Latest news with #Maze
Otago Daily Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Forestry worker's ‘natural ability' a factor
Callum Maze, of Roxburgh Logging (right), with John Taal from the Milton Stihl Shop, receives the apprentice of the year award at the Southern Wood Council's forestry awards. Photo: supplied "Just be keen as beans." That's the advice of young South Otago forestry worker Callum Maze, 21, who received the apprentice of the year award at the Southern Wood Council's recent forestry awards, held in conjunction with Competenz. The acknowledgement recognised a commitment to self-development and skill achievement through the apprenticeship. Lawson Roxburgh, of Roxburgh Logging, said Mr Maze began work straight out of school as an enthusiastic young man who took in everything that was going on. "His natural ability and willingness to learn have seen him constantly involving himself with more experienced members of his team, who recognise the potential in him and enjoy passing on their knowledge," Mr Roxburgh said. It was while Mr Maze was a student at South Otago High School that he did work experience one day a week at Roxburgh Logging, giving him a taste of the industry. He started branding logs and much of his time was spent watching how it all worked and to decide if he was keen. Being put into a digger was a highlight. When he asked if there was any possibility of a permanent job, he was told that one was going to be offered to him. Now a machinery operator, Mr Maze said he liked all aspects of the industry; from the "good bunch of lads" involved to being out in the bush as he was a keen hunter and outdoorsman. There were lots of other qualifications he could achieve and he was always learning, he said. Both forestry trainee awards, celebrating harvesting and silviculture, attracted some fierce competition. Those awards recognised commitment to self-development and skill achievement. Josh Harrison, of Mike Hurring Logging, won the forestry trainee title. Phil Williams, who submitted the nomination, said Mr Harrison had taken to forestry training like a "duck to water", and had obtained a significant number of training qualifications during his short time in the industry. Jamie Sycamore, of Southland Forest Services, won the silviculture trainee award. He has spent almost his entire working life in the forestry industry, starting in silviculture after leaving school, where his employer at the time soon saw his potential and quickly promoted him to team leader. He has since progressed to general manager and bought into the business. Xshikarna Harvey, of Mike Hurring Logging, won the women in forestry title this year, against some stiff competition from other operators from across the industry. She played a key role in the commissioning of the Port Blakely distillery in Shag River Forest, for extracting essential oils out of Douglas Fir foliage. "There was no manual for how this task should be done. It required innovation and on-the-spot decision-making to achieve the necessary outcomes. Xshikarna took to this quickly," Barry Wells, of Port Blakely, said. The Southern Wood Council comprises forestry and wood processing companies throughout Otago and Southland that has been running for almost 20 years. Council chairman Grant Dodson, who is chief executive of City Forests, said there were record numbers of nominations for the industry awards and some people of "exceptional" quality put forward for recognition. Award winners were.— Apprentice of the year: Callum Maze (Roxburgh Logging). Forestry trainee of the year (harvesting): Josh Harrison (Mike Hurring Logging)Forestry Trainee of the year (silviculture): Jamie Sycamore (Southland Forest Services). Forestry excellence award: Lyle Swain (Swain Logging). Wood processing excellence award: Bryson Baratcart (Niagara Sawmilling Company). Women in forestry excellence award: Xshikarna Harvey (Mike Hurring Logging). Training contractor/company of the year: Lyle Swain (Swain Logging). Forestry/wood products health and safety excellence award: Matt Stewart (Stewart Logging). Forestry environmental management excellence award: Matt Winmill (Gillion Logging Ltd). Outstanding forest industry contribution award: Alec Cassie (Wenita Forest Products).
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
The best rattan garden furniture for summer 2025, recommended with expert advice
With summer here, however fleetingly, now is the time to look for the best rattan garden furniture. You'll want garden chairs on the patio, the barbecue going and a bottle of rosé chilling in an ice bucket. Former Telegraph gardening writer Cinead McTernan is a rattan enthusiast. 'My modular corner sofa has absolutely transformed how much we use our outdoor space,' she says. 'I go for synthetic polyethylene rattan because it's so light and easy to look after. A quick blast with a pressure washer at the start of the season and you're ready to go.' As Cinead suggests, synthetic rattan garden furniture is an ideal choice because it's usually more waterproof and sold with a long warranty. Cinead bought her set from Sweeek but there are great selections at Maze and Outsunny among others, ranging from uner £300 to over £2,000. You can find our full reviews of the best rattan garden furniture below, followed by answers to frequently asked questions. But if you're in a hurry, here's a quick look at our top five: The best rattan garden furniture: At a glance How to choose the best rattan furniture There's an assumption that natural rattan is superior, Cinead says, but it's not weatherproof and is only really suitable for sunny days: 'Natural rattan does look more beautiful, but isn't as hard wearing and fades in the sunlight.' PE rattan (polyethylene – also known as synthetic rattan or polyrattan) can shrug off rain, snow and, as long as you give it an occasional light scrub with soapy water, mould and algae. 'The properties of the polymer PE are in between a plastic and a wax,' says Peter Bridgman, founder of Bridgman furniture store, which specialises in rattan furniture. 'That gives it a very natural look and feel. It doesn't look plasticky and it also has no toxins.' For more detail, read the FAQs at the end of this feature. How we chose the best rattan furniture The experts, including The Telegraph's own gardening writer of more than 10 years, Cinead McTernan, were our guide to the quality and durability of rattan furniture, but we also took into consideration affordability, style and a range of uses from sun lounging to outdoor entertaining. All the furniture below is chosen from the respective retailers' most popular products, at a range of budgets. Remember to check out our guides to the best patio heaters and fire pits, too. That way you can enjoy outdoor seating all year round. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our rigorous standards will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion or hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best rattan garden furniture of 2025 1. Best Buy Rattan Garden Furniture: La Redoute Natural Rope Lounge Chair and Footstool Set Bucking the trend for polyethylene, La Redoute's light and airy chair-and-footstool set is made of natural rope on a steel frame, with wooden legs. It's not totally weatherproof, more of an indoor-outdoor piece to sit on patios in the summer and in the conservatory or a sunny room in winter. Key specifications 2. Best Value Rattan Furniture Set: Habitat 4 Seater Bamboo Effect Garden Sofa Set £350 Buy now Price at Argos Mid-century modern design (think Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs pad) is normally something you pay a Danish designer thousands of pounds for. Argos have managed it for under £500 with this bamboo-look table and chairs, although it'll need storing inside since the steel legs and polyester cushions won't be fully waterproof. It does need assembling, too — Argos say it requires two people. Argos also make some of the best solar garden lights to add twinkle to late nights al fresco. Key specifications 3. Best Rattan Sofa: OKA Weybourne 3 Seater Sofa Rattan furniture doesn't get much more high-end than OKA and this is the pick of their collection: a sofa big enough to seat you and a couple of friends for cocktails and inexpertly-barbecued sausages as the sun goes down. You'll need a reasonably sized outdoor space but, if you're an OKA customer, that's unlikely to be a problem. Key specifications 4. Best Rattan Bistro Sofa: John Lewis Salsa 2-Seater Garden Sofa, Natural £165 Buy now Price at John Lewis Just right for balconies or small patios, this chic rattan-look sofa has the Royal Horticultural Society's stamp of approval. It uses 3mm round synthetic fibres for a more classic look than flat-woven furniture, and matching chairs are available as a set of two. For a bolder look, choose the burnt orange colourway. Key specifications 5. Best Rattan Dining Set: Dunelm Santorini 4 Seater Conversation Set Good old Dunelm usually know what will suit the average home and garden and they've hit the target with this dining set: big enough to serve a decent meal but small enough to fit in a sunny corner. The inclusion of two tables – one large, one small – makes this set a versatile pick. Key specifications 6. Best Rattan Corner Sofa: DUSK Lisbon 2-Seater Garden Sofa Better known for its bedding, DUSK has launched garden furniture for the first time, debuting with a collection of modular sofas, available in two or three seaters, corner sofas along with pouffes and coffee tables. Every option is available in natural (shown above) or grey. The PE weave rattan is durable while the polyester cushions are finished with a linen effect. It's great value garden furniture and this rattan sofa is cheaper than alternatives of similar quality. Key specifications 7. Best Rattan Hanging Egg Chair: Cox & Cox Paxos Teardrop Hanging Snuggler £397.50 Buy now Price at Cox & Cox Telegraph garden-living expert Sarah Rodrigues loves Cox & Cox: 'Compared to some High Street brands, the prices are steep, but the timelessness of the pieces, combined with the attention to detail and construction, really does make them worth the investment. This year, I have my eye on the Paxos Teardrop Hanging Snuggler. I can just imagine being curled up in its cosy embrace with a book and an Aperol Spritz as the evenings get longer.' Technically, it's made from PE faux wicker, not faux rattan, but that shouldn't rule out this charming chair. Key specifications 8. Best Cube Garden Furniture: Pebble 9 Piece Rattan Cube Garden Furniture Set £429.99 Buy now Price at The Range Can you stack rattan furniture? It's a common question for those worried about storage. This Pebble set, sold by The Range, is designed with that in mind. They've managed to fit four chairs, a table and four stools into a four-foot cube into an implausibly neat configuration, which becomes a generous family seating suite when the chairs and stools are slid out from under the table. Key specifications Assembly required: Yes Materials: UV-resistant poly rattan over steel frame, glass tabletop, showerproof cushions with machine washable covers Dimensions: H73 x W110 x D110cm (table), H84 x W52 x D52cm (chairs), H35 x W41 x D41cm (stools) Delivery: Free delivery in 3 working days or longer 9. Best Outdoor Sofa: Nest Outdoor Sofa 'Right now the trend is for expanding your living space out into the garden,' says Stuart Isbister, who sells these gorgeous Danish-designed Cane-Line sofas. 'The outside becomes an extension of your interior design. Danish designers dominate the scene at the moment.' Although made of PE, the Cane-Line is hand-woven in Indonesia, the original home of rattan, and feels identical to the real thing while being completely weatherproof. Key specifications 10. Best Rattan Moon Chair: Furniture Box Moon Chair Moon chairs, otherwise known as Papasan chairs are perfect for creating a cosy reading nook in the corner of a garden. The tilted angle and thick, plush cushions means total relaxation. This FurnitureBox Moon Chair is made from handwoven wood and rattan over a metal frame. On top sits thick, dark grey cushioning which is 10.5cm thick and more than a metre wide. It curves to your body and there's even room for a spoilt dog or cat in the space next to you. Key specifications 11. Best Rattan Set for Sunbathing: Outsunny 5 Pcs Rattan Garden Furniture Set Brits no longer need to head abroad to catch a tan (as long as we time it right - early and late summer now seem to be the best bet for sun). Just head out to the garden and relax on suitably laid back garden furniture (with sun cream, of course). You'll struggle to find a rattan garden furniture set more versatile than this Outsunny set. It takes the shape of two seats with matching stools and a coffee table in the middle, but the stools can easily be used separately for extra seating. The frame is made from metal wrapped in rattan, for a solid structure, and the cushion covers are washable. Key specifications Assembly required: Yes Materials: PE rattan, steel frames, glass tabletop, polyester cushion covers Dimensions: H75 x W 67 x L71cm (armchairs), H40 x W51 x L67cm (footstools), H42 x W46 x L46cm (table) Delivery: 30 day returns, free standard delivery 13. Best Outdoor Rattan Bar Set: Maze Rattan Winchester Six Seater Round Rattan Bar Set £1,149 Buy now Price at Maze Living Nothing says al fresco living like an outdoor bar and this set from Maze comes complete with an ice bucket in the middle of the table. It adds a bit of fun and luxury into entertaining, whether for a BBQ or evening drinks. The set comes with one bar table, one ice bucket with a rattan lid and six bar chairs, all in the light wash Winchester rattan colouring. The bar stools all have foot rests for added comfort. Key specifications Materials: Polyethylene rattan, powder coated aluminium frames, clear tempered glass top and polyester cushions Dimensions: H108cm x W47cm x D56cm (chairs), H109cm x D120cm (table) Delivery: 14 day returns, free delivery in 7-10 days 14. Best Rattan Garden Storage: Pacific Bermuda Woven Large Garden Cushion Box £549 Buy now Price at John Lewis Where do you store all the cushions for your rattan furniture? You could get a plastic storage bin but this excellently built but lightweight storage holder is a better complement to your table and chairs. It can be left outside all year round, although it's recommended to use an additional storage bag inside it to keep cushions dry. The pistons on either side take the weight of the lid, making it easy to open and close. Key specifications 15. Best Weatherproof Rattan Garden Furniture: Bridgman Windsor Grey Square Dining Table £2,038 Buy now Price at Bridgman We love a rattan garden furniture set as much as anyone, but we can't help but sometimes think they look a bit samey. Our favourite thing about this set from Bridgman is that is provides the bare bones of a set. You can then either add Bridgman's waterproof cushions for an additional £319 or find your own cushions with a splash of colour. Key specifications 16. Best Space-Saving Rattan Garden Furniture Set: Orlando Rattan Garden Vase Set If storing your rattan furniture in the colder months is an issue, you might like this Rattan Garden Vase Set from Rattan Direct which all stacks directly on top of each other when not in use. The chairs stack by flipping one upside down and the table sits on top, creating a vase shape. It also comes with a free outdoor cover, for an extra layer of protection. As if all of this wasn't convenient enough, the chairs come pre-assembled. Key specifications Rattan garden furniture FAQs What is better: rattan or wicker? Trick question. Rattan is the material, wicker is the method. Wicker (from the Old Norse word vika, 'to bend') is the way of forming pliable natural fibres like willow, reed, grass or bark into furniture. In Asia it's often done with the climbing palm rattan. Rattan wicker was so extensively imported in the 19th and 20th centuries from south-east Asia that we ended up using the word generically for woven furniture. Is rattan furniture long-lasting? Most is, but not all. Garden furniture entrepreneur Peter Bridgman says you should beware of cheaper furniture where the synthetic rattan strands have been nailed onto the frame: when the nails rust, they will become weak points. Stuart Isbister, co-founder of outdoor furniture specialists The Worm That Turned, says there is another way to assess rattan furniture: look at the shape of the strands. 'Flat-woven products are lighter and cheaper, but they probably won't last as long as round weave. Flat weave will often sag in when you press your finger against it, particularly if it's hot, since plastic becomes malleable with heat, and in some cases brittle after a year or so.' Is rattan furniture waterproof? Natural rattan definitely isn't. Synthetic is, up to a point: metal parts can still rust and cushions can't usually be left outside. Some can, though, says Stuart Isbister: 'They can now be made from things like textilene, which is an outdoor furnishing fabric. They're a lot softer to the touch and they dry really quickly, so you can leave sofas outside without having to bring the cushions in.' Can rattan garden furniture sit on grass? It's not advised. Garden furniture tends to be heavy, which can weaken the grass beneath it and cause lasting damage. Mould and mildew from wet grass could also cause mould on the rattan, while moisture could cause rust on the metal frame. View the latest deals from John Lewis and La Redoute
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's, Wendy's and other burger joints are leaning into chicken
Chicken: It's what's for dinner — even at major restaurant chains long known as temples to beef. The first permanent menu item McDonald's has rolled out in four years consists entirely of white meat. In introducing McCrispy Strips last month, the fast-food giant acknowledged that diners 'have made one thing clear: they want more chicken.' Wendy's launched a new Cajun-spiced chicken sandwich in April, the same month Taco Bell brought back chicken nuggets, declaring it wants to become the 'go-to destination for crispy chicken.' Fast-food brands long known for beef have been pushing chicken menu items recently. The poultry push comes amid fast-food operators' broader battle for customers who've been tightening their dining-out budgets. McDonald's last week reported its worst quarterly U.S. sales decline since the depths of the pandemic in 2020, with a 3.6% drop. Wendy's saw first-quarter global sales shrink by 1.1% and reduced its outlook for the year. Chipotle, which also flagged a slowdown, said its limited-time honey chicken offering helped prop up sales, which slid 0.4% for the quarter. Consumers have been demanding more chicken even as they've rebelled against menu price hikes during the past year, sending many restaurant chains racing to roll out value deals and find other ways to keep customers coming back. Chicken featured in nearly 40% of all Grubhub restaurant orders last year and was purchased almost three times as often as beef by grocery customers, the delivery company said in December. Visits to chicken chains swelled by 4.3% in the third quarter of 2024 from the same period a year earlier, according to the location analytics firm while quick-service and fast-casual traffic dipped by 1.3% and 2.4%, respectively. These trends play to the strengths of chicken-focused brands including Dave's Hot Chicken, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and Church's Texas Chicken, while putting pressure on burger-centric incumbents. Taco Bell said its limited-run chicken nuggets sold out nationwide in less than a week. 'The reason they're doing this, as much as anything else, is really about competitiveness,' Jonathan Maze, editor-in-chief of Restaurant Business magazine, said of fast-food chains' embrace of chicken. Consumers are seeing more stable prices for poultry than they are for many other animal proteins. Chicken costs were up just 1.3% in March from a year earlier, federal data shows, while pork rose 2.9% and beef and veal prices surged 8.6%. But Maze said the biggest factor may simply be a shift in diners' tastes — as fast-food brands themselves have acknowledged. Chicken at Wendy's 'consistently resonates with our fans, and we do not expect this momentum to slow down,' a spokesperson said. 'Our focus on chicken is more intensive than ever!'
NBC News
06-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
McDonald's, Wendy's and other burger joints are leaning into chicken
Chicken: It's what's for dinner — even at major restaurant chains long known as temples to beef. The first permanent menu item McDonald's has rolled out in four years consists entirely of white meat. In introducing McCrispy Strips last month, the fast-food giant acknowledged that diners 'have made one thing clear: they want more chicken.' Wendy's launched a new Cajun-spiced chicken sandwich in April, the same month Taco Bell brought back chicken nuggets, declaring it wants to become the 'go-to destination for crispy chicken.' The poultry push comes amid fast-food operators' broader battle for customers who've been tightening their dining-out budgets. McDonald's last week reported its worst quarterly U.S. sales decline since the depths of the pandemic in 2020, with a 3.6% drop. Wendy's saw first-quarter global sales shrink by 1.1% and reduced its outlook for the year. Chipotle, which also flagged a slowdown, said its limited-time honey chicken offering helped prop up sales, which slid 0.4% for the quarter. Consumers have been demanding more chicken even as they've rebelled against menu price hikes during the past year, sending many restaurant chains racing to roll out value deals and find other ways to keep customers coming back. Chicken featured in nearly 40% of all Grubhub restaurant orders last year and was purchased almost three times as often as beef by grocery customers, the delivery company said in December. Visits to chicken chains swelled by 4.3% in the third quarter of 2024 from the same period a year earlier, according to the location analytics firm while quick-service and fast-casual traffic dipped by 1.3% and 2.4%, respectively. These trends play to the strengths of chicken-focused brands including Dave's Hot Chicken, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and Church's Texas Chicken, while putting pressure on burger-centric incumbents. 'The reason they're doing this, as much as anything else, is really about competitiveness,' Jonathan Maze, editor-in-chief of Restaurant Business magazine, said of fast-food chains' embrace of chicken. Consumers are seeing more stable prices for poultry than they are for many other animal proteins. Chicken costs were up just 1.3% in March from a year earlier, federal data shows, while pork rose 2.9% and beef and veal prices surged 8.6%. But Maze said the biggest factor may simply be a shift in diners' tastes — as fast-food brands themselves have acknowledged. Chicken at Wendy's 'consistently resonates with our fans, and we do not expect this momentum to slow down,' a spokesperson said. 'Our focus on chicken is more intensive than ever!' One upside for restaurants, Maze noted, is that chicken makes for ideal finger food, which operators are encouraging by rolling out new dipping sauces. 'It offers different flavor profiles, allows you to get creative without overcomplicating your operations,' he said. More chicken options are expected to pop onto menus soon. McDonald's last month teased plans to reintroduce its chicken Snack Wrap, and Taco Bell says it's considering permanently adding a crispy chicken option after the limited-run nuggets sold out nationwide in less than a week. Tyson Foods said Monday that it saw 'double-digit growth' in its business supplying chicken to quick-service restaurants, a bright spot for the meat producer that said its beef segment is facing 'the most challenging market conditions we have ever seen.' In chicken, though, Tyson said a key measure of quarterly earnings nearly doubled last year's. Not all chicken chains are benefiting from the trend, nor are fast-food brands all leaning into chicken because they're struggling. Taco Bell saw sales jump 9% in the first quarter, boosted not just by chicken nuggets but also by its Steak and Queso Crunchwrap Sliders, parent company Yum Brands reported last week. Meanwhile, Yum's fried-chicken mainstay KFC has struggled, with its U.S. sales notching a 1% drop, outpaced by those of Wingstop and Raising Cane's. digital upgrades and subscription programs to sleek new remodels. But for now, chicken looks like one of their most powerful tools. 'Americans love chicken, frankly, and these big fast-food chains are pretty intent on giving it to them,' Maze said.
Al Bawaba
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Beyoncé launches Cowboy Carter Tour with daughters, bold visuals, and country-pop power
ALBAWABA - Beyoncé began her Cowboy Carter Tour Friday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in a typically chic and choreographed performance. She began her show with a cover of "Before I Let Go" by the Maze and the late Frankie Beverly, cameos from Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter, and multiple live debuts for Cowboy Carter songs. She was wearing a white, fringed leather outfit and a cowboy hat. An American flag was displayed on an electronic screen next to a speaker tower bearing the letters "KNTRY," which stands for Cowboy Carter's fictional radio station, before Beyoncé and a group of red-robed dancers took the star-shaped stage. Beyoncé riding a mechanical horse was featured on merchandise designs over the phrase, "Never ask permission for something that already is yours." She began by honoring the Black women who pioneered rock, folk, and country music with "American Requiem" and "Blackbird," before switching to a distorted version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that was based on Jimi Hendrix's iconic Woodstock song. Beyoncé Instagram profile Beyoncé sported dreadlocks and smoked a cigar in the "Freedom" video. The sash stated "the reclamation of America." Blue Ivy took on the choreography for "Formation" and stayed on to sing with her mother on several tracks, including "America Has a Problem," which was preceded by an interlude that sounded like a sample of "You Might Think He Loves You" by Death Grips. Later, during the dance routine, Rumi joined for "Protector," seemingly going off-brief to wave enthusiastically. This caused Beyoncé to break character and chuckle while hugging her. Cowboy Carter dominated the show in terms of the setlist and the themes, even if there were many Renaissance cuts and a few of her catalog staples, along with a lighthearted parody of the popular "she ain't no diva" TikTok. To fit into a larger story that portrayed Beyoncé as a Wild West outlaw who overcame outsiderdom and alienation to establish her claim to the land, a mechanical bull was sighted backstage. A video of a firefight in which she took up arms against an older, white cowboy whose bullets pounded her body to pieces marked the culmination of the third act. In front of a Statue of Liberty with her hair braided, Beyoncé performed "Amen," the last encore closer. HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 25: Beyoncé (Texas./AFP) As the second installment of a planned trilogy, Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter, the sequel to 2022's Renaissance, in March. The pop star became the first Black woman to debut at the top of the Top Country Albums list, and the album went on to earn her eighth No. 1. Additionally, it brought her three Grammy Awards in 2025, where she won Album of the Year for the first time, Best Country Album, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Beyoncé performed during the halftime show of one of the NFL's inaugural Christmas games, which was streamed live on Netflix, in her hometown of Houston last December. After the enormous Renaissance World Tour in 2023, Beyoncé's seventh headline tour is the Cowboy Carter Tour. The latter, which included guest appearances by Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion and took place over 56 concerts worldwide, was documented in the highly successful documentary concert film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Beyoncé Instagram profile On Thursday, May 1, the Cowboy Carter Tour will resume with a second night at Inglewood. She will then go to New Jersey, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., before making stops in London and Paris in Europe.
