Nespresso has teamed up with Indian fashion designer Manish Arora to produce a new Limited Edition CitiZ machine, available exclusively at Selfridges from February. To celebrate the partnership all proceeds will be donated to Manish Arora’s preferred charity – the Naz Foundation; a non-governmental organisation based in India to raise awareness of HIV/Aids and sexual health.

As a rising star of the fashion world and regular at London Fashion Week, Manish Arora has taken inspiration from his travels around the world and combined it with the essence of Nespresso and its premium coffee to create a range of stunning and colourful CitiZ coffee machines.

This stunning limited edition NespressoCitiZ machine was created as part of the new annual N-Artproject. N-Art will aim to convey the spirit of Nespresso brand values through an artistic reinterpretation of what Nespresso stands for; coffee expertise, highest quality, continuous innovation and award-winning design.

Manish Arora’s interpretation of the brief led him to create a fairy tale populated by 16 Princesses, embodying the 16 Nespresso Grands Crus. The story unfolds in a faraway imaginary kingdom called Swig, ruled by King Bacchitarius. During one of his hunting trips, the King is captivated by the fragrance of a young girl, Princess Nespresso, who becomes his Queen. From this union 16 adorable little Princesses are born, whose primary mission is to spread their love and perfume around the world.

Manish Arora has included a selection of these Princesses on the new Limited Edition CitiZ machine. And like each Nespresso Grand Cru, each Princess has a unique and strong personality and a story of her own.

The new Manish Arora Limited Edition machine, priced at £269, is exclusively available from the Nespresso Boutique at Selfridges, Oxford Street, London.

www.selfridges.com
LEGO® STORE TO HOST 3-DAY FREE BUILD AT WESTFIELD LONDON

Friday 25th – Sunday 27th February 2011

To celebrate the opening of a new LEGO® store in Westfield London, the LEGO team will be hosting a 3-day grand opening event and looking for help from the budding builders to build a huge LEGO display, inspired by favourite London landmarks!

From 25th – 27th February, London’s skyline will be brought to life in LEGO bricks in a 3-day free-build in Westfield London’s Atrium. Families are invited to the hands-on building event to create their favourite London landmark using 350,000 red uniform LEGO bricks. The individual models will make up a giant LEGO landscape which will come to life, brick-by-brick over the 3 days.

The first 300 customers to spend over £20 in the LEGO Store on each of the 3 days will receive an exclusive LEGO gift with purchase and can enter a raffle for the chance to win a LEGO Tower Bridge!

The new LEGO store at Westfield London is the first LEGO Brand Retail store in London and carries a wide range of LEGO products, including exclusive and difficult to find sets that aren’t available elsewhere. Visitors will also find a full selection of classic LEGO products and branded merchandise for all ages, including the new award-winning LEGO Games, Harry Potter-themed sets, the best-selling CREATOR and CITY lines, and LEGO DUPLO® sets for pre-school children.

“Our store at Westfield London will enhance our consumers’ overall LEGO brand experience through product variety, store design and regular hands-on family events,” says Skip Kodak, Senior Vice President, LEGO Group. “Children and families will be able to experience first-hand and hands-on the creativity and imagination that goes into LEGO building and be inspired by the over 4 million LEGO bricks that are in the store at any given time.”

There are currently 62 LEGO Stores globally, 5 of them in the United Kingdom, including Westfield London.

www.westfield-uk.com

Building times are from 10am – 6pm, Friday to Sunday

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2010 The LEGO Group.

HELPING THE JOBLESS DRESS FOR SUCCESS
With the gloomy outlook on unemployment in the UK right now, some positive news about a clever initiative aimed at tackling the issue.

The Suit Amnesty is asking people to donate their old suits which will be handed out to the homeless, disadvantaged and the long term unemployed who cannot afford a suit for a job interview.
Everyone knows how much presentation counts. The Suit Amnesty ensures clothing that is no longer needed can be put to good use and help people take their first step on the career ladder.

With charities and initiatives being hit hard for donations in recent times, the Suit Amnesty is a great way for people to help others without having to put their hand in their pocket.

People are being asked to dig out their unwanted suits and hand them in at their nearest The Living Room (www.thelivingroom.co.uk) which has sites all over the UK.

The Amnesty will begin on the 18th February, on the same day that British fashion designer Paul Costelloe opens London Fashion Week's shows. Having donated suits and as an ambassador for the cause, Paul comments, “Presentation really counts when going for a job interview and not owning a suit is a huge barrier. The Suit Amnesty is an innovative way to re-gift clothing which will make a big difference to someone needing a helping hand to get their first step on to the career ladder.”

The scheme runs until March 31st and there are over 20 local charities across the country benefiting.

Rufus Hall from Suit Amnesty says, “Owning a good suit is something most of us take for granted, so to get young and homeless people a step closer towards getting a job is a great gift.”

The Paul Costelloe Catwalk Collection Pop Up shop at John Lewis, Oxford Street, will run simultaneously, offering a limited edition collection of individually numbered garments from his SS11 catwalk show, which opened London Fashion week last season.

www.suitamnesty.co.uk

COMPETITION ALERT! WIN A SKI HOLIDAY TO THE COOLEST MUSIC EVENT IN THE ALPS

Pierre & Vacances launches competition to win a trip to Avoriaz for the ‘Go Wild Music Festival’

Pierre & Vacances and P&O Ferries have teamed up to offer a fantastic holiday for four to ski and snowboarding resort Avoriaz to for the coolest new music event in the Alps. Enter online for the chance to experience the first ever Go Wild Music Festival (Festival des Concerts Sauvages) 2-9 April 2011.

The new, unique festival involves ten secret gigs at ski-to mountain locations, and who’s performing will only be announced by a text message to concert-goers mobile phones shortly before the first notes are played. Stages will appear and disappear overnight to keep people on their toes.

Each exciting act will perform an acoustic set during the week-long festival. The line-up is a who’s who of Warner Music’s talented French and international artists, including Kézia Jones, BB Brunes, Guillaume Grand, Joyce Jonathan, Jamaïca, Inna Modja, Irma, and Madalena.

The competition, which will run until 25 March 2011, is taking place on the Pierre & Vacances’ Facebook page. For a chance to win, entrants simply have to ‘Like’ the page and fill out their details. http://www.facebook.com/pierreetvacances.uk.ireland.

The prize includes:

• Four free ski passes for the Portes du Soleil ski region which includes entrance to all Go Wild Music Festival gigs for the entire week.

• An apartment with number one French accommodation specialist Pierre & Vacances in one of its nine ski-in ski-out holiday residences in Avoriaz 1800, a totally car free resort. http://www.pv-holidays.com/gb-en/holidays-avoriaz_de

• Channel crossings for a group of four people and one car from P&O Ferries. http://www.poferries.com/

• Free ski or snowboard hire from number one online rental specialist Ski Set. http://avoriaz.skiset.co.uk

See the festival trailer here: http://www.avoriaz-events.com/18-festival-des-concerts-sauvages-2-9-april-2011-music-avoriaz_en.html

Register here for text alerts here: http://en.portesdusoleil.com/inscription-concerts-sauvages.html

W HOTELS WORLDWIDE DEBUTS ITS 40TH HOTEL GLOBALLY WITH THE OPENING OF W LONDON - LEICESTER SQUARE

W London, Located in the Heart of London’s Entertainment Scene, Celebrates the Dual Personality of the Brit

W Hotels Worldwide recently premiered its newest flagship hotel, W London - Leicester Square http://www.wlondon.co.uk/ , the W brand’s 40th hotel globally. Set in the epicentre of London’s entertainment scene, W London is situated on the corner of Leicester Square and Wardour Street, nestled between cultural Soho and the world famous square. The building, which was developed by Northern Irish property company McAleer & Rushe, stands 10-storeys tall and is veiled in translucent glass that will change colour according to the time of day, the ambience of the area or happenings within the hotel and city. The opening of W London marks a significant milestone in the W brand’s global expansion, coinciding with today’s opening of W Taipei.

“London is an important gateway city globally, and the opening of W London has been highly anticipated by us all,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “From New York City, the birthplace of W Hotels, to London – from Times Square to Leicester Square –, this iconic opening is sure to propel the W brand in its continued transformation into a global powerhouse.”

Through W Hotels’ unique and distinctive programming, W London is set to become a new scene in the city for both guests and locals alike. The hotel features 192 guest rooms, including 17 suites, three WOW suites and one Extreme WOW suite as well as the UK’s first Spice Market, a signature restaurant by three Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, inspired by the vibrant street life of South East Asia and Wyld, a new take on the hotel bar scene run by London-based nightlife gurus, Ignite Group.

W London also features the signature W Lounge welcome experience, offering cocktails and bites with a twist on traditional English favourites; SWEAT®, state-of-the-art fitness facility, offering rooftop views of Soho and beyond as well as exclusive images by photographer Marcel Van Der Vlugt; AWAY® Spa with a focus on detox and refuel; a modern Screening Room with seating for 38; and W Studio Spaces that are dynamic enough to host a cocktail reception, board meeting or cosy dinner. All of this is supported by the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, providing guests whatever they want – from a private fashion show to an insider tour of London’s alternative nightlife scene – whenever they want it, as long as it’s legal!

“We are thrilled to launch the W brand in the UK with the opening of W London,” said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME). “After opening W hotels in Istanbul, Doha and Barcelona, the brand is on track to more than double its footprint over the next three years with further new hotels in prime destinations such as St. Petersburg, Paris and Milan.”

Design - Buttoned Up, Buttoned Down
Taking inspiration from its surroundings, the duality of British culture forms the basis for W London’s design concept - Savile Row meets Soho. Amsterdam based design team, Concrete, has crafted an interior to specifically suit the contemporary business and leisure traveller for work and for play. Within the hotel, an attitude of formal day turns quickly into informal night aided by classic design with a contemporary twist and nightlife accents.

W Lounge - Britishness Remixed
The W Lounge is a contemporary expression of British culture, reflecting the duality of the Englishman. The open fires and double-depth modern Chesterfield sofas are complemented by fine British food and drinks - traditional classics reworked with a modern touch. Serving breakfast, all day dining, afternoon tea and with a full service bar, the W Lounge is a perfect space for guests to spend all day and all night.

Wyld - Bringing Rock ‘n’ Roll back to Soho
Run by the Ignite Group, whose CEO is Matthew Hermer and named after Sir John Wyld, a Victorian entrepreneur who specialised in outrageous large-scale entertainment projects, Wyld brings the wow factor back to central London’s hotel bar scene. The music and drinks have been inspired by Rock ‘n’ Roll London taking inspiration from Soho’s musical heritage and featuring a specially curated premium tequila selection, alongside a full service bar.

Spice Market - From New York to London
At W London, three Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten premieres the sister restaurant of the iconic Spice Market in New York’s Meatpacking District. The toast of the New York restaurant scene, Vongerichten has teamed up with Chef de Cuisine Tim Tolley to create bold and tantalising dishes, inspired by the street flavours of South East Asia. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, there are 34 seats downstairs available for dining, along with a cocktail lounge and sushi bar. The upstairs area can host 95 guests with an open kitchen and a private dining room that can accommodate up to 40 guests.

Guestrooms - London by Day and Night
W London’s guestrooms feature an innovative design with unexpected details, unique to W and never before showcased in a London hotel. This focuses on the changing needs and demands of guests and their desire for a more studio-inspired open space. The ‘studio living’ concept no longer recognises the bathroom and bedroom as two entirely separate areas, rather as spaces that flow into each other, though privacy still remains. This design spirit of ‘duality’ continues into the public spaces where huge floor-to-ceiling windows draw in light and frame the architecture of Soho behind them.

Screening Room - The Heart of London Film
Further enhancing W’s passion for entertainment, the 38-seater 3-D state-of-the-art Screening Room is just off the W Lounge, which allows guests to mix and mingle before taking in the newest flick. The screening room is used for exclusive private hire and is sure to become the hottest new venue for small scale premieres.

AWAY Spa - Relax and Detox
The hotel’s AWAY Spa offers a full range of treatments to help guests unwind and recover. Guests can indulge in body treatments, waxing, manicures, pedicures, brow and eyelash tinting and facials. AWAY Spa guests can also access SWEAT, state-of-the-art fitness facility, where guests can book a personal training session or use any of the equipment at their leisure.

W London - Leicester Square is located at 10 Wardour Street, London, W1D 6QF and is now accepting reservations, including group arrivals and event bookings. Rooms start from £269 per room per night plus VAT. For further information and bookings, call W Hotels on 00800 325 25252 or visit www.wlondon.co.uk.

“GET A GOOD KNIGHT’S SLEEP!” - OXFORD THAMES FOUR PILLARS HOTEL LAUNCHES 12 BEAUTIFULLY REFURBISHED BEDROOMS WITHIN ITS HISTORIC COLLEGE HOUSE

Oxford is steeped in history, as the city of dreaming spires has long captivated both the hearts of the poetic and the minds of the academic. The Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel has a varied history itself, with documents dating the site back as far as the 12th century and linking it with the Knights Templar. It is appropriate, therefore, that the hotel should choose to refurbish its oldest wing (the medieval College House), restoring it to its original glory and giving guests the opportunity for a Knight to remember…

The refurbished bedrooms are due to officially open on 19th February 2011, and promise to reflect the hotel’s status within Oxford’s historic past. Each of the 12 rooms has been named after Oxford Colleges (Christchurch, St John’s, Trinity, Magdalen etc). Colour schemes in the rooms will also reflect the sense of history and status, with rich ruby and amethyst tones, complimented by contemporary ascents. Upgraded Clarins toiletries will also come as standard, along with Divine chocolate bars and a complimentary drinks tray (to include soft drinks, mineral water and mini bottles of wine), robes, slippers and a complimentary newspaper. The majority of these rooms will also overlook the beautifully landscaped lawns leading down to the River Thames, and the majestic St John’s College barge.

Rameth Kurdi, General Manager of the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, says: “We are absolutely delighted to unveil the newly refurbished College House wing of the hotel. We are keenly aware of the hotel’s status within local history, with the site linked with the Knights Templar of the Holy Crusades, and have gone to great lengths to retain historic character within the rooms. These 12 bedrooms are all individual in style, yet they all echo the College House’s historical roots, and we hope that our guests will enjoy this nod to our place in history”.

Located just three miles from Oxford city centre, the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel comprises a group of medieval buildings with sympathetically designed modern additions, set in 30 acres of parkland on the River Thames. It offers a convenient base from which to explore this historic part of England and offers interesting sightseeing and shopping options.

For bookings, call: 01865 334 444 or visit www.four-pillars.co.uk/thames

ART AND FOOD FROM FLANDERS UNITE AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY FROM 23RD FEBRUARY

To coincide with the highly anticipated arrival of renowned Flemish artist Jan Gossaert’s exhibition at the National Gallery, top chef and fellow Belgian, Matthieu Beudaert has collaborated with National Café head chef, Simon Duff to create an unusual Flanders menu which will run in the National Café from 23rd March until 30th May.

Billed as Belgium’s “most promising chef”, by well-known Knack Restaurantgids 2011, Beudaert has worked closely with Duff to create a menu combining traditional Belgian food whilst showcasing the country’s modern cooking trends. As chef patron of Table d’Amis in Kortrijk, Belgium, Beudaert is in constant pursuit of pure and intense flavours which reflect the traditional Flanders approach to food yet presents them in a clean and modern style. His menu at the National Café will incorporate these characteristics giving Londoners an insight into this eclectic cuisine.

Priced at £23.50 for two courses and £27 for three courses, the menu will include starters such as Potato and buttermilk cream, poached egg, dried cured Flemish ham and Sweet Belgian grey shrimps, tomato salad, tarragon emulsion. Main courses will include “Hutsepot” – Confit of veal cheek cooked with Petrus Oud Bruin beer, pickled root vegetables and Belgian fries as well as Skate with beurre noisette and textures of cauliflower and the menu will finish with puddings such as Chocolate moelleux, salted almond croquant, brown beer ice cream and Pain Perdu with caramelized Jonagold apple, salted caramel ice cream.

A special Belgian beer menu has been devised with suggestions made to match each course and including such brands as Brugse Zot Blond, Vedett and Boon Framboise.

The National Café East Wing, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, City of London WC2N 4DN

TEN DAYS TO THE OSCARS - EXPERIENCE THE LA LIFESTYLE

Countdown to the Oscars, only one week to go and you too can experience the LA lifestyle and party in quintessential style. Check in to the ultra-glam Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where you can rub shoulders with the stars and mingle with the movie makers!

The not-to-be-missed Academy Awards* is THE ultimate red-carpet event. From flashbulbs to headlines, gongs to gowns Tinsel Town buzzes with Oscars Fever and as the world watches those who grace the red carpet, movie stars are made and dreams are broken.

But it’s not till the sun sets on the world’s most famous and glamorous awards ceremony that the celebrations really commence, and you too can party with the stars at LA hotspot, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – the only place to be, and be seen, this Oscars season!

Not just a hotspot of the present, the hotel is full of glam Hollywood memories of the past. In 1929, the Blossom Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel became home to the very first Academy Awards, where Janet Gaynor and Emil Jannings made history as the first actors to claim an Oscar. The hotel named in honour of President Theodore Roosevelt was originally built as a gathering place for the rich and famous and was quickly established as THE place to hold pre- and post-award parties.

Steeped in celebrity history the Marilyn Monroe Suite, and Gable and Lombard Penthouse are testimony to the hotel's historic celebrity guest list, not forgetting The Blossom Room itself!

Room rates for the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel start from £175 + VAT per night. For reservations and more information, please call 001.323.466.7000 or visit thompsonhotels.com.
BA offer return economy flights from London Heathrow to Los Angeles from £514.10 per person based on March 2011 departures. For reservations call 0844 493 0787 or visit ba.com.

The Academy Awards is in its 83rd year and is taking place on March 7th 2011.

SELFRIDGES’ BEST OF BRITISH

"Britain has always been known as a breeding ground for the finest fashion talent: from the greatest tailors to the most avant-garde couturiers – we have produced some of the key designers in the fashion industry today. Now is the perfect time to celebrate all things British - from Brit fashion royalty such as Galliano, Westwood and McQueen to England's urban heroes like Ted Baker, Belstaff, & Paul Smith; Selfridges has the perfect blend of brands to inject a bit of Britishness into your wardrobe."
- David Walker-Smith, Director of Menswear, Beauty, Home & Leisure

Cooper & Stollbrand – Exclusive to Selfridges
A Manchester-based factory that has produced luxury outerwear for some of the world’s finest designers for over 70 years, Selfridges are very proud to now exclusively be stocking Cooper & Stollbrand’s first foray into their own label. A 1940s-style classic waxed cotton motorcycle jacket can be yours now for £375.

Crombie
Purveyor of fine coats since 1880, Crombie have certainly had plenty of practice. Made in the most exceptional luxury cashmere, Crombie’s versatile gentleman’s overcoats will take you from the office to the bar.
Prices range from £750 to £995

New Love Club – Exclusive to Selfridges
You don’t have to be a Royalist to be a little excited about the Royal Wedding. Celebrate it on a budget with a Kate and Will New Love Club tee, an exclusive to Selfridges and yours for £25.In-store in time for the Big Day.

Nigel Cabourn
Inspired by aviation jackets and traditional British shirting, 100% cotton and coated in natural beeswax, Nigel Cabourn’s hard-wearing SS11 collection brings a whole new meaning to the “investment buy”.
Buy a jacket that will last you for years, prices starting at £675.

Emmett – Exclusive to Selfridges
Inspired by Boardwalk Empire with a significant British twist, Emmett have worked with Selfridges buying team to produce a classic and elegant range of tab collar and tie bar shirts, exclusive to Selfridges. The finest mixture of Alfie and Al Capone! In-stores March.

Vivienne Westwood
Pick up the best of Viv’s Spring Summer ‘11 MAN collection at Selfridges now, cue bright playful checks, stylishly tongue-in-cheek tailoring and basics turned on their head.

Shop online at www.selfridges.com

PLANTFORLIFE ENCOURAGES PEOPLE IN THE CITY NOT TO GIVE UP ON THEIR DREAM OF THE ‘GOOD LIFE’

As two fifths of urbanites wish they could plant their way to the Good Life...

Ever dreamed of taking a step back from the fast paced frenzy of everyday life in exchange for leading the ‘Good Life’? You’re not alone, as new research from PlantforLife reveals in the last two years alone, nearly half (45%) of people in the city have dreamt of leaving their hectic lives behind to lead a more fulfilling (39%) sustainable (29%), and greener life (23%) in the country[i] <#_edn1> .

With over 40% of urbanites confessing they want to escape the city to relieve stress, it seems everyone’s got the same thing on their mind- nearly half (47%) wish they could wind down to a slower pace of life, 41% would love more space to grow their own food and over half (56%) crave to be outdoors, leading a healthier lifestyle. However, this dream of country living isn’t just a fantasy as the research reveals that people are already starting to take their own sustainable measures:

· 62% grow their own fruit and vegetables

· 42% collect and re-use rain water to water their plants

· 27% grow strawberries in hanging baskets

· 14% plant greenery up against their walls to increase insulation

· 10% grow dwarf root vegetables in hanging pots

· 10% re-use old chimney pots for growing flowering plants and

· 7% use grow lights to extend their growing space indoors

With two fifths of the nation (40%) admitting they want to know how they can achieve a more sustainable life in the city, PlantforLife has teamed up with Channel 4’s ‘Landscape Man’ and garden designer Matthew Wilson, to develop the ‘Urban Guide to the Good Life’ -offering inspiration and guidance to those unable to pack their bags and move to the country. It’s an easy to use guide which shows just how simple it can be to live a greener, more sustainable life in the urban jungle, no matter what outdoor space you have.

Matthew says, “The city has its challenges when we talk about simple, sustainable living but there are small steps that all people can take to make a difference. Gardening is an easy first step to introduce positive effects to the environment and can even help you save a few pennies along the way. Incorporating hanging baskets to grow your own fruit and veg or building a mini greenhouse for the smallest of windowsills, are just a couple of easy ways towards making a greener, more sustainable future simple.”

The ‘Urban Guide to the Good Life’ shares Matthew’s top ’Good Life’ tips, from showing you how fruit and veg can be grown in small containers ideal for rooftops or balconies, to selecting the best plants for your urban garden, along with many more to encourage sustainability within your very own garden setting!

So simply log on to www.plantforlife.info/goodlife §1to download your ‘Urban Guide to the Good Life’ and take along to your local garden centre, so you know what plants and garden features you can buy to help you on your way to the good life.

Taking it to the extreme Whilst you equip yourself with the good life the easy way, we thought we’d reveal some of the most extreme ‘solutions’ that city slickers have been starting to take, in a bid to achieve sustainable living:

· Installing a wind turbine to harness wind power

· Creating their own ‘gutter garden’

· Catching rainwater from their roof

· Keeping a shovel in the car to collect horse manure for use in their
garden instead of peat

· Keeping chickens

· Diverting rainwater to be used again

· and some even keep hens on their balconies and patios to collect
fresh eggs every morning!

PlantforLife has been created by the Horticultural Trades Association with the aim of helping people to make the most out of their garden with gardening advice, information and inspirational ideas, highlighting the health and well-being benefits of plants and gardening.

[i] OnePoll survey of 2000 respondents, 10th November 2010.

STEP INTO MA CUISINE FOR THE TASTE AND FLAVOUR OF A REGIONAL FRENCH FEAST

Opened by Owner and Head Chef John McClements in 2004, Ma Cuisine is a French culinary treasure in the heart of the idyllic Kew Village. Specialising in traditional regional cuisine, the menu features favourites such as Soupe ? l’oignon française and Osso Bucco de Lotte.

From les entrees to desserts, John’s passion for French food comes to life through the restaurant’s high calibre, reasonably priced menu. Offering lesser-known dishes such as Cassoulet de Boudin de Pintade (sausage of guinea fowl with white butter beans) and Lièvre Royal (braised Hare with red wine and sautéed savoy cabbage with lardons) as well as popular classics such as Moules Marinières.

As the name suggests, guests are welcomed into a warm and intimate dining room with a traditional themed interior. Red and white checked tablecloths cover the varnished wooden tables and Parisian-style posters decorate the walls. The atmosphere is relaxed and open to couples, groups and business diners.

The restaurant boasts a diverse wine list with a wine to match every dish. The list is well sourced, with a good selection of quality wines available by the glass, carafe and bottle. The drinks list also includes a choice of Champagne; the perfect aperitif!

“I wanted to create quality French cuisine that people could afford to enjoy” comments John.” It’s important to me that everyone feels at ease in my restaurant so they can relax and savour the tastes. Eating should be a wonderful experience and Ma Cuisine aims to enhance that experience.”

John is an acclaimed restaurateur and has owned restaurants since 1987. Ma Cuisine opened in 2004 as an answer to the local demand for provincial French bistrot food, honestly priced and staying true to traditional culinary principles.

www.macuisinebistrot.co.uk

HALF TERM PLANNER FROM FARM AND COTTAGE HOLIDAYS - FARM ADVENTURES, WILDLIFE WEBCAMS, 'TWO FAMILY' PADS, SEA VIEWS AND MUCH MORE

As back to work becomes back at work and the kids look at the calendar on the fridge for the first half term of 2011, booking the perfect family cottage gives everyone something to look forward to. The team at Farm and Cottage Holidays have picked out some half term treats in the West Country including houses big enough for multiple families, working farms on the doorstep, sea views and good old fashioned countryside walks.
For a full list of what’s available log on to www.holidaycottages.co.uk but here are a pick of the bunch:
Barn sleepovers for mini farmers with wildlife webcam thrown in…

Waterloo Courtyard Sandmartins, Boscastle- You might not actually get to drive the tractor but you do get to play farmer at Waterloo Courtyard Sandmartins near Boscastle – one of six immaculate barn conversions on this 200 acre farm. As well as meeting the farm animals and helping out with farming tasks there is lots of wildlife to see including kingfishers, sandmartins, buzzards and herons, maybe an otter or skylark . Plus for keen wildlife watchers there are webcams set up to capture the wildlife around the farm which can be viewed on the TV in your cottage, you may be lucky enough to watch Swallows eggs hatching in the nest or bats leaving an old barn. From £465 for half term week based on 7 nights from February 19 (sleeps 8) - www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cornwall/north-cornwall/waterloo-courtyard-sandmartins

Half-term hideaway big enough for a two family gathering in North Cornwall
Larrick Farmhouse is a lovely large farmhouse situated in a peaceful hamlet near the Cornish town of Launceston and surrounded by 80 acres. Centrally located making it a perfect base for touring the whole of Cornwall. The spacious accommodation is perfect for two families as the sleeping accommodation is split into two wings approached via separate staircases, and the open wood burner is a perfect meeting point for relaxing evenings. From £570 for a half term week based on 7 nights from February 19(sleeps 10) - www.holidaycottages.co.uk/holidaycottage/larrick-farmhouse

Out the door and onto the beach:
Serendipity, Devon: The traditional Victorian seaside town of Westward Ho! meets modern apartment with nothing but 2 miles of uninterrupted sea views. This two bed apartment is literally on the beach, and with a private balcony to kick back and enjoy it. From £448 for a half term week based on 7 nights from February 19 (sleeps 4) - www.holidaycottages.co.uk/holidaycottage/serendipity


Half term on a luxurious Exmoor sheep farm:
Drewstone is a traditional 300 acre family-run sheep and arable farm in an idyllic country setting in the foothills of Exmoor, full of unspoilt character and unspoilt beauty with its own wildlife lake and two luxurious barn conversions. Woodcutters cosy cottage with a woodburner sleeps four and provides the perfect backdrop for a half term break. There are some delightful country walks from the doorstep and you have the freedom to roam the farm, if you’re lucky you might even catch some lambs being born. The farm has been featured on Johnny Kingdom's BBC2 wildlife series 'A Year on Exmoor'. Cosy country pubs provide an ideal location for eating out. For beaches there’s nearby Croyde, famous for its surfing, Woolacombe, Putsborough and Saunton Sands. A 7 night stay from 19 February costs £275 - saving £45 (sleeps 4) – Visit www.holidaycottages.co.uk/holidaycottage/drewstone-farm-woodcutters or call 01237 459889

Farm and Cottage Holidays (www.holidaycottages.co.uk) is a family owned and run UK holiday cottage rental specialist with over 30 years experience and 1200 properties covering Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. The company provides the a wide selection of hand-picked holiday cottages throughout the West Country, presenting them in a user-friendly way with an intelligent search facility, allowing you to not only search by location, price and size but also by features such as hot tubs, internet access, open fires and sea views.

For more information and bookings go to www.holidaycottages.co.uk or call 01237 459889.

ALBERTA GOURMET TRENDS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2011

Rocky Mountain Cuisine

Foodies in search of something special should head for Alberta. The Executive Chef at Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts (CRMR), Alistair Barnes, has developed a new culinary style unique to Western Canada. Rocky Mountain Cuisine is leading the way in bringing world-class dining to visitors to Alberta whether at the Lodges in the Rockies or the many restaurants in Calgary. This new culinary style has completely revolutionised the region’s cuisine by ensuring that all of the produce is sourced locally and all naturally. This can range from the food and vegetables to the Elk, venison, caribou and buffalo dishes all of which use meat either produced by CRMR or one of their partners.

Visitors to Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff or Deer Lodge in Lake Louise, can enjoy the fare either in the restaurant, as part of a very special demonstration class, 'An Evening at Our Chef's table' or through purchasing produce through CRMR at Home.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge has a Gourmet Getaway package which includes one night accommodation at the Lodge, a three course a la carte dinner and breakfast and all for just £113 per person per night plus tax and based on double occupancy. www.crmr.com

New to the CRMR group’s culinary range is its own food shop … Pack a picnic full of some original Rocky Mountain-flavoured portable gourmet goodies including fresh baked breads from their bakery in Canmore, bison and elk meats (from game raised on their own ranch near Calgary) and ‘Mustard Melons’, the perfect complement to elk salami and wild game sausages.

The importance of local produce is also in evidence at the Banff Avenue Brewing Company and the new artisan grocer, FEAST which offers local and organic ingredients including seasonal fruits and vegetables, regional cheeses and charcuterie. The very type of ingredients used at the Baker Creek Bistro in Banff, which is under the same ownership. www.bakercreekbistro.ca
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Inspirational origins in Edmonton

In Edmonton, Original Fare is a select group of independent restaurants committed to Promoting, Preserving and Protecting Culinary Diversity. Original fare restaurants are independently owned and operated and offer original, diverse, authentic dining experiences you just cannot get anywhere else! Members of Original fare are passionate about striving for culinary excellence & authenticity, encouraging social responsibility, working together, supporting regional cuisines & products, and creating awareness. www.originalfare.com

Purchasing local fare in Edmonton is easy with Farmer’s Markets happening six days out of seven (Tuesday – Sunday) across the city. Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market brings the farm to the heart of the city, whilst the Downtown City Market is a little funkier and the St. Albert Farmers’ Market is Western Canada’s Largest Farmers’ Market with over 250 suppliers. All are worth a visit to check out the local fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses available within Edmonton. www.edmonton.com

The majority of the world class restaurants in the city take their inspiration from these farmers’ markets and the produce on offer – whether it be Madison’s Grill which only sources and uses ingredients from within a 100 mile radius, or The Blue Pear where Chef Darcy Radies takes advantage of local seasonal items to produce a globally inspired five course menu www.unionbankinn.com/index_madison.php / www.thebluepear.com

Calgary & cowboys

The Calgary restaurant scene is awash with world class restaurants including the River Cafe, Rouge or Charcut Roast House – which specialises in using regional cuisine and locally sourced ingredients but giving them country French and Italian twists. The Charcut Roast House was opened in late 2009 to much acclaim by locally born chef’s DeSousa and Jackson, both of whom have worked around the world but have come back to Calgary. They are both graduates of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Culinary Programme.

Food is an integral part of the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’, the Calgary Stampede (July 2011) where for 10 days the whole of the city of Calgary remembers its Cowboy roots. With outdoor rodeos, chuckwagon races, and not forgetting the pancake breakfasts that are available free every morning in the city, cowboy cook outs available throughout the day and even the specifically created Calgary Stampede Horseradish. www.calgarystampede.com
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Beer, Beef, Buffalo & Berries

The Banff Avenue Brewing Company is one of the latest mini breweries popping up in Alberta and the second within a National Park in Canada. The first is the Jasper Brewing Company which is owned by the same people. They brew all their beer on premise and have a wide range of beers all using their ‘secret’ ingredient. The pure natural mountain water sourced from the Canadian Rockies. They also offer a wide range of food – including the renowned beer battered fish and chips, which as you can imagine is made using their own beer. www.banffavebrewingco.ca

Alberta Beef is renowned for its qualities across the world and very much features within many Canadian menus. Many restaurants aim to serve ‘Triple A’ and prime Alberta beef because these top grades have superior texture, flavour and aroma. However buffalo is becoming more common now and is used in restaurants throughout the Province. Indeed buffalo is Alberta’s original meat and by following the footsteps of the buffalo through time a unique insight into Alberta’s rich aboriginal heritage can be found. A visit to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, where aboriginal hunters killed the buffalo brings to life the economic and historical importance this animal has

www.head-smashed-in.com

Aboriginal heritage is also brought to life through the guided walks of Mahikan Trails, which showcase the use for medicinal and gourmet purposes of the naturally found flora and fauna of the Rockies. Located in the Banff/ Canmore area, Mahikan Trails is an aboriginal company who offer Métis (mixed Native and European blood) guides as well as fully Aboriginal Awareness trained non-Native guides. Learn all about the uses of every day flora, fruit and vegetables by taking a guided walk through the lesser known areas of the Canadian Rockies www.mahikan.ca


As part of this walk, saskatoon berries might be found and this grade one super food is certainly popular within Alberta, with restaurants even setting up their own Saskatoon orchards in order to fulfil their requirements. Saskatoon Farm is situated south east from Calgary and offers visitors the chance to pick their own, learn the story of the growing process and of course sample the berry in many guises in the cafe. www.saskatoonfarm.com

For more information on Alberta cuisine, visit www.travelalberta.com

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