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Elevating FAMILY Wellness The synergy of sauna bathing and swimming at home
A Sanctuary i n St Morit z A winter break at the Carlton Hotel
Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine
John & Lisa’s Food Tri Tr ip Dow Do wn Unde nderr ITV’s hugely popular culinary couple John Torode MBE and Lisa Faulkner embark on a journey of a lifetime where the pair travel 500 miles along the beautiful coast of Western Australia in search of the very best local food and wine for a brand new five week series
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roud Australian chef John Torode travelled with his wife, actress and home cook, Lisa Faulkner along a gourmet route of discovery as he returned to the place where his passion for food and cooking began. They meet chefs, winemakers, food fanatics and entrepreneurs creating incredible produce in new ways, from black truffles to abalone, and experience some of Western Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.
What can viewers expect from this brand new series?
John: Australia is so massive that it’s really hard to see all of it. I’ve been lucky to see quite a bit during my life but where we got to go to for this series I had never been to before so it was a dream come true! We went south from Perth along the Margaret River coastline as well as more inland and got to see everything from the amazing seasides, to the huge ancient Southern forests where the Karri trees were the biggest I’ve ever seen in my life. Lisa: It’s such a lovely series and it was so great to get to go away together to a place that we didn’t know much about. And I have to say, I fell in love with Western Australia and that side of the country. Australia is beautiful and just stunning. This was just a really wonderful trip and I was so surprised at how varied one area can be. The beaches, countryside, forests, wildlife - everything you could imagine within just a couple of hours of each other. It was incredible!
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John: Such a beautiful place and the towns were wonderful, and wherever you are in Australia, you can always get a good cup of coffee too!
What were you most excited about?
L: It was a road trip! We could have shared the driving...but I must say that I prefer John to drive. I like to sit and take in the scenery! I remember just looking out of the window saying ‘Oh My God’ a lot at all the wonders we were witnessing. To explore so many new things together during this trip was what made it so exciting. We just got to see so many beautiful places.
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Lisa: To explore so many new things together during this trip was what made it so exciting. We just got to see so many beautiful places
J: Oh yeah, it was our first time going to Western Australia together and we were very excited. We really loved it and when we went down to Margaret River, we honestly felt that this was the sort of place you could live. There was one day where we got up, had a walk along the beach first thing in the morning - and we didn’t realise the cameras were on us - and we were just chatting away having such a nice time. The next thing you know we were going to an amazing restaurant by Busselton Jetty and then went to a Beerfarm, we were just thinking ‘this is work! This is our job!’ It was fantastic, very humbling. We just hope people love going on this journey with us as much as we enjoyed it all.
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others to jump on a plane and discover Western Australia like we did as well. L: I’m sure it will. For us, it was just great to taste and discover so much together as we went along and to not do all the cooking for a change!
Were there any surprises during the series or things that you discovered about each other or the different locations? L: I don’t think there was anything new that I discovered about John on this trip, I know my husband pretty well! But it was one of those trips where every time I stepped out of the car, I did just look around and go ‘wow’. We take so much for granted and we are very lucky in our jobs, it really was a trip of a lifetime to see all these places during
You both have busy schedules so when working projects come up that require being together it must be pretty special...
J: Yes! Whenever we do television together we are just being us. How we are on Weekend Kitchen for example is just how we are. For this series we got to wear GoPro cameras when we were driving together and were told that that was some of the best material because it was just so natural - with the odd funny remark or a grab of some chocolate from the glovebox! It was just great fun and I hope it inspires
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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine
The Ult ltiima matte
Winte interr
Wardr rdro obe Whether you are hitting the slopes or embracing the Winter period, Polarn O. Pyret (or PO.P for short), have got you covered with its collection of expertly designed outerwear. PO.P’s winter heroes will get little ones geared up for all weathers so they can embrace the elements in style, come rain, wind and even snow. First up is the Padded Waterproof Coat, coming in array of colours to suit any style. The functional yet stylish waterproof coat promises to fend off the cold and wet weather to keep little ones aged 2-10 dry and cosy. The coat is 100% waterproof so children can continue to play outside even in torrential rain. The coat has been made with hard wearing recycled polyester fabric with lightweight cosy padding to keep the cold out. Match this with PO.Ps Padded Trousers, perfect for any winter adventures at home or abroad. They are 100% waterproof, so no rainstorm will disturb outdoor play. They have been cleverly created with quality durable and breathable fabric to allow families to make the most of every day. These children’s trousers are nylon lined, with fleece at the seat for extra protection against the cold when sitting down. Designed to last for many ski trips to come, they have reinforced knees, seat and leg cuffs with practical snow locks. Thermals are a must for any cold climate. Polarn O.Pyret’s bestselling Thermal Merino wool layers come in mixture of vibrant colours as well as some muted taupe tones. They have been designed to help children regulate body temperature by trapping in warmth yet wicking away any unwanted cold moisture. They are made from cruelty-free
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quality merino wool, perfect for those cosy days at home or for layering up on an epic adventure. Finally, no outfit is complete without accessories. PO.P’s epic range of hats include cosy bobble hats to striped beanies with many different designs, there is something for every little one to keep heads all warm and toasty this winter. And like most items by PO.P, they are made from the best organic cotton. The kids gloves range includes magic mittens for little ones to high tech waterproof gloves for kids. Both have been designed to keep little hands warms and dry. Another favourite is PO.P’s fleece lined or merino wool snoods for the ultimate convenience. Built to last, PO.P accessories are super high quality and can be handed down through many generations, so they can be loved again and again.
polarnopyret.co.uk
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style
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Location Anantara The Marker offers contemporary urban luxury overlooking the Grand Canal Square’s waterfront. Perfectly located in the modernised Docklands, the hotel captures the unique mix of vibrant charm and rich culture that exemplifies the spirit of modern Dublin. Originally a significant Viking Settlement and Port, Dublin’s character has been shaped by architecture spanning from Medieval to Modern times. In recent years the area has developed to become one of the trendiest places to live, work and play in Dublin. It is the home to the headquarters of numerous tech giants such as Facebook, TikTok and Google and is a short 15 minute walk to the city centre.
History The hotel name ‘The Marker’ is a mark of respect for one of the greatest inland trade routes, the Grand Canal. The direct link with the exotic trading hubs of Europe, the Grand Canal’s 82 miles were lined with cast iron ‘markers’. These markers were like milestones, showing travellers how far they had to go until journey’s end. The final marker was right where the hotel is located now, in Grand Canal Square.
Design Designed by the Portuguese architect, Manuel Aires Mateus, the building’s architecture draws on the elemental nature of the Irish landscape and combines it with a sleek urban aesthetic. Inspiration comes from the geometric shapes that exist naturally on the Irish land, from the rugged Burren Landscape to the unique hexagonal stones of the Giant’s Causeway. This elemental style is carried right through from the stunning ground floor bar and brasserie, through the unique geometric layouts of the bedrooms and up to the rooftop garden.
weekend away
Anantara The Marker Dublin Set on Grand Canal Square in Docklands, Craig Hough visited the charming Anantara The Marker Dublin
Rooms
Energy Theatre. The room was bathed in natural light with a floor-to-ceiling window, had wooden panelling across one side of the room with an inlaid TV and entertainment system and a fully stocked mini bar. The bathroom was stunning and included a rain shower and Villeroy & Boch marble bathtub to unwind in.
All of the 187 bedrooms in the hotel are roomy and we enjoyed a premium room with a view over Bord Gáis
Food & Beverage Breakfast was served in Forbes Street, a restaurant by chef Gareth Mullins, who is a staunch advocate of Irish produce. There was an array of goodies served up, buffet style, and the welcoming team were quick to find us a seat and take our coffee order before we went to sample the many tasty hot and cold dishes on offer. We enjoyed our evening meal in The Marker Bar, which was a more relaxed, spacious area, with many guests dining and enjoying cocktails. The bar and lounge menu was more informal than the menu offered in the evening at Forbes
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel
ending your visit with a relaxing massage. What more do you need on a weekend away?
Dockland Experience
Streets, with items ranging from sandwiches, salads and sharing plates to burgers, fish and chips and Moroccan tagines. The sleek bar is a perfect place to kick back, enjoy a cocktail and meet fellow guests.
Anantara Spa The award-winning Spa at Anantara The Marker offers a haven of wellbeing in the middle of Dublin. The spa area is easily accessible via the lift and is a gorgeous, relaxing space. You can enjoy a refreshing morning dip in the infinity pool, work out in the gym and then unwind in the sauna and jacuzzi before
The highlight of our visit was meeting the renowned Irish storyteller Derek Brennan as he took us on a Dockland Experience tour. We were enthralled with every enchanting tale Derek shared, as he showed us around the hotel and up onto the Rooftop Bar & Terrace which offered an amazing 360 degree view of the city. Derek also showed us around Dockland, sharing stories of its history, and took us to the place U2 would practise in their early days. A great photo opportunity for music lovers, fans flock to the area to this day to pay tribute. Our tour ended back at the hotel, where Derek showed us the VIP entrance, reserved for high-profile guests (including politicians, actors and sports teams), who are often looked after by his son, who also worked at the hotel. As were viewing the event space, Lorraine Keane – a famous Irish TV presenter – stopped to say hello as she had been hosting a family event at the hotel the previous evening. Dubliner Derek thrives in his role as guest experience manager and seems to know every guest and staff member in the hotel. The tour ended at The Marker’s Bar where we enjoyed a (gorgeous) Irish coffee, as Derek spoke fondly of his wife, and proudly showed pictures from the wedding of his daughter, who had recently got married at the hotel. The Marker is a real family affair.
My Experience A weekend at The Marker offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a new rejuvenated part of the city, that’s easily in reach of the historic landmarks. If you’re looking for contemporary urban luxury, elite wellness facilities with Irish hospitality, make Anantara The Marker Dublin your next stay. anantara.com 57
Drive | The CHESHIRE Magazine
G N I G RA
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Drive
If Lamborghini supercars are supposed to be unhinged, writes James Fossdyke, then the bonkers Huracan Sterrato must be the most definitive Lamborghini of them all
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upercars can do many things. They can excite, they can terrify and they can bankrupt. They can strip you of your dignity and your driving licence in a heartbeat, and they can bring joy to small children anywhere. Yet for many things, they’re useless. Speed bumps, for example, are right out, and they aren’t especially useful for trips to the shops. Not only will they guzzle fuel faster than a small airliner, but cramped cabins and non-existent luggage bays mean they’re about as practical as Jimmy Choo’s stilettos. As we all know, Lamborghini makes the definitive supercars. Fire-breathing monsters that howl at the moon as they roar past, their brightly coloured bodywork punching improbably shaped holes in the air. They are, in a word, mad. And that’s why we love them. Nobody buys a Lamborghini because they need such a thing. They buy one because it’s the car they always dreamed of as a child, doodling in the back of a maths book. By definition, therefore, the Lamborghini Huracan is one of the most definitive supercars of the lot. Striking? Yep. Impractical? Oh, yeah. Fast? Very. Loud? Definitely. Unhinged? Absolutely. Surely, then, it would be impossible to build anything more ridiculous than the Huracan – a car that sees a tank of petrol not as a container of dinosaur juice, but as its morning espresso. But as you can see from these pictures, Lamborghini has done exactly that. It’s called the Huracan Sterrato, and it builds on the already bonkers Huracan not with more power, more performance or even more outlandish paint colours, but by taking it off-road. Yep, Sterrato means ‘dirt road’, and this car is designed to take the Lamborghini experience away from the asphalt of Italy’s race tracks and motorways, and on to the infamous strade bianche – the white roads that criss-cross Italy, connecting Champagne socialists’ Tuscan villas with civilisation. Or at least the local ‘enoteca’. Of course, the idea is ridiculous. Nobody could ever fit the volume of biodynamic Chianti required for a Champagne socialist’s breakfast
in the front of a Huracan. But when have fundamental flaws ever stopped Lamborghini from making something? So here it is, complete with outrageous off-road tyres, raised ride height and roof rails, which allow you to put a roof rack on the top. Add in some underbody protection to stop any loose stones damaging the delicate underside, as well as a dorsal air intake to help reduce the chances of the engine swallowing any dust or gravel, and your Lamborghini is suddenly less supercar and more rally car. Except it isn’t, because while rally cars are obliged to have small engines, the Sterrato definitely does not. In fact, it gets the same 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine as any other Huracan, albeit with slightly less power. But in the world of Lamborghini, “slightly less” power doesn’t mean much. Whereas a Huracan Tecnica, the sweetest of the road-going Huracan models, gets 631bhp, the Sterrato gets ‘ just’ 602bhp. And while the Tecnica sends its power purely to the rear wheels, the Sterrato uses all-wheel drive for greater traction. As a result, the Sterrato is quick. Not Tecnica quick, admittedly, but more than fast enough. Getting from 0-62mph takes just 3.4 seconds, and the top speed is well over 160mph. And it’s all made possible by that glorious engine. Were it not for its size and its incredible vocal range, the Huracan’s V10 would be nothing to write home about. There’s no clever hybrid system, there’s no clever supercharger, and it doesn’t run on mhyrr. Instead, it’s a dirty great sledgehammer that lives behind the Sterrato’s two seats, creating untold noise and carbon emissions, with a side salad of performance. Even starting it is an event. Push the brake pedal, lift the red cage on the centre console and press the hexagonal button beneath, and all hell breaks loose. The engine coughs and snarls like a bear rudely awoken from hibernation, and then it settles into its restrained growl of simmering fury. Push the accelerator, and it shrieks in protest, giving all the neighbours (by which we mean everyone in the country) the impression they’re being attacked by a tiger. It’s a wonderful, wonderful engine, and likely
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