Food and drink

TV chef Jamie Oliver raked in £28.5million last year as he continued to bounce back from his restaurant chain collapse.

Jamie Oliver Holdings’ bumper 2024 income came from TV shows, book sales and restaurants.

It also covered his cookery school and fees for promoting Tesco.

Jamie’s Italian chain collapsed in 2018, with debts of £83million.

But he now has international brands and a restaurant in Covent Garden, central London.

Revenues were up from £27.1million in 2023, Companies House files show.

But profits took a slight dip to £4.6million last year, from £5.2million.

The chef and his wife Jools, both 50, received dividends of £3million.

A report said: “The principal drivers of this decrease in profitability were reduced revenue from the effects of the cyclical nature of long term partnerships contracts, partially offset by savings in central staff costs (excluding Owned and Operated sites)

“We have delivered new Jamie Oliver titles in both book and TV formats during the year and there has been continued strong performance from back catalogue book titles and our international television content distributor.

“The Board recognises that the Jamie Oliver brand is a key asset of the Group and is confident that the night controls are in place to protect its value.”

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SWEET-TOOTHED fans can now get their hands on a new Penguin selection box.

McVitie’s has revealed its first ever Penguin Selection Box as part of its festive lineup of products.

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The box (RRP £3) includes six Penguin treats across a variety of flavours.

There are two original Penguin milk chocolate biscuit bars, one Penguin Mint, one Penguin Orange, in addition to two bags of mini biscuits.

The biscuit bags are in the Cocoa and Cocoa & Orange flavours.

McVitie’s says that the box “comes in bright seasonal packaging featuring the iconic Penguin jokes, along with a maze and word search on the back.”

While savvy shoppers have spotted the box on Asda shelves, it has yet to be listed online.

The new product does feature on the Tesco website, where it is currently marked as “out of stock”.

Other festive finds

McVitie’s festive range also includes the Chocolate Digestives Anniversary Tin, celebrating 100 years since the inception of these beloved biscuits.

The 340g tin contains milk, dark chocolate and white digestives.

You can find this exclusively in Sainsbury’s for £7.50.

This winter you can also try the Flipz Gingerbread Flavour Coated Pretzels Share Bag (RRP £2).

And McVitie’s are adding a seasonal spin to a much-loved favourite, giving their White Digestives a festive makeover with playful snowflakes and snowmen packaging.

McVitie’s isn’t the only brand to have revealed new festive products.

The M&S Christmas range for 2025 includes new products such as the Original Peanut Butter & Jelly Munch, as well as a Peanut Butter & Jelly Spread.

The iconic Munch tins first launched in 2021, but this year’s version has been given an American twist, with the treats now available as a peanut butter and jelly flavour.

Last year, the M&S Very Merry Munch tin was advertised as “perfect for movie nights”, with fans calling it “heaven”.

Marmite fans may also like to try the Pecan & Salted Caramel Blondies with a hint of marmite, as well as the new M&S marmite caramel sauce.

Mars have also revealed new Christmas chocolate treats, including a Milky Way Advent Calendar released for the first time and sold exclusively in Asda.

If you’re a Tesco shopper, you’ll be able to get hold of the new Galaxy Miniatures Pouch.

Shoppers were quick to spot the new pouches on the supermarket shelves, with some taking to the Snack Reviews Facebook group to comment: “This bag is perfect,” said one user.

“I need some of these,” added another.

The 260g pouches contain a mix of individually wrapped Galaxy chocolates in the original Smooth Milk and Caramel flavours.

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AS the winter months draw near, a new flavour of a popular treat is set to hit shelves.

McVitie’s, Penguin and Flipz have unveiled a new festive range to get people in a Christmas mood.

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With Christmas now firmly on the horizon, many people across the country will be looking for snacks to get them in the spirit.

Some people will no doubt go straight for old favourites like mince pies and pigs in blankets.

But this unconventional bag could be just what the doctor ordered.

The Flipz Gingerbread Flavour Coated Pretzel Share Bag offers a festive treat of a different variety.

A spokesperson said: “Bring festive flavour to your snacking with Flipz Gingerbread Flavour Coated Pretzels Share Bag.

“These special festive treats feature crunchy, sweet-and-salty pretzels coated in a smooth gingerbread flavoured layer, finished with a creamy drizzle, creating the perfect balance of sweetness and salty crunch.

“Packed in a larger 150g sharing pouch, this is the ultimate snack for winter movie nights with friends or to self-indulge.”

The bags are exclusive to Salisbury’s stores.

But it’s not the only treat to offer a Christmas-y flavour as the darker months await.

Those craving more gingerbread can enjoy the McVitie’s Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives.

Retailing for £2.25, these biscuits offer an old classic with a twist.

As spokesperson said: “Bring a festive twist to your celebrations with Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives.

“Returning as a limited-edition treat for 2025, the rich, warming taste of gingerbread paired with creamy milk chocolate gives a new take on the nation’s favourite biscuit.

“If you did not manage to get your hands on this festive edition run from last year, you have been granted a second chance!”

Emma Johnson, Sweet Seasonal Brand Manager for McVitie’s, said: “The festive season is such a wonderful time, and McVitie’s is honoured to play a part in the nation’s celebrations each year.

“Whether you’re spending quality time with loved ones, looking to get-together with friends, or hunting down stocking fillers for the big day, our McVitie’s range promises something special
for every moment.”

DOES it feel like you’re constantly squirming against the waistband of your jeans? And does your tummy often feel uncomfortably swollen?

Bloating is all too common – especially after a long day or a large meal.

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But it doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable when your guts just won’t play ball.

Your first instinct might be to try and keep your stomach sucked in, or pop a Rennie to provide some relief.

According to pharmacist Dipa Kamdar, there are natural ways to support your gut health and bring down your bloat.

“For centuries, herbs and spices have been used in traditional medicine for their digestive benefits, and modern science is beginning to back up some of these age-old remedies,” the senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University wrote in The Conversation.

She shared five cheap ingredients “linked to better digestion” – some of which you might already have in your kitchen.

These range from peppermint and chamomile tea to cumin seeds.

Dipa said: “Herbs and spices are not a replacement for medical treatment, but they can complement a balanced diet and offer gentle support for everyday digestive issues.

“In normal amounts they are generally safe to cook with, but anyone with underlying conditions or on medication should consult a healthcare professional first.

“For many, though, a cup of chamomile tea or a sprinkle of cumin may be a simple – and tasty – step toward better digestive health.”

Here are five ingredients to eat or drink to slim down your waist and ease stomach discomfort.

1. Peppermint tea

Dipa said: “Peppermint is one of the best-known herbs for easing digestive distress.

“Its active compound, menthol, relaxes the muscles of the gut, helping to reduce bloating, gas and abdominal pain.

“It may also reduce sensitivity to pain, fight harmful bacteria and calm inflammation.”

According to the pharmacist, clinical trials have shown that taking peppermint oil capsules can relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms – from stomach cramps, to bloating and constipation.

But steer clear of peppermint oil if you have acid reflux, she warned.

The oil can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter – the muscle that stops stomach acid flowing back into the throat – which may trigger heartburn, especially if you haven’t eaten anything.

Sipping on peppermint tea will be gentler and may offer similar benefits, Dipa noted.

2. Chamomile tea

Do you like to sip on chamomile tea before bed?

It may do more that make you feel sleepy, according to Dipa, who said the flower “may also soothe the digestive system”.

“Chamomile tea is one of the world’s most popular herbal drinks and has long been used to ease indigestion, gas, stomach upset and gut irritation,” she wrote.

“Evidence is mostly traditional, but animal studies show chamomile extract can reduce stomach ulcers thanks to its antioxidant properties.”

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The popular tea may also help ease an upset tummy, Dipa added.

“Another trial found that children with mild diarrhoea recovered more quickly when treated with a chamomile mixture.”

She noted that the study combined chamomile with other herbs

Dipa also cautioned that some people may be allergic to chamomile.

3. Fennel seeds

Known for their sweet anise-like flavour, fennel seeds are frequently added to stews and curries – but they may also help gut discomfort and bloating.

“Fennel is traditionally chewed after meals in many cultures to freshen breath and aid digestion,” Dipa said.

“Its seeds are high in insoluble fibre, which helps prevent gas build-up and bloating.”

Eating more insoluble fibre can help with bloating in the long run.

The NHS recommends about 30g of fibre a day.

But make sure you gradually add fibre to your diet, as overdoing it can actually lead to more gas and bloating.

Dipa went on: “Anethole, fennel’s main active compound, is chemically similar to dopamine and relaxes gut muscles – a mechanism confirmed in lab studies.

“In a small trial in people with IBS, fennel reduced cramp-like abdominal pain, probably due to this muscle-relaxing effect.

“Human trials are limited, but fennel’s long history of safe use supports its traditional role in digestive care.”

4. Cumin

“Cumin has an equally long track record for easing digestive problems,” Dipa added.

“Modern studies suggest it boosts digestive enzyme activity, speeding the breakdown of food.

“It also encourages the release of bile from the liver, which helps digest fats and absorb nutrients.”

She cited one study conducted on rats, which found cumin shortened the time food spent in the digestive tract by about 25 per cent.

This is “likely due to these enzyme and bile effects”, the pharmacist said.

“In a clinical trial of 57 people with IBS, concentrated cumin significantly eased symptoms within two weeks,” she added.

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5. Carom seeds

Carom seeds, also known as Ajwain, are a spice with a strong, bitter, thyme-like flavour, and are a staple in Indian cuisine.

“They’ve been used for centuries to relieve gas and bloating, probably because of thymol, a compound that stimulates the stomach to produce more acid — sometimes up to four times more,” Dipa said.

Again, studies on the spice’s digestive effects tend to conducted in animals.

A study on rats found that carom seeds made food move through the digestive tract faster, boosted digestive enzyme activity and increased bile secretion, which helps break down fats in food.

But Dipa warned: “Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid large doses, as high intakes have been linked to miscarriages.”

IRN Bru has launched a new winter flavour that has left shoppers divided.

Many have called for the popular soda to be “left alone” as others marvelled at the interesting mix.

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Irn Bru’s latest venture is made with a blend of spiced ginger and cinnamon.

The quirky drink comes packaged in a red can with the firm’s trademark logo on the front.

Unlike the OG drink, however, this special edition also features a giant snowflake as a nod to the festive season.

The new flavour has inspired awe and ire as dozens hopped online to share their views.

Some shoppers called for the drink to be “left alone”, while another simply said “ew”.

One user said: “As a Scottish person. Some things are just best left alone. Can’t beat the OG drink. Some things just need leaving alone.”

Others, however, enthused it’s the perfect teetotal tipple for Christmas.

One shopper said: “I got some yesterday, quite like it! It’ll never replace the 1901 stuff but it’s a pleasant drink for Christmas

Another added: “That sounds tempting!”

Winter Bru will roll out across shops from November 1 for a period of eight weeks.

It will be available in a 330ml can for £1.09.

Last year, the firm announced two new limited edition flavours that were said to taste like childhood sweets.

The Raspberry Ripple flavour and Wild Berry Slush were a huge success as fans rushed to stores to buy them.

One thrilled shopper took to social media and said: “The raspberry ripple one is lush.”

As a second chimed in with: “It tastes like Drumstick lollies.”

As a third agreed, saying: “I liked it tasted like a drumstick lolly to me.”

“Yesssirr that drinks my favourite flavour Irn Bru bought four cans of the raspberry ripple it was that good,” said another.

Before a final shopper commented: “Irn Bru is my all time favourite drink so wasn’t sure about these flavoured ones, but this tastes and smells exactly like a drumstick lolly. Soooooo good!!”

As others compared the interesting new flavour to an ice cream arctic roll, a classic screwball dessert or even raspberry sauce you find in an ice cream truck.

With one describing it as having “heavy nostalgic vibes of going to an ice cream van and asking for a screwball ice cream and they put that raspberry sauce on it. Taste vibes”.

THE highstreet discount store is asking shoppers to stop using Harry Potter mugs immediately as they contain ‘unsafe metals’.

TKMaxx is recalling Harry Potter and South Park mugs, because they do not meet the safety standards required for materials that come into contact with food or drink.

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The Harry Potter mug from Blue Sky Designs Limited allowed fans to “create their own Hogwarts” by customising the mug with 13 reusable stickers.

The other mug features characters from hit American cartoon South Park.

People who bought the items with product codes 013167 and 596096 should return the items to any TK Maxx or Homesense store.

The recall on both mugs was triggered when testing revealed that the coating may release levels of heavy metals that exceed safe limits, potentially posing a health risk if used to consume food or drinks.

Heavy metals include arsenic, mercury and lead as well as lesser known ones such as cadmium – but it is unclear what metals the warning includes.

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Therefore TKMaxx is urging anyone who bought either the Harry Potter or South Park mug, sold between May and September 2025 to “stop using it immediately”.

A TK Maxx spokesperson said: “The vendor is recalling these products because they do not meet safety standards for materials intended to come into contact with food.”

“Testing has shown that the coating may release levels of heavy metals that exceed safe limits, which could pose a potential health risk if used with food or beverages.”

Possible side effects of consuming unsafe metals include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and organ damage to the brain, kidneys, and liver.

Chronic exposure, if left untreated can result in serious long-term issues, including anemia, miscarriage, developmental problems in children, and brain damage.

Shoppers are to return the items to any TK Maxx or Homesense store for a full refund or replacement.

Anyone with further questions can call 01923 473561 or email [email protected]. 

This comes only days after the company urgently recalled a kids’ swimming item that “could pose a risk of drowning.”

From April to August, the retailer had sold a range of Children’s Swim Vests that they’ve now said could pose a safety hazard.

TK Maxx says the affected product codes on price ticket and receipt include 819852, 819854, 819856, 819864, 819866, 819868, 819870, 819884, 819886, 819888, 819904, 819906, 819908, 819910, 819911, 819912, 819914.

BISCUIT fans, rejoice – the Tim Tam Sweet & Salty is back for good after sparking a shopping frenzy across the UK.

The Aussie choccie treat hit Tesco shelves in July as a limited edition and vanished almost instantly, with desperate snackers even hunting them down on eBay.

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The biscuit was first created as a tongue-in-cheek April Fool’s joke online – but demand went wild, forcing makers to put it into production.

Brits flooded comment sections with comments in fear the treat would not make a return to UK shelves. 

One shopper said: “My local Tesco store is no longer stocking this!”

Another added: “I’ve not been able to find a single packet in my store!” 

Now, Tim Tam bosses say it’s here to stay.

From October 3, shoppers can grab the cult treat in Tesco stores nationwide.

Talyah Falabella, Tim Tam’s international marketing manager, said: “The response to Tim Tam Sweet & Salty in the UK has been nothing short of incredible. 

“What was meant to be a limited-edition treat quickly became one of our most talked-about biscuits, with fans desperate to find it in stores.”

Tim Tams have long been Australia’s best-loved biccy – a crunchy biscuit with smooth cream filling, all covered in chocolate. Now Brits are well and truly hooked.

So, if you missed out the first time round, no need to raid eBay – just head to Tesco and bag yourself a packet of the viral biccy Brits can’t get enough of.

It comes after the release of the new white chocolate flavour earlier this month which left shoppers delighted. 

 Sainsbury’s supermarket was the first UK store to stock the white chocolate version of the snack.

One shopper said: “Need the white chocolate ones.”

While another eager customer said: “Sainsbury’s are now selling white chocolate timtams, my lil Aussie backpacker heart is so happy.”

And a third shopper simply said the treat looks “yummy”.

The tasty treat comes in many flavours, including chocolate and caramel.

Shoppers can also try out a range of other flavours too, including milk chocolate and extra chocolatey.

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COFFEE lovers are racing to grab a popular autumn-inspired beverage, and it’s costing them nothing but time.

TopCashback is offering a delicious deal for new members, to get £5 cashback for just a £2 spend on a hot drink of their choice.

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The deal means seasonal coffee trend followers can get certain sized pumpkin spiced lattes for free.

All shoppers need to do to secure the sweet deal is spend at least £2 on a hot drink.

Then, to claim the offer, shoppers must sign up to TopCashback via this special link.

After signing up, shoppers should snap a picture of their receipt and receive £5 cash back into their TopCashback account.

Starbucks has priced the warm version of the seasonal favourite Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte for £4.90.

Savings on TopCashback can be made on other cosy-weather purchases, even saving shoppers money in the lead up to Christmas.

 Topcashback will pay you when you sign up and make a purchase through its links.

You could then put this extra money into your savings.

Cashback deals are often advertised as a percentage.

For example, you would get up to 5% back when you spend £30 or more.

But you should always be cautious when spending and not let offers tempt you to hand over money you didn’t intend to spend.

Only use cashback to make a purchase if you were going to buy the item anyway.

Topcashback said its members earn more than £300 a year, which works out at around £25 a month.

So if you used TopCashback for every purchase until Christmas, then you would have £75 by December 25.

M&S weren’t to be outdone, adding new autumn drinks to their menu just in time for the seasonal shift.

The supermarket retailer revealed over 20 brand new items as part of the autumn menu shake-up.

As Autumn isn’t complete without the smell of cinnamon and cosy drinks, M&S has launched limited-edition cinnamon latte and matcha.

Alongside toasties and new drinks, M&S has also brought out a new line of breakfast rolls.

The halloumi and avocado ciabatta is stuffed with grilled halloumi, smashed avocado and zingy tomato and chilli chutney.

M&S cafe is also the first UK high street retailer to sell a gluten-free bacon roll loaded with smoked British bacon.

Plus, a load of old favourites and new showstoppers have been added to the bake and cake section.

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Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas

IF youre’ looking to save cash, you’ve come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that’ll save you £2k before Christmas.

• Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
• Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
• Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
• Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
• Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
• DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
• Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.

Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!

JUST hearing the name Courchevel conjures up images in my head of ­gold-trimmed ski jackets, sheepskin-draped lodges and food prices that would frighten even Jeff Bezos.

That’s because when I first skied in the area, nearly 20 years ago, a round of drinks in the part known as Courchevel 1850 would set you back the price of a small flat.

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But these days you don’t need to be a Silicon Valley tech bro or ­Russian oligarch to ski the resort’s 150km stunning pistes.

I was staying in the small resort of La Tania, the perfect gateway to the French alpine jewel of Courchevel, where celebs and royalty from Kate and Wills to the Beckhams have skied.

La Tania is — in French ski resorts terms — a tiddler of a place and has only been an official part of the Courchevel region since 2018.

Since then this purpose-built ­modern village, which only came to life for the 1992 Winter Olympics, has become a fixture for families and those looking for a cheaper and quieter place close to the action.

That action being Les Trois Vallées — aka the “world’s largest interconnected ski area” — where from €69 (£60) a day you can access 600km of runs, which is the equivalent of skiing from Paris to Geneva.

A key selling point of Les Trois Valées is that unlike many of the French resorts that have been affected by warmer weather, snow is guaranteed.

A whopping 85 per cent of all runs are at an altitude of over 1,800m — and half of them are green or blue. Some peaks on the region’s SIX ­glaciers are even above 2,500m — great for when the season has been a particularly snowless one.

I was staying at the beautiful Chalet Jonquille, a snowball’s throw from the town and the bottom of the main lift and run by the ever professional tour operator, Ski Beat.

From the outside it looks like a traditional A-frame chalet but inside it was all open plan and modern with a hot tub on the balcony and a cosy cinema room downstairs.

I always judge a chalet on the food — if it’s not up to scratch it can ruin a ski trip. And I was not disappointed.

After a full day on the mountains every cell in my body is crying out for a scalding hot fix of tartiflette or some other heavy French cuisine — and a few large glasses of red. I got that in spades.

BIKINI-CLAD DANCERS

Helpfully Ski Beat prides itself on offering top-notch cuisine and red and white wine on tap in its catered chalets.

The homemade cakes served for afternoon tea were so good you might be tempted to cut short your time on the slopes, just so you don’t miss out on a slice.

La Tania may be small but it is by no means a sleepy backwater.

There are many bars and restaurants in the village where you can do everything from chowing down on local delicacies like fondue to dancing to a band until the wee hours.

The imaginatively named Pub Le Ski Lodge is exactly that — a charming ski lodge with a decent selection of beers.

Half a litre of Pélican blonde (7.5%) will put hairs on your chest and knock out any aches and pains in your legs, as I found to my pleasure.

It also serves snacks like French tacos (try them!), which at ten euros a pop, won’t break the bank. Dining piste side, it can make a cheap and cheerful lunch spot.

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Courchevel also has its own La Folie Douce (a famous party bar) up at Meribel, where you can watch bikini-clad dancers pirouette on table tops as EDM beats pound your ears.

It’s a fairly show-off crowd but utterly fascinating to watch as they guzzle Veuve Clicquot out of the ­bottle in their Balenciaga salopettes.

The Bouc Blanc, also at Meribel, is a cheaper option where plats du jours are a more reasonable 21 euros

Views here are superb and when the sun is out there are few greater ways to spend a day — beer in hand, watching the world ski by.

And if you’ve still got the legs, you can ski all the way back to La Tania.

MCDONALD’S has made a major change to its breakfast menu and customers have been left devastated.

The fast food giant has axed its long-time favourite Breakfast Roll from the menu.

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The Breakfast Roll first arrived on menus in 2020 and has remained on there since then.

But a McDonald’s spokesperson confirmed to The Sun the breakfast item was quietly axed earlier this month.

The Breakfast Roll had included smoky bacon, a juicy sausage patty, melted cheese and a free-range egg, all served in a warm white roll.

You could then choose to have it with either ketchup or brown sauce.

McDonald’s fans on Reddit said they’d been left gutted by the move.

One wrote: “Removing the breakfast bagel? An act of aggression. Removing the triple cheeseburger? A show of power.

“But now removing the breakfast roll… this is surely an act of war?”

Another replied: “What, there getting rid of the breakfast roll? Nooooo (sic).”

A third added: “It’s gone! I realised this morning when I popped into one. So sad.”

A fourth replier joked: “This country is ruined……”

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “We’re always evolving our menu with our customers in mind to keep things fresh and exciting.”

However, there is a brand new item that has replaced the Breakfast Roll.

Now Maccas fans can get hold of the Sausage Sandwich, which has been added to menus nationwide after a trial in the North of England.

The morning meal comes with a pork patty and melted cheese, and can be topped with either ketchup or brown sauce.

It will cost £1.99, although you can get a selected drink with the sandwich as a bundle deal for £2.99.

The new item will be on the Saver Menu alongside six other breakfast choices including hash browns (£1.59), porridge pots (£1.69) and apple slices (79p).

Other items on the list include a cheesy bacon flatbread for £1.99 and apple or orange Tropicana juice for £1.89.

Remember, if you want to try the new sandwich you’ll need to head to your local McDonald’s before 11am as that’s when breakfast is served until.

The fast food chain has made plenty of changes to its breakfast menu in the past.

Last year, it brought back the popular Breakfast Wrap after it was axed in January 2022.

Luckily for fast food fans, it’s still on the menu for now.

More menu changes

Maccas changes its menu every few weeks to keep things fresh for customers.

Its latest menu drop was on September 10, when it brought back favourites including the Philly Cheese Stack and Mozzarella Dippers.

Plus, the Chicken Big Mac was added to the menu.

But other items were axed, including the Chilli Cheese Bites, Steakhouse Stack, Big Tasty and Spicy Chicken McNuggets.

Meanwhile the Loaded Caramel McFlurry was added to the menu – but was quickly taken off again just days later.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said at the time the ice cream dessert was removed because of a “quality control issue”.

It came after some social media users claimed they had cracked their teeth on hard pieces inside the dessert.

The Loaded Caramel McFlurry was quickly replaced by the Toffee Crisp McFlurry – a returning favourite,

Sun that it’s been replaced by a returning favourite.

A MAJOR supermarket with 340 branches is set to close a site tomorrow.

The supermarket specialises in frozen food but also stocks a wide-range of well known brands such as Muller, Birds Eye and McCain.

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Heron Foods was first established in 1978 after operating as a local butcher in Hull under the name ‘Grindells Butchers.’

After Anthony Grindell sold the business to his sister and her family, the name was changed and the chain started to grow.

The company now runs 343 locations across the UK, however it will suffer a huge blow.

It has now been announced that the Scunthorpe store is set to close its doors for the final time.

In the Heron Foods Scunthorpe Facebook group, one of the admins wrote to the chain’s loyal customer base to announce the news.

The post read: “Dear Valued Customers, we want to thank you for your continued support and loyalty to our Heron Foods store in Scunthorpe.

“It’s been a pleasure serving the local community, and we’re incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built over the years.

“We’re writing to let you know that our Scunthorpe store, located at Jubilee Way in the Parishes Shopping Centre, will be closing down.

“This decision was not made lightly, and we understand it may come as disappointing news to many of you.”

It was also revealed that the shop will close its doors for the final time before the weekend has even finished.

The post continued: “Our final day of trading will be the 27th September, and until then, we’ll continue to offer great value and service.

“We encourage you to visit us before we close to take advantage of our remaining stock and special offers.”

The account added: “While this location is closing, we remain committed to serving our customers across the UK. You can continue to shop with us at nearby Heron Foods stores.

“Thank you again for being part of our journey in Scunthorpe. We’ll miss you!”

Customers flooded the comments section of the post to express their immense disappointment at the decision.

One user wrote: “Shame you always have good bargains, going to miss you.”

A second stated: “Shame it’s shutting down always go in there every week.”

“Not good for the town yet again another good shop to close,” claimed a third concerned resident.

While this location is closing, we remain committed to serving our customers across the UK.

Shop adminFacebook

While a fourth commented: “It’s an absolute shame for the wonderfully helpful staff.”

And a fifth added: “Feel sorry for all the people that use the shop in the town that get their good bargains etc.”

However, the chain is launching a new site in Byker, Newcastle which is set to open its doors to customers on October 16th.

The company is also investing in a refurbishment in its Fulwell shop in Sunderland that is due to reopen at the start of October.

In August 2017, B&M purchased the chain in a reported £152million acquisition.

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A MASTERCHEF star has announced the closure of all of his UK pastry shops, after struggling to cope with climbing costs.

Graham Hornigold, who has also appeared on Junior Bake Off co-founded gourmet doughnut brand Longboys back in 2019, but just six years later, the business has gone bust.

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The brand’s three London sites, in Liverpool Street, Coal Drops Yard and Market Halls Canary Wharf have all closed their doors for their final time.

Writing on Instagram, the pastry chef explained: “You’ve probably noticed we’ve been a little quieter than usual.

“The truth is, with rising inflation, changes to NI, and product costs spiralling, the past few months have been incredibly tough.

“Like so many small independents across the UK hospitality industry, we’ve felt the impact hard.

“You may have seen that we made the difficult decision to close all Longboys sites in the hope of reopening. Sadly, we won’t be able to bring them back.

“But this isn’t the end -it’s a redirection.”

Graham added that himself and his team will “dust ourselves off and go again”.

Longboys was famous for its finger shaped doughnut and eclair hybrids, filled with creative flavours, such as Sticky Toffee Pudding and Raspberry Rose Lychee.

Commenting under the post, pastry fans shared their devastation at the closure.

One person said: “Gutted to hear this news!

“Look forward to your return soon.”

A second person said: “Your lychee raspberry donuts will be living rent-free in my mind forever.”

A third person added: “Sorry to hear this news. I enjoyed many visits to your Coal Drops Yard shop.”

More restaurant closures

And Longboys isn’t the only eatery that’s struggled to stay afloat.

Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant could be set to close its doors for good, just five years after being saved.

A spokesperson for Rick Stein Marlborough told Gazette and Herald: “We can confirm that we are proposing the closure of our Marlborough restaurant and are consulting with the team to explore whether this can be avoided.

“Our other restaurants and rooms continue to trade well, but this particular site has not delivered the same level of return.”

And last month, Channel 4 chef Dom Taylor announced he is closing his Marvee’s Food Shop in Ladbroke Grove, West London, due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

The Caribbean restaurant only opened a few month’s prior, in May, as part of the music and events space UNDR, near the famous Portobello Road.

FORMER PM MARGARET THATCHER famously got by on just four hours’ kip, while wartime leader Winston Churchill hit the hay for just a few hours a night.

A study suggests the average person gets just six hours and 50 minutes sleep – and others are getting less than three hours.

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But a good night’s shut-eye doesn’t start with jumping into bed at a reasonable time, it begins the moment you open your eyes in the morning.

Confused? Here, physiologist and sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, tells Ella Walker how she gets quality sleep.

4AM – Go back to sleep: Dr Nerina says: “There are two main hormones that govern our kip – the sleep hormone melatonin and cortisol, which is produced when we’re stressed and drives us to get things done.

“Cortisol levels start to increase from around 4am, so many people find they can go into a shallower phase of sleep.

“I wake around then but don’t look at the time. I place weighted yoga eye pillows over my eyes and get another phase of sleep.”

7AM – Wake up the right way: The circadian rhythm – the body’s internal 24-hour biological clock that determines your sleep-wake cycle – is important to Dr Nerina.

She says: “I like to wake up naturally, I don’t like the jangling of an alarm.

“I get some natural daylight, ideally not through glass, even just a few seconds. It helps adjust my circadian rhythms.”

8AM – Breakfast of proteins, fats and carbs: It might be the first meal of the day, but Dr Nerina is already prepping for her sleep.

Something sugary like a croissant can overstimulate the nervous system and ruin sleep later.

So Dr Nerina has full-fat Greek yoghurt with a mixture of chia and flax seeds soaked overnight.

Dr Nerina says: “Protein and fat provides sustained energy, fullness and supports stable blood sugar levels.

“It sets the body on the right metabolic trajectory, increasing the likelihood of optimal melatonin production later.”

9AM – Post-breakfast coffee: Even sleep experts are not afraid of caffeine but they are careful with it.

“I have caffeine either with food or after breakfast,” says Dr Nerina.

“I don’t tend to have more than one caffeinated drink a day, and that’s before midday.

“The half-life of caffeine is about five hours, so if you have a cup of coffee at 3pm, you’ll have half the amount in your blood supply around 8pm.

“It might not make you feel lively, but could impact the quality of sleep.”

11 AM – Mid-morning exercise: Working out too late can also disrupt sleep so Dr Nerina does hers early.

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She says: “I do strength training or go to the river and swim.

“Exercise is really important, otherwise I’m more stressed with too much mental energy.

“I don’t like exercising in the evening.

“It can overstimulate the nervous system and produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which will disrupt sleep.”

1PM – Lunch of eggs and gut-friendly foods: Increasing research is showing the impact of microbiome health on sleep.

Dr Nerina says: “If your gut is healthy, you sleep better.

“Lunch for me is always something that won’t spike blood sugar levels like heavy carbohydrates (which turn into sugar) would. I like an omelette with salad and sauerkraut.”

5PM – Dinner: A healthy meal and fasting window can support better quality sleep and help manage your circadian rhythm.

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Dr Nerina says: “I’ll eat some fish, vegetables and rice. I do like something sweet, so it might be some dark chocolate.

“A few days a week, I try intermittent fasting, having my last meal at 5pm. Other times, I eat no later than 7pm.”

8PM – Turn down the lights: Bright light tells your body to wake up, even in the evening, so turn the main lights off.

Dr Nerina says: “I might watch TV and turn the lamps on instead.

“I go to bed around 9pm, my device is switched off, charging outside my room, and I keep the room as cool as possible.

“I take a magnesium supplement now too, which helps relax the nervous system and muscles.”

10PM – If drifting off is tricky: It should take 15 minutes to fall asleep.

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“If you have any trouble, Dr Nerina says: “I use some box breathing to help me fall asleep.

“If I’m really stressed, I do ten minutes of journaling before I turn the lights out.

“Stress journaling has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.”

A MAJOR supermarket chain has released five new cookie flavours for sweet treat lovers.

Tesco launched the new range of Finest Cookies earlier this month, with five new flavours hitting the market.

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The five new flavours include Belgian milk chocolate, Belgian triple chocolate, Belgian white chocolate, jumbo oat and flame raisin and chocolate shortbread.

All flavoured cookies come in a four-pack and are baked in-store.

Tesco Clubcard members can also get their hands on the new flavoured cookies for just £2.

The plastic packaging can also be returned to soft plastics collection points at Tesco stores and the cardboard bases can be recycled at home.

An eagle-eyed cookie lover shared the scrumptious find on Facebook group Baby Deals UK, saying: “These new Tesco Finest Cookies look so tasty and are just so hard to resist”.

Online punters have also weighed in on the new flavours, with many people saying not much has changed.

One person wrote: “They aren’t new though, they’ve just been put in new packaging”.

Another said he preferred home-baked goods.

“Nah not for £2, make them yourself, much better, cheaper and have as many as you want,” he said.

The cookies have sparked fiery debate as other shoppers sang their praises.

“They’re delicious, better than the old version,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Aye looks amazing, loved crumbled cookies”.

Other people claimed Tesco had just ripped off competitor M&S’s popular cookies.

“Packaged like M&S, bet they’re not as nice,” one person said.

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“Have to try these [and] see if they’re as good as the M&S ones!” another comment read.

The Tesco release comes almost one year after M&S released its in-store biscuit range, revamping an old favourite recipe.

At the end of November last year, the store also launched a Christmas-themed version, Gingerbread and White Chocolate, which earned particularly glowing reviews.

One fan said on X: “Those Marks and Spencer ginger and white chocolate cookies live up to the hype. Very dangerous.”

Another added: “Please keep the white choc & gingerbread cookies beyond Christmas. I need them all year!”

But while the taste has been praised as “amazing”, shoppers are unhappy the treats now come wrapped in plastic rather than paper packaging.

The M&S film bags can only be recycled by taking them to supermarkets, meaning they are less likely to be reused compared to the old paper wrappers.  

Commenting on Facebook, one fan said: “Why are the bakery cookies now packed in a plastic bag rather than paper?! Backwards move. Not part of Plan A surely?”

Another added: “I hope they haven’t changed the paper bags to cellophane, as if they have I won’t be buying them.”

Meanwhile, on X, another fumed: “Why have you gone from paper bags for cookies to plastic? Thought you had a focus on sustainability?!?”

ICELAND has revealed this year’s Christmas range including a Baileys yule log and TGI Fridays pigs in blankets.

While the big day is some time away, it’s always good to prepare yourself for the festive season.

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Luckily, Iceland’s new Christmas menu will hit shelves from November 6 and offers everything you need to throw a festive bash.

The items will also be available to buy at Iceland’s The Food Warehouse.

Paul Dhaliwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers expect variety and flavour without breaking the bank, and this year we’ve delivered just that. We’ve perfected the festive staples and added new twists that will impress and bring joy to every bite. 

“From classic centrepieces and irresistible desserts to brand-new creations and party essentials, there’s something to suit every kind of Christmas celebration, no matter your style or budget.”  

What’s on the menu?

Iceland‘s menu this year offers customers everything they’ll need for Christmas lunch or dinner from beloved Christmas classics to some new additions.

This includes everything from their Sweet Chilli Sticky Prawns and Pizza Chicken Wedges to TGI Fridays Cheeseburger & Chip baskets.

Shoppers will be able to sink their teeth into a range of Christmas meats, pigs and blankets and all the trimmings on top.

And if you are thinking of throwing a festive bash this year, customers can take advantage of their mix-and-match deals on select products like three items for £10.

Or shoppers can stock up with their £1 party range and luxury platters.

But among the showstoppers of this year’s Christmas range is the Luxury Perfect Turkey Crown.

For £28, you can get your hands on 2.2kg of frozen boneless skin on turkey crown with added water topped with sunflower oil and herb and spice marinade.

We also have a feeling that many will be eyeing up the Bailey’s Iced Yule Log for £12.

It features mouthwatering Baileys salted caramel mousse, a dark chocolate sauce and chocolate flavoured meringue.

And you can nab their Luxury Prawn and Prosecco Shells for as little as £5.

The king prawns come in a creamy Prosecco sauce topped with mashed potato, a parsley breadcrumb and cheese, served in a natural shell.

Other festive finds

Iceland aren’t the only retailer to have revealed their Christmas food range recently either.

M&S have revealed all the festive treats that you can get through from its Christmas Food to Order range from today.

The posh supermarket is famous for its delicious Christmas food, which you’ll be able to pre-order to your home ahead of the big day.

In fact, major supermarkets have just revealed the exact dates you can book Christmas delivery slots, including Asda.

We tried the M&S Christmas collection too including their iconic American must-have and Marmite caramel sauce.

We also recently tried Morrisons new Christmas range and one festive treat was an instant winner, knocking M&S and Waitrose out the park.

Morrisons festive nosh is expected to land in its 497 stores over the coming weeks.

And if you’re after your classic chocolate tubs, we’ve calculated the cheapest supermarket to grab all your favourites this week.

TESCO has launched a range of “restaurant quality” ready-made meals across 160 of its stores around the country.

There are 12 different dishes included in the collection, for a different meal to be had each day of the week.

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The brand new Finest Chef’s Collection range has been designed by Tesco’s in-house chefs.

It includes slow-cooked meals ranging from Italian to Indian cuisine, as well as classic British flavours.

Prices range from £17.50 to £20 per dish.

Among the British-inspired dishes include a Blush Double Pork Chop a Tender Lamb Rump, Balsamic and Rosemary Lamb Shoulder, Succulent Pork Belly, and an Oak Smoked Chicken Crown.

Indian flavours in the collection include Tandoori Spiced Chicken Supremes, Masala Spcied Beef Cheeks, and Spice Lamb Shanks.

The chicken and beef have masala spice blends in the sauce, while the lamb shanks are served with green tikka sauce.

For the Italian inspired dishes, there is a Blush Shoulder of Pork, Stuffed Beef Featherblad with a Procini and Parmigiano Regiiano stuffing, Nduja Stuffed Porchetta, and Rosemary and Porcini Pork Shoulder.

Breige Donaghy, Director of Product Development and Innovation Tesco, said: “We know life’s busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on amazing food at home.

“That’s why our chefs have created the Chef’s Collection – a range of dishes inspired by restaurant menus and packed with clever techniques that make it super easy to cook something special.

“With top-quality ingredients, and most of the prep already done, these dishes make it easy to create special food moments and transform a meal at home into something truly memorable.”

It comes after research found almost 30 per cent of Brits, and around 60 per cent of adults, have tried to pass of supermarket-cooked meals as their own.

More people have also been found to be going out less to restaurants to eat compared to last year, often due to costs.

Executive Chief at Tesco, Jamie Robinson, added: “We’ve worked hard to bring authentic flavours from across the globe to customers’ kitchens without the stress of cooking from scratch.

“Most dishes have been gently slow cooked, and come with our top cooking, pairing and plating tips to help you deliver great results every time.”

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Each meal is designed as a main for two people, therefore costing £10 each.

The Finest Chef’s Collection range is launching at larger Tesco stores, and offers a 25 per cent discount of Clubcard customers until October 12.

Dishes come with step-by-step cooking instructions and a QR code that can be scanned to provide cooking, plating and pairing tips from Tesco chefs.

It comes after Tesco was mocked for launching a strange meal deal shoppers spotted in stores.

As a £9 Clubcard offer, Tesco launched a meal deal consisting of a 12-packl of Sol beers and a bag of five limes.

Many shoppers also threatened to boycott Tesco last month after it was seen increasing the price of its meal deal by 25p.

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DINERS who were rushed to hospital after an “excruciating” meal suspect one ingredient was the cause of their torment.

After tucking into a family meal at the Dosa Kingss eaterie in Sale, Manchester, on September 6, 11 diners had to be treated by medics.

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A massive emergency response was sparked by the incident with fire crews, police and paramedics called to the chaotic scene.

Customers inside the restaurant became violently unwell after eating some of the food on offer and have now blamed one ingredient for the disastrous dinner.

The incident sparked a Greater Manchester Police investigation.

Two of the 11 diners suffered severe reactions to the food and had to be hospitalised while several others were treated inside the restaurant.

Police said a number of people were treated for “minor reactions” to the dodgy food.

One of the lines of inquiry being probed blames yams for the diners illness.

Some types of the root vegetable can contain toxins that can be harmful if undercooked.

It is believed to have been part of one of the dishes served from the restaurant’s set menu.

The exact cause of the violent reaction to the food has yet to be confirmed.

One diner, Amrita Kapadia, who was dining with her young son and her family at the restaurant, was among the customers served the food.

She said the Aviyal, which is a thick stew of mixed vegetable, contained yams.

Amrita was one of the two diners to be hospitalised after the meal made her feel like she was “chewing glass.”

She claims the food left her suffering a severe reaction with her mouth and throat burning.

She was unable to speak following the “frightening” ordeal and said it felt as though she had been “stung by bees.”

Amrita told Manchester Evening News: “The table next to us started complaining that something was stinging or spicy in their mouths.

“The restaurant folks brought them water and, while that was going on, two of us at our table of five had the same dish at the same time, which was a mixed vegetable dish called Aviyal.

“As soon as we ate it, we had this stinging sensation in our mouths. It was like chewing glass, it was excruciating. It felt like I had been stung by bees it was just so painful.

“We couldn’t taste anything and our tongues went bizarre. The sensation travelled to our gums, cheek and throats.”

Before her own situation deteriorated further, Amrita instructed her son, who thankfully avoided any serious reaction to the food, to stop eating immediately.

Diners began to call 999 and ask for paramedics to be sent as they began to lose the ability to speak and felt paralysed.

The harrowing ordeal left diners with increased heart rates, dizziness, pain and swelling.

Amrita was hospitalised for four hours after she was given two shots of adrenaline that did nothing to combat her extreme symptoms by paramedics.

She received a form from Trafford Council to complete detailing what each member of the party had consumed.

Police remained at the scene for hours after the incident as their investigation got underway.

The scale of the emergency response sparked fears of a serious gas leak which was quickly ruled out by the probe.

Dosa Kingss posted a brief statement on social media following the chaos.

It reads: “Dear valued customers, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are temporarily closed.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and truly appreciate your understanding and support. We look forward to serving you again.”

A spokesperson for GMP previously stated: “At around 12.40pm today (6 September), we received a report of people becoming unwell at a restaurant on Northenden Road, Sale.

“Emergency services quickly attended and several people were treated at the scene for minor reactions. Enquiries into the incident are currently ongoing.”

HELLMANN’S has stepped in to cover the cost of repairing a Spanish café set ablaze by an angry customer who couldn’t get mayonnaise with his sandwich.

The mayo giant pledged to foot the bill after the shocking arson attack at Cafetería Las Postas near Seville, Spain, last month.

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A Hellmann’s spokesperson said: “Cafetería Las Postas, we’re sorry we weren’t there. From now on, you can count on us.”

The brand promised to restore the premises and ensure the condiment will never be missing from its shelves again, Euro Weekly News reported.

Owner José Antonio Caballero called the incident completely “surreal” and said there was “no explanation for what he did.”

He explained: “First one waiter and then another the second time this gentleman asked for mayonnaise gave him the same answer which was that the bar didn’t have a kitchen and the sandwiches came ready-prepared and we didn’t have sauces.

“At that moment he walked to the garage opposite, returned to the bar with a bottle in his hand which we discovered afterwards had petrol inside, and asked the first waiter: ‘Are you sure there’s no mayonnaise?’ without giving him time to reply.

“There’s no explanation for what happened. It was awful.”

Horrifying CCTV shows the suspect storming inside, splashing fuel over the counter, and setting it alight with a lighter.

As flames shot towards the ceiling, terrified customers – including children as young as four – scrambled to safety while staff fought the blaze with an extinguisher.

Caballero said the fire left damage of up to £7,000 but praised “quick-thinking workers” for stopping it spreading.

He added: “The important thing is that nobody was injured. There were young children and elderly people around. Imagine if someone had been hurt.”

The 50-year-old suspect was arrested within minutes in a nearby square after burning his hand.

Police said he was taken to a health centre under guard and is due in court.

Investigators are probing why he started the blaze, with reports suggesting he was with two others at the time.

The mayo-fuelled attack has since divided opinion online after Hellmann’s public response.

Some hailed the move as clever marketing, while others blasted it as insensitive.

One local fumed: “Hellmann’s, it’s a little in bad taste, no? Will you get noticed? Yes. But at what cost? I don’t think a brand like yours needs to do this.”

Another said: “What happened is not a joke.”

A third remarked: “Taking advantage of someone’s misfortune to do marketing.”

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A MAJOR UK supermarket has slashed the price of all its Christmas chocolate tubs – and you don’t need a loyalty card to get the bargain.

With just under 100 days to go until Christmas, shoppers are being urged to stock up early and save money on their festive favourites.

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Asda, today cut the price on its tubs of Celebrations, Quality Street, Cadbury Heroes and Cadbury Roses – making them the cheapest on the market without signing up for any scheme.

A tub of Quality Street or Celebrations now costs £4.42, while Cadbury Heroes and Roses are just £4.92 each.

The supermarket said it wanted to give customers the best value possible ahead of the busy festive period, with no need to scan a card or download an app at the checkout.

The deals come as Asda recently unveiled its full Christmas food range for 2025.

It includes Hot Maple Pigs in Blankets, a Pigs in Duvet Wreath, a Festive Fondue Kit, Slow Cured Rack of Pork with Truffle Butter and Parmesan Crumb and a Pistachio & Milk Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur.

Retail experts say the price cuts could spark a supermarket price war as competitors look to match Asda’s prices in the run-up to December.

It follows a strong year for Asda, which was named one of the UK’s cheapest supermarkets by Which? earlier this month.

In August, a larger trolley shop of 190 items cost £474.86 at Asda – £11.03 cheaper than Tesco with a Clubcard.

Christmas chocolate price wars

Sweets under the tree are a big part of Christmas for British households.

Supermarkets often offer flash promotions giving shoppers a chance to get their festive favourites at a discounted price.

But these offers aren’t around for long.

Earlier this month, Tesco slashed the price of Quality Street tubs to £2.95.

The price drop gave shoppers a chance to stock up ahead of Christmas.

You’ll need to hide away the tubs to avoid the temptation of tucking in before December.

Besides the big chocolate tubs, other Christmas favourites are starting to land on shelves.

Cadbury’s Mini Snow Balls are one of the best-selling chocolate treats during Christmas time. 

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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BOOZERS are giving away one million free tasters of beer during Cask Ale Week, which begins today.

In a bid to kick-start a cask ale comeback, more than 10,000 pubs will each be offering punters hundreds of samples of freshly poured beer.

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It is hoped that the “Try Before You Buy” campaign will breathe life back into Britain’s signature beer amid a steady, long-term decline in sales as well as in the numbers of pubs selling it.

Hampered by its clichéd reputation as an “old man’s drink”, traditional hand-pulled beers have been slowly bumped off the bar by highly carbonated lagers and craft ales.

However, a growing popularity among younger pub-goers suggests “real ale” may be ripe for a ­renaissance.

Research has revealed that an increasing number of Gen-Z drinkers are choosing cask beers which, in general, are more affordable, lower in alcohol and brewed more naturally.

Heritage status

Figures show that 25 per cent of 18 to 24-year-old beer drinkers ­regularly order cask ales at the pub — an increase of more than 50 per cent on the previous year.

Cask ale’s unique, traditional form of dispense means it is the only type of beer that can’t be sold in shops or supermarkets.

“If more people chose cask ale on just one more of their visits to the pub, it would make a big difference to the future prospects for our ­national drink — and to pubs, which are the only place to sell it,” said Fergus Fitzgerald, head brewer at Suffolk brewer Adnams.

“Ironically, cask beer seems to be more appreciated globally than it is in Britain.

“Incoming tourists put a visit to a traditional pub to enjoy a pint of foaming cask ale close to the top of their ‘must do’ list.

“Equally, many of the world’s top craft beer brewers cite British cask ale as their biggest influence.”

Earlier this year, passionate pub- goers set up a petition calling for the Government to grant cask ale and its surrounding culture Unesco heritage status.

The Unesco accolade, which acknowledges its cultural significance and artisanal practices, has already been granted to Belgian beer, French baguettes and even the “Mediterranean diet’.”

“Local pubs really need local ­customers in order to thrive,” added Fergus.

“Cask Ale Week is an opportunity for drinkers to find the style they most enjoy and show their support for British pubs and British beer.”

WHY WE LOVE IT SO MUCH

IN a bid to highlight the problems facing pubs, The Thinking Drinkers Ben and Tom recently completed “The Great British Pub Ride” – a tandem bike journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats relying ENTIRELY on the hospitality of beautiful British boozers.

At the end of each gruelling day in the saddle, they rewarded themselves with a pint of cask ale.

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Here, Ben explains why he loves cask ale so much:

“The envy of the brewing world yet criminally under-appreciated in this country, cask ale is naturally carbonated beer that undergoes secondary fermentation in the barrel.

It’s unfiltered, unpasteurised, brewery-fresh beer that is poured – alive and kicking – straight from the barrel into your glass.

Comparing cask ale in the pub to a can of mainstream lager is like comparing a freshly baked, warm crusty loaf to a bag of sliced white.

But it’s not a warm beer (served properly, it should be gently sparkling and served at between 11C-13C) and spans a broad spectrum of styles from light, hoppy pale ales and softly sweet amber beers to smooth, rich velvety stouts and super-session friendly low-alcohol brews.

In these austere times, it’s an absolute bargain compared to other beers at the bar.

Even though publicans need to work harder to keep it fresh in the cellar, cask ale costs considerably less than many mainstream lagers.

Lest we forget, it’s a more patriotic pint, too.

When you pay for a pint of cask ale, chances are you’re putting valuable pennies in the pockets of both British brewers and British farmers who provide the succulent barley and aromatic hops.

You simply cannot replicate the joys of real ale while sat on your sofa, so get down to your local, order a fresh pint of cask ale and breathe life back into the beleaguered British boozer.

If we don’t use them, we’ll lose them.”