Latest news with #DanielSmith
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
How Dubai's restaurants are turning uniforms into runway moments
At the start of this year I was heading to work in Dubai's Alserkal Avenue, where I teach spin classes, when I was stopped in my tracks by a group of guys wearing jumpsuits in a soul-lifting shade of lilac, paired with precisely Pantone-matched adidas Gazelle trainers. Obvs, I stopped for a selfie. Turns out they were part of the team at the new fast-casual dining concept Nala, the latest food and beverage brand from Tasha's Group, which also owns Flamingo Room, Avli, and, of course, Tasha's. While the group's restaurants have built a reputation of incredible hospitality, moreish food and breathtaking interiors, I'd never paid attention to what their staff wore. Until I saw those jumpsuits. And wondered where I could get one. Fast-forward a few months and I ventured out to Sexy Fish in DIFC for the first time. I was expecting to be blown away by the interiors (there isn't a more photographed bathroom in Dubai), that mermaid sculpture and the immersive, tentacle-laden servings of sushi. What I wasn't expecting was a roll call of receptionists, waiters, and bar staff looking like they'd walked off the runway at one of Milan Fashion Week's more exuberant shows. When, I wondered, did restaurants become as much about the fashion as the food? 'Our guests are style-conscious, design-literate, and culturally engaged,' says Daniel Smith, managing director at Sexy Fish Global and Sekushi, 'they walk in wearing designer outfits — why wouldn't our team match that energy?' He makes a good point. 'Let's be honest: the average hospitality uniform hasn't changed much in decades,' Smith explains, 'black shirts, white aprons — it's all very expected. But Sexy Fish was never created to be 'expected'.' It helps that Sexy Fish owner Richard Caring, chairman of Caprice Holdings, began his career in fashion, supplying most of British high street throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. It's not as simple as swapping white aprons for a zhushy two-piece, though. Each Sexy Fish design aligns with the role it has been created for, considering the physical demands across the spectrum of restaurant staff, to ensure that comfort isn't sacrificed for style. That means up to 60 individual styles, designed and orchestrated by in-house atelier teams in London and Dubai. Each piece is tailored to its wearer, dry-cleaned every 24 hours, and sent to be recycled at the end of a six-month lifespan of daily wear. Operating in a different market, but viewing the future of hospitality through the same fashion-focused lens, Nala's rejection of the standard polyester branded polo top that most casual dining concepts employ, makes it so much more than most contemporary cafés. 'In an industry where uniforms are usually an afterthought, we treated them as part of the brand's storytelling,' Nicky Greig, culinary director of Tasha's Group, tells me, 'like the restaurant equivalent of breaking into song when everyone else is just talking.' Greig reckons we are the start of a fully-fledged convergence of fashion and food. 'The future of F&B belongs to brands that understand modern diners aren't just purchasing food. It's about not compromising on any element that shapes the guest experience, even when conventional industry wisdom suggests you should,' she says. So, while Sexy Fish's in-house design team, atelier and dry-cleaning bill would strike fear into the heart of many a restaurant operator, it could well become the norm. 'Fashion hasn't just crashed the party — it's moved in, made a playlist, and is setting the vibe. We're witnessing the early stages of a full-blown convergence where restaurants aren't just feeding you, they're styling you,' Greig confirms, 'Five years from now, we'll look back and wonder what took it so long for these worlds to collide.' And it's not just clothes, managers at Sexy Fish are adorned with bespoke jewellery, and the London branch collaborated with sparkling accessory brand Judith Leiber to bedazzle the DJ booth and create custom crystal brooches and belts for staff. Like the Nala jumpsuits, Sexy Fish's jewellery is not (yet) for sale, but I'd love to know how many of its iconic chopstick holders have been smuggled out in diners' Bottega Andiamo clutches (gold, natch). 'The message on the back — 'stolen from Sexy Fish' — wasn't an accident,' says Smith wryly, adding that Sexy Fish style won't be for sale. 'Our uniforms are like haute couture — made for the wearer and the moment,' says Smith. 'They're designed to be exclusive, and that's part of their magic. They belong to our team, to our story, and to our brand. So no, you won't find them for sale.' I might have more luck over at Nala where, Greig estimates, at least once a day someone asks to buy a jumpsuit. 'We've been bombarded with requests. There's literally a whiteboard in our office that says, 'NALA MERCH???' in increasingly frantic handwriting,' she laughs, adding, 'there's real potential here: hospitality brands today are more than restaurants – they're lifestyles. Merch extends the brand universe beyond the plate. The pros? It's a new revenue stream with strong margins and even stronger brand loyalty. The cons? It can pull focus from the main game, the food, and, if done carelessly, veer into cringe territory.' Two very different culinary concepts, one equally clear belief that, 'it's no longer just interiors carrying the aesthetic weight. Now, uniforms are getting just as much attention', confirms Greig. 'We're not just serving food,' Smith echoes, 'we're creating luxury moments you can live in.'
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Drains will unblock in 5 minutes using this £2 item recommended by plumber
The expert told householders the item will unblock drains better than vinegar or baking soda Having a blocked drain can be a nightmare that causes such a mess if it's not dealt with quickly. Clogged drains happen because food scraps and soapy residues, often build up in the pipes, making it hard for water to pass through. The greasy build-up requires a strong agent to banish it, meaning well-known DIY cleaning solutions, like white vinegar or baking soda, won't work as they don't contain enough alkaline properties. But according to one expert, there's one household item that will help you deal with the problem instead of calling in the experts. Sharing his wisdom, Daniel Smith from Cal's Plumbing, suggested people ditch the mild alkalinity products, in favour of a £2 multipurpose cleaner. Soda crystals, also known as washing soda, soda ash, sal soda, and soda carbonate, are ideal for dislodging grease and dirt, making them a handy item to have at home. He said: 'If baking soda and white vinegar do not work and you want a stronger DIY option, washing soda is the next best option.' He further explained: 'Sodium carbonate, sometimes known as washing soda, is a common item in cleaning household goods and an excellent do-it-yourself drain unclogging ingredient. Its alkalinity is higher than baking soda's and is thus a more effective drain cleaner.' With a pH level of 11, washing soda, or soda crystals, excels at dissolving grease, fat, and other common culprits behind clogged drains, reports the Express. This method offers a potent, yet simple way to combat blockages that surpasses the efficacy of vinegar or baking soda. What's more, it's a natural alternative, sparing your sink from exposure to harsh chemicals. The process begins by filling and boiling the kettle, then pouring the hot water down the sink to help loosen any fat, slime, or grime clogging the drain. Following this, liberally sprinkle soda crystals and pour a cup of hot water down the sink. The heat combined with the alkaline pH of the washing soda should effectively dissolve most of the greasy residue. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! 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. Allow at least five minutes for the solution to work its magic on the blockage; you can leave it for up to 15 to 30 minutes if needed. Once the time is up, refill and boil the kettle once more. Pour the boiling water down the sink again to flush out any remaining debris in the drain. With this, your sink should be completely unblocked, with water flowing smoothly and no unpleasant odours lingering. Soda crystals can also be used on a regular basis to help keep your drain clean and odour-free. Once your drain is clear, it's important to take certain steps to prevent it from happening again. The first is to never pour grease, fat or oil down your kitchen sink. It can be tempting when in liquid form, but don't forget that when it cools down, it becomes a solid. Keep a tin can or an old, thick cardboard box by the sink so you can pour excess fats into it and then dispose of them in the bin. Secondly, use a sink guard over your plug hole. This will catch any food chunks from falling into the drain pipes and getting stuck.
Gulf Today
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Colours of Arabian Sea: Atul Panase's art reflects both the UAE and India
'Creating something spontaneously, while establishing a meaningful conversation which can give happiness and a clear message to the masses, is the only way for me go ahead with art, regardless of the medium I use to express myself,' says Atul Panase, Brand Ambassador, Daniel Smith Artists' Materials and Co-curator, World Art Dubai, 2017 and 2018. He is based in Dubai and is a recipient of the Cultural Golden Visa. He has taken part in many national and international exhibitions, including at Fabriano in Acquarello, the biggest International festival dedicated to watercolour in Italy. He has curated many shows in the UAE and received multiple international awards, which includes the first prize in Watercolor Challenge-UAE Series organised for Channel 4 by Dubai International Art Centre (2002). Composition titled Swati. He has also won the Nikon Photography Award in Dubai. He has been a resident artist, attended innumerable art camps, given dozens of art talks and demonstrations and has won prestigious commissions from Dunhill-Switzerland (300 of his paintings were purchased by them; he won the contract beating 17 competitors from 17 countries) and Rice Perry Ellis Consultants, Dubai, among others. Recently, he was invited to an international watercolour event in Texas, USA, where he held a demo at the Fort Worth Art Community Centre. His art classes and workshops are appreciated both by students and art lovers. He has even held art workshops in the University of Socotra! During the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival in 2022, his watercolour portrait painting titled 'Purple Aura' was installed on Jebel Jais — the highest mountain in the UAE. It was a huge print of 40 square metres and was displayed on the occasion of the UAE National Day. Watercolour and Pen & Ink are his leading mediums, though he also works in pencil, charcoal, pastels and acrylics. Most of his artworks are portrait-based or are trendy/contemporary illustrations. Atul Panase draws his colours on Gulf Today's canvas Facing the world fearlessly. Why do you like colour and black and white? I love Nature; hence I love colours, because there is a natural connection between us and colours, as Nature is colourful. Different colours help to create a mood. I realise how the colours of walls of your home, studio or the place you visit, can change/enhance/uplift your mood. Black and white is the most favourite combination for me because it gives you a large number of greys, which can make the creation more soothing and meaningful. Many say that there is only one colour in the universe, which is Black! Black is the colour which never changes its nature, regardless the type, intensity or the colour of light. How does India and the UAE help you make art? India is the land of my birth and the UAE is the land of my work. I find a strong connection between the soil of my motherland and the sands of UAE. It is a connection of love, friendship, culture, tradition, food, music and fine arts itself, which have been nurtured with passion at many levels. In the domain of Nature. Can you tell us more about your brand ambassadorship? I am a proud brand ambassador and leader of Fabriano in Aquarello watercolour team of the UAE for the past ten years and also at Daniel Smith Artists' Materials. I was given the chance to build a team of talented watercolourists from the UAE at Fabriano in Aquarello in Italy, the biggest international watercolour festival in the world. So far, I have chosen 120+ artists from the UAE who come from over 10 nationalities and we have displayed our artworks not only in Italy, but in many other countries including USA, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and China. This team of watercolourists includes very professional and young budding talented artists too! As ambassador of Daniel Smith Artists' Materials, we have begun activities such as introducing an award, named the Daniel Smith Artists' Materials Award. I am also offering free demos and workshops for art enthusiasts to get the experience of Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors, and also for them to learn a few new techniques. Work titled Hues of empowerment. What are the qualities needed for being a commissioned artist? To become a pro artist, one needs to work with the right mindset where you have to acquire the knowledge of that particular assignment and master many related subjects. One has also to produce high quality art pieces, besides meeting the given deadline. Apart from collectors' liking, what makes art collectible? That's a very subjective question as there are many forms of art and different types of artists as there are buyers! If your art showcases a unique approach, along with the use of unique techniques and is a very high quality finished artwork which can narrate an interesting story successfully adjusted to the price ... then the art is definitely a collectible one! Atul Panase with his watercolour work. How do you see yourself evolving in the next 25 years? Breaking my own barriers while setting new records in the form of bringing new techniques, working on new concepts, organising larger than life art events and yes, setting up my own studio, besides establishing a fine art college which can serve society in the most useful ways, are my tiny future dreams. They will help me to give back to the country I call my adopted motherland, the UAE, and show my gratitude for the opportunities given to me here!
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sign up to our newsletter The Weird Science Drop
Introducing our free Weird Science Drop newsletter, and why you need to subscribe. A brand new newsletter is bringing back crazy chemistry, bonkers biology and foolish physics in the shape of The Weird Science Drop. The newsletter goes where other, more-sensible publications fear to tread. Every week, it brings the overlooked, under-the-radar and, above all else, most madcap science news, views and research straight to your email. From the keyboard of Daniel Smith, The Weird Science Drop keeps a close eye on the latest scientific discoveries and research while also unearthing the little-heard strange stories from the past. Daniel is an experienced journalist who has worked for news websites on both sides of the Atlantic. Back in the furthest reaches of time somewhere near Watford he fancied himself as an astrophysicist but proved to be hopeless. So he put down the telescope and picked up a pen instead. Daniel was once the author of the Weird Science Blog - one of the top blogs in this media group - and is delighted to get back in the saddle. He said: 'It's been great to dust off the old white lab coat and bring Weird Science back but this time in a far better, more dynamic fashion with The Weird Science Drop. 'The newsletter will hunt out the choicest morsels of science goodness, where everything from the world 's unluckiest scientist who inadvertently tried to end the planet twice to research showing monkeys are the world's best yodellers is put under the microscope. 'I'll try to keep people informed, amazed and astounded, while hopefully provoking the old smile along the way. 'So why not subscribe?' So what's in The Weird Science Drop? Each newsletter will feature regular sections such as Weird Science News, Photo of the Week, Infographic Magic, plus a rotating platter of goodness including… Weird Scientist - a look back at some of the oddest characters who ever picked up a test tube Weird Science Hero - amazing people who have done amazing things Weird Science in Films - sometimes they get it right, sometimes they throw the laws of reality out of the window We're Alone / Not Alone - weighing up the odds of alien life out there in the cosmos Weird Animals - there are some very strange creatures out there How do I sign up for The Weird Science Drop? The Weird Science Drop will be published on Substack, an independent platform with no ads, making for a cleaner reading experience than on many other websites. You can read there on desktop or the app, or simply from your email inbox. So not only do you not have to go searching for the news itself – or wait for the algorithm to decide this is what you might like to see – you don't even have to search for the newsletter. Once it's live it's sent directly to you to read at your leisure. Sign up for The Weird Science Drop here
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Funding Available For New Projects To Reduce Waste In Tauranga
Press Release – Tauranga City Council With grants of up to $25,000 available from a total pool of $100,000, individuals, community groups, businesses, iwi/Mori organisations, and educational providers are encouraged to submit applications for waste minimisation projects by Friday 13 … Tauranga City Council is pleased to announce applications are open for its annual Resource Wise Community Fund, supporting local initiatives aimed at reducing waste to landfill. With grants of up to $25,000 available from a total pool of $100,000, individuals, community groups, businesses, iwi/Māori organisations, and educational providers are encouraged to submit applications for waste minimisation projects by Friday 13 June. Building on the success of previous years, which saw impressive contributions from a range of recipients including Bin Inn Papamoa, A&J Demolition, Confidential Document Destruction, Emroce, Sustainability Options, Envirohub, AgainAgain events, Good Neighbour, Pacific Coast Village, and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, the Resource Wise Community Fund continues to champion innovative solutions to reduce landfill waste. Daniel Smith, Manager of Sustainability and Waste at Tauranga City Council, emphasised the importance of community-led waste reduction initiatives. 'We can all contribute towards reducing waste and its impact on our communities. Our fund is intended to help bring innovative ideas to life by removing monetary barriers for organisations and businesses keen to reduce waste in Tauranga.' Aligned with the Waste Management Minimisation Plan 2022 – 2028, the 2025 Resource Wise Community Fund aims to support projects that reduce material consumption, promote reuse and repair, prevent food waste, and identify opportunities to transition to a circular economy. Grants range from $2,000 to $25,000 from a pool of $100,000. The fund is sourced from the Waste Levy, provided to councils by the Ministry for the Environment for waste minimisation education, and does not impose additional costs on general rates. Projects funded by the Resource Wise Community Fund must meet specific criteria outlined on the Tauranga City Council website. Interested applicants can access the online application form, guidelines, and funding criteria at
