Private chefs are spilling the culinary secrets of the super-rich
'M y celebrity client wants a $2,000 pizza,' Brooke Baevsky, a private chef, tells the camera. How do you prepare such a pie? Add lashings of caviar, figs and manuka honey, then dust everything with 24-carat gold flakes, which are tasteless in both senses of the word.
Our titles this week use old ideas in new ways
The region, associated with a relaxed way of life, has become a marketing tool
It is not just 'The Pilgrim's Progress' and works by Ayn Rand
Organised puritans are invading school libraries
The Addams family has a secret—but it is not what you think
Holiday-makers love them. So do storytellers
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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Strictly star Alex Kingston's heartbreak before finding love with TV presenter
Strictly star Alex Kingston's heartbreak before finding love with TV presenter The Doctor Who actress has been announced as one of the stars taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025. Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alex Kingston endured a turbulent romantic history before discovering happiness with her current husband. The Doctor Who star, 62, has joined the upcoming series of the popular BBC dancing show as she gets ready to showcase her moves on the ballroom floor. She won over Doctor Who enthusiasts after securing the part of River Song, with her character featuring during David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi's tenures on the science fiction programme. Her television work has included appearances in American medical series ER, costume dramas The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Arrow and A Discovery of Witches. Alex Kingston is getting ready to put her dancing shoes on (Image: BBC) Alex has been open about her enthusiasm for Strictly, revealing in 2019: "Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we'd like to do Strictly Come Dancing. Then I discovered she's a trained ballet dancer. 'Hang on a minute! That's not fair!' So, I can't do it on a season when she is on it!" Beyond her screen work, Alex has experienced considerable romantic disappointment. She first met Oscar-nominated performer Ralph Fiennes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1983. The pair married ten years later, though their relationship ended catastrophically when Ralph became involved with a woman 18 years his senior. Alex previously reflected: "We were like strangers – very fragile," reports the Mirror. "His mother was dying and somehow we thought the wedding was going to heal everything. But that was crazy, of course." Ralph Fiennes and Alex met in the 80s (Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) In 1995, Ralph starred in Hamlet at Hackney Empire opposite Francesca Annis-who played Gertrude, his character's mother. Despite the age gap, their affair led to him leaving Alex and confessing his love for Francesca. Ralph, aged 32 at the time, embarked on a romance with Francesca, then 50. Francesca, who has three kids with photographer Patrick Wiseman, reportedly left him for the actor. Alex revealed the depth of her emotional struggle post-divorce to the Daily Mail, saying: "I was feeling worthless, that I would never find anyone else as good as my husband, which is ridiculous, but I had so little self-esteem. "Divorce is awful but it is also something I don't regret happening to me because it has shaped who I am now." Their relationship came to an end after an affair (Image: NY Daily News via Getty Images) Ralph and Francesca dated for 10 years between 1997 and 2006 and hit back at age gap concerns. "Of course I don't spend days agonising over the age difference. How can I? There is nothing I can do about it," she once said. "Ralph and I have been together ten years now so, whatever happens, we have had a very good, different relationship and an interesting time." Their relationship crumbled following explosive claims of infidelity when Romanian singer Corneila Crisan alleged she had conducted a two-year affair with Ralph. Alex has suffered her fair share of heartbreak (Image:for Pragnell) The following day, Ralph and Francesca announced their separation, stating: "Miss Annis confirms today that she and Ralph Fiennes are to separate." Ralph's affair had a devastating impact on Alex, who confessed to contemplating suicide. She later married German writer Florian Haertel and they welcomed a daughter, Salome, in 2001. However, the couple separated in 2009 and finalised their divorce four years later. Fortunately, Alex has found love again and is now married to TV presenter Jonathan Stamp, with the couple tying the knot in Italy in 2015. Article continues below Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.
Edinburgh Live
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Inside Strictly star Alex Kingston's split from Hollywood legend after affair
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Strictly Come Dancing celebrity Alex Kingston endured a turbulent romantic history before discovering happiness with her current husband. The Doctor Who star, 62, has joined the latest series of the popular BBC dancing show as she gets ready to showcase her moves on the ballroom floor. She won over Doctor Who fans after securing the part of River Song, with her character featuring during David Tenant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi's time on the science fiction programme. Her television work has included appearances in American medical series ER, historical dramas The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Arrow and A Discovery of Witches. (Image:for Netflix) The actress has never been shy about her desire to participate in Strictly. In 2019, she revealed: "Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we'd like to do Strictly Come Dancing. Then I discovered she's a trained ballet dancer. 'Hang on a minute! That's not fair!' So, I can't do it on a season when she is on it!" Off-screen, Alex has experienced her own personal dramas. She met Oscar-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1983. The couple married ten years later, but their relationship ended disastrously when Ralph fell for a woman 18 years his senior. Reflecting on their split, Alex once said: "We were like strangers – very fragile," reports the Mirror. "His mother was dying and somehow we thought the wedding was going to heal everything. But that was crazy, of course." (Image: NY Daily News via Getty Images) In 1995, Ralph starred in Hamlet at Hackney Empire opposite Francesca Annis-who played Gertrude, his character's mother. Despite the age gap, their romance resulted in him abandoning Alex and declaring his love for Francesca. Ralph, aged 32 at the time, began a relationship with Francesca, then 50. Francesca, who has three children with photographer Patrick Wiseman, allegedly left him for the actor. Alex disclosed the extent of her emotional turmoil following their divorce to the Daily Mail, stating: "I was feeling worthless, that I would never find anyone else as good as my husband, which is ridiculous, but I had so little self-esteem. "Divorce is awful but it is also something I don't regret happening to me because it has shaped who I am now." (Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) Ralph and Francesca were together for 10 years between 1997 and 2006 and dismissed age gap criticisms. "Of course I don't spend days agonising over the age difference. How can I? There is nothing I can do about it," she once said. "Ralph and I have been together ten years now so, whatever happens, we have had a very good, different relationship and an interesting time." Their romance crumbled following a shocking infidelity claim as Romanian singer Corneila Crisan alleged she had conducted a two-year affair with Ralph. (Image:for Pragnell) The following day, Ralph and Francesca declared their decision to part ways, stating: "Miss Annis confirms today that she and Ralph Fiennes are to separate." Ralph's infidelity had a devastating impact on Alex, who confessed to contemplating suicide. She later tied the knot with German writer Florian Haertel and together they welcomed daughter Salome in 2001. However, their marriage ended in 2009 and their divorce was finalised four years later. Fortunately, Alex has since found love again and is now happily married to TV presenter Jonathan Stamp, with the couple exchanging vows in Italy in 2015. Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC later this year.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Magnificent Scottish Castle offers luxury well experience including sunrise yoga
Crossbasket Castle has launched new wellness retreats featuring yoga, meditation and ice baths after a £20 million revamp. (Image: Crossbasket Castle) A luxury castle just outside Glasgow is inviting guests to embrace tranquillity with a new series of wellness experiences, including sunrise yoga, guided meditation and ice baths. Crossbasket Castle, located around 20 minutes from the city, has expanded its offering following a £20 million redevelopment. The upgrade included the launch of an enhanced restaurant in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr. Now, the historic venue is turning its attention to wellbeing, encouraging visitors to 'step away from the everyday' and reconnect with themselves, Glasgow Live reports. The new wellness series begins with two full-day retreats on Wednesday August 27 and Sunday September 21. Guests will be welcomed with herbal teas or a light spritz before embarking on a day designed to promote movement, mindfulness and rest. The morning sessions will feature guided journaling, breath awareness and gentle yoga, followed by yoga nidra, a deep relaxation practice. A light and nourishing lunch will be served at the castle's Foveran's restaurant, with dishes carefully chosen to complement the retreat's focus on balance and wellbeing. The castle is offering wellness days with yoga, guided meditation, breathwork, nourishing meals, and calming sound baths (Image: Getty Images) In the afternoon, guests will learn grounding techniques and take part in yin yoga before being introduced to the Wim Hof breathing method. The day will conclude with a meditative sound bath, designed to leave participants feeling calm and reflective. For those looking for a more immersive experience, Crossbasket Castle will host its first overnight wellness programme, Fire and Ice Luxury Wellness, from Thursday October 2 to Friday October 3. The overnight stay will begin with a welcome to one of the castle's new bedrooms, complete with a curated hamper. Day one includes tailored yoga sessions and intention setting, followed by an evening of guided meditation, breathwork and a Release and Let Go fire pit ceremony. Guests will then enjoy herbal teas and healthy bedtime snacks in the Stewart Room to promote a restful night's sleep. The following morning will open with an energising sunrise yoga session before guests are guided through Wim Hof breathwork and an invigorating ice bath. All activities will be led by experienced and qualified instructors. Throughout the retreat, nourishing menus crafted by the executive chef will aim to support gentle detox and renewal. Prices start from £95 per person for the one-day retreats, with the overnight package from £395 based on two sharing. In addition to its wellness events, Crossbasket Castle will also host its third creative art workshop on Thursday 23 October. The Handmade Journals workshop, led by therapeutic artist Kim Flower, offers participants the chance to craft and sew their own personalised art journals. Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The workshop will take place in the Trocadero's Terrace, overlooking the castle's gardens, combining creativity with a peaceful atmosphere. All materials will be provided, along with tea, coffee and a two-course lunch served with a glass of house wine at Foveran's. The castle team described the session as 'perfect for those looking to explore their artistic flair' and said it blends 'books and art to create a calming and inspiring experience'. Places for the art workshop start from £80 per person.
