Thursday 25 May 2017

PRESS RELEASE: YES T CAN

YES T CAN
TENNENT’S TAKES OVER EDINBURGH IN ANTICIPATION OF OBAMA VISIT


Thursday 25 May 2017, Edinburgh:  Tennent’s Lager is saying “Yes T Can” this week as the brand awaits the arrival of former US President Barack Obama to Scotland’s capital. Tennent’s has taken over Edinburgh city centre with a “Yes T Can” message, in reference to Obama’s iconic “Yes We Can” presidential election campaign.

Tennent’s enlisted the help of “Barack No-Bama”, one of the UK’s top Obama look-a-likes to help launch “Yes T Can”. No-Bama was out and about campaigning in the city yesterday encouraging punters to turn out and celebrate the big man’s arrival on Friday. The Glasgow brewer is urging the people of Edinburgh to raise a glass in celebration of Obama’s arrival, and will have a street team and giant campaign screen touring the capital all day Friday with a few samples of Scotland’s favourite lager.

Obama has long been popular amongst Scots, and will enjoy entertainment from the likes of Kevin Bridges and Annie Lennox when he speaks at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Street teams will tour key locations in Edinburgh before arriving at the EICC to welcome the former President.

Alan McGarrie, Head of UK Brand Marketing at Tennent’s said: “When we heard Barack Obama was coming to town, we wanted to pull out all the stops and  welcome him to Scotland. Obama is famous for his “Yes We Can” campaign line, and “Yes T Can” is a celebration of that.”

PRESS RELEASE: Major milestone for world’s first social enterprise gin

Major milestone for world’s first social enterprise gin as Ginerosity profits shared out among young volunteers


A social enterprise gin that launched only six months ago has given away its first tranche of cash to help disadvantaged young adults.

The money from sales of Ginerosity gin will go towards helping six young adults access a life-changing volunteer programme that targets poverty in developing countries.

The news comes just days after the gin enjoyed a major sales breakthrough when supermarket giant Asda announced it was stocking the big-hearted craft spirit.

Ginerosity director Dave Mullen said both the funding announcement and Asda listing were phenomenal achievements for a brand that only launched six months ago.

He said: “We launched our social enterprise gin in November. Six months on and Ginerosity is on the shelves of Asda and enabling young adults to access an inspiring volunteer programme that is making a substantial difference to poverty in the UK and in developing countries.”

Mr Mullen, who is Executive Creative Director at marketing agency Story UK, said Ginerosity had partnered with Edinburgh-based charity Challenges Worldwide, which recruits volunteers to work with social enterprises in Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Ghana. This opens the door to social investment funding to help the social enterprises expand and help grow the local economy.

Each volunteer has to fund £800 towards the cost of the three-month programme, and £300 towards an industry-recognised qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Ginerosity’s profits go towards helping young adults meet those costs.

East Kilbride student Joanna Gillan, 21, was one of the six young adults to be awarded Ginerosity funding. She said: "I couldn’t believe it when I received the phonecall to say I had won a grant from Ginerosity. Due to this amazing partnership they have with Challenges Worldwide and their generosity, I’ve completed my fundraising, won a grant for my CMI qualification and am going on a three-month adventure to Rwanda.

“I’m really proud to be one of the first to benefit from Ginerosity, and I can't thank them enough. I’m immensely excited about learning new skills, meeting new people and discovering new places, while at the same time doing something meaningful to fight poverty.”

Ms Gillan also urged other people to get behind the Ginerosity brand, adding: “Buy a bottle of their gin and help continue the work of sending young people like myself to continue this amazing work through Challenges Worldwide!”

Looking ahead to her three-month volunteering in Rwanda which commences next month, Ms Gillan added: “When Challenges Worldwide came to my college one year ago I knew it was right up my street, but when I first sent off my application the fear set in as I have never been outside of Europe, but with the amazing support of the volunteers, co-ordinators, fundraising officers and Ginerosity they have made my upcoming three-month experience in Kigali possible.”

As part of the application process, Ms Gillan and fellow applicant Cameron McIntosh had to record a three-minute video pitch, which was reviewed by an independent panel established by Ginerosity earlier this year. The panel shared £2000 in Ginerosity profits between six young adults.

Alex Bruce, chairman of the panel and managing director of Adelphi Distillery, said: “These six people are the first to go through the Ginerosity funding programme, a major milestone indeed. These young adults will be the first to be funded by Ginerosity, and are due to fly out next month, work for three months and come back with important life skills that will help them grow and develop and engage.

“Thanks to the growing success of Ginerosity, and the recent Asda deal, it’s clear many more young people will benefit from Ginerosity’s kindness of spirit. It’s a cause that I and my fellow panellists are both excited and humbled to be able to support.”

PRESS RELEASE: Brooklyn Brewery Supper Club at Edinburgh Food Studio



This June two legends of the culinary world will join forces to create a dinner series unlike anything Edinburgh has seen, or tasted, before!
Think bold flavours, mouth-watering aromas and plates full of colour and texture, as Brooklyn Brewery’s Head of Culinary Programming, Andrew Gerson and Edinburgh Food Studio’s Ben Reade come together for three nights only, to celebrate good food, fine friends and rare beers on 15,16 and 17 June.
Life-long friends, Andrew and Ben first met whilst studying at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy where they shared a house together, formerly occupied by the Ass. ne AMICI (Association of Friends). In this old house in the small town of Bra, the two friends and chefs ensured the house lived up to its former name through their legendary dinners and is the inspiration for the series of Brooklyn Amici dinners in June.
The Italian town of Bra is also the birthplace of the Slow Food organization which was initially founded by Carlo Petrini and a group of activists in Italy during the 1980s with the aim of defending regional traditions, good food, gastronomic pleasure and a slow pace of life, an ethos and cause both chefs hold dear to their hearts.
Food plays a central role in the Brooklyn Brewery story, from its initiative with the Culinary Institute of America (one of world’s foremost cooking schools), through to the work Andrew now does, travelling the world collaborating with local food heroes to create one of a kind experiences that bring the two worlds of food and beer together in perfect harmony.
Chef Andrew Greson, said: “Ben is a chef and mad scientist that I am honoured to know, work with and call a friend. I am looking forward to experiencing the incredible ingredients of Scotland that he is so passionate about sharing with the world.  This dinner is a chance for old friends to cook and celebrate together with great food and exciting beers.”

Event details:
Venue: Edinburgh Food Studio, 158 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5DX
Dates, 15, 16 and 17 June 2017
Tickets: £65pp
Discover more about Brooklyn Brewery here:

Friday 19 May 2017

PRESS RELEASE: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society launches new Spring menu and cocktail list

SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY SPRINGS INTO SUMMER WITH NEW MENU AND COCKTAILS
A delicious new selection of food and drink will be on offer from later this month.

Flavour is to the fore on The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s new Spring/Summer menu and cocktail list at its 28 Queen Street venue.

In the Dining Room restaurant, head chef James Freeman will showcase a range of fresh and vibrant flavours in more than 10 brand new dishes which all feature a selection of fresh, local produce. 

The Taster Menu takes guests through highlights of the new range, starting with wild boar terrine and foie gras, before enjoying some locally sourced Gartmorn Farm chicken with a purée of wild Alexanders, and finishing with a dark chocolate ganache. Every course is served with a dram or glass of wine, which has been specifically chosen to complement the flavours of each dish by The Society’s experts.

Other tempting dishes include loin and belly of Scotch lamb with organic potatoes and sheep’s yoghurt purée; a crispy cannelloni of mushrooms and hazelnuts; and braised beef with spring greens, salt-baked carrots and horseradish turnip purée.

In the Kaleidoscope whisky bar, the Society’s innovative bartenders, led by Anthony Delcros, have created a range of cocktails which reflect The Society’s unique flavour approach to tasting whisky.

The new cocktail list features the ‘Concierge Shandy’, a tasty mixture of Spicy & Sweet single cask Society whisky, lemon juice, sugar syrup, Picon and wheat beer.

Alternatively, fans of the Peated single cask Society whisky will enjoy the more fragrant ‘Peat Tea Infusion’, which combines the malt with spiced Earl Grey Tea, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. Gin lovers can sample ‘The Koh Samui Cocktail’ with Falernum, lemongrass and ginger cordial, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.

Jan Damen, Operations Director for the Society, said: “Having been awarded two AA Rosettes in December we felt that we needed to push our next menu further and we have done that with this range of brand new dishes and cocktails for Spring/Summer.

“The Dining Room’s new menu features fantastic fresh local produce and takes diners on a real journey of discovery through different flavours

“In Kaleidoscope, the cocktail list will allow fans of our single cask Society whiskies the opportunity to enjoy whisky in a unique way, as well as other innovative combinations, using ingredients specifically chosen to enhance the tasting experience.”

The new range of food and cocktails are on offer at The Dining Room Restaurant and The Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar, both at 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh.

Society members can enjoy a 10% saving on drams plus all other drinks and bar food.

For more information: https://www.smws.com/
@SMWSUK

Thursday 4 May 2017

PRESS RELEASE: New Life & Style Edinburgh Event Launches to Showcase the Best of Life in the Capital


New Life & Style Edinburgh Event Launches to Showcase the Best of Life in the Capital 



Award-winning event organisers, Essential Edinburgh, have announced an exciting new ‘Life & Style Edinburgh’ event for the city this summer featuring celebrity and local speakers, workshops, fashion shows, free beauty treatments and over 40 city centre businesses to showcase the best of life in the capital Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July.

The event will transform the iconic Royal Society of Edinburgh building on George Street into a two-day shopping and socialising hub, where visitors of all ages and interests can explore different themed rooms across three floors including technology, fashion, food & drink, travel, fitness, beauty and interior design, each brimming with workshops, talks and pop-up shops from Harvey Nichols, Jessops, BoConcept, John Lewis, Waterstones and many more top city centre businesses.

Between exploring pop-up shops and experiential stands, ticketholders can also enjoy complimentary beauty treatments from the likes of Lush, Bobbi Brown and Neal’s Yard Remedies; reserved seating at fashion shows featuring Anthropology, Oliver Bonas, Marks & Spencer, Covet, Gap and other top fashion brands; cocktail-making masterclasses with Badger & Co and tea tasting with The East India Company; styling sessions with Jenners; and a seat at the ‘Lifestyle Stage’, where celebrity and local speakers will share their inspirational stories, top tips and answer questions from the audience. Key talks include:
  • 'Common Interior Crimes and Fixes' with BBC's ‘The Great Interior Design Challenge’ judge Sophie Robinson
  • How to Vlog’ with Scotland’s top YouTubers Gavin Bell and Shaun Vlog
  • Top Travel Tips and Inspiration’ with STA Travel
  • Get your Hygge On’ with BoConcept
  •  ‘Get Instagram Famous’ with Jessops
  • #BeTheBestYou’ with Scotland Women’s Rugby Captain Lisa Martin
  • #goals’ with lululemon
  • Breakfast Hacks’ with Bibi’s Bakery
Event Organiser Amy Mancini said… ‘We work with so many amazing city centre businesses across various lifestyle sectors - from fashion retailers to book shops, cocktail bars to luxury travel - so the development of Life & Style Edinburgh is a natural and exciting progression for our event portfolio. The event is designed as an experience for visitors of different interests, so if you’re more interested in sport than shopping, there are areas and workshops designed just for you. Or if you want to learn how to transform your bedroom into that dream space you’ve seen on Instagram, we have people there to show you how.

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, added…. ‘I’m thrilled to see so many businesses supporting the launch of our new event. Life & Style Edinburgh is the first event for the city to bring such an exciting eclectic mix of big businesses and independent shops together under one roof, so our visitors can look forward to an exciting new experience.

The event extends outdoors to St Andrew Square Garden, where fitness-clothing brand lululemon will host free-to-attend Yoga Sessions and Tesla will have their latest luxury battery powered cars on display and offer bookings for free test drives.

£10 early bird tickets are on sale now at www.edinevents.com/lifestyle and include a welcome drink, a £5 voucher to spend at participating businesses after the event, and entry into a competition to win the 'Ultimate Edinburgh Weekend'.