscape of strange rock formations, vast open plains, dry riverbeds, the possibility of catching a glimpse of specially adapted desert species of wildlife, and the chance to stay at an otherworldly luxury lodge seemingly set on the edge of the known world.

The four-hour drive from Andersson’s Camp to my next lodge, Doro Nawas Camp, was a delight. Most of the route was clean blacktop, but the last hour or so of the drive was dirt road – perfectly safe, utterly scenic and coupled with a feeling of being off the grid and completely out there.
Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels, Luxury, Namibia, Namibia 2016, road trip, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Holiday Inn Express Launches Next Generation

Posted on 2016-01-24 by tikichris

DSC_2686

At the start of the year, Holiday Inn Express launched Next Generation, a guest experience developed with guests in mind who appreciate “functional and thoughtful design tied in with an efficient and friendly service.” Hey! I like functional and thoughtful design and love efficient and friendly service. Could Next Generation be for me?

Luckily I didn’t have to wait long to find out. Soon after the Next Generation reveal, folks at HIE (part of InterContinental Hotels Group) got in touch to find out if I’d like to give Next Generation the once over at the Holiday Inn Express London in Ealing, West London.
Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Hotels, London, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Namibia | Etosha

Posted on 2016-01-24 by tikichris

DSC_2178

Thoroughly well rested from my relaxing stay in Windhoek and more than ready for some serious safari action, I hit the road en route to the first lodge one my itinerary: Andersson’s Camp, set within Ongava Game Reserve on the border of (and with its own private gate to) Etosha National Park.

The drive took about five hours from Windhoek. The highway was well paved, straight as an arrow for much of the route and pretty much all mine most the way (save the occasional roadside warthog and baboon spotting).
Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels, Luxury, Namibia, Namibia 2016, road trip, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Charcoal Brioche Chakalaka: Better Breads at Bunnychow

Posted on 2016-01-23 by tikichris

Charcoal Brioche Chakalaka - DSC_2615

Recently returned to winter in London from a summery ten-day safari in Namibia, I’ve been craving fiercely the Southern African sun and striving to hang on to the feeling of fascination from such an amazing trip. Grabbing a quick lunch in Soho may sound like a far cry from discovering the wild wonders of the vast and arid Namibian bush (and it is). Nevertheless, the chance to try out South African inspired and owned Bunnychow’s new “‘Better Breads spectrum of healthy loaves” helped at least to enjoy the flavours of that sunny land and keep my memories at the fore of my thoughts a little longer.

Bunny who? In case you’ve yet to get hip to this SA street food phenom, Bunnychow (the place, one word) serves bunny chow (traditional street food from Durban, two words). A “bunny” is a freshly baked bun hollowed out and “crammed” with hot fillings and topped with a bread lid (which serves as an excellent sopper-upper once you’re close to the bottom of your bunny).
Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Namibia

Posted on 2016-01-23 by tikichris

DSC_2163

I started 2015 off with a wow heading to South Africa to write about a luxury safari experience and ended the year writing about a road trip across the American South. For 2016 I thought, why not get things rolling with a twofer? So here I am writing to you about Namibia where I’ve just returned from driving cross the country via its fabulously scenic network of roads, stopping along the way at lodges to take it all in.

This was my first time in Namibia, but not the greater southern Africa region. I’ve been heading down to this gorgeous part of the world since the mid 90s (and even lived in Mozambique for about a year) – always encountering enthusiastic folks insistent that I get to Namibia but never quite being able to take them up on their advice.
Continue reading →

Posted in Cars, Design, Hotels, Luxury, Namibia, Namibia 2016, road trip, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Compact and Stylish Y3 (espressoCrazy)

Posted on 2016-01-22 by tikichris

Compact and Stylish Y3

Time for a change? I thought so recently and decided to switch to a new coffee maker. Yes, of course, I stuck with a machine that would take my illy capsules but went with something a little more compact and colourful than what I had been using.

So far my illy Francis Francis Y3 iperEspresso Machine is proving to be a smart choice for my coffee cravings. It pulls a quality espresso at the touch of a button. And at just 10cm wide, it fits in my kitchen without taking up too much space. That’s not to say it isn’t noticeable though. The Y3 comes in black, white, lime, red and orange. I got the orange model to add a bit of colour to my home and have enjoyed catching glimpses of it throughout the day.

Read my complete post at espressoCrazy.

Posted in Coffee, Drink, espressoCrazy, Food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Last Chance to Vote tikichris for the 2016 UK Blog Awards

Posted on 2016-01-22 by tikichris

Vote tikichris

It’s down to the wire folks! If you haven’t voted yet for my blog in the 2016 UK Blog Awards, could you please? You’ve got until Monday 25 January 2016 at 9pm. And if you have, well guess what?! You can vote daily. So please consider voting again (and telling your family and friends to vote too).

My blog is up for public voting in two categories: Travel and Food and Drink. There’s a ton of entries. I don’t think stand a chance. But, ya never know.

To vote for tikichris …

Click here:
http://blogawardsuk.co.uk/ukba2016/my-entry/tikchris#votenow

You’ll see a drop down menu with these options:
– Travel + Food and Drink
– Travel
– Food and Drink

I would appreciate it most if you could vote for that first Travel + Food and Drink option.

Voting for the 2016 UK Blog Awards is open from Monday 4 to Monday 25 January 2016 at 9pm.

To vote you’ll need to enter your name and email address. I hope that’s okay! Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Win a Case of Craft Beer and Cider from Green & Pleasant

Posted on 2016-01-21 by tikichris

Green & Pleasant Beer and Cider

COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!

Green & Pleasant brews English craft beer and cider made from top quality locally sourced ingredients. Fancy a taste for free? I’ve got a mixed case to share with one lucky reader.

Formerly only available to buy in fine establishments such as The Ritz and Mews of Mayfair, Green & Pleasant lager, ale and cider is now available to buy online from green-and-pleasant.com with free delivery on orders of 12 or more bottles.

Let’s have a look at Green & Pleasant’s range of drinks:
Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Competition, Drink, Freebies, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wasokan, Notting Hill: Europe’s First Authentic Japanese Kimono and Matcha Shop

Posted on 2016-01-21 by tikichris

DSC_2619

It’s not a likely occurrence that a visit to the launch of a retail space in Notting Hill turns to talk bringing more harmony to the people of Europe. But that was the sort of chat I had with Noriyuki Ikeda at his new kimono and matcha shop, Wasokan, on Westbourne Grove.

With four shops in Japan already under his obi, Ikeda explained to me that he felt it was time to expand his Wasokan vision with an outlet in Europe. Following visits in 2013 to London and Paris, he discovered interest in kimono, matcha, and all things Japan was especially high in London and decided the British capital was the place to start sharing his passion for wa no kokoro, the “spirit of Japanese harmony,” with the world.
Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Drink, Fashion, Food, London, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WOMEN: New Portraits by Annie Leibovitz

Posted on 2016-01-20 by Madison Salters

Annie Leibovitz WOMEN New Portraits exhibition commissioned by UBS © Martin Ruetschi (2)
Annie Leibovitz WOMEN: New Portraits exhibition commissioned by UBS.Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. 16 January – 7 February © Martin Ruetschi

Maddie Salters heads to the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station for a look at WOMEN: New Portraits by Annie Leibovitz.

The groaning of the spindly stairs underfoot leads to a large floor plan of elderly red brick faces, peeling white paint, and unkempt hydraulic machinery in situ. This aged London power plant in the East End has become the spot du jour for artist exhibitions. A serious and transformative space, it lends a sense of history and gravity to the photographs that hang there today, lit by tall windows pouring in muted daylight – a London commodity. It seems fitting, then, that the current exhibition is a combination of the past and the present: WOMEN: New Portraits, by seminal photographer Annie Leibovitz.
Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Celebrities, London, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chefs Mark Jordan and Pascal Proyart Team Up for a Taste of Jersey in London

Posted on 2016-01-20 by tikichris

A Taste of Jersey in London

Head Chef Pascal Proyart of One-O-One Restaurant at The Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge will host Chef Mark Jordan of Michelin starred Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey at the end of this month for two nights offering guests an opportunity to try collaborative seafood tasting menus.

29 and 30 January, One-O-One Restaurant will see Proyart and Jordan team up to create a range of tasting menus of sustainable seafood dishes showcasing ingredients from Jersey such as fresh royal king crab, scallops and lobster, beef, halibut, and Jersey cheeses alongside ingredients like seaweed butter and salt caramel from Proyart’s home, Brittany.
Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Movie Review: Youth

Posted on 2016-01-20 by tikichris

Youth_04120_picture by Gianni Fiorito

Something about director Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film Youth reminded me of taking the time to watch a sunset: an exalted if everyday occurrence that’s slow paced but ends too soon.

To be released 29 January in UK cinemas, Youth sees old pals Fred (Michael Caine) and Mick (Harvey Keitel) hanging out on holiday at an upscale spa hotel in the Swiss Alps. Both are nearing 80 and grappling with the fact that the best of their lives is behind them. There’s a calm charm to this movie about life’s golden years that’s beguiling and poignant, but it’s marked too often by cumbersome attempts to get its message across.
Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrities, Entertainment, Movies, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

That Time I Met David Bowie

Posted on 2016-01-17 by tikichris


He told us not to blow it ‘cause he knows it’s all worthwhile

Sorry I’m late to the commemoration of one of the most influential musicians of my lifetime. I was in Namibia cruising down a desert road miles from any living soul when I heard the news of David Bowie’s death come on the radio.

Or at least I assumed that was what the report was about. The station was all-German (a legacy of Namibia’s colonial past) and the broadcast went something like this to my ears:

German German German David Bowie German German German Iggy Pop German German German Berlin German German German … German German German …

But, from the somber tone of the announcer and not being able to figure out why else there’d be a news update about Bowie, I surmised the worst must be true.

I looked around – nothingness everywhere – and had something of a Major Tom moment.
Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrities, Entertainment, Music, Travel, Video | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Experience a Full Spectrum of Flavours at the Malaysian Home Cooking Supper Club

Posted on 2016-01-15 by tikichris

DSC_1841

Home cooking. It’s a most wonderful thing when done with passion and pride. And if the proud and passionate cook’s original home happens to Malaysian, then those folks lucky enough to enjoy the flavoursome fare are in for an especially delicious treat. One such fortunate foodie was me last time round at Vi Vian Woo’s Malaysian Home Cooking supper club.

Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Vi brings to her table a chef’s background. She even co-owned her own Malaysian restaurant in Spain for five years with her husband (which she believes to have been the only Malaysian restaurant in the country at that time). Now living in London, she opens her home (a “characterful warehouse conversion” in central-ish east London) and occasionally other venues to the public for regular supper clubs featuring a range of dishes that celebrate the “gastronomic diversity” and “true fusion” of Malaysian cuisine.
Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Your Ultimate Guide to Delicious Dallas (Miles Away)

Posted on 2016-01-09 by tikichris

Don't Mess with Texas BBQ

Dallas is a dynamic place, and if you’re in town and seeking a bite of something tasty, you’ll have a run of delicious options catering to all palates and budgets – from food trucks to luxury hotels. And Dallas isn’t just a culinary hub for the great state of Texas, it’s also one of the best and most diverse dining scenes in all of America! Yum.

Want to know where you should eat next time you visit Dallas? We’ve got you covered. Bon appétit, y’all!

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, Drink, Food, Luxury, Miles Away, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Actress Zoe Richards Introduces Us To Mr. Selfridge Season 4’s Vaudeville Royalty, Jenny Dolly

Posted on 2016-01-08 by Madison Salters

Zoe Richards

Maddie Salters interviews Zoe Richards about her role as Jenny Dolly in Mr Selfridge Season 4.

Wealth, sensuality, shopping, and scandal: ITV’s Mr Selfridge has been gripping British viewers for three seasons now, and on Friday, January 8th at 9pm, the series’ fourth and final season will premier. The period drama has been a roller coaster ride through war and romance, following the rise and fall of its titular character, the London retail magnate Harry Selfridge (played by Jeremy Piven).

Season 4 will feature what the Season 3 finale teased at: the arrival of the infamous Dolly Sisters, a pair of identical twin dancers who lit up the hearts and stages of Europe in the vaudeville days. Starring in the role of Jenny Dolly, a tragic and romantic figure that shapes the destiny of Mr. Selfridge and his brand, is Zoe Richards. The up-and-coming actress has tackled roles on the big screen from How to Become a Criminal Mastermind to Get Him to the Greek. For her dynamic return to television for this whirlwind part, I interviewed Zoe to discuss life on set, the rigours of acting as a career, and how she prepared for bringing Jenny Dolly’s rich and sensational story to life for millions of viewers.

The katana-wielding, poetry-writing actress dove right in, showing just much spirit and energy as Jenny herself.
Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Crete Eats: Round Up of Posts

Posted on 2016-01-07 by tikichris

Crete Eats

Here’s a round up of all of Maddie Salters’ posts about her recent agro adventure in Crete.

To help you browse Maddie’s Crete Eats posts, here’s a list with links to all of them:

Crete Eats

A Grecian Agro-Adventure
Fantastic Mastic!
In The Olive Grove
Cheesemaking at a High-Altitude Goat Farm
A Michelin Day In The Kitchen
Agro-Adventuring – Is It For You?
Round Up of Posts 

Posted in Crete Eats, Food, Greece, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crete Eats: Agro-Adventuring – Is It For You?

Posted on 2016-01-07 by Madison Salters

Crete

Maddie Salters makes the case for having an agro-adventure in Greece.

Let me take a moment to describe what the landscape of Greece is like. Mountains topped with sun-spattered clouds, expanding towards the shining armor of the sea, dotted with greenery, with villages nestled into each crest and valley. I could understand why the ancients believed in Zeus and Hera: never had I be somewhere that looked more like an impressionist painting. A truly majestic spot, especially for lovers of ancient history.
Continue reading →

Posted in Crete Eats, Food, Greece, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crete Eats: A Michelin Day In The Kitchen

Posted on 2016-01-06 by Madison Salters

Chef Dimitris Mavrakis

Maddie Salters has a Michelin day in a Cretan kitchen.

On my final day in Crete, I was transported from the field to the inside of a kitchen at restaurant Kritamon in the Archanes village with Michelin starred Chef Dimitris Mavrakis.

This is where my days of farming took root in culture and found some finesse. I learned that Cretan food of the type I’d been digging up and dining on all week is so healthy that it had been proven to help solve cardiac problems. I’d readily believe it, if the number of people over the age of seventy I saw jauntily climbing up mountains were any proof.

It’s the combination of olive oil, beans, and greens, greens, greens that really does it.
Continue reading →

Posted in Crete Eats, Food, Greece, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments