Issuu

AUGUST 2018 s ISSUE 056

LUXE

DIVE, DINE

LOVERS Explore White Isle luxury in 72-hours

& Dream

We discover a little piece of Floridian heaven

Hollywood

CALLING

Olivia Cooke about her meteoric rise from Oldham to the set of Vanity Fair

My Thai

WAY Phuketâ€™s celebrity chef reveals his culinary inspirations

No.1 SAVILE ROW I BATH I BIRMINGHAM CHESTER I LIVERPOOL I WINCHESTER gievesandhawkes.com

Ariella

LAUNCHING 23RD AUGUST INSTORE & ONLINE

c h lo b o . co . u k

CAFFÉ CAFFÉ GRANDE GRANDE PICCOLINO, PICCOLINO, MANCHESTER MANCHESTER

OO UR UR

AA MM AA ZIZN IN GG PL PAC L ACES ES

WIT WHI TOHUO TD UO TD OOOR R S PAC S PACE ES S

OUROUR BARBAR & GRILLS & GRILLS

J OI N J OI OUR N OUR LI F EST LIFE YLE ST YLE AT AT

INDIVIDUALRESTAURANTS.CLUB INDIVIDUALRESTAURANTS.CLUB OR OR C ALL C ALL OURO U R C LUB C LUB I ND I V ND I DIUAL V I D UAL CO NCO CIE NRGE C IE RGE 01 6101 5 61 07 54457 07 4457

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Subscribe Want to be part of the family and receive Cheshire’s premiere lifestyle right to your door each month, you can now subscribe easily online. Get your own, beautifully printed copy from as little as £3.10 each. We offer three simple subscription options: Month to Month £4.50ea Six months £4.00ea Twelve months £3.10ea

Point your camera at me

Subscribe today by scanning the QR code or visiting us at: www.thecheshiremagazine.co.uk/subscribe

nunsmere/peckforton_weddingfayre_a3_dps.qxp_Layout 1 25/11/2016 13:34 Page 1

You can also find us at...

Just got engaged?

HALE, KNUTSFORD

TARPORLEY

HALE BARNS

MANCHESTER

CHESTER

KNUTSFORD

Enquire about

The Old Stables, Capesthor ne Hall,

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Memorable weddings demand magical locations… Nr Alder ley Edgearchitecture, , Cheshire . SK11 an enchanting castle, captivating steeped in history,9JY Peckforton Castle will truly delight.

ByOUR Appointment JOIN US THIS JANUARY FOR ANNUAL WEDDING FAYRE ON SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY 10AM – 4PM PLEASE ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR WEEKLY OPEN EVENINGS IN JANUARY.

P E C K F O R TO N C A S T L E

E: hello@janeybutler.co.uk A N E N C H A N T I N G H OT E L I N T H E H E A RT O F C H E S H I R E

CHESTER

ALDERLEY EDGE

ALTRINCHAM, MANCHESTER

CHESTER

MANCHESTER

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WILLINGTON

WILMSLOW

CHEADLE

MANCHESTER

CHESTER

WILMSLOW

LIVERPOOL

ELLESMERE PORT

PECKFORTON CASTLE, STONE HOUSE LANE, PECKFORTON, TARPORLEY, CHESHIRE, CW6 9TN t: 01829 260 930 | weddings@peckfor toncastle.co.uk | www.peckfor toncastle.co.uk

P L E A S E E N Q U I R E A T E A C H TARPORLEY T: 01625 861935

KNUTSFORD

PLEASE ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR WEEKLY OPEN EVENINGS IN JANUARY.

FRISØR Nunsmere Hall

P R O P E R T Y

Saløn & Wellness

janey bu I n t e r n at I o n a l a w a r d w I n in collabor ation with Br

A C O U N T RY H O U S E H O T E L I N T H E H E A RT O F C H E S H I R E

NUNSMERE HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, TARPORLEY ROAD, OAKMERE, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE, CW8 2ES t: 01606 889100 ︱ enquiries@nunsmere.co.uk ︱ www.nunsmere.co.uk

HALE

R E G A R D I N G

KNUTSFORD

MANCHESTER

Total cost for an annual subscription of the printed magazine is from as little as £37.20, including taxes, packing and postal charges. Subscriptions are available for single, six months or twelve month periods. Available for delivery to the UK. For international deliveries or for any other general enquiries, please contact The Cheshire Magazine on 01244 955 957 or email hello@thecheshiremag.co.uk

CHESTER

OUR ANNUAL WEDDING FAYRE IS TAKING PLACE ON SUNDAY 15TH JANUARY 10AM – 4PM

W: j a n e y b u t l e r . c o . u k

HALE, ALDERLEY EDGE, KNUTSFORD

our special 2017 wedding offers. The newly refurbished Nunsmere Hall brings the romance and warmth of times gone by. Our extensive, private grounds lend themselves perfectly to exclusive use weddings, where yours will be guaranteed to be the only event taking place.

Published by

A P P O I N T M E N T S

contents OUR FAVOURITE

Hollywood Calling

Natalie Anglesey chats with Olivia Cooke about her meteoric rise from a theatre workshop in Oldham to the set of Vanity Fair and living in New York

FEATURES

28 32 34

Happiness Hotels & Coe

We chat to international DJ, Sasha and his partner Zoie Kingsbery Coe about their jet-set lifestyle

The Neville Effect

In a rare couple interview, Emma & Gary Neville chat with Liz Taylor about their many rewarding projects

My Thai Way

Phuketâ€™s celebrity chef Tammasak Chootong reveals his culinary inspirations

REGULARS 009 | Publisher’s letter 010 | Contributors 016 | My life in Cheshire Michelle Stubbs of Delamere Manor tells us about her life, loves and life in Cheshire

019 | Notebook Our pick of this month’s local events, news and three of the best

STYLE 040 | Watch & Jewellery A full round up of all the latest in style and sparkle 043 | Fashion news From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here 046 | Life’s a Beach This month’s fashion shoot is full of fabulous beachwear 054 | Beauty news New treatments, products and all the latest news

DRIVE 057 | News Under news, we introduce you to our new Drive editor Glyn Davies 062 | Leader of the Class James Fossdyke tests the soundtrack to the summer; the new Mercedes Benz X Class

TRAVEL

069 | Travel news The latest happenings from near and far

072 | Dine, dive and dream Rebecca Underwood discovers a little piece of Floridian heaven 076 | Luxe Lovers Laura Garner steps into the position of travel writer and breaks down the must-visit places for a luxe break on the White Isle 080 | Weekend Away Natalie Anglesey explores the lakes and the delights of The Wordsworth Hotel

80 FOOD & DRINK 083 | Food & drink news Local chefs, new openings and our restaurant review 084 | Restaurant Guide We explore the different cuisines from around the world

090 | Summer Recipe We chat about Blanc Brasserie and the gorgeous King Prawn with Chermoula Dressing dish created for The Cheshire Magazine 092 | Local Scene All the glamour and gossip from our county

FAMILY 103 | Family news From toys to tempting interiors, design is for all the family

HOME & INTERIORS 111 | Interiors news News, products and advice on making the most of your home, inside and out 118 | Life in Design We meet Helena Croft, Associate Interior Designer, Janey Butler Interiors at the Llama Group 120 | The Edit Keeping things cool and calm with stylish design and neutral palettes 134 | Hot Property The latest homes on the market, at home or away 141 | Finishing touches Cabinet reshuffle

Janey Butler Interiors & Llama Architects form part of the Llama Group. Creating award winning residential and commercial projects in the UK and abroad. W:

I n t e r n at i o n a l A wa r d W i n n i n g A r c h i t e c t s & D e s i g n e r s The Coach House, Capesthorne Hall, Nr Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK11 9JY

l l a m ag ro u p . c o . u k

T: 01625 861935 E:

h e l lo @ ja n e y bu t l e r . c o . u k

l l a m ag ro u p . c o . u k

T: 01625 861936 E:

i n f o @ l l a m ag ro u p . c o . u k

HOLLYWOOD

CALLING

Natalie Anglesey chats with Olivia Cooke about her meteoric rise from a theatre workshop in Oldham to the set of Vanity Fair and living in New York

hat takes a young girl from Oldham to Hollywood within a brief period of six years? Olivia Cooke’s meteoric rise, from Oldham Theatre Workshop, to star in Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Ready Player One, released earlier this year, seems itself the stuff of movies. Although her home is now in New York, twenty-five-year-old Olivia hasn’t entirely abandoned us. This autumn, we’ll see her star in the coveted role of the literary vixen, Becky Sharpe, in ITV’s sumptuous production of Vanity Fair. “When I first heard I’d got the role, I felt an overwhelming sense of grateful excitement I’d got the job. But then I thought they have cast the wrong person,” Olivia confessed at the London launch. “Everyone has their impression of Becky Sharpe in their head so, after the joy of getting the role, I felt an impending sense of dread at having to play her”. I’ve been fortunate to see the first two episodes, and Olivia’s performance on screen is excellent. Born and raised in Oldham, her parents divorced when she was a child and she and her younger sister, Eleanor, lived with their mother, Lindsy. Olivia loved ballet and gymnastics and started acting when she was eight years old at the famous Oldham Theatre Workshop. At 14, she secured her first local talent agent who placed her in a number of commercials. She appeared in One Direction’s “Autumn Term” video, as a student getting a

piggyback ride from Cheshire’s Harry Styles! Olivia attended Royton and Crompton Secondary School and studied drama at Oldham Sixth Form College. When she was 17, she starred as Maria in the college’s production of West Side Story. Soon after, she landed her first leading role at Oldham Theatre Workshop’s Prom: The Musical. She left college just before taking her ‘A’ Levels when casting director, Beverley Keogh, got her roles in two BBC miniseries, Blackout and The Secret of Crickley Hall.Both proved pivotal roles in Olivia’s career and eventually led to her leaving Oldham. “ I’m based in New York now paying flying visits back home. But that’s why it was great filming Vanity Fair because I was based here for six months. My mum, who still lives in Oldham, came down to see me in London for weekends. I couldn’t go back to Oldham because work on Vanity Fair was pretty full on. And you know what it’s like, wherever you are from, once you go back to your mum’s house for two days, you feel like a fifteen-year-old again!” In 2012, still with no formal training, Olivia was cast in the film, The Quiet Ones and acquired an agent in Los Angeles. She played Emma, one of the leads, in the contemporary Psycho prequel Bates Motel. Her second feature film, The Signal, with Laurence Fishburne, opened at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. That same year she led the cast of Ouija, horror film which proved a box-office success in spite of being panned by the critics.

RIGHT: OLIVIA COOKE AS BECKY SHARPE

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

“When I first heard I’d got the role, I felt an overwhelming sense of grateful excitement I’d got the job. But then I thought they have cast the wrong person”

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

“I’m based in New York now paying flying visits back home” THIS PAGE: ITV’S VANITY FAIR STARRING OLIVIA COOKE

She also supported the Save The Children campaign by appearing in Bulgari adverts. Olivia next appeared in the comedy-drama, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, in which she shaved off her hair because the female lead was battling leukaemia. The film premiered at Sundance where it was awarded both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards. Katie Says Goodbye, with Jim Belushi and Mary Steenburgen, was followed by Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem with Bill Nighy- both premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. Olivia then starred in the thriller film Thoroughbreds, which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Most recently she starred as Art3mis in Steven Spielberg’s science fiction adventure, Ready Player One, released in March of this year. She will also be seen soon alongside Samuel L. Jackson in Life Itself. But in spite of previous successes, Olivia admits she was still concerned about her starring role in Vanity Fair. “When I turned up for the first day of filming in Budapest I was really nervous and convinced I didn’t know enough about Becky Sharpe. She’s stuck in a class system and is determined to break through the glass ceiling by marriage. She’s become an expert charmer because she’s had to and if she was alive today she’d probably be running a film studio! But ultimately this is a story of female friendship and women empowering other women.” Olivia reminisced about filming in Budapest and putting on a corset for the first time. “It was 35C, and it was sweltering. However, we were filming in a beautiful location, and we had a good first day. Tom Bateman, who plays my love

interest Rawdon Crawley, Claudia Jessie who plays my best friend, and Johnny Flynn who plays Dobbin who is in love with her- the four of us got on really well and we laughed a lot which helps.” Olivia also shares the screen with some of our most famous actors including Michael Palin, who plays the author William Thackeray. Indeed Michael revealed he’d chosen Vanity Fair as his Desert Island book, as it’s one of his favourites, and he impressed Olivia. “Michael was such a gentleman and was so sweet and kind. There’s no ego there although everyone was a bit star-struck. It was also amazing working with Martin Clunes and Frances de la Tour. Martin was generous, very easy-going and a tremendous actor. We had such a ball together. Frances too was absolutely brilliant. I’ve just been very lucky with a great cast. I’ve never met a funnier bunch of people, and we laughed so much over the six months of filming.” I wondered if Olivia had any family time during filming.” I was going to ask my mum Lindsy to be an extra in one of the ballroom scenes, but she would have died of embarrassment. However, she’s still really proud of me. She says everyone in the street keeps asking about Vanity Fair and how I am. She tells me replies- she’s still my Olivia!” ITV’s Vanity Fair will be screened from September.

The Cheshire Mag_Ad_Aug 2018.indd 1

31/07/2018 12:51:44

HAPPINESS

HOTELS & COE

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

hen her Hawarden-born husband Sasha began his career as a DJ playing the best nightclubs and parties in the world, Zoie Kingsbery Coe was living the jet-set lifestyle and stayed in the very best hotels in almost every main city across the globe. As the superstar couple then became a three (and now a five), a switch change happened. Zoie began seeking out kid-friendly property rentals that made her family feel at home wherever they were in the world. As increasing numbers of parents asked Zoie to share her travel expertise and property secrets, Kid & Coe was born. Here Zoie talks to The Cheshire Magazine about how and why it is possible to really have it all on holiday with the children in tow. Can you tell us about life before becoming a mum and what changed in relation to how and where you travelled when you had babies/toddlers? Life before kids was pretty different. We travelled a lot - my husband is an international DJ - and in many ways, that travel was a lot easier, with just two adults to please. And then…My husband, our baby and I were travelling and realised that it took a lot of effort to find properties that were truly child-friendly and suitable. The hotel experience is wonderful - but it’s not always wonderful with kids. The room service menu wears thin, you’re worried about your children being disruptive, and night times can be a trial if you’re all in the same room. Like so many parents before and after us, we realised that our travel habits had to change if we wanted to keep on enjoying this lifestyle - and we certainly did. What was the lightbulb moment that inspired you to create Kid & Coe? That would have to be the Bali pool villa we checked into… if memory serves me right, I don’t think it had proper doors, was surrounded by pools, and loads of little pebbles. All my toddler wanted to do was pop those pebbles into his mouth or throw them into the pool. I was looking for a solution out there that would help - a website

with recommended properties for families, or a way to search for villas that would work for us, and I couldn’t find one. So...the idea for Kid & Coe was born. What are the essential elements that make travelling with a family easier and better for those who like the finer things in life? One of the things that we champion at Kid & Coe is freedom to travel the way your family wants and needs to. Family travel doesn’t have to mean hotels with kids clubs, resorts with all-inclusive setups and everything tailored around the kids but of course, it can! We believe there is a balance between something that works for kids and something that works for parents - and you don’t have to compromise. Every family is a little bit different, so I think it’s important to not be too prescriptive. Just speaking for my family (we have a toddler daughter, a 7-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son), we’re looking for something that keeps Ivy safe and occupied, that’s close to activities that Luca and India will enjoy, and that is luxurious so it feels like fun for us too. Travel with kids of different ages needs a different touch, so we make sure all our listings have the right details on them so parents can decide for themselves if it’s going to suit their children. Anyone who has had more than one child can attest that one baby can be very different from another!

How do you select the places that feature in the agency? We get a number of applications per week from families wanting to rent out their homes when they are away - for a minimum of four weeks per year. We look at the location to see that it’s really family friendly, examine the property carefully to check it is safe and welcoming for children, and look for properties with a high standard of decor. A lot of properties include toys and books for kids, plus maybe bikes, a playhouse, high chair and crib. Some will also have add-ons, like a cleaner, private chef, chauffeur and other staff options, depending on where they are in the world. It’s hard to make a blanket statement about Kid & Coe homes because features can vary, but one thing I’d say is that they are all places we would love to stay in ourselves. What is it like to be a host family or to swap your home? We get really great feedback from our hosts and I’m one myself - our Ibiza apartment is on the site, as were our houses in New York, Los Angeles and London when we lived there. I’ve also participated in the rental and home swap options. It gives you a chance to meet a likeminded family from another country, and we’ve seen great friendships spring up from these interactions on the site. It’s much more than just a way to make money while you travel - being a Kid & Coe host is a way to join a select group of families who love travel, design and kids.

Do you ever use third party services like babysitters, car rental and day our guides when you’re away and what would be your top tips on finding ones that are good? Absolutely. These extras can turn a stay into a vacation and I’d highly recommend considering them! We partner with a concierge service for most of our American properties, where you can book all these extra items easily, and we also work with Baby Quip to offer supplementary baby equipment so you don’t have to travel with it. In terms of finding babysitting, car rental and guides in other locations, my first port of call is always my network. Mums know everything! And there’s always that friend who can provide extra insight. Second to that, I’d be asking the host of the property I’m staying in. Local mums are such a good source of genuinely useful information it’s one of the reasons Kid & Coe works so well. Being left a hand drawn map showing the nearest kid-friendly spots when you arrive along with ideas of what to do can really make your trip fantastic. Lastly, we work closely with Babyccino - they have a great selection of travel guides on their website, all written by well informed local mums, which serves as a good inspiration point too. What has been your ultimate favourite destination since starting Kid&Coe and where do you get the best feedback about from families? This is a hard one as there have been many great trips with my babies - all special in different ways. A trip that comes to mind was when we went to Playa

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Las Tortugas and Sayulita, in Mexico. We celebrated my son’s 8th birthday at the Palmeras Residence residence, where they made him his favourite meal of fish and chips and chocolate cake. There was no WiFi, which was refreshing, and the kids roamed the beautiful grounds. We released freshly-hatched baby turtles to the sea and enjoyed the simple connection with nature and each other. In terms of feedback from our guests, we ask guests to review their stays - it’s a great insight when you want to book a stay yourself - and we get reports saying our properties have topped their all-time best lists, and that they are keen to make another trip. It’s so good to see! Two of our most popular properties - with a vast number of five-star reviews each - would be The Bluestone Road Residence in upstate New York, and the Christian IX Gade Residence in Copenhagen, Denmark. What are your hot spots/top destinations for 2018? We think the UK’s going to continue to be popular with overseas visitors - and staycationers too - with Brexit looming, so we’re actively looking for new properties all across the country. If you want to find out more about renting your home out with Kid & Coe or joining our home exchange program, take a look at our website! Other than that, in Europe, demand for designled Portugal just keeps coming - not just Lisbon, but also beach spots like Comporta and the city of Porto too. We cover all the popular areas for family travel - Provence, California, Amsterdam, and more - and expect to see them continue to be highly popular places to travel with kids. If you’re looking for somewhere a little untapped, we have some lovely properties in Morocco, including Marrakesh and Essaouira, a cute hippy town with beaches, surf lessons and camels. Marrakesh is a direct flight away from Manchester airport if you’re thinking of winter sun already.

Where in the future will you be expanding into? We’re looking to grow all over the world. We currently list 1,500 properties that are all fantastic for families, in 52 destinations worldwide, and add more every week. We’re continually looking at destinations that work for families, and accommodation options that work. Booking hotels for families can be a little tricky and one of our upcoming challenges is to find a way to make it better. So expect to see more family-friendly hotels in the mix as we go forward - we know that a private home rental is great, but sometimes for a shorter stay, you’ll need a hotel. It’s all firmly in our sites and we’re looking forward to making travel with kids easier across the board. Finally, is it possible to have children and still have a luxury break? Of course! Get the fridge stocked in advance, book a car and driver, make sure there is daily cleaning and book a private chef! You don’t have to do the boring chores when you’re on vacation - there’s always a way round it… Visit www.kidandcoe.com for more information. The Cheshire Magazine readers can get $75 off their first stay with Kid & Coe by using the code ‘CHESHIRECAT’ on the check out page. Offer valid until December 31 2018, one per household.

THE

NEVILLE EFFECT

mma and Gary have known Liz since planning their wedding in 2007. Both are also supporting her fundraising event in September 2018 in aid of Child Bereavement UK and Red Sea Pedestrians, an evening which Gary is hosting and sees an exclusive performance from Gary Barlow. In a rare couple interview, Liz caught up with Emma and Gary to find out more …… The fundraising event I am planning on September 27, 2018 is partly in aid of Child Bereavement UK. Why is this charity so dear to you? Emma: The charity is close to my heart. The services and teams at Child Bereavement UK are truly amazing in the exceptional and skilled way that they help the families that they support. The charity works with a family to find a purpose in their lives again, after the loss of a family member and offers support to these families at a time when they feel that they cannot go on any more. It’s just incredible. How did you get involved? What is your role? Emma: I first heard about CBUK at a charity lunch you planned at the Hilton Deansgate Manchester Hotel. I bought a table, Gary Barlow was the guest, and I am a huge Take That fan! I always wanted to be involved in supporting a charity and having heard about the work that the charity does; I felt this could

“We eat out often and are real foodies” 32

In a rare couple interview, Emma & Gary Neville chat with Liz Taylor about the many rewarding projects they are currently involved with.

be the one for me. I got chatting with Ann Chalmers, the charity CEO, and knew that I wanted to get more involved. I am now a volunteer for the family support group at the charity’s Runcorn Centre. Where will the money go that is raised? Emma: Money raised from the fundraising event will go towards supporting the work of CBUK in the north west, and in addition, support a number of small, local charities through the Red Sea Pedestrians charity. The couple - rarely do interviews, so I am honoured to get the husband and wife team together. How did you meet? Gary: We met at the Sugar Lounge bar at Deansgate Locks in 2004. I was out with friends and got chatting to Emma. The rest is history! How long have you been together? Gary: We have been together 14 years now. We have lasted a lot longer than the Sugar Lounge did! What are your tips for a happy marriage? Emma: Date night is crucial! Make sure you plan a night out, just the two of you, to chat

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: GARY & EMMA NEVILLE. EMMA & GARY NEVILLE’S WEDDING - PLANNED BY LIZ TAYLOR

The TheCHESHIRE CHESHIREMagazine Magazine| Regulars | Feature

“Gary works extremely

hard, and this has always been the case”

without the children being there. Our kids have transformed our lives, and we love spending time with them, but it’s also important to have some time as a couple. We have busy lives, so taking the time just to be together is very important. Who’s the most romantic? Emma: Gary. Gary: well, it might be me! How do you support each other in your careers? Emma: we are a team. Gary and I realise that life is busy. Gary works extremely hard, and this has always been the case. In whatever he does, he puts in 110%. We make sure that we have family time at weekends with our girls and try to at least once a month have a meal out - just the two of us. Likewise, Gary is hugely supportive of whatever I set my mind to. Gary: Emma is an incredible wife and mother, supports everything that I do and also has her own ambitions. Her work with CBUK has been inspiring. I was only too happy to support her by getting involved in the fundraising event - as a host for the evening! No pressure then! Where do you currently call home? We live in Bolton and have two girls, Molly aged 9 and Sophie aged 8. What makes the area special to them? Gary: I’m from Bury originally and since we met, we have lived in the Bolton area. We did have a spell of living in central Manchester, before the children were born, but moved back to Bolton so we could be closer to our family. Family is important to both Emma and I, so it was a natural move for us. Emma: Gary has an office in Manchester and

is there most days, and so we are both in and out of central Manchester on a weekly basis. We love our city! Manchester has a strength and personality that is unique. Favourite eatery? Emma: We love eating out! El Gato Negro in Manchester, Nutters restaurant, and a family favourite is Puccinis in Swinton. Things to do as a couple/family? Gary: You may have realised by now that we eat out often and are real foodies! As a family, we love watching sports, and we all go to watch Salford City as often as possible. Keeping fit and being active is also very important. Both our girls play netball at weekends, which keeps them busy. Where is your favourite holiday destination? Gary: Megève in France for the skiing. We all love Deia Mallorca for the tranquillity and great food. Emma: Bali - the incredible people, make it so special. What are the couple up to next / moving forwards? UA92? Emma: Gary is super busy getting the university (University Academy 92, offering sport, business and psychology degrees) started and his many business projects in the city. I’m looking forward to starting my studies in level 4 counselling and continuing to support CBUK. I suppose we cannot complete this interview without a cheeky prediction for the start of the next Prem season from both of them. Emma: We are both Manchester United fans and hope it’s an excellent season for them. Beyond that – we would hate to predict anything. Football can be an exhilarating, beautiful, but notoriously unpredictable game! The CBUK/Red Sea Pedestrians fundraising event takes place on September 27, 2018, at Victoria Warehouse. Tables of 10: £5 000. Email: taylor.lynn@tlc-ltd.co.uk (tlc-ltd.co.uk)

“ Our kids have transformed our lives, and we love spending time with them ” 33

Thai

Way

WORDS: JOE WORTHINGTON

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Food & Drink

Phuket’s celebrity chef Tammasak Chootong reveals his culinary inspirations

ne of the most famous and celebrated chefs in Thailand, Tammasak Chootong, or “Chef Noi” to viewers of the TV show Iron Chef Thailand, has taken Phuket Island by storm. Chef Noi has pioneered a Euro-Thai culinary ethos that utilises the finest and freshest locally-sourced ingredients together with European cooking and presentation techniques. Chef Noi learned his skills in the heat of several Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe, he cooked on board the Queen Elizabeth II cruise liner and was a senior chef for the JW Marriott and Banyan Tree resorts in Phuket. Since returning to his hometown, Chef Noi has developed the acclaimed SUAY restaurants brand and the Positive Kitchen culinary school.

We asked Chef Noi about his culinary inspirations and his Phuket roots. Where do you find your inspiration for the menus at your SUAY restaurants? I love Thai cuisine, especially the complex flavours and stimulating textures of our dishes. As a Thai, I personally enjoy local ingredients that make me feel a sense of home as I savour their tastes, and this has been my inspiration. When I set out to design a menu or a particular dish for the two SUAY Restaurants, I always keep in mind how best to stay true to basic and traditional components of a dish and showcase the “Thai-ness” of it, while enhancing flavours and incorporating lighter and more refined ingredients that appeal to a western palate. Why did you choose to open your flagship restaurant in Phuket as opposed to anywhere else? I spent time in Europe training in a Michelinstar restaurant and heading the kitchen on board an exclusive passenger cruise liner. But I always knew that I was going to return to my home and do what I love here.

SUAY Restaurants Chef Noi established the instantly successful SUAY restaurants brand in 2010, fulfilling his lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant on the island of his birth. His flagship SUAY restaurant is in Phuket Town, and this is where Chef Noi puts his many culinary ideas to the test. The restaurant combines fine dark leathers, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a manicured floral lawn, stone statuettes, and a cosy wooden balcony for those steamy Phuket evenings. Seven years later, the second SUAY restaurant was opened, SUAY Cherngtalay, a relaxed and stylish establishment with brown suede chairs, heavy wooden tables, tiled flooring, and an outdoor patio and bar overlooking a courtyard and private BBQ terrace for those more intimate foodie occasions.

I came to Phuket to work with leading luxury resorts on the island, and throughout that time I have come to love this paradise island that is not only beautiful but also rich in culinary history. Inspired by this, I decided to settle down here with my family and open the flagship SUAY Restaurant in Phuket. How has your time training and working abroad influenced your cooking? In addition to the skills of managing either a large or meticulous kitchen, or often a combination of both, during my time abroad I came to appreciate advanced and simplified cooking techniques aimed to enhance or preserve tastes, textures, and the healthfulness of ingredients. Many times, these essences can be diminished in Thai food through stir-frying and other similarly harsh methods. I tend to use modern cooking techniques to preserve flavours and the quality of the ingredients better, and create a lighter and healthier dish.

Positive Kitchen Chef Noiâ€™s talents donâ€™t stop at restaurants, and he also owns a catering, food consultancy, and cookery school in his own home, Permsap Villa near Cherngtalay. Not only do guests at Positive Kitchen learn how to cook the dishes that tantalise the taste buds of food critics from across the globe, but groups can also organise wine tasting sessions, intimate home-cooked dining on the 12-seater dining terrace and relax in the comfortable surroundings of an authentic Phuket villa.

You have a number of signature dishes at your restaurants. Which is your personal favourite? And why? Northern Thai cuisine is very special to me, and I always enjoyed the combination of sweet, sour, and savoury tastes that are characteristic of that region. And as a chef and restaurant owner, it is very rare that I get to sit down and enjoy a complete meal as I navigate both the kitchen and the floor each evening. So, my personal preference is the Thai Royal Leaf Wrap with Foie Gras and Tamarind Sauce because this bite-sized savoury dish is not only flavourful with the herbs, roasted coconut flakes, and Wild Betel leaf but also very easy to eat on the go.

â€œWhen people appreciate the creativity, skills and effort that 36

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Food & Drink

SUAY Menu The menus as SUAY Phuket Town and SUAY Cherngtalay take their inspiration from Chef Noi’s local roots but make the most of the European cooking methods from his time training amongst Michelin-starred chefs in Europe. Soups and salads are an integral part of Thai cuisine, as is meat and fish, and fresh fruits for dessert.

Starters

Why did you decide to open up your home to both professionals and amateurs for cooking classes through Positive Kitchen? It all comes back to a sense of home to me. As a chef, I enjoy cooking food for people, no matter where. And when people can appreciate not just the food but the creativity, skills and effort that go into a meal, then I am excited to share what I know with them. I have always felt that my home at Positive Kitchen is a place that is inviting and very much conducive to culinary entertainment. How do you source the ingredients for your dishes? The first part of my day is always to go to the local markets to select ingredients for the day. I prefer to see and choose fresh produce myself, so I can be assured of the quality of the ingredients, keep on top of seasonal and local selections, be inspired by the variety available, and connect with local vendors. Although we rely on importing some key ingredients for signature dishes, as much as possible, I try to source locally. Bookings can be made at www.suayrestaurant.com

In Thai cooking, starters are important; they cleanse the palate for the main dishes and prepare the taste buds for the symbolic spices that Thai cooking is renowned for. Diners’ favourites include the Signature “Laab tuna”, which features a fresh tuna tartar with miso-lime and a side of crispy fried mushrooms and Isaan spices, and “Tomkha cappuccino” soup, which is a broth of galangal and coconut with Thai herbs and grilled fresh scallops.

SUAY Speciality Dishes SUAY’s speciality dishes are the creation of Chef Noi, using local ingredients and European cooking methods. Diners particularly like “Phuket papillote”, a baked sea bass served with local vegetables in turmeric butter, and Signature “Phuket Paella”, baked rice with hot curry paste with assorted seafood and grilled whole lobster.

Desserts Thai meals are usually light on dessert options, but Chef Noi has included some indulgences to finish off meals, each with his signature twist, including Mango sticky rice, a sticky Thai rice spring roll filled with flamed mango and black sesame ice cream, and Brownies, home-baked with mango sauce and coconut ice cream.

go into a meal, I’m excited to share what I know with them” 37

LEADER of the

CLASS

A luxury pick-up might sound like a contradiction in terms, but Mercedes-Benz has made the combination work, as James Fossdyke has been finding out

hen Mercedes-Benz announced that it would build a luxury pick-up truck called the X-Class, the German company attracted the sort of questioning glances that make Roger Moore’s famous raised eyebrow look nonchalant. But although the words ‘luxury’, ‘pick-up’ and ‘truck’ may mingle as awkwardly as ‘excellent’, ‘German’ and ‘cuisine’, the idea is backed up by sound logic. You see, SUVs are seriously popular. If you wander down the streets of Alderley Edge, Hale Barns or any other affluent town you care to mention, you’ll find the kerbs peppered

with posh 4x4s. Standing out from the crowd, therefore, is difficult. You need something more imposing and more rugged than a Range Rover, but no less luxurious. That’s where the X-Class comes in. It’s loosely based on the Nissan Navara, which is widely regarded as one of the best pick-up trucks on the market, but it’s been heavily redesigned to ensure it’s both more luxurious and more capable than the Japanese vehicle. It certainly scores well on the luxury front. Sitting in most pick-up trucks is a bit like being a cookie in a Christmas selection box: it’s dark, it’s uncomfortable, and thin, shiny plastic surrounds you. In the X-Class, though, it’s much more like sitting behind the wheel of a premium SUV. Okay, a few of the fixtures aren’t quite what you’d expect from a Mercedes (mainly because they came from a Nissan) and there’s no obvious reason for the big, blank gap between the CD slot and the climate control switches, but otherwise, it’s very good. The infotainment system is straight from a C-Class saloon and the materials feel as though they belong to a car, not a workhorse. It’s certainly every bit as

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Drive

Drive | The CHESHIRE Magazine

premium as, say, a Jaguar E-Pace. And it has much more presence than the Jag, if only by dint of its size. At 5.3 metres long, two metres wide and more than 1.8 metres tall, it’s the sort of vehicle that projects an uncanny sense of imperviousness. If you meet one of these in anything smaller than a 32-tonne truck, you’ll get out of its way. Of course, plenty of pick-up trucks are similarly enormous, but the X-Class styling somehow gives it that little extra something. It’s difficult to put your finger on, but the suave Mercedes image seems to make the X-Class even more intimidating than its Nissan-badged cousin. The X-Class backs that image up with monstrous off-road capability. There is a selectable four-wheel-drive system, a low-range gearbox and about 22cm of ground clearance, so it’ll tackle terrain that would leave most SUVs floundering. It can wade through 60cm of water, too, and it’ll tow a trailer weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. It’s the way the X-Class behaves on the road that really impresses, though. Because their suspension is designed to carry a payload of up to one tonne, pick-ups often bounce around the road like Zebedee on speed, but the Mercedes doesn’t. Of course, the big Mercedes is nowhere near as smooth or as balanced as, say, a Porsche Cayenne, and it still leans a lot on bends, but it’s more comfortable and more stable than any other pick-up. There are issues, however, including the lack of a proper boot. You can buy covers for the rear-load bed, which is usefully enormous, but you will miss the convenience of an SUV’s integrated luggage bay. Another weak spot is the engine. It’s a 2.3-litre Nissan diesel that’s offered in 158bhp 220d and 187bhp 250d guises. Unsurprisingly, considering the X-Class weighs more than two tonnes, neither version is especially quick, and both are noisy whenever you try to use the

modest performance. Happily, though, Mercedes will soon introduce its own 3.0-litre V6 diesel that promises to be both more powerful and more refined. The price is a sticking point, too. If you want the luxurious 250d Power automatic version we tested — and you do, because the basic 220d Pure model comes with the less potent engine, a manual gearbox and little else — it’ll cost you almost £41,000 before you so much as see the options list. And the forthcoming 3.0-litre? That’s expected to cost around £50,000. That’s a huge amount of money for a pick-up. But before you dismiss it out of hand, consider this: because the X-Class can carry a one-tonne payload in its flatbed, the taxman considers it a ‘dual-purpose’ vehicle. So if you can convince your company to shell out for a top-of-the-range X-Class, it’ll cost you just £670 a year in company car tax (or double that if you pay 40 per cent income tax). Even a Ford Focus will cost you significantly more than that. But Mercedes’ mission was not to offer sales reps a cheap alternative to a Ford Focus; it was to provide you and me with a rugged SUV alternative. And in that aim, it’s succeeded. No, it doesn’t quite have the road manners of a Range Rover, but the shortcomings are minor enough to be forgiven by those who fall in love with the image.

“If you meet one of these in anything smaller than a 32-tonne truck, you’ll get out of its way.” 64

NEW AYGO X-PRESS AT NEW AYGO X-PRESS AT LINDOP TOYOTA LINDOP TOYOTA 15" alloy wheels 15" alloy wheels x-touch multimedia system with 7" colour screen andmultimedia reversing camera x-touch system with 7" colour screen and reversing camera Automatic air conditioning Automatic air conditioning

Lindop Toyota Lindop Toyota Station Road Station Road Queensferry Queensferry CH5 2TE CH5 2TE 821031 01244 01244 821031 lindop.toyota.co.uk lindop.toyota.co.uk

/LindopToyota /LindopToyota

@LindopToyota @LindopToyota

AYGO x-press 5 door 1.0 VVT-i Manual. Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 57.6 (4.9), Extra Urban 78.5 (3.6), Combined 68.9 (4.1).1.0 CO2VVT-i Emissions 93g/km. All mpg CO2 figuresFigures quoted in arempg sourced from official EU57.6 regulated test78.5 results. AYGO x-press 5 door Manual. Official Fuel and Consumption (l/100km): Urban (4.9), laboratory Extra Urban (3.6), These are68.9 provided comparisons between vehicles may not reflect actual driving experience. Fromlaboratory 1 September Combined (4.1). to COallow 2 Emissions 93g/km. All mpg and COand 2 figures quoted areyour sourced from official EU regulated test2017, results. certain vehicles be type-approved using thevehicles World Harmonised Light Vehicle Procedure whichFrom is a new, more realistic These arenew provided towill allow comparisons between and may not reflect yourTest actual driving(WLTP), experience. 1 September 2017, test procedure forcertain measuring consumption and CO2 emissions. September 2018 WLTP fully replace the New (WLTP), European DriveisCycle (NEDC), newfuel vehicles will be type-approved usingFrom the 1 World Harmonised Lightwill Vehicle Test Procedure which a new, more which realistic is the currentfor test procedure.fuel Due to more realistic the fuel consumption andWLTP CO2 emissions measured the WLTP are in many higher test procedure measuring consumption and test CO2 conditions, emissions. From 1 September 2018 will fully replace theunder New European Drive Cycle cases (NEDC), which compared those measuredDue under the NEDC. More information found by visiting www.WLTPfacts.eu is the currenttotest procedure. to more realistic test conditions,can thebefuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under the WLTP are in many cases higher Model shown MY18 AYGO x-press 5 under door 1.0 the VVT-iNEDC. Manual at ÂŁ12,630. Additional charges apply onby selected paint www.WLTPfacts.eu colours and finishes. Prices correct at time of going to print. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer compared toisthose measured More information can may be found visiting warranty. Terms and conditions apply. Model shown is MY18 AYGO x-press 5 door 1.0 VVT-i Manual at ÂŁ12,630. Additional charges may apply on selected paint colours and finishes. Prices correct at time of going to print. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. Terms and conditions apply.

LUXE LOVERS

With insider knowledge as a former Ibiza resident, Laura Garner steps into the position of travel writer and breaks down the must-visit places for a luxe break on the White Isle.

Touchdown Luxury begins in this small yet smart airport, and straight into the pick-up zone where there are so many options for getting around the White Isle to choose from. For a hassle-free trip, Infinity Luxury Car Service (https://www. infinityluxurycarservice.com/) have every journey from start to finish arranged. Think digital boards with your name on, air-con, mini-bar and a soft subtle soundtrack, to transport you to your next destination. If you’re more of a do-it-yourself driver, VIP Cars Ibiza (https://ibizavipcars.com/en/) are the epitome of high-end vehicle luxury. Choose from Aston Martin’s, Bentley’s to Maserati’s and even Ferrari’s - a home-from-home for some. For the fun-loving adventurer, one of the highly-available white taxi’s for five to seven people may suffice, and if you want to explore on a later date, Beach Buggies are the only way

to be seen pulling up to the beaches and coves on Evissa.

Sandy Sanctuary’s For all the fun and hype built around the new ‘it’ destination for the club-loving teens Playa den Bossa, venturing down the coast just a few minutes to Figueretas is where the real adult fun begins. Known as the islands’ destination for those with style, this small yet sun-drenched spot is sure to supply just the right amount of people watching. Its much-loved neighbour around from Dalt Villa, Talamanca, is where Cathy Gutta has just opened her latest beach party offering, Bikini

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

(bikinibycathyguetta.com) and Nobu (www. nobuhotelibizabay.com) has chosen to set up its hotel on the island. For those who want a true taste of laid-back Ibiza and long open stretches of beach, Sas Salinas is a must visit, as is the famous Cala Bassa Beach Club (http://cbbcibiza.com/ en/) and Babylon Beach (https://www. babylonbeachbar.com/). For picturesque views head to Cala d’hort where you’ll be blown away by the stunning (and magically magnetic) Es Vedra, which stands proudly in the Mediterranean Sea.

Lounging at Lunch Lunch is a thing in Ibiza, and it’s not just reserved for laying idol on a beach or hiding in your room for a siesta. Places like Cotton Beach Club (cottonbeachclub.com) have set a precedent for daytime drinking, lounging and eating and the original in Cala Tarida is one to visit about 2pm for good food and an even better soundtrack. Passion Cafe

(passion-ibiza. com) in Marina Botafoch is excellent for filling up with vitamins and nutrients lost in other parts of the island, and the area offers a tremendous post-lunch walk too. In Benirass each Sunday, a new meaning is given to a Sunday lunch, as Elements (www. elements-ibiza.com) serves as the starter course to an early evening of bongo drumming as thousands of islanders and tourists hit the beach to celebrate the sunset. Across the island around from San Antonio, El Chiringuito at Cala Gracioneta (http://elchiringuitoibiza. com) is the tiny but beautiful spot to grab a sparkling glass of something and kick back while grazing on some of the best tapas around. Well if it’s good enough for the Mambo Brothers…

Daytime deluxe Any luxe-lusting reveller worth their weight has been and been seen in Blue Marlin (www. bluemarlinibiza.com) - the very beautiful and stylish destination in Cala Jondal. The rocky beach is a dramatic and majestic setting for this lounge, restaurant and bar which famously has some of the best DJ’s on the island playing for

guests both day and night. Beach House (www. beachouseibiza.com) in Playa Den Bossa is a new addition to the roster, adding to the likes of Ushuaia (www.theushuaiaexperience.com) where resident DJ’s play for the sun-seeking loungers each day and it’s neighbour Hard Rock Hotel, which also offers up day passes for guests wanting a slice of the five star luxury party. Ultimate mid-day party vibes at their best are served up at Destino in Jesus though. We don’t need to tell you about it, just go and see for yourself.

Dinner with a difference When Heart Ibiza (www.heartibiza.com/) opened a couple of years ago, people said it would never work on the island. Cirque du Solei and two of Spain’s most prized chefs Ferran and Albert Adrià plus Guy Laliberté had islanders tutting, yet tourists intrigued. Fast forward to 2018 and Heart is celebrating one of it’s most successful years to date as the immersive, gastronomic, club-come-restaurant-come-circus

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

is a myriad of everything that makes Ibizan dining what it is today - fun! Across the harbour and into the old town, you can basque in the traditional cooking delights of Spain at La Bodega (www.labodegaibiza.es/ en/) - tapas like you will taste it nowhere else in the world. La Oliva (www.laolivaibiza.com) up the ramp in the old castle is a romantic spot, as are the likes of long-loved KM5 (km5-lounge.com/en), Bambudda Grove (www.bambuddha.com), Amante (www.amanteibiza.com) (outdoor cinema anyone) Sa Punta (www.sapuntaibiza.com) and of course former chapel, Sa Cappella. New kids of the dining spots include Nobu Hotel (www. nobuhotelibizabay.com), Izakaya (izakayarestaurant.com/ibiza) and STK (togrp.com/ venue/stk-ibiza), both of which have grown in gravitas in their short time on the island.

would have imagined Ibiza to be circa 1983. Carefully curated artwork, a dressing up room, beds for dancing on, a bathtub karaoke party complete with ball pond filling and the ultimate party host du jour, Sunny. For those who like to experience a larger club, Pacha (pachaibiza. com) is a must visit. This multi-layered super club was one of the originals and still stands as a must-visit to date. Amnesia (www.amnesia.es) for Music On (musicon.com) and the club’s younger sister Cova Santa (/www.covasanta.com) for after-party vibes and dancing from sunrise to sunset and back again. Its recent collaboration with Elrow and Absolute was out of this world!

Sleep, rest and recoup Hotel MiM Es Vive (www.hotelmimibiza.com) is by far one of the chicest hotels on the island. Nestled away in an unassuming back street in Figueretas, this art deco inspired hotel has its

Into the night Hi (www.hiibiza.com) might be the new club name on everyone’s lips but for anyone that knows what a party means in Ibiza has a tale or two to tell about Pikes. Free entry and guest list on request, plus a rural location mean that Pikes (www.pikesibiza.com) is intentionally off the beaten-track and wants to stay that way. Now run by it’s more commercial older brother Ibiza Rocks (think Craig David and live shows by urban/indie artists), Pikes is everything you

own private club, spacious and airy rooms and the most brilliant room service you could ever imagine. For out-of-the-way relaxing and recuperating, try Atzaro (www.atzaro.com). If it’s linear pool doesn’t send you into a trance, the daily yoga sessions and spa treatments certainly will. Similarly, the pools in the Hacienda Na Xamena (https://www. haciendanaxamena-ibiza.com/) are as equally divine as the rooms. Disclaimer: All businesses featured in this article were operating at the time of print. The Cheshire Magazine does not accept any responsibility for a negative outcome upon recommending any of the services and places mentioned in this article.

The Cheshire Magazine

charity lunch in aid of Elle for Elle

Opera Grill Chester Thursday 27th September 2018 12 noon

The Cheshire Magazine

charity lunch in aid of Elle for Elle

The afternoon commences with a drinks reception, followed by a two-course lunch, shopping, entertainment and lots of chances to win unique gifts and experiences.

buy your tickets online now at: https://goo.gl/jQmGmc

The Cheshire Magazine August