Latest news with #MattAlexander
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Aldi taking on McDonald's by celebrating fan favourite hash browns
Aldi taking on McDonald's by celebrating fan favourite hash browns It comes after research uncovered the "great breakfast frustration' — the feeling Brits experience when they miss out on the breakfast cut-off, with over a third of Brits (42%) also calling for hash browns to be an all-day long delicacy Aldi's branded food van will be pulling up outside selected McDonald's restaurants from precisely 11:01am, just after the fast-food chain's breakfast service ends and offering free, freshly cooked hash browns to those left craving their morning potato fix. (Image: Matt Alexander/PA Media ) A major UK supermarket chain has decided to take on fast food giants McDonald's in a new campaign to celebrate their fan favourite hash browns. It comes after research uncovered the "great breakfast frustration' — the feeling Brits experience when they miss out on the breakfast cut-off, with over a third of Brits (42%) also calling for hash browns to be an all-day long delicacy. The UK's fourth largest supermarket, Aldi, is celebrating the beloved breakfast staple, the hash brown, and taking to the road to offer the breakfast favourite to Brits - but that's not all. The supermarket is also bringing the heat and challenging the McDonald's legendary hash brown with their own, cheaper version of the breakfast favourite. Aldi's branded food van will be pulling up outside selected McDonald's restaurants from precisely 11:01am, just after the fast-food chain's breakfast service ends and offering free, freshly cooked hash browns to those left craving their morning potato fix. Aldi's branded food van will be pulling up outside selected McDonald's restaurants from precisely 11:01am, just after the fast-food chain's breakfast service ends and offering free, freshly cooked hash browns to those left craving their morning potato fix. (Image: Matt Alexander/PA Media ) The study revealed that 62% of UK adults believe 11am is too early to stop serving breakfast, with one in five (22%) saying they would prefer breakfast food to be available all day. Article continues below What's more, comfort (23%), flexibility (17%), and convenience (15%) were cited as the key reasons Brits love breakfast. Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: "Brits love their hash browns and our Oakhurst Breakfast Hash Browns have developed quite the loyal following, with over half a million breakfast hash browns sold in store per week. That's why our hash brown van has been designed with one purpose — to bring the nation their crispy potato fix at any time of the day, not just before 11am.' Aldi's Oakhurst Breakfast Hash Browns have garnered cult status among breakfast enthusiasts, often reportedly outdoing McDonald's in blind taste tests across social media and food critic reviews. Article continues below Capital FM host @aimeevivian shared her love of the viral hash browns on TikTok, saying: 'It's another run don't walk to Aldi!! I love a cheeky maccy's hash brown as a treat. So, to find these in @Aldi UK was a touch!' For those that miss out on Aldi's hash brown tour, the supermarket's popular hash brown range including the Oakhurst Breakfast Hash Browns are available to buy in stores now.
Glasgow Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Giant Hungarian Horntail dragon stuns onlookers at it roars through London
The 25-foot animatronic dragon, which weighs 1.3 tonnes, appeared captured as it made its way past Westminster Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and King's Cross Station. The theatrical stunt was staged to mark the launch of Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, a new feature at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cinematic release of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. The Hungarian Horntail featured in the fourth Harry Potter novel and film, where Harry battles the beast in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Rae McFarlane, aged five, sits by the 25-ft-long animatronic Hungarian Horntail (Matt Alexander/PA) The fictional dragon roared and bared its teeth past London landmarks before making its way to the tourist attraction in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. Harry Potter filmmaker and animatronic designer, Joe Scott, designed the dragon, replicating the creature in the film, complete with moving head, mouth and eyes, and sound effects. The recreation of the famous dragon was carefully crafted over 750 hours, using materials that included 25kg of fibreglass. The team first created a series of detailed sketches and CGI mock-ups, before sculptors, carpenters and scenic artists built the dragon's head, which was 3D printed using a scan of the original Hungarian Horntail from the film. A total of 119 spikes were individually applied to decorate the dragon's head and tail, which took 265 hours, whilst 38 razor-sharp teeth were 3D printed in resin to create bite in the creature's animatronic mouth. The fictional dragon roared and bared its teeth past London landmarks (Matt Alexander/PA) 'Revisiting the creation of the Hungarian Horntail 20 years on from Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire has been magical,' said Mr Scott. 'Creating the dragons for the Triwizard Tournament was no mean feat, with engineers, animatronics, designers and the special effects teams all working together to bring them to life. 'It's fantastic to see the craftsmanship that went into this on display at the new feature – inspiring visitors with the magic of our filmmaking secrets.' The Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, which will run from May 15 to September 8, at Warner Bros Studio Tour London features behind-the-scenes secrets and digital recreations from the fourth film. Further additions include Mad Eye Moody's arrival in the Great Hall and wizarding journalist Rita Skeeter, best known for her poison pen articles, will be welcomed to the Studio Tour along with her self-writing quill. Laura Sinclair-Lazell, head of show experience at Warner Bros Studio Tour London says: 'We're excited to launch our brand-new summer feature, Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, where visitors can learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the fourth Harry Potter film. 'To celebrate and bring the magic of Warner Bros Studio Tour London to the streets of the capital, we recreated the iconic moment of the escaped Hungarian Horntail dragon 20 years on from Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.'
Western Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Giant Hungarian Horntail dragon stuns onlookers at it roars through London
The 25-foot animatronic dragon, which weighs 1.3 tonnes, appeared captured as it made its way past Westminster Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and King's Cross Station. The theatrical stunt was staged to mark the launch of Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, a new feature at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cinematic release of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. The Hungarian Horntail featured in the fourth Harry Potter novel and film, where Harry battles the beast in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Rae McFarlane, aged five, sits by the 25-ft-long animatronic Hungarian Horntail (Matt Alexander/PA) The fictional dragon roared and bared its teeth past London landmarks before making its way to the tourist attraction in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. Harry Potter filmmaker and animatronic designer, Joe Scott, designed the dragon, replicating the creature in the film, complete with moving head, mouth and eyes, and sound effects. The recreation of the famous dragon was carefully crafted over 750 hours, using materials that included 25kg of fibreglass. The team first created a series of detailed sketches and CGI mock-ups, before sculptors, carpenters and scenic artists built the dragon's head, which was 3D printed using a scan of the original Hungarian Horntail from the film. A total of 119 spikes were individually applied to decorate the dragon's head and tail, which took 265 hours, whilst 38 razor-sharp teeth were 3D printed in resin to create bite in the creature's animatronic mouth. The fictional dragon roared and bared its teeth past London landmarks (Matt Alexander/PA) 'Revisiting the creation of the Hungarian Horntail 20 years on from Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire has been magical,' said Mr Scott. 'Creating the dragons for the Triwizard Tournament was no mean feat, with engineers, animatronics, designers and the special effects teams all working together to bring them to life. 'It's fantastic to see the craftsmanship that went into this on display at the new feature – inspiring visitors with the magic of our filmmaking secrets.' The Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, which will run from May 15 to September 8, at Warner Bros Studio Tour London features behind-the-scenes secrets and digital recreations from the fourth film. Further additions include Mad Eye Moody's arrival in the Great Hall and wizarding journalist Rita Skeeter, best known for her poison pen articles, will be welcomed to the Studio Tour along with her self-writing quill. Laura Sinclair-Lazell, head of show experience at Warner Bros Studio Tour London says: 'We're excited to launch our brand-new summer feature, Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, where visitors can learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the fourth Harry Potter film. 'To celebrate and bring the magic of Warner Bros Studio Tour London to the streets of the capital, we recreated the iconic moment of the escaped Hungarian Horntail dragon 20 years on from Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.'
