Latest news with #Ritz
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘I am a Kasi boy who was once homeless' says The Taste Master SA winner Chef Lucky Masinya
Masinya excelled with dishes that not only combined modern rustic charm with fine-dining finesse, but also were visually stunning and flavour-rich. Chef Lucky Masinya was crowned the winner of The Taste Master SA's sixth season, beating nine other contestants to the title. 'I am a Kasi boy who was once homeless and also once lived in a care home, and now I have won a national competition that I believe will change my life forever,' said Masinya. As a youngster, Masinya lived under a bridge on Joe Slovo Drive in downtown Johannesburg. ALSO READ: 'It was an awesome moment': Tshegofatso Mabasa's mother on being included in the Pirates doccie The Taste Master SA The Taste Master SA, which aired on SABC 2, featured 10 contestants, all of whom faced a diverse set of culinary and baking challenges – both sweet and savoury – under the guidance of lead judge Zola Nene and a raft of rotating guest judges. 'The moment my name was announced as the winner was totally surreal. My heart dropped and then started beating really fast. My right leg was shaking! I have been reliving the moment ever since – it's one of those moments that I'll forever cherish and hold close,' he says. Over the 11 weeks that the competition ran, participants faced weekly themed tasks designed to push their culinary storytelling, technique and presentation to the edge. Masinya excelled with dishes that not only combined modern rustic charm with fine-dining finesse, but also were visually stunning and flavour-rich. ALSO READ: Recipe of the day: Baked fish with mushroom caponata Food must feel like a hug Masinya's story of being homeless to becoming a champion chef is the kind of stuff you watch in movies. After leaving school, he received a scholarship that enabled him to complete a diploma in patisserie almost 10 years ago. Soon after that, Masinya got the opportunity to work in London alongside the best at the Ritz, Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons and Pretty Sweet, where he met celebrities such as Drake and Rihanna. Now he's passing on his knowledge to future chefs at Capsicum Culinary Studio. 'I loved my time on the show – it's not all the glitz and glam that everybody sees on television but it did stretch my creativity. What also inspired me were my colleagues, my students and my friends who have always believed in me. 'Every dish that I made on the show reminded me of my family and of home. Food, for me, must feel like a hug. 'Going to restaurants is amazing but there is no food that tastes better than food that is cooked at home. So I made a creamy chicken pasta, roasted lamb and stuffed chicken and, on the sweet side, macarons, tiramisu and churros with caramel ganache.' NOW READ: Natasha Thahane: 'God has been healing me through my characters'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I made DIY Cadbury treat from 2014 with something people didn't expect'
The simple recipe brings back a treat that's been unseen for years - but some were left scratching their heads at one ingredient Cadbury chocolate fans know all too well the pain of losing a beloved limited-edition flavour, and even some long-standing classics. But, some resourceful fans are taking matters into their own hands when the chocolate bosses won't by recreating these treats at home. TikTok user Paige (@paigebakedthat) couldn't hide her disappointment when she said: "You're wrong if you don't agree that Ritz and Dairy Milk brought out the best chocolate bar, but I've had enough of waiting, so I had to make my own. Believe it or not, this chocolate bar got discontinued in 2018, and not a day goes by that I don't think about it." The keen baker and self-proclaimed 'foodie' confessed that while she's tried similar snacks, "nothing compares" to the original. However, with Ritz crackers and Dairy Milk chocolate readily available on supermarket shelves, she saw no reason why she couldn't whip up the "perfect combination" herself. Her method was simple - line a muffin tray with paper cases and sandwich melted Dairy Milk between two Ritz crackers. After letting them chill in the fridge, she was ready to enjoy a homemade version of the much-missed treat, reports the Express. Paige shared how quick and easy it was to make these delights, claiming they hit the spot for "everything [she has] been craving" since Cadbury decided to discontinue the real deal. In a plea that has now taken TikTok by storm, Paige urged Dairy Milk and Ritz to resurrect her "absolute favourite" chocolate bar, but until then, she's happy to settle with her DIY alternative. A TikTok clip showcasing Paige's unique recipe has racked up over 84,000 views and sparked a flurry of comments, with viewers doing a double-take at her choice of ingredients. One user said: "Not the cheese ones!" while another added: "I think it's supposed to be the salted ones, deffo not the cheese ones!" A third commented: "I didn't expect the cheesy ritz!" Despite the unconventional mix of cheese and chocolate, Paige stood by her creation, replying: "Honestly, it's still so good!" The culinary experiment won lots of admirers on TikTok with food fans praising the simple yet "genuis" recipe. Another viewer said: "Omg I'm so glad I've seen this, I thought I was imagining the Ritz dairy milk as nobody knew what I was talking about! I'm so going to make these!" Someone else wrote: "I bet these taste better than the real ones!" Someone else put: "NEED THESE! Why have I never thought to do this before!" And, another was thrilled: "Omg as a vegan who always wanted to try those bars this is genius. I need to try these with vegan chocolate!" The Dairy Milk Ritz collaboration, which first appeared on shelves in 2014, featured small rectangular salted Ritz crackers rather than cheese-flavoured ones, unlike Paige's homemade version. Fans were left disheartened when the sharing-sized bar was discontinued in 2018, and Cadbury confirmed on X (then Twitter) that the product had been axed. The prominent chocolate maker is known for regularly refreshing its product line-up, which often means losing out to some treats to make room for new ones. Recently, shoppers have been treated to unique flavours like Cola Fizz and S'mores, as well as an Iced Latte version. Yet, the longing for beloved but discontinued favourites never ends. A glance at Cadbury UK's social media reveals that chocoholics have been pining for a comeback of classics such as the Dream, Dairy Milk Crispies, Fuse, and Spira bars to name just a few. Besides social media, Cadbury also welcomes suggestions directly on their website via a dedicated form. Thanks to fan feedback, several chocolate bars have enjoyed nostalgic comebacks, even it was only temporary, so it's always worth making your case to Cadbury - you might not be alone in your craving!
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Mondelez Logs Higher Profit, Revenue in Second Quarter
Mondelez MDLZ 0.19%increase; green up pointing triangle International posted higher profit and revenue in the second quarter as the company raised the prices of its chocolate products to offset continued inflation in cocoa costs. The Chicago snacking company, which makes Oreo cookies and Ritz crackers, on Tuesday posted a profit of $641 million, or 49 cents a share, compared to $601 million, or 45 cents a share, a year earlier.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Woman recreates discontinued sweet and savoury Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar
Cadbury is one of the most popular UK chocolate brands but some of its products have been discontinued, so one woman shared her recreation of her 'favourite' bar that is no longer available There are plenty of chocolate brands in the UK but Cadbury is a firm favourite. It's most known for its classic Dairy Milk bar but it also has some new flavours and limited edition products, including Cadbury Dairy Milk Iced Latte and Cadbury Dairy Milk Biscoff. Other popular chocolate bars that come under the Cadbury brand are Wispa, Twirl, Crunchie, Freddo and Flake. For celebrations or groups, the company offers gift boxes, like Roses, Heroes and Milk Tray. Cadbury offers chocolates with a range of flavours from caramel to orange to fruit and nut combinations, and sadly over the years some fan favourites have been discontinued with foodies eager to see them return to supermarket shelves. One example is Cadbury Ritz, a collaboration between the confectionary company and Ritz crackers. According to Discontinued Snacks, this product came in single 35g bars or a multipack with several bars of this size. The bar, which was introduced in 2014, looked like small Ritz rectangular crackers coated in Cadbury milk chocolate. A hobby baker and foodie called Paige loved this sweet treat and shared a video on TikTok creating her own version. In the clip she declared: 'You're wrong if you don't agree that Ritz and Dairy Milk brought out the best chocolate bar but I've had enough of waiting so I had to make my own.' She added: 'Believe it or not, this chocolate bar got discontinued in 2018 and not a day goes by where I don't think about it.' Paige said she has tried others that are similar but found nothing comes close to the original Cadbury and Ritz version. Luckily, she managed to make her own version by sandwiching Ritz crackers in cupcake cases with Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate in the middle for the filling. Paige melted the chocolate and poured it over the bottom cracker in each cupcake wrapper before adding another cracker on top and then putting the treats in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set and harden. The foodie remarked they're 'so easy and quick to make with only two ingredients' and shared she is 'obsessed'. She described them as 'everything I have been craving for all these years'. She also pleaded with Dairy Milk and Ritz to 'please bring that chocolate bar' since it was her 'absolute favourite". Her TikTok video has attracted thousands of views, likes and more than a hundred comments. Some viewers disagreed with Paige's choice to use the cheese flavoured Ritz crackers instead of the salted ones but the chocolate-fan revealed in the comments section they were 'honestly still so good". One user said: 'I didn't expect the cheesy Ritz. I'm down to give it a go, but perhaps I'll just make a couple and do the rest as original.' A different viewer, who was pleased to see Paige's video, added: 'Omg I'm so glad I've seen this, I thought I was imagining the Ritz Dairy Milk as nobody knew what I was talking about! I'm so going to make these thank you!' A third reported: 'Just made them with my daughters! So good.' Someone else chimed in: 'Omg as a vegan who always wanted to try those bars this is genius. I need to try these with vegan chocolate.'
Metro
5 days ago
- Metro
I loved every minute of the 'Hawaii of Europe' — but you better go soon
I'm sailing over a cerulean sea, glass of champagne in hand, with three men I've just met. Around us are black sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, and craggy mountains bursting with 50 shades of green. It looks a lot like Pandora, the fictional world of Avatar, but this is Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago north of the Canaries. Marooned in the Atlantic, this cluster of volcanic rock is rightfully nicknamed the 'Hawaii of Europe'. And it's becoming a popular holiday choice — easyJet now runs year-round direct flights from London, Manchester and Bristol. It's an easy adventure. Three-and-a-half-hour flights are shorter than to the Canaries, and while Madeira is certainly not a secret, its eye-popping pebble beaches remain unspoiled, for now, at least. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. A cross between paradise and an adventure playground, Madeira is drawing more visitors than ever. In 2023, it welcomed over 1.7 million, a sharp rise from 1.1 million in 2021. Since Covid, social media has fuelled Madeira's popularity, with thousands of posts spotlighting so-called 'hidden gems' across the island. Alexandre Von Essen, a skipper for Happy Hour boat tours, says that many off-beat places he used to visit as a teenager now attract thousands of tourists per day. 'It's cool that we have so many visitors,' he says. 'But it's definitely strange. 'Before the pandemic, it was mainly pensioners visiting. You'd have rich old ladies, they'd stay at the Ritz and spend loads of money.' Now there's an influx of travellers of all ages — especially those who wish to explore and discover. And there's so much for nature lovers to appreciate. Nicknamed the 'Pearl of the Atlantic' in the 1930s for its breathtaking scenery, Madeira has long relied on tourism to fuel its economy. But even with viral travel guides and post-Covid wanderlust, Madeira has so far been spared the overtourism chaos seen in parts of Spain and European cities like Prague. During a tour of the island with Hugo, from Adventureland tours, we visit Fanal Forest, a misty laurel woodland that looks straight out of a fairytale. He's so protective of his homeland's beauty spots that he refuses to reveal some remote locations, unless tourists promise not to share pictures of them online. 'I want people to really appreciate it,' he says. All credit to him, because Madeira does feel calmer than other popular tourist destinations. The volcanic rock pools are still relatively quiet, even during the lunchtime rush, and Seixal beach – a stretch of black sand hugged by vibrant, jungle-like cliffs – looks like something from a dream, even with countless other visitors taking pictures along its shores. The capital Funchal is replete with traditional mercearias, old grocery stores that once served as places to shop and socialise. They still sell everything from local beer and wine to baby powder, sweeping brushes and chewing gum. Bento's Grocery, for instance, has been in the Bento family since 1974. It has a rustic charm and is filled with local people at all times of the day. It's also a great place to try Poncha, a traditional drink made from sugarcane rum, honey and citrus juice. It was originally drunk by sailors as a tonic to ward off scurvy. Now, you can get it at any bar and restaurant across the island in almost any flavour you can think of. Madeira is also known for its world-class seafood. I tried a tuna cornetto, which is much tastier than it sounds. You'll also find mouthwatering prawn dishes, octopus and limpets, usually served with garlic and butter. And don't leave without trying a banana passion fruit, a local favourite unlike anything you'll find in the UK. For foreign visitors, prices are incredibly reasonable. A cup of coffee and a chocolate at most local cafes will set you back as little as €2. Alcohol is similar, with a pint typically between €1 to €3, while a Poncha is between €3-€6. At the same time, Madeira is working to attract a more luxury crowd. It's become popular with digital nomads and long-stay travellers who stay at the island's more upmarket hotels. Sleek wellness centres are popping up to match demand. In the capital Funchal, I stopped by CoolZone, the world's largest Cryotherapy centre, which features a -110C chamber and infrared rooms. The state-of-the-art treatment focuses on longevity and caters to travellers looking to reset and relax, rather than rush around. More Trending And that's how the island should be enjoyed. Madeira's magic is undeniable. From its cloud-covered mountain peaks to rugged coastlines, it's made for slow and sustainable travel. The kind that locals are happy to share, as long as you take it all in, and actually be there. And, even though I've only just scratched the surface, I already know I'll be back. I was hosted at The Vine hotel by Visit Madeira, where standard rooms start from €265.70 per night. The hotel is in the heart of Funchal, with the city's best restaurants and attractions right on your doorstep. Santa Caterina Park, which boasts a lake and views over the bay, is just a five minute walk away, as is Funchal Cathedral, built in the 15th century. Funchal's Farmer's market is a must visit in the city, full of exotic fruit, spices and knick-knacks and is just a 10 minute walk from the hotel. The hotel's rooftop features a sleek infinity pool with panoramic views of the city and hills. You can also enjoy the scenery from its rooftop restaurant or bar. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 100ml liquid limit set to be scrapped for flyers across Europe MORE: I tried Heathrow's £3,177 VIP terminal — how the other half fly MORE: Emirates business class review: I 'turned left' — now I'm ruined for life
