A first taste of L.A.’s new Maydan Market. Plus, eating in this town for $50 or less, a cookbook of gravestone recipes, allegations of racial discrimination at a popular L.A. cafe … and how Diane Keaton liked to drink her favorite wine. I’m Laurie Ochoa, general manager of L.A. Times Food, with this week’s Tasting Notes.
Market of dreams
Chefs Rosio Sanchez, left, and Laura Flores Correa of Copenhagen’s Sanchez and Hija de Sanchez, sample mole-sauced turkey legs from Lugya’h at Maydan Market.
(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)
Many of us have favorite places to take out-of-town guests — restaurants, hiking trails and idiosyncratic spots like the recently reopened Museum of Jurassic Technology that show our friends and family why we love L.A.
For years, I’ve brought friends to Mercado la Paloma, the food hall and cultural center that is home to Gilberto Cetina‘s Holbox, the seafood counter that was our L.A. Times Restaurant of the Year in 2023 and last year was awarded a Michelin star. These days, there’s always a line for Cetina’s exquisite seafood plates, including his octopus taco with squid-ink-stained sofrito. While one person in your group waits to order at Holbox, you can find many other things to bring to your table at the mercado — unbeatable cochinita pibil and more Yucatecan dishes (try the papadzules or a refreshing agua de chaya) from Chichén Itzá, founded by Cetina’s father Gilberto Sr.; Oaxacan nieves or ice cream flavored with mamey, tuna (cactus fruit) or especially leche quemada (burnt milk) from OaxaCalifornia; and Fátima Juárez‘s gorgeous quesadilla de flor, with orange squash blossom petals spilling out of the blue corn tortilla like sunshine at her masa-focused restaurant Komal (one of Bill Addison’s picks on his 101 Best California Restaurants list).
This week, however, I tried a new place when Rosio Sanchez, the Copenhagen-based chef I wrote about in this newsletter a few months ago, said she was coming to L.A. for the Chef Assembly conference and two collaborations, one that took place Wednesday with Jordan Kahn at Meteora and another that is happening all day Sunday at Enrique Olvera and chef Chuy Cervantes’downtown taco spot Ditroit with Yia Vang of Minneapolis’ Hmong restaurant Vinai. Sanchez wanted to meet someplace for lunch, but had just tried Komal at the Mercado la Paloma and had even been to Thai Taco Tuesday at Anajak Thai, one of my other dependable suggestions for wowing visitors. I had to change my usual game plan.
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Chef-founder Rose Previte details the bevy of vendors and dishes at West Adams’ cross-cultural new food hall.
Fortunately, our intrepid woman about town Stephanie Breijo had been telling me all about Maydan Market in anticipation of its recent opening in L.A.’s West Adams neighborhood, across the street from a branch of chef Kat Turner‘s Highly Likely. In addition, Breijo made a hunger-inducing video showing off the live-fire-based restaurants at the heart of the market founded by Rose Previte, whose Maydan in Washington, D.C., is devoted to the cuisines of the Middle East and was among the Top 40 restaurants chosen in 2024 by the Washington Post’s recently unmasked criticTom Sietsema.
Here in Los Angeles, Previte wanted to open a food hall centered on hearth cooking from different cultures. That not only means new branches of her Maydan restaurant and Compass Rose cafe, but Afro-Mexican Guerrerense cooking at Maléna from Tamales Elena founder Maria Elena Lorenzo; Yhing Yhang BBQ from Holy Basil chef Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat, serving charcoal-grilled Thai chicken, seafood and duck, and a space for emerging chefs that is currently featuring Melnificent Wingz from Melissa “Chef Mel” Cottingham.
Most of the places so far don’t open until 5 p.m. — I spotted Arpapornnopparat prepping some fantastic-looking chile sauces for his dinnertime barbecue that I am eager to try. But lunch operations are slowly getting underway and on Thursday afternoon we were lucky to find Alfonso Martinez of Poncho’s Tlayudas fame at Lugya’h, his new post in the market. In addition to tlyaudas — which Addison, in his 2022 review of Poncho’s called one of his “this is the Los Angeles I love” dishes — Martinez is serving dishes from Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte at Lugya’h.
Mole-covered turkey leg with a black bean tamal from Alfonso Martinez’s Lugya’h at Maydan Market.
(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)
With Sanchez and her chef Laura Flores Correa, best known as Laurita, I was able to try a turkey leg sauced in a dark, rich “mole de bejed” with a black bean tamal on the side. The meat was incredibly moist, perfect with the tamal. We also got bowls of foamy Mexican cacao-flavored atole, which came with brioche-like Oaxacan pan de yema.
A slice of tlayuda with chorizo, grilled tasajo and the blood sausage moronga from Lugya’h at L.A.’s Maydan Market.
(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)
And even though the current plan is to serve tlyaudas only during dinner, we were able to try one with three meats: chorizo, beautifully charred on the edges from the fire; a slice of grilled tasajo, and a link of moronga, one of the best blood sausages I’ve ever eaten, from a recipe, as Addison writes, handed down as a wedding gift from the father of Martinez’s wife Odilia Romero. She was helping out at the market this week, though is anxious to get back to her work advocating for Indigenous migrants in L.A. That might not be easy once word spreads about the deliciousness of Lugya’h’s food.
Alfonso Martinez, right, and Odilia Romero, who have expanded their Poncho’s Tlayudas operation to Maydan Market under the name Lugya’h.
(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)
Indeed, each of the places Previte has curated is certain to draw a crowd. I’m looking forward to bringing more friends and trying them all.
If you think $50 a person sounds like a lot for dinner …
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
“It’s crazy that $50 per person is now considered a cheap sit-down meal.”
“The fact that LAT is suggesting $50 a person is somehow a ‘win’ is pretty crazy.”
Those are two reader comments on our 50 under $50 guide to restaurants where it’s possible to eat for $50 or less a person — including tax and tip. Which actually means finding items on the menu that cost $38 a person to account for an approximate 10% sales tax and 20% tip. We thought it was important for you to not get hit with charges that traditionally are not reflected on most restaurant menus.
To those readers who say $50 a person is too much to spend for a nice sit-down dinner, we agree. But all over the city — and in so many parts of the country — it’s increasingly difficult to get dinner at a non-fast-food or fast-casual restaurant for less than $50. Indeed, some of our finest restaurants charge $500 and even more than $1000 a person once you figure in wine or sake pairings.
This kind of pricing, which accounts for luxury ingredients and livable salaries for members of the kitchen and dining room staff that provide world-class service, puts many of our most acclaimed restaurants out of reach for the majority of Angelenos. That’s why we thought it was important in these tough economic times to come up with a guide to more affordable restaurant choices. We weren’t only going for “cheap eats.” Our entire Food team searched the city for a range of places that, as senior Food editor Danielle Dorsey wrote, “must be open until 9 p.m.” (so a true dinner spot), “doesn’t have to offer table service, but must [have] seating available to enjoy your food on-site” and where “you must be able to order at least two menu items, whether that’s a starter and a main, an entree and a dessert, or a large plate and a cocktail.”
The restaurants we chose ranged from the casual but highly acclaimed Sonoratown, which has what our critic Bill Addison says is “the Los Angeles food item I have consumed more than any other” (the $12.50 Burrito 2.0) to strategic ordering suggestions at star chef spots such as Dave Beran‘s Pasjoli and Bestia from husband-and-wife chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. In between are affordable date-night places, including Cody Ma and Misha Sesar‘s Persian spot Azizam, the buzzy Cal-Italian Beethoven Market and Propaganda Wine Bar in the Arts District. We’re always looking for more suggestions. If you have a favorite affordable place, tell us about it in the story’s comment section.
Also …
Stephanie Breijo spoke with archivist and social media personality Rosie Grant about her new cookbook “To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes,” which as the title implies, is a collection of recipes that decedents or their loved ones treasured so much they had them etched on their tombstones.
Breijo also broke down the allegations of racial discrimination at the L.A. restaurant Great White and Gran Blanco “after intensifying social media videos claim that Great White segregates customers based on ethnicity and race, which its owners and some employees deny.”
And finally … ‘slug it down’
Diane Keaton in 2023.
(Raymond Hall/GC Images via Getty Images)
In memory of the great Diane Keaton, let’s raise a toast to her unforgettable movie roles and personal style with what she called “the only wine that I love.”
“It’s called Lillet,” she said in an Instagram video she made back in 2022 with a similar unconventional approach to ice that Stanley Tucci demonstrated his viral negroni video from 2020. After adding many ice cubes to a large yet elegant tumbler, she fills the glass with Lillet and adds a wedge of lemon, instructing her followers to “slug it down” without the addition of the usual tonic or sparkling water. Apparently, Keaton was not a spritz kind of gal. “And if you don’t like it,” she said to her viewers, “that’s fine with me. I’ll just drink all this myself.” Sounds like she knew how to live.
SELENA Gomez has officially married Benny Blanco in a romantic ceremony with A-list guests.
The pair tied the knot in Santa Barbara, California, which The U.S. Sun exclusively learned would be the destination earlier this month.
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Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco tied the knot in a romantic Santa Barbara, California, weddingCredit: Getty
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The couple said ‘I do’ surrounded by many A-list guestsCredit: Getty
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Selena recently shared photos from her bachelorette bashCredit: Instagram
The couple confirmed their engagement in December 2024, with Selena flashing her gorgeous diamond ring on social media.
Benny, 37, popped the question after weeks of speculation that they were engaged, following Selena’s showcase of her new bling on the Emmys red carpet.
It happened over a year after the pair’s romance began in June 2023.
Fans knew the wedding was near when Selena, 33, posted photos on Instagram from her bachelorette bash in late August.
Read More on Selena Gomez
The Lose You to Love Me singer looked happy while donning a white bikini and a short veil during the beach getaway.
She’d already appeared to settle into her new life with the music producer, as the U.S. exclusively reported in March that the pair took out an over $20million mortgage on their $35million Beverly Hills mansion.
The lavish purchase came shortly before the duo released their first joint album, I Said I Love You First, which dropped on March 21.
It was initially thought that Selena and Benny’s wedding would be a ways away, after the songwriter, born Benjamin Joseph Levin, told Rolling Stone that they were taking their relationship “one day at a time.”
At the time, the Virginia native said they were enjoying their engagement and not rushing to the altar.
Selena Gomez is engaged to her boyfriend Benny Blanco
Benny also gushed about being “so sure” that he was going to marry Selena and how his feelings for her were “very different” from anything he’d ever experienced.
The multi-Grammy Award nominee previously dated model Elsie Hewitt before becoming romantically involved with Selena.
Meanwhile, Selena has had numerous high-profile relationships over the years, including Nick Jonas, Charlie Puth, Zedd, The Weeknd, and Justin Bieber.
The former Disney Channel star had the longest relationship with Justin, whom she dated on and off for eight years before splitting for good in March 2018.
Justin and Selena’s Relationship Timeline
Here is what you need to know about Justin and Selena’s on and off again relationship throughout the 2010s.
December 8, 2010: Justin and Selena were spotted on an IHOP date in Philadelphia together, although Selena tried to shut down romance rumors saying they are just friends.
December 31, 2010: The pair spend New Year’s together in St. Lucia and were spotted kissing on a yacht.
February 28, 2011: Justin and Selena make their red-carpet debut at the Vanity Fair Oscars party.
May 2, 2011: Selena confirms their relationship to Seventeen.
November 2012: Justin and Selena break up for the first time due to “being apart so much” and “trust issues,” a source told PEOPLE at the time.
April 2013: The pair were spotted together again, engaging in PDA.
November 6, 2014: Selena confirms she and Justin split for the second time while On Air with Ryan Seacrest.
December 2014: Justin sparks romance rumors with Hailey Baldwin and is seen kissing her a year later on December 31, 2015, while in St. Barts.
August 2016: Justin begins dating Sofia Richie.
January 2017: Selena starts dating The Weeknd.
November 30, 2017: Selena splits from The Weeknd and reunites with Justin.
March 7, 2018: The pair take a break and Justin rekindles his relationship with Hailey soon after.
May 2018: Selena decided to walk away from the relationship.
At the time, a source told Us Weekly: “Selena started seeing the bigger picture when it came to their relationship, like what was more important: her general happiness and her family and friends’ approval, or her being together with Justin, where no one really supported their relationship.”
A year earlier, the Sonny with a Chance alum told Miami’s Power 96.5 FM, “I’m the kind of girl that loves tremendously big. I just have always been that girl.”
“I will give my heart and my soul to the person that I love. It’s just how I operate.”
Benny has spoken about how he supports Selena and gained her trust following her past heartbreaks.
“I’m aware of her strengths and I’m aware of her weakness, and so what I’ve tried to do is surround her with things that help,” Benny said during the couple’s joint appearance on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast earlier this year.
He also admitted to nearly self-sabotaging their relationship in the beginning, saying, “I feel like it all happens for a reason. I feel like maybe me doing that is what disarmed her enough.”
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The lovebirds announced their engagement in December 2024Credit: instagram/selenagomez
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Selena and Benny recently splurged on a $35million Beverly Hills, California, mansionCredit: Getty
The programme centres on two women, a thriving business owner, Fran (portrayed by Eve Myles), and a woman she hires as her cleaner, Ria (Gabrielle Creevy).
As Ria rapidly develops an unlikely bond with Fran, she becomes captivated by her self-assurance and poise.
Yet, when an unforeseen incident takes a dramatic twist, their lives become entangled through perilous schemes and mutual secrets, reports Wales Online.
The Guest will consist of four episodes(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Quay Street Productions / Simon Ridgway)
A synopsis hints: “What follows is a compelling and manipulative game of cat and mouse. But just who is playing who?”
Prior to the series launch, Reach Plc chatted to Eve and Gabrielle about their roles in the programme and why they think audiences are drawn to intense female bonds.
Eve, 47, remarked: “Because it’s complex, it’s not easy, it’s not actually an easy thing to talk about or to try and describe or explain, it’s about something very, very intoxicating. It’s about two women sharing something very important.
The Guest will consist of four episodes(Image: BBC)
“Like myself and Gabby, Fran and Ria are also incredibly vulnerable, never mind the strengths you see from both of them, they both have great strengths, but they both have great weaknesses.”
Eve detailed the unlikely bond between Fran and Ria, explaining that their contrasting backgrounds add a layer of intrigue and mystery for some.
She further elaborated: “It’s not about a boss and a cleaner it’s about two women who share this part of their lives together, they share secrets together, they go through something very traumatic together then they’ve got to fix that, or not and what that does to them.
Eve stars as Fran in The Guest(Image: BBC)
“They open up to each other when they don’t expect to, and that’s thrilling, that’s dynamic. There’s something really poignant and dangerous about these two women.”
Matthew Barry, the writer of The Guest, expressed his excitement about the project: “I’m beyond excited to be re-teaming with Nicola, Davina and the whole team at Quay Street Productions and the BBC to bring The Guest to life.
“As well as being an exciting thriller, at its core this is an examination of class, social mobility and the growing disparity between those at the top and bottom of our society.”
The Guest, will premiere on BBC One at 9:00 PM on Monday, September 1.
BROADCASTER Nick Ferrari has married his partner of ten years in front of celebrity guests on the French Riviera.
Myleene Klass played the harp as the This Morning star’s bride Clare Goodwin walked down the aisle during the stunning ceremony.
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Clare Goodwin married Nick Ferrari on Saturday
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Christopher Biggins, Myleene Klass and Piers Morgan were among the guests
Nick, 67, wed his long-term parter in Nice yesterday in front of Piers Morgan and Christopher Biggins.
Sharing photos of their special day, Nick’s employer Global, which owns LBC radio, wrote: “Sending huge congratulations to our very own Nick Ferrari & Clare Goodwin who married yesterday, celebrating 10 years together having met at Global – perhaps the beautiful Bride’s ‘something blue’?!
“We wish you every happiness together.”
Myleene said: “I’ve just arrived at this incredible place in Nice and I’m playing the harp.
READ MORE ON THIS MORNING
“This is my present to Clare and Nick for their wedding.
“What an honour to play your friends down the aisle.”
Los Angeles and its surrounding landscapes offer limitless opportunity for adventure. But which one should you take your out-of-town guests on?
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Should you trek up to Mt. Lee in Griffith Park where you and your pals can take selfies with the Hollywood sign? Or do you wake up early and take on the infamous Bridge to Nowhere trail, making sure to Google its history before you arrive? Or do you escape to the nearby desert, keeping weather in mind as you marvel at the Mojave?
I am a perfectionist, so I have spent hours considering this topic before my guests arrive. Thankfully I’ve found a way to channel that energy into my reporting, including this piece about very specific types of visitors and the hikes they might enjoy.
The sunset as seen from Griffith Park.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
When considering hikes for out-of-town guests, I like to ask myself, and usually my guests, the following:
What kind of footwear are they bringing for their visit? (L.A. soil is too sandy to hike in a Vans slip-on, full stop.)
What level of effort would we like to expend?
How much time do we want to spend on this excursion?
What’s the weather up to? ☀️
Regardless of what you decide, please remind your guests to pack a hat and sunglasses, and make sure to check the weather forecast wherever you’re headed, as August is bringing the heat.
With that in mind, here are my latest recommendations on fun hikes to tackle with visiting friends and family.
The coastline as seen from the ocean vista lookout point in Leo Carrillo State Park.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Distance: 1.8 miles (with an option to extend) Elevation gained: About 575 feet Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed? No Accessible alternative:Marvin Braude Bike Trail
Along with striking views of the Pacific Ocean, the Nicholas Flat Trail offers great vantage points of local peaks.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
The Willow Creek Trail to Nicholas Flat Loop is a 1.8-mile jaunt through coastal sage scrub at Leo Carrillo State Park that quickly rewards hikers with breathtaking ocean views.
You start near the park’s campground and take the Willow Creek Trail about 0.7 miles northeast before it jags to the west. There, you will find a sign for an ocean vista lookout point, which I recommend as long as body and spirit allow. It’s steep but only about 235 feet and provides panoramic views of the mountains and coastline.
From here, you can either take the Nicholas Flat Trail back down to the parking lot or you can continue on another section of the trail that takes you north and eventually to a quaint preserve with a small pond.
If you don’t mind a farther drive from L.A., an alternative option would be to take the Ray Miller Trail at Point Mugu State Park about two miles to a magnificent lookout point where you can see much of the nearby coastline.
The teepee that you’ll find at the top of the trail, which starts near the Angeles Crest fire station.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Distance: 5 miles Elevation gained: About 1,000 feet Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed? Yes Accessible alternative: Mt. Wilson Observatory paved loop (with optional, more challenging side quest to Echo Rock)
One of many spectacular views from the top of the Tee Pee Trail in Angeles National Forest.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
The Tee Pee Trail is a five-mile moderate hike mostly along a wide fire road that switchbacks up the hillside. At the top, you’ll find a teepee and panoramic views of L.A. County and the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic or extended snack break.
Remarkably, the trailhead is only a 25-minute drive from downtown L.A. You’ll park near the Angeles Crest fire station. If you park across Highway 2, please take good care as you cross the street.
There isn’t much shade on this trek, so consider taking it early in the day or later in the evening — perhaps for a nice group sunset hike. If you bring your dog, please make sure to check the ground temperature by placing the back of your hand against the earth for five seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them!
Waterfalls are a common sight along the West Fork Trail, especially after rain in early spring.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Distance: 14 miles Elevation gained: About 1,000 feet Difficulty: On the easier end of moderate Dogs allowed? Yes Accessible alternative: Surprise! It’s this hike. The path remains mostly paved and moderately flat for at least 2.5 miles. Park here to avoid stairs.
The West Fork Scenic Bikeway is a mostly paved 14-mile out-and-back trail in the San Gabriel Mountains.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
The West Fork National Scenic Bikeway is a 14-mile out-and-back, mostly paved path that runs parallel to the river the trail is named after. After a good rain, waterfalls run down the hillsides next to the path. It’s a great spot to practice birding and observe local wildlife, including deer, fox and rainbow trout.
This is one of my favorite places to take visitors, as it is a precious peaceful green space. You can walk any distance along the path and have a nice day in nature.
I generally turn around at Glenn Camp Campground because it’s a nice spot to take a break and the final mile is quite steep, ending at Cogswell Dam.
3 things to do
Musicians entertain cyclists at a previous Culver City-meets-Venice CicLAvia.
(CicLAvia Los Angeles)
1. Bike worry-free through Culver City CicLAvia will host its 61st car-free, open-streets festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday on a 6.75-mile stretch of roadway from Culver City to Venice. The route includes segments of Washington and Venice boulevards and is open to cyclists, walkers, joggers and anyone else on a people-powered form of transportation. The event is free and will feature several activities along the route. Learn more at ciclavia.org.
2. Fly a kite in Long Beach The Pacific Kite Club will host the 12th Long Beach Kite Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Granada Beach (5100 E. Ocean Blvd). The event started as a small Bangladeshi community gathering and is now a free public celebration showcasing the art form and craftsmanship of kites. Participants can grab free kites as long as supplies last. Register at eventbrite.com.
3. Sit with birds in Montecito Hills The Audubon Center at Debs Park will host a community bird sit from 8:15 to 10 a.m. Sunday on the center’s property (4700 Griffin Ave.). It is a stationary birding opportunity where visitors will stay in one place as they scan the area for birds. Binoculars and field guides will be provided. No dogs, please. Learn more at audubon.org.
The must-read
(Los Angeles Times; Photo by Getty Images)
After the devastating and deadly January wildfires, it was impossible not to think about the future of L.A.’s varied landscapes. Thankfully we now have a guide of what to consider. In “Imagining a Future L.A.,” my Times colleagues explore how we can create this: “a future that works for all of us,” writes Alice Short, a (legendary) senior editor at The Times. The project outlines what the future of housing, development, water and our environment could look like. “The future gives us an opportunity to reimagine ourselves, to see how the region’s disparate and far-flung communities transform themselves,” Thomas Curwen, a former longtime staffer, writes. I found myself feeling surprisingly hopeful as I read through the project, especially as I learned about the future of firefighting and how we might more effectively extinguish blazes right as they start.
It’s an understatement to say we’ve been through a lot in L.A. this year. The project offers us a robust and realistically optimistic perspective for what we can do to create better days for ourselves and our city.
Happy adventuring,
P.S.
I’ve been writing The Wild for a little over a year now and I’d love to hear from you. What do you want to learn more about? What types of trails would you like to see more of? What questions do you have about our local landscapes? If you’re a Wild subscriber reading this in your inbox, simply reply to this email to send me feedback. If you’ve discovered this article on The Times’ website, you can find my contact information here. Thank you so much for reading The Wild!
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
Jemma Louise Gough had requested to stay at the Airbnb in Manchester ahead of her visit for a gig
Two women were left “gobsmacked” after an Airbnb host rejected a request from them because they are from Wales.
Jemma Louise Gough, 38, and Jamie Lee Watkins, 37, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, booked a stay in Manchester ahead of watching Australian DJ Sonny Fodera at the Co-op Live Arena in November.
In their booking the friends told the Airbnb host they were coming from Wales for the gig, before seeing their payment had been refunded and their booking request had been declined.
When they asked the host why, she replied: “Because you’re from Wales.”
Airbnb said the host, who did not respond further to the pair, had been suspended while it investigated, adding discrimination “has no place on Airbnb”.
“When I heard that my mouth hit the floor, utter shock,” said Jemma, adding they were “pretty much speechless”.
“It was pure discrimination of where we are from.
“I am so proud to be Welsh and that’s why I decided to speak out about what happened to us. I want to challenge these narrow views.”
Jemma said the interaction made her feel “instantly like an outsider” and not welcome in Manchester.
The pair said they were even more baffled as the message was from a verified Airbnb “superhost”, which requires maintaining a 4.8 or higher overall rating and a 90% or higher response rate.
Being a superhost also requires maintaining a less than 1% cancellation rate, with exceptions for cancellations due to “major disruptive events or other valid reasons”, according to Airbnb.
The host had a high rating and had been described as “friendly” and “lovely”, said Jemma, who added previous reviews were from people across the world including guests from Wales.
“I don’t know what the entire country has done to her but we’re so confused, we’ve had no answers.”
Jemma Louise Gough
The friends say the host did not respond after their comment
Reasons why a host can cancel
For home hosts, valid cancellation reasons include but are not limited to:
Circumstances beyond the host’s control, such as major damage to a home listing, emergency repairs or unexpected issues with the service or experience venue that prevent hosting
Serious personal illness that prevents hosting
Proof that a guest intends to break one of the house rules included in the home listing details, have an unauthorised party or otherwise violate the party and events policy
A major disruptive event, such as declared public health emergencies or government travel restrictions
Jemma said questions were still left unanswered as the pair continued to chase Airbnb.
“I firmly believe discrimination takes form in many, many ways, and it all warrants attention and are all equally unacceptable,” said Jemma.
She added she did not want others to be affected by such behaviour.
In a statement, Airbnb said: “As soon as this report was brought to our attention, we reached out to the guest to provide our support and suspended the host while we investigate this matter.”
They cut and ran, leaving an unpaid bill of £2,685, police said.
They were caught about three hours after leaving the ship at the airport and promptly arrested.
“The couple tried to leave the cruise liner in a hurry with their luggage, declining to pay the cost of expenditure linked to their holiday,” a National Police spokesperson said.
They now face charges of defrauding the cruise line.
Neither the cruise line or the passengers have been named.
They were described as a 23-year old male and a 18-year old female.
Police said the outstanding bill relates to ‘several consumptions’ and ‘various items linked to their room.’
They cut and ran, leaving an unpaid bill of £2,685, police said.
They were caught about three hours after leaving the ship at the airport and promptly arrested.
“The couple tried to leave the cruise liner in a hurry with their luggage, declining to pay the cost of expenditure linked to their holiday,” a National Police spokesperson said.
They now face charges of defrauding the cruise line.
Neither the cruise line or the passengers have been named.
They were described as a 23-year old male and a 18-year old female.
Police said the outstanding bill relates to ‘several consumptions’ and ‘various items linked to their room.’
Antiques Roadshow expert John Benjamin was on hand to deliver a valuation on a pair of drop earrings and a sapphire ring
22:19, 01 Jun 2025Updated 22:19, 01 Jun 2025
On Sunday’s Antiques Roadshow, expert John Benjamin gave two hopeful guests some disappointing news at the stunning Wollaton Hall in Nottingham.
The episode featured locals bringing in their treasures, with a pair of guests presenting family Art Deco jewellery for valuation. At first glance inside an old tin, John discovered exquisite platinum drop earrings and a sapphire ring.
One of the guests related the tale of his mother receiving the jewels from a friend, who was acquainted with a man with connections to France.
John, upon closer inspection, found a significant alteration: “Someone who has owned these in their history has taken them to a jeweller and said: ‘I’m not sure if I like the fittings!’
Antiques Roadshow expert, John Benjamin, delivered some ‘bad news’ to two guests on Sunday’s episode of the show(Image: BBC)
“So what they’ve done is they’ve removed the original fittings from the back and they’ve soldered on these long gold sort of posts with nine carat gold screw fittings at the end”, reports Edinburgh Live.
While examining the ring, John revealed a surprising fact about its authenticity, revealing: “Here’s an interesting point, in the 1920s, when that was made, synthetic rubies and sapphires were beginning to appear on the market.”
He delivered the blow when he declared: “The sapphires on the shoulders in the ring are actually synthetic. They’re not real. So, there we are.”
During the valuation, he revealed: “Here’s the bad news, those drops, today, if they were having the original fittings on them. I think would be worth between £4,000 and £5,000.
He found a spectacular pair of drop earrings set in platinum and a sapphire ring(Image: BBC)
“But because the fittings have been changed, I think we’ve got to now drop that price to probably £2,500 to £3,000 simply because of a clumsy conversion.”
Regarding the sapphire ring, he estimated: “The ring about £1500.”
This led to one of the guests quipping: “How much is the box worth?” which prompted John to respond with a chuckle: “Priceless, absolutely priceless the box!”
In another segment, art expert Rupert Maas appraised a monochrome painting of Princess Daisy of Pless, an icon of Edwardian high society.
One of the guests explained that it was given to his mother by a friend of hers who had met a guy who spent a lot of time in France(Image: BBC)
The owner explained how her father had found the artwork in a Watford junk shop for a mere £13.50.
Rupert encouraged her to keep it on display, especially after revealing its surprising value of £2,000 to £3,000.
The owner was shocked, saying: “Really? Gosh! I was thinking you were going to say a couple of hundred,” to which Rupert acknowledged it wasn’t a huge sum but definitely a significant increase from what was paid.
Antiques Roadshow continues on Sundays at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
A popular Center Parcs resort is undergoing a huge £67 million expansion, which will see 200 new lodges added to the site. However, guests have been warned the upgrade may cause some disruption
Center Parcs proposed the expansion back in 2021(Image: Center Parcs)
Center Parcs has warned customers over potential disruption, as it ploughs ahead with a huge expansion. Whether you’re a sucker for the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and wave machine, or love to stroll through the forest after splurging out at the Pancake House – a trip to Centre Parcs is like no other.
The holiday complex, which first came to the UK back in 1987, aims to bring ‘people and nature together’. Its site, which tend to be set amongst vast stretches of woodlands, feature all your typical holiday camp facilities – such as an indoor swimming pools, water slides, arcades, restaurants, shops and a spa. But, guests can also work up a sweat thanks to the numerous activities on offer – spanning from badminton and tennis to archery and yoga.
Originating in the Netherlands, Center Parcs now has 28 resorts across Europe, including six in the UK. Over in Ireland, the resort’s Longford Forest is a popular choice – and is currently undergoing a huge €80 million (around £76 million) refurb.
200 new lodges are being built in the resort(Image: Center Parcs)
The huge investment, which was first announced back in 2021, include the addition of 200 new lodges, including four of the brand’s iconic treehouses. These premium accommodation types sleep up to eight people, and come with a games den, outdoor hot tub, private parking and dedicated ‘Treehouse Host’.
Alongside new lodges, Center Parcs also has plans to extend its existing leisure facilities, restaurants, cafés, as well as the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana Spa. In a 2021 press release, Center Parcs said the investment would create 250 permanent jobs, as well as a further 300 jobs during construction.
The investment will bring in 250 permanent jobs(Image: Center Parcs)
“As part of our ongoing development, we are currently constructing new lodges and facilities at Center Parcs Longford Forest,” the resort states on its website. “During your stay, you may notice increased construction traffic around the village and hear some noise from the works taking place.”
Center Parcs confirmed that the works will not impact the village facilities, which will remain open as normal. “We will work hard to keep disruption to a minimum,” it added. “Thank you for bearing with us during this time.”
Guests may notice increased traffic around the village(Image: Center Parcs)
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If you’re wanting to visit a Center Parcs lodge a bit closer to home, you can choose from Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire; Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire; Elveden Forest, Suffolk; Whinfell Forest, Cumbria, or Longleat Forest, Wiltshire. May half-term breaks start from £799.
Prices include entry to the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, but do not include activities such as tennis, badminton, bowling, or access to the spa. You can book these ahead of your visit on the Center Parcs app.
*Prices based on Center Parcs listings at the time of writing.
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