Food & Culture
food
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Wednesday October 21 | 2020
Sharing the perfect recipe of how to keep in touch with your foodie fans at this testing time... Local food blogger and supper club host Jo Banks of Alive with Flavour tells Eileen Leahy how she has remodelled her business to cope with Covid and why’s she’s hosting a special Halloween themed virtual event to help raise money for a children’s mental health charity
So Jo, how has your experience of lockdown been? I really like being at home! Like most families we have had our challenges, thank goodness for our cocker spaniel, who needs a daily walk! Joking aside, it’s been a great time to focus on the family, supporting the local farm shops and eating in! I have enjoyed practising new skills, experimenting in the kitchen with seasonal ingredients, learning a whole new way of presenting virtually, and generally having a time to assess my business.
How were you able to keep doing what you love but without having the opportunity to meet people in person? We have continued the food experience (bringing people together through good food) with our virtual ‘cookalongs’, recipe demonstrations, supper clubs and deliveries to your door. Our main mission is to continue to showcase what’s new in food keeping it fun and achievable.
What lessons do you think you have learnt from this situation for you and your business? How important it is to keep in touch with fellow foodies, talking together
One of our most popular Halloween events has been at Chiddingstone Castle, such a great setting to do a day of spooky baking, games and fun.
and being positive! Food is a comfort and a companion: we have had so many virtual experiences sharing stories and inspiration and that’s what it’s all about! Our next virtual supper club on November 4 is a Mexican Fiesta, so we are sipping a mojito while cooking a few Mexican favourites! Through our lockdown cookalongs we have reached Wales and Somerset and chatted all things food with guests from Italy, Spain and beyond, there are no limits when its online, that has been a major positive!
When did you start being able to run a near normal service for Alive with Flavour or are you still doing everything virtually? We are keeping online for the moment. We are thrilled to launch our online shop which is bringing Christmas experiences to your door, perfect for small groups to be creative and celebrate together this festive season.
And can you tell us what you will be doing this year instead?
FLAVOUR SAVIOUR: Jo Banks who runs the Alive with Flavour cookery blog
Why did you choose to support Young Minds? I am pleased to be highlighting the valuable work that it provides. It’s been a challenging time for so many but young people’s mental health is an important issue and one that can get forgotten. Cooking and baking, experimenting with simple ingredients, is not only educational but
And what about Halloween, which is one of your busiest times? Well, with half term just around the corner I would be busy teaching and running local workshops for young chefs and Duke of Edinburgh courses.
· CINEMA · In The Heart Of Tunbridge Wells ·
Singin' in the Rain · Tue 6 Oct · 2pm · 103mins ·
Amélie · Tue 13 Oct · 8pm · 117mins · 15 ·
Withnail & I · Tue 6 Oct · 2pm · 108mins · 15 ·
We had great support back in the spring as we did our first Junior Virtual Bake Off so we have decided to run another one on Halloween. It will take place on Facebook LIVE and it is open to any children under the age of 16 years old who would like to take part in our baking challenge! Back in April we raised over £250 for our local NHS, this time we want to smash that as we are raising support and awareness for the brilliant Young Minds, the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
Tell us what else you have coming up for the rest of the year that people can get involved in? You can join our Alive with Flavour membership for just £22 till the end of the year and this includes access to all our recipes, videos with tips and tricks from our guest chefs, discounts from our recommended suppliers and a reduced members’ price at our events including online supper clubs!
And finally please tell us about your special Christmas delivery boxes... This time of year we are normally busy planning our Christmas workshops and as numbers are limited and restrictions are still in place we cannot run them as we would have liked. Therefore we have an ‘Experience Box’ to your door! It’s all about making your wreath, putting the finishing touches on delicious festive canapés and sweet treats being creative and making Christmas your own!
01892 678678 · trinitytheatre.net
"Hugo and I are very pleased to be able to help Trinity by Sponsoring A Step. I have been involved in drama since moving to Tunbridge Wells in 1955 and remember the days of bucket rattling — well we had to save Trinity from demolition – you name it we did it! Trinity's strength is in its community, a collection of people coming together for a common purpose." Margaret & Hugo, Box Office Volunteers
Rear Window · Tue 13 Oct · 2pm · 115mins · PG ·
Misbehaviour · Wed 14 Oct · 8pm · 106mins · 12A ·
it develops creativity and confidence. It is such a valuable life skill. We can’t wait to announce our baking challenge this Halloween, join us on www.facebook.com/alivewithflavour Facebook LIVE at 10am.
Breakfast at Tiffany's · Tue 20 Oct · 2pm · 115mins · PG ·
· SPONSOR A STEP ·
Help Hugo and Step Up for Trinity!
MEMBERSHIP Parasite · Tue 20 Oct · 8pm · 132mins · 15 ·
My Neighbour Totoro · Sun 25 Oct · 5pm · 87mins · U ·
Labyrinth · Tue 27 Oct · 8pm · 98mins · U ·
· SUPPORT TRINITY THEATRE ·
MEMBERS PRICES PRIORITY BOOKING Eternal Beauty · Wed 28 Oct · 8pm · 95mins · 15 ·
Queen & Slim · Tue 3 Nov · 8pm · 132mins · 15 ·
· Single £30 · Joint £45 ·