BLACK SESAME

A pal told me that I have been concentrating too much on beverages that I forgot that this is also a food blog. Guilty.

We know white sesame seeds from burger buns and other pastries. Well you can sprinkle black sesame seeds on your salad as a garnish or to add the aesthetic appeal. I'm sure you didn't know that. Neither did I.

Enjoy..

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD EAT SALADS MORE OFTEN

Lately me and a pal were talking about how we have healthy things at our disposal but we opt to eat junk and unhealthy foods.In most households in Kenya, the amount of carbs that people consume is very high when compared with proteins and or vitamins. We love our ugali, chapati and rice but how many times do you eat fruits or vegetables?
 I have lost a tremendous amount of weight as time goes by. One of the reasons is that the hustle is all too consuming. Another reason is  SALADS. I have realized that most times the safest thing to eat during a lunch break is a fruit/garden salad. There are many reasons why you should also fix yourself one regularly.
Green salads are all the rage in the top restaurants in Nairobi. With the health conscious people around salads are an accompaniment to every plate.
They are Nutritious
They re very sweet and nutrient packed. Whether it is a fruit of veggie salad, eating one every day is a great habit. thy are high in fibre and they prevent constipation and other stomach disorders they have powerful antioxidants and vitamin C, E, folic acid, and carotene. salads with carrots help with vision .eating fruits and vegetables prevents lifestyle related diseases like cancer.
They are easy to make
Salads are very fun to make. You just have to wash, peel , chop/slice and then eat. they are crunchy and colourful and they are a delight to the mouth because of the many textures of fresh fruit and veggies.
Great For Weight Loss
Salads help people to lose weight in a healthy and natural way. Instead of eating fast foods during lunch eat a fruit. you can pack it in a plastic container and slip it in your bag or buy one in the restaurant.

 I hope you enjoyed...
Have a healthy week

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THE UK DIAGEO RESERVE 'WORLD CLASS' MIXOLOGY COMPETITION

I have been following the UK Diageo Reserve ‘ World Class’ mixology competition ever since they announced registration of world class bartenders. The World Class Competition will be in the UK on 28^th July to August 1 2014. This is a global event that will feature about 50 of the top bartenders and mixologists in the world. We are talking about the best of the best competing in different challenges. This event is in a bid to promote ‘the fine drinking culture’ by one of the companies with a great repute in the market. Diageo says that consumers will also participate in different activities. This competition was launched in 2009 and there will be themed events around this period. The judges will be one of the most skilled and respected mixologists and this event will attract a lot of airplay and attention from people all over the world.
 Here are a few cocktails by the participants courtesy of diageoworldclass.com.

1.A great drink by William Marwick from The Woods: Bar & Kitchen in Victoria

2. A drink from Dom Xavier at Cobbler in Queensland.

3. Ketel One Citroen Vodka cocktails

WHY EVERY TOP CLASS RESTAURANT NEEDS TO HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

In the business world today the conversation has shifted from print media to online media. With the conversation going online, this means that every business needs to find its footing in that arena. A simple Facebook page can do wonders to a business. In Nairobi so many restaurants have thronged the city and generic  marketing campaigns do not do the trick. This is why it is important for the management to hire a social media marketer who is proficient in keeping the audience updated. This SMM will update the people on what is happening and what is in the menus. Bars, Clubs and lounges should market themselves by writing about the drinks that they have in store and about events like happy hours and band nights.  There are tips that every SMM needs to know.

Consistency

 Consistency is very essential when one is running a business online. Have you ever looked at a business page and saw that the last time they tweeted or updated was in December 2013 and you just lose interest?

Pictures

Images of food and drinks can influence people’s decisions on where they will dine. One of my best restaurants that manage their social media pages with great photos are Brew Bistro & Lounge, The Wine shop and The Talisman.

Reply to Comments

Today's comments might be tomorrows clients. It is always great to reply to your customers aptly. There is nothing disconcerting as when someone asks a  professional question/ sends and email and it is ignored for days or months.

Network

Some businesses use social media to source business connections, networks and clients.

THE KENYA HOSPITALITY TRADE FAIR

The Wine and Food Review is proud to be part of the press team in the Kenya Hospitality Trade Fair. This event is happening on 14th to 16th May 2014. This is an event that will have many players in the Hospitality industry ranging from Furniture, interior design and decor, hospitality supplies and equipment, technology and sustainability, food and beverage, Restaurants & tourism.. This is East Africas biggest hospitality fair and it is organised by  Slujan Events.
Slujan Events is a leading conference, exhibition and workshop solutions Company that deals with strategic events with specialty niches. Their  clientele are international companies, government and local players.

This is a networking event for industry players to meet and talk about different issues in the Hospitality industry. This event is open to General managers, CEO s, architects, consultants,interior designers, food and beverage distributors, hotel owners, event planners, journalists, writers, bloggers, government representatives among others.

The networking and sourcing event will unite more than 100 exhibitors with at least 5,000 visitors on 4,500 square metres of exhibition space.

Here are some of the photos of last years event.

Credits khtf.com

If you are interested in any part of the Hospitality industry, this is the place to be.For more info, visit kenyahospitalitytradefair.com

See You There.

SHAKEN OR STIRRED

Excuse me sir. Do you want your martini shaken or stirred?

Do I look like I give a damn?

The debate of SHAKEN OR STIRRED comes into play especially in the martini. Some recipes advocate for shaking and some stirring and you ask , “What’s the big deal?”

As far as bartending (read mixology) goes, there is a difference in both.

SHAKEN

This is the general rule of Thumb.

Shake cocktails that include

• Cream liqueurs
• Simple syrup ( sugar and water in the ratio 1:1)
• Sour mix
• Eggs
• Dairy Products
• Fruit Juices
• Any thick or flavorful mixes

Imagine having a drink with eggnog (yuck) and you just mix it and you will taste the eggs in different parts of your concoction. Disturbing and overly gross huh?

Shaking is good because it is thorough and it gives your drink an effervescent look that clears. After shaking, one should strain the mixture to remove the solid and semi solid elements in the drink.

The drinks that advocate for shaking are;

•  Mai Tai
• Cosmopolitan
• Chocolate martini etc.
  
  
  

STIRRED

Stir the cocktails that use distilled spirits and light mixers in the recipes. Stirring is very delicate and it seeks to mix the drinks. Gin drinks are not shaken because shaking bruises the drink. (Yes you can bruise a drink).

 Stiring is done with a bar-spoon  a sip-stick or a straw.

The cocktails that advocate for stirring are the  Manhattan

• Martini
• Negroni
• Imperial cocktails 

BACK ON THE RADAR. FANTASY LOUNGES

I have been away for quite a while but I am back on the radar.  I wanted to share with you some pictures for some lounges around the world. It has always been my dream to own a premium Lounge/ bar and call it Jeans Champagne Bar or something . It is a big dream for me and someday it is going to be a reality. Well lounges have different themes and here is one of my favorites. I will be having posts like this where I review trends in the world. Feast your eyes.
This is a surf inspired bar in Newquay Cornwall. l love how the interior designers of this place made it for the modern surfer. It also has a great ambiance and it looks relaxing.With a wide array of drinks you'd stay here forever.

 This is a place designed for the modern surfer. You have to love these throw pillows.

And the lighting is perfect.

 The ladies room are so clean you can eat off them. I love the pop of color. the same goes for the gents. Now compare that with your local.

photo credits/ retaildesignblog.net