Latest news with #FortnumandMason
The Courier
29-05-2025
- The Courier
The Great Scottish Tea Blag — Perthshire businessman guilty of £550k tea firm fraud
A Perthshire businessman who claimed to have created the Queen's favourite brew at 'Scotland's first tea plantation' has been convicted of an elaborate £550k fraud. Thomas Robinson – better known as Tam O'Braan – made up awards and qualifications to blag sales from some of the country's top hotels and stores including the Dorchester, the Balmoral and Fortnum and Mason. The father-of-four also duped growers from around Scotland into buying Camellia Sinesis tea plants from his remote facility in the hills of Amulree, south of Aberfeldy. In reality, the crops were purchased wholesale from a plantation in northern Italy. Other plants were used to decorate a 0.3 acre 'kitchen garden' at this farm ahead of visits from potential buyers. Robinson bought these 'show plants' from esteemed tea vendors in the UK, and even demanded one sign a non-disclosure agreement to keep his sales a secret. The 55-year-old's too-good-to-be-brew story sensationally unspooled following a three-year investigation by Food Standards Scotland and a four-week jury trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court. Robinson – who once told the press 'call me Mr Tea' – was remanded in custody and told jail will be 'inevitable.' The jury deliberated overnight for six-and-a-half hours before returning unanimous guilty verdicts to two charges of forming a fraudulent scheme over a period of more than four years. Sheriff Keith O'Mahony told Robinson: 'The jury have convicted you of two very serious charges, with a total combined value of between half-a-million-pounds and £600,000. 'There will be significant sentencing consequences for you.' Robinson will also face proceeds of crime action to claw back his ill-gotten funds. He showed little emotion as he was led out of the dock in handcuffs but could be seen shaking his head as the jury delivered its verdict. Claims Robinson's tea was grown in Scotland using some kind of miracle plastic sheeting sparked a media buzz, helping to secure sales with high end customers. Michelin star chef Jeff Bland of Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel was among those who were tricked into buying it. Between November 2014 and February 2019, Robinson's Wee Tea Plantation made £84,124 selling nearly 460kg of loose leaf tea to the Balmoral for its Palm Court menu. Mr Bland, known as Jeff the Chef who referred to Robinson as Tam the Man, told the trial he would not have bought the tea if he knew it was not Scottish. Similarly Robinson sold £54,648 of tea to the Dorchester, £39,875 to Fortnum and Mason and £32,878 to gourmet tea company Mariage Freres. Robinson also duped Jamie Russell and Derek Walker of Fife's Wee Tea Company, who agreed to package and sell his teas, again believing they had been grown at Dalreoch. Between 2014 and 2018, he sold £67,109 to the Wee Tea Company. Robinson was further convicted of defrauding 12 individual buyers – 11 in Scotland and one from Jersey – out of £274,354. Suspicions started to grow around 2016 when, on the back of press reports, Perth and Kinross Council investigated Dalreoch to see the scale of the operation for itself, only to be told production was carried out in Fife. A subsequent probe by Fife Council found this was not true. At the same time, people who had bought plants from Robinson were surprised to find their own teas listed on The Balmoral menu. Food Standards Scotland, set up in the wake of the horse meat scandal, was tasked to investigate. As the probe progressed, the teas were yanked from hotel menus and Robinson's contract with the Wee Tea Company was terminated. During the trial, it emerged Robinson made up outrageous claims about his product, telling one customer it was the Queen's favourite tea. His tall tales including signing a contract with President Barrack Obama's US administration for crop trials, deals with Kensington Palace and playing and coaching rugby for several well-known clubs. Robinson, most recently working as a chef at Taymouth Castle, claimed to have invented a 'unique' plastic sheeting that allowed his tea plants to grow at record-breaking speeds. He fabricated awards, including the prestigious-sounding Salon de Thé prize, to boost his company's profile. He pretended to be former employee Lindsay Deuchars, using her old email address without permission to communicate with customers and media – usually when trying to avoid troublesome questions – signing off messages with 'Lins x'. Robinson tried to explain he had a four-and-a-half acre plot near his land which was used to grow thousands of tea plants. The land, he said, had been leased from a shepherd but he could not remember his name. No one who visited Dalreoch – such as potential buyers and investors – was shown this land. Robinson struggled to explain how he claimed 70,000 plants had been removed from the four-and-a-half acre plot, when he had earlier said he grew plants at a rate of about 1,000 per acre. He said the plants and all the equipment at Dalreoch had been moved to Ireland, because he was quitting Scotland after Perth and Kinross Council gave funding to a competitor. But he said he could not produce photos of the plants and equipment sitting in Ireland because he had been let down by an IT guy called Mike, whose surname he could not remember. Prosecutor Joanne Ritchie told jurors: 'This was a scheme to deceive, a scheme to make money on the basis of lies. 'This man has lied to every single witness who encountered him. 'But more than that, he lied to the public at large.' She said Robinson made himself out to be a 'knowledgeable and credible person,' while exploiting a gap in the market but urged jurors to reject his testimony entirely, branding it 'absurd.' Defence advocate Colin Neilson KC urged jurors to acquit his client, even if they had suspicious about his business practices and his tendency to 'big himself up' to others. Giving evidence at his trial, Robinson said he was 'proud' of his achievements. 'This is what I consider to be my life's work,' he said. 'This will stand in the history of tea.' Robinson said he felt 'injured and hurt,' but also 'annoyed and angry' by the allegations. 'The first time I've heard the evidence is here, at the same time as the jury,' he said. The case represent a significant win for the Food Standards Scotland's crime and incident unit. Ron McNaughton, who heads up the department, said: 'This was a highly complex and protracted investigation which required a significant amount of time, expertise and coordination across our team with partner agencies.' He added: 'This is not a victimless crime – individuals, businesses and an emerging sector of genuine Scottish tea growers suffered real financial and reputational harm as a result of deliberate deception.'
Time Out
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Michelin-star chefs and Aussie icons are turning up the heat for Port Douglas' hottest food festival
What do you get when you combine a Singaporean Michelin-star chef, the owner of one of Asia's oldest cocktail bars and the pastry extraordinaire from Fortnum and Mason? The sizzling line-up for Taste Port Douglas – and that's just a taster. Australia's favourite tropical food festival is returning to Far North Queensland for its ninth year in 2025, flying in a world-class roster of talent for four flavour-packed days from August 7 to 10. Surrounded by two World Heritage-listed wonders – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest – Taste Port Douglas will see the return of its signature seaside long lunches, exclusive restaurant takeovers, expert masterclasses, a star-lit music festival, and the iconic opening and closing cocktail parties. The hottest ticket in town is always for 'A Night of Fire', which takes place under the flickering candlelights at Flames of the Forest, Australia's only rainforest dining experience. Many of Australia's biggest culinary names and favourite television personalities will be firing up the kitchens at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort festival village, including Matt Preston, Manu Feildel, Colin Fassnidge, Nelly Robinson and Alanna Sapwell. They'll be joined by three international rock star chefs who will keep the food and drinks flowing. Pâtissier extraordinaire and executive head chef at London's Fortnum and Mason, Roger Pizey, will re-create a tarte tatin that has been praised as one of the best ever made. Michelin-starred chef of Singapore's Marguerite restaurant, Michael Wilson, will host an exclusive masterclass with paired wines. Meanwhile, Ryan Clift, chef and owner of The Tippling Club, one of Singapore's oldest cocktail bars and a regular on The World's 50 Best Bars list, will demonstrate how to make his signature dishes to just 24 guests.
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Bake Off icon Mary Berry issues heartbreaking plea as she tells crowd 'I'm deaf'
Former GBBO judge Mary Berry, 90, was heard telling the crowd at the the Fortnum and Mason awards ceremony in London that she was "deaf" as she asked them to keep the noise down Dame Mary Berry has made a heartfelt appeal to an audience as she told a crowd she's "deaf" during an awards ceremony. The incident unfolded at the recent Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards, where the beloved former Bake Off judge was honoured with a special award. However, she encountered problems with the noise levels from the "raucous" crowd present. Taking the stage at The Royal Exchange in London, the esteemed chef implored the attendees to quieten down, underlining the significance of the event. Mary, who celebrated her 90th birthday recently and is currently involved in a new project with the BBC, insisted on the necessity to "must hear every single person" before disclosing to the audience that she is "deaf," as reported by the Mail. The Mail quoted her saying: "Please do keep it very, very quiet. It's such an important occasion, and you must hear every single person that comes up here. I'm deaf and there are maybe one or two others that also find it difficult to hear everything." In past discussions about her health, the television personality recounted how she was "lucky" to only have a mild case of polio at age 13, which was before the polio vaccine was available. Although Mary's condition mainly affected one side of her body, she still experiences issues with one hand, which some mistakenly attribute to arthritis. Celebrated chef Mary Berry has opened up about her health struggles, including spending three months behind a glass screen to prevent infection. In an interview with Radio Times, she discussed the impact on her work, saying: "Everybody thinks I've got arthritis. I look a bit funny when I'm rolling pastry, but I have no other difficulties whatsoever." In 2021, the culinary icon had a fall in her garden that resulted in a broken hip, leading to surgery. She credits playing croquet for aiding her recovery and getting her joint moving again. Despite these challenges, Mary shows no signs of slowing down, with a new show expected to hit our screens later this year. A source shared that the programme will be a "tribute to the Mary's joy of cooking". The upcoming show is reportedly being produced by Sidney Street, the same company responsible for Foolproof Dinners, and will feature some of Mary's fondest memories and beloved recipes. With five decades of television presence and over 12 million cookbooks sold, Mary Berry's latest six-part series, accompanied by a cookbook of the same name, is set to premiere in the autumn. The source added: "Mary is a national treasure so what better way to celebrate her than a new series. It'll be a tribute to the Mary's joy of cooking and sharing good food."
Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Organic Farm Estate Forges New Partnership with Iconic Department Store
A prominent organic estate will further strengthen its ties with one of the UK's most iconic high-end department stores. The 12,500-acre Rhug Estate, based near Corwen in North Wales, already supplies its award-winning Wild Beauty range to Fortnum and Mason in London's Piccadilly. With a history dating back to 1707, the independent retailer – famed for its quality food products, exotic items and luxury hampers – is one of the premium venues in the country. And now, following exploratory discussions and a visit by Fresh Food Buyer Antonio Zoccola to the Denbighshire site – one of only seven businesses in Wales to hold a prestigious Royal Warrant of Appointment from His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen – Fortnum and Mason will be stocking and distributing Rhug's internationally-acclaimed organic salt marsh lamb. After a tour of the Estate which included the café, farm shop and cutting plant, Antonio said: 'It has been fantastic to take a closer look at the operation here, and to learn more about the environmental, organic and regenerative practices Rhug Estate is so well known for. 'We were particularly excited to extend the partnership as Fortnum and Mason is also a business focused on sustainable practices, animal welfare, quality and innovation – there is a real synergy.' He added: 'We will be looking to stock the lamb at Picadilly initially, I'm sure it will be a big hit with our customers.' Rhug Estate owner Lord Newborough looks forward to working even closer with Fortnum and Mason and supplying them with high-quality meat products already distributed to hotels, restaurants and retailers across the UK, the Middle East and Far East. Salt marsh lamb is produced on the Estate's coastal farm Tŷ Mawr, near Caernarfon, by Deio Hughes and family. Given the unique environment, the lamb has a distinctive flavour sought after by top chefs throughout the world. 'The sweet, delicate taste the salt marsh grasses produce, combined with the organic farming system Deio uses, produce a mouthwatering texture to our lamb,' he said. 'The meat is in season and incredibly popular, so we are delighted to now be supplying it to Fortnum and Mason and look forward to forging even closer links with them in the years ahead.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Turkish Delight good enough for Narnia - and the cast of a new Brighton show
The cast of a West End sensation has visited Brighton and Hove's oldest chocolatier to learn how to make Turkish Delight. Bunmi Osadolor who plays Edmund and Katy Stephens who plays The White Witch/ Jardis in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe visited Audrey's Chocolates on Tuesday ahead of their show at the Theatre Royal Brighton. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe began its run last night and will be showing at the theatre until Saturday (March 15). C.S. Lewis' book was first published in October 1950. Since then, over 85 million copies in 60 languages have been sold and it is one of the top ten best-selling books of all time. To book tickets for the show, visit here: Audrey's Chocolates in Holland Road (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) Turkish Delight plays an important part in the story for Edmund (Bunmi Osadolor) and The White Witch/Jardis (Katy Stephens) as this is what helps the White Witch win Edmund over (especially during WWII rations, when the play is set – as Turkish Delight would have been a real rarity and luxury). On Tuesday morning, the cast went down to Audrey's Chocolates in Holland Road, and were met by Alice Crone, who co-owns the business with her husband Will. Alice gave the cast a tour of their many different chocolate factory rooms. As the oldest chocolatier in Brighton and Hove, having been established in 1948, Audrey's Chocolates is spread across multiple floors and has over 50 members of staff. The owner's estimated that they produce more than "Eight kilograms worth of chocolate per day, and that they even supply London's Fortnum and Mason department. Katy Stephens, who last performed at the Theatre Royal in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, said: "Brighton is such a fun city to perform in, and I'm thrilled to return in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. "And kicking off the week in the best possible way… making and tasting chocolate coated Turkish Delight! What a wonderful factory in the heart of the city. " Chocolate Enrobing Machine (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) Audrey's Chocolate's add an extra twist to their Turkish Delight by covering it in chocolate. Katy and Bunmi were shown the Chocolate Enrobing Machine which they use to coat the Turkish Delight in dark chocolate. They were also encouraged to try decorating the freshly-enrobed Chocolate, marking it with a special three-pronged utensil that helps Audrey's Chocolates distinguish the Turkish Delight once coated in chocolate. Bunmi Osadolor and Katy Stephens trying out the Turkish Delight (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) They then tasted the Turkish Delight – which comes in a range of flavours, including traditional Rose, Lemon and Pistachio. Bunmi, who plays Edmund, said: "What a way to start my week of shows at Theatre Royal Brighton. "Every night, Edmund is tempted by The Queen of Narnia with Turkish Delight, and this morning I got the chance to taste the real thing!" A scene between Edmund and The White Witch from the play (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) A Theatre Royal spokeswoman said: "We're thrilled to welcome the spellbinding production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to our stage this week! "The team at Audrey's Chocolates were brilliant and it was fascinating to learn a bit more about the history of Turkish Delight. "Turkish Delight plays a crucial role in Edmund's encounter with The White Witch. What better way to celebrate the show's arrival than by indulging in some of Brighton and Hove's finest confectionery?" The cast is completed by: Archie Combe (Mr Pope and Foxtrot), Andrew Davison (Mr Wilson Schroedinger, Jack Rabbit, Aslan Puppeteer and Head Cruel), Anya de Villiers (Mrs Beaver), Molly Francis (Mrs Pevensie, Aslan Puppeteer and Robin) Ruby Greenwood (Onstage Swing) Ffion Haf (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Phoenix), Rhiannon Hopkins (Miss Chutney and Blue Badger), Joe Keenan (Mr Granville, Spirit of the Moon and Red Squirrel), Oliver Magor (Onstage Swing), JB Maya (Onstage Swing), Luca Moscardini (Onstage Swing), Alfie Richards (Mr Tumnus, White Mouse and Badger), Kraig Thornber (The Professor, Father Xmas and Wise Owl), Ed Thorpe (Mr Beaver), Rhodri Watkins (Mr Brinkworth, March Hare and Aslan Puppeteer) and Shane Anthony Whiteley (Maugrim, Satyr and White Stag) and Stanton Wright as Aslan.
