May 2009 Archives

Mr Asahi, the robotic barman, is touring the UK serving draught beer and de-capping bottles of beer for punters.

And he's quick. According to research, the average customer has to wait up to 15 minutes to be served at a bar by a regular bartender.

Mr Asahi consistently serves people in under two minutes - with a robotic smile to boot. What's more, unlike mortals, he also doesn't require a loo or lunch break.

The robot was created by eight engineers in 200 hours using a combination of robotics and animatronics. His arms were built in Japan and have a six-axis functionality enabling him to perform 60 repeatable functions per minute.

Britvic certainly knows how to grab attention when introducing new products as it demonstrated earlier this month with the launch of its spring water drink Drench.

Newly crowned Miss Great Britain, Sophie Ladon, rode a giant bucking bronco style pheasant in Covent Garden, wearing a pink bikini, teeny denim shorts and little more. And that's Miss Ladon, not the pheasant, we're talking about.

Described as a spring water juice drink to satisfy thirst when water just doesn't hit the spot, Juicy Drench is available in three flavours: Orange and Passionfruit, Cranberry and Raspberry and Blackcurrant and Apple.

The supporting £5.5m multimedia campaign features a TV advert showing a cowboy riding a giant pheasant rodeo style to the Black Box track 'Ride on Time'.

Department store Peter Jones is making the most of the publicity surrounding the Chelsea Flower Show by introducing a Chelsea Bun at its Brasserie and Top Floor Restaurant.

Originally created at the local Bun House on Pimlico Road, London, the Chelsea Honey-Bun is made with honey produced from mountain heather nectar and includes sprinkles of sugared rose petals.

The floral-inspired Chelsea Bun is part of Peter Jones' Darling Puds of May floral menu designed especially for the Chelsea Flower Show and runs from 19th-31st May.

The Southover Food Company has joined forces with Kate's Cakes to offer caterers the following product offers for the month of May:

Tray bakes - buy any two cases and get one Apple Tray case free
Kate's Apple Tray (uncut)
Kate's Carrot Tray (uncut)
Kate's Pecan Brownie Slice
Kate's Luxury Chocolate Crunch

Cookies - buy any two cases and get Kate's Chocolate Cookies case free
Kate's Chocolate Cookies
Kate's Ginger Cookies
Kate's Oat & Raisin Cookies

8" Round Cakes - buy any three cases and get Kate's Carrot and Orange Cake free
Kate's Luxury Chocolate Fudge
Kate's Carrot and Orange Cake
Kate's Chocolate Orange Marble
Kate's Lemon Drizzle Cake

Not only are people opting for affordable takeaways in favour of visiting restaurants during the recession, new research suggests eating curries can also help to relieve stress.

Food company www.just-eat.co.uk has found that eating curry releases endorphins - feel-good hormones - and that the spicier the curry the better.

Takeaways such as Vindaloo, Madras and Thai curry are among the takeaway meals most associated with stress-relief, with their mix of endorphin releasing red chilli peppers and serotonin-rich mood-enhancing vegetables, such as tomatoes.

An accompanying study of 1,185 people also conducted by the site found that 92% of Brits say they feel happier after eating a takeaway.

Just-Eat has seen a 250% takeaway order increase across its 2480 UK partnered restaurants since the recession when compared to the same time last year, with the site now servicing more than 40,000 meal orders every day.

David Buttress, CEO of Just-Eat.co.uk says: "The supplementary study proves that the public are cheered up by a good curry, not least for the fact it gives hard-working Brits an evening off from cooking."
 
 

Do you eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away? Avoid walking under ladders? Believe somebody is talking about you if your ears are burning? Or blow out every candle on your birthday cake in one blow to ensure your secret wish comes true?

According to a study by Jura Superstition Single Malt Whisky, superstitions are still very much a part of our lives...especially at weddings.

The most common superstition that brides adhere to is not allowing their fiancé to see them on the eve of or prior to the ceremony; the groom carrying the bride over the threshold once they are married comes in at number two and throwing of the bouquet is the third most popular wedding superstition.

Modern day brides are also still likely to follow the 'something old, new borrowed and blue' rule, but what has all this got to do with whisky?

Website Bragster.com has demonstrated the power of social networking by convincing drinks manufacturer Britvic to act on a dare to turn labelling on cans of Tango upside down.

"Tango is a brand that likes to do the unexpected and turn things upside down - and this time we're doing it with our cans. The new upside-down cans will only be available for a limited period but will significantly increase visibility in display units and consumer interest in the two and a half million can available," said senior brand manager Sally Symes.

The orange drink is no stranger to quirky campaigns. Last November Britvic launched a Save Tango campaign which resulted in an 8% increase in value sales. Not to mention the "You know when you've been Tangoed" advert.

Turning labels upside down on soft drinks is one thing but imagine the consequences if wine and beer companies tried the same prank...could be amusing.

Caterers looking to spice up their menus might want to consider R.H Amar & Co's latest product launch.

One teaspoon of Cooks&Co red or green Chilli Purée is the equivalent of one medium sized chilli. 

Offered to caterers as an alternative to de-seeding and crushing whole chillies, each 550g jar of purée is made by combining red or green chilli peppers with oil and vinegar.

"We are confident that caterers will find this another great addition to our Cooks&Co range, which already includes antipasti, sauces, pesto, fruit products and olives," said Samantha Deacon, senior product marketing manager at R.H. Amar & Co.