Tag Archives: Awards

Rosé Wine Special | Wine Reviews

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Villa Maria Private Bin Rose 2013, RRP £9.99, Tesco, Majestic, Bargain Booze, Wine Rack, Village Wines (Amersham),  www.NZhouseofwine.com

This is a gorgeous dry rosé. It has aromas of ripe berry fruits. It is a very refreshing and drinkable wine.

Lourensford River Garden Rose 2013, RRP £8.20, Cheers Wines Merchants, BJR Hanby, Luvians, The Leamington Wine Company, Beaconsfield Wine Cellars,www.winedirect.co.uk

This rose is as interesting as it is delicious. It has fresh red berry and strawberry flavour and a unique and wonderful touch of spice greatly enhances the wine. Yummy.

Grant Burge GB11 Rose 2013, RRP £8.99, Nidderdale Fine Wines, The Wine Shop, www.thedrinkshop.com, Cheers Wine Merchants, Famous Wines

This is a brilliant light, fresh wine. It is a beautiful crimson red and has a wonderful, but not overpowering, sweetness to it. Has aromas of ripe strawberry, spices and candy. Goes very well with salmon. Delicious.

Cune Rosado 2012, RRP £9.49, Majestic, Dunedin Wines, Refreshers, Elies Cellars, Hailsham Cellars, Fountainhall Wines, www.winedirect.co.uk

This rose is a dark, clear red. Full of dark summer fruit aromas. This raspberry coloured wine also has floral notes. Light and refreshing. Stunning.

Les Pins Couches Rose 2013, RRP £9.99, Fresh and Wild, Les Caves du Patron, Luvians, Noble Green Wines, Bacchus et Al, Clifton Cellars, Kingsgate Wines, The Whalley Wine Shop, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Partridges of Sloane Street, Wine Rack, Wimbledon Wine Cellars

Light in colour. A dry rose with subtle fruit flavours in abundance. Has notes of herbs, black olives and fresh fruit. A brilliant French wine that encapsulates what the Mediterranean coast would taste like if it was a glass of rosé. Has spices and freshness all in one. Is a blend of syrah and mourvédre. Elegant and wonderful.

Joseph Mellot Sancerre Le Rabault Rosé 2013, RRP £16.99, Famous Wines, Eagle Wines, The Leamington Wine Company, Kingsgate Wines.

This wine was a big hit at a cheese and wine night I had in my apartment. Is a nice salmon colour. Is very fresh and fruity and highly drinkable. Good stuff.

 

Frost are doing a wine awards. Wine makers please enter by sending bottles to Frost HQ and readers please email frost magazine@gmail.com with wine suggestions. Thank you.

 

 

Natwest Everywoman Awards Invites Entries For 2014

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suitUK’s leading programme for female entrepreneurship seeks enterprising stars

 

Female entrepreneurs following in the footsteps of Jo Malone MBE, Hilary Devey CBE, Kelly Hoppen MBE and Cath Kidston MBE are being sought as the 2014 NatWest everywoman Awards open for entry. Britain’s most successful programme supporting female enterprise has attracted thousands of entries and recognised the achievements of dozens of women in its 12 year history. At its annual ceremony stories of extraordinary tenacity and determination are brought to the fore as the cream of the business and political worlds celebrate the achievements of the UK’s leading business owners.

 

There are now almost 1.5 million women self-employed in the UK, which represents an increase of around 300,000 since before the economic downturn*. Whilst on the increase, this figure is still disproportionately low compared with the number of male-owned businesses, and the NatWest everywoman Awards aims to address the imbalance, highlighting the achievements of exceptional women of all ages. By raising awareness and creating role models, the Awards’ purpose is to show others that anything is possible and give them the confidence and courage to follow their business dreams.

 

The NatWest everywoman Awards are free to enter and individuals can be nominated or can enter themselves at www.everywoman.com/ewawards. The core categories are:

Artemis – for a woman running a business who is aged 25 or under.

Demeter – for a woman running a business who is aged between 26 and 35.

Athena – for a woman running a business who is aged between 36 and 49.

Hera – for a woman running a business who is aged 50 or over.

 

Specialist category:

 

Iris – This Award is given to the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur who runs a business that uses technology in an innovative and disruptive way. Sponsored by IBM.

Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of everywoman comments: “With categories according to age we aim to show the development of businesses from the hungry start-ups fuelled by passion and determination through to mature, global organisations that make significant contributions to the economy and employment. We have identified that role models are crucial in their influence of women making decisions about their professional future and these awards are important in highlighting success stories and inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs. The profile attributed by the awards has helped many of our winners and finalists grow their businesses further, and provides valuable networking opportunities.”

Anne McPherson, Managing Director, Enterprise at NatWest says, “We are delighted to support the NatWest everywoman awards for the 12th year in a row. These awards have showcased many excellent role models over the years, and have offered great encouragement to female entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey. At NatWest, we have seen a tangible increase in the number of women starting up in business, and we continue to be committed to encouraging more women to do so. To this end, we have a network of over 200 externally accredited Women in Business Specialists across the country who share and understand our customers’ ambitions, and provide business advice, networking and mentoring opportunities to help them build successful businesses and fulfil their potential”.

 

Nominations are made online at www.everywoman.com/ewawards until 7 July.

 

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on 3 December 2014 at The Dorchester Hotel, London and will be attended by hundreds of the UK’s leading businesswomen, politicians, media and VIPS. For further information and for table bookings, please contact everywoman directly on 020 7981 2574.

 

 

Sarah Millican Responds To Criticism About Her Appearance On The Red Carpet

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The red carpet can be a brutal place for women: their talent is put to one side and they are based entirely on the sum of their parts and ability to dress. This is what happened to Sarah Millican at last year’s BAFTA Awards.

“I’m sorry. I thought I had been invited to such an illustrious event because I am good at my job. Putting clothes on is such a small part of my day. They may as well have been criticising me for brushing my teeth differently to them” She wrote in her Radio Times Essay.

 

Sarah millican responds to trolls BAFTA Awards

Trolls on the internet attacked her red carpet look, calling it “disastrous” and “nana”-like. She was hurt but choose to respond and point out the sexism of a woman being judged on her appearance rather than celebrated for her achievements.

“I’m not a model (I’m a comedian), have never learnt how to pose on a red carpet (I’m a comedian) and I have pretty low self-esteem.”

She also had this to say about her John Lewis dress:

“Fancy expensive designer shops are out for me as I’m a size 18, sometimes 20, and I therefore do not count as a woman to them.”

“It was like a pin to my excitable red balloon. Literally thousands of messages from people criticising my appearance. I was fat and ugly as per usual. … I cried. I cried in the car.”

Then she got angry….

“Why does it matter so much what I was wearing? … I felt wonderful in that dress. And surely that’s all that counts.”

 

Cate Blanchett also got sick of the sexist double standards after the cameras kept scanning her up and down at this year’s SAG Awards. She asked, “Do you do that to the guys?”

Funnily, Millican, points out the sexism of the situation: “My husband wasn’t asked who he was wearing, which disappointed him. Mainly because he was dying to tell ANYONE he was wearing an Asda tux.”

Even better, Millican had this to say about the dress she wore:

“I made a decision the following day that should I ever be invited to attend the Baftas again, I will wear the same dress. To make the point that it doesn’t matter what I wear; that’s not what I’m being judged on.”

 

 

Shortlist for Guardian Film Awards announced

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guardianfilmawardsThe shortlist for the Guardian Film Awards, which was based entirely on readers’ votes, has been announced.

Steve McQueen’s slavery drama ‘12 Years a Slave’ dominates across the lists, with nominations for best film, best director, best scene, best line of dialogue and biggest game-changer. It also scores two nominations in the best supporting actor category – for Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o.

Joshua Oppenheimer’s film, The Act of Killing, is also in contention for best film and biggest game-changer – a category which seeks to celebrate innovation in cinema, whether it be technical, creative or financial. It’s up against Gravity, Spike Jonze’s Her, 12 Years a Slave, The Act of Killing, and Ben Wheatley’s A Field in England.

Cate Blanchett and Adèle Exarchopoulos join Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leonardo DiCaprio and Bruce Dern in the race for best actor, while documentarian Joshua Oppenheimer is up for best director alongside Steve McQueen, Spike Jonze, Alexander Payne and Paolo Sorrentino.

Guardian film editor and awards judge Catherine Shoard said: 

“It’s really heartening to see what the readers have done with our longlist. By voting for the likes of Adele Exarchpoloulus in the best actor category, and Paolo Sorrentino and Joshua Oppenheimer for best director, they’re shown that regular movie-goers are capable of an imagination – and an inclusiveness – that seems to be beyond the members of most awards bodies.”


Shortlists


Best film

– 12 Years a Slave
– Gravity
– The Great Beauty
– The Act of Killing
– Blue is the Warmest Colour

Best actor

– Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
– Bruce Dern, Nebraska
– Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
– Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
– Adèle Exarchopoulos, Blue is the Warmest Colour

Best supporting actor

– Matt Damon, Behind the Candelabra
– Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
– Jared Leto, The Dallas Buyers Club
– Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
– June Squibb, Nebraska

Best director

– Spike Jonze, Her
– Joshua Oppenheimer, The Act of Killing
– Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
– Paolo Sorrentino, The Great Beauty
– Alexander Payne, Nebraska

Best scene

– Alan Partridge lip-synching to Roachford in the car in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
– The opening scene of Gravity
– The first party in The Great Beauty
– Patsy returning with the soap in 12 Years a Slave
– The struggle back to the car while overdosing in The Wolf of Wall Street

Best line of dialogue

– She was the Picasso of passive-aggressive karate. Irving (Christian Bale) in American Hustle
– Something to eat and some rest; your children will soon enough be forgotten. Mistress Ford (Liza J Bennett) in 12 Years a Slave
– Anxiety, nightmares and a nervous breakdown, there’s only so many traumas a person can withstand until they take to the streets and start screaming. Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) in Blue Jasmine
–  I think if Jesus was here now he’d tip you out of that fucking wheelchair and you wouldn’t get up and walk. Martin (Steve Coogan) in Philomena
– What a story; everything but a fire in the orphanage. Liberace (Michael Douglas) in Behind the Candelabra

Best film festival

– Cannes
– Sundance
– London
– Sheffield Doc/Fest
– Toronto

Best marketing campaign

– Philomena
– Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
– Anchorman: The Legend Continues
– Blue is the Warmest Colour
– World War Z

Biggest game-changer

– The Act of Killing
– Gravity
– Her
– 12 Years a Slave
– A Field in England

Best cinema

Free readers’ vote.

So-bad-it’s-good film

Free readers’ vote.

Lifetime achievement

Judges’ vote.

Lara Pulver Wears Ursula Mascaro

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The lovely Lara Pulver has been spotted this week wearing Ursula Mascaro. The Sherlock actress chose the Camille nude leather crossover heels whilst on the red carpet at the BAFTA Awards.

Lara Pulver Lara Pulver image006

The shoes are from the new SS14 collection and retail for £249.

 

Guardian News & Media launches the Guardian Film Awards

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guardianfilmawardsExciting news for film fans. Guardian News and Media (GNM) today launches the inaugural Guardian Film Awards, a brand new celebration of contemporary cinema which rethinks the categories from the ground up and puts the movie-goer at the heart of the experience.

 

In a fresh twist, alongside the traditional big hitter categories like best film and best director, readers can vote for their favourite marketing campaign, film festival and movie scene. And instead of the usual gender divisions of best actor and best actress, in the Guardian Film Awards, both sexes battle it out in the same categories.

 

Unlike traditional awards like the Oscars or Golden Globes, the Guardian Film Awards give readers the chance to have their say in the matter every step of the way – from shaping the shortlists to having a vote at the final judging stage.

 

The way it works is simple. Readers vote for their favourites in the main nine categories from the longlists chosen by Guardian film editors and writers. The votes cast will decide the shortlist, which will then be considered by a panel of six expert judges – including Guardian and Observer critics Peter Bradshaw and Xan Brooks, editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, film editor Catherine Shoard, award-winning film-maker Adam Curtis, and critic and presenter Claudia Winkleman. The invisible seventh judge at the table will be the reader, whose vote will help shape and guide the panel’s final decision.

 

The shortlists will be announced on 19 February. The winners will collect their awards at a ceremony on 6 March.

 

The full category list includes:

Best film (this can be in any genre and includes documentaries and foreign-language films)

Best actor (male or female)

Best supporting actor (male or female)

Best director

Best scene

Best line of dialogue

Best film festival

Best marketing campaign

Biggest game-changer

Best cinema (wholly voted by readers)

So-bad-it’s-good film (wholly voted by readers)

Lifetime achievement (special judges’ award wholly nominated and voted by the panel)

Guardian & Observer film critic and judge Peter Bradshaw said: “The Guardian Film Awards will offer a new slant on the awards season; they will be enjoyable, unpretentious, and user-friendly and let the reader and moviegoer connect more directly with the glittering prizes themselves.”

 

Judge Claudia Winkleman said: “I’m thrilled to be one of the judges for the Guardian Film Awards. I’m particularly excited as the readers are voting too. Also, I think it’s common knowledge that I’d follow Peter Bradshaw anywhere.”

 

Readers can vote and participate on the Guardian Film Awards 2014 website: theguardian.com/guardian-film-awards. Voting closes midday February 16 2014.

 

Read more on the longlists here.

Calling The UK’s Female Entrepreneurs: Enter The NatWest Everywoman Awards

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beyonce_super_bowl_The UK’s longest-running programme for championing female enterprise, the NatWest everywoman Awards is welcoming entries for 2013. These awards, in their eleventh year, differentiate themselves by recognising business success at every stage of maturity – from embryonic start-ups demonstrating promise to established enterprises that are making a significant contribution to the British economy.

The search is now on to find the female entrepreneurs who will join the ranks of past winners; Chrissie Rucker MBE, Jo Malone MBE, Cath Kidston MBE, Hilary Devey and Dame Mary Perkins as well as the dozens of other women of all ages, household names of tomorrow, who are leading successful businesses the length and breadth of the country.

The number of people setting up their own businesses has jumped by 367,000 since the start of the downturn in 2008*, demonstrating how while necessity may be the mother of invention, a recession can be the mother of innovation. Every year, these awards demonstrate how women from all backgrounds are turning to entrepreneurship to realise their career ambitions. The NatWest everywoman awards raise the profile of pioneering, innovative, inspiring women whose journeys serve to encourage others to join the existing 4.2 million business owners in the UK.

The NatWest everywoman Awards are free to enter and individuals can be nominated or can enter themselves. The core award categories are:


Artemis – given to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged 25 or under.

Demeter – awarded to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged between 26 and 35.

Athena – presented to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged between 36 and 49.

Hera – for the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged 50 or over.

Specialist categories include:

Iris – presented to the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur who runs a technology business that makes a difference provides real solutions in the world today and, ultimately, is instrumental in building a smarter planet.

Hestia – for the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur who runs a business in a remote rural location and makes a contribution to the local community.

Gaia – awarded to the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur who runs a business with a clearly defined social and/or ethical purpose at its heart.

Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder and director of everywoman comments: “These awards recognise that starting and building a successful enterprise does not come with an instruction manual. We understand that business success is driven by women of all ages, from all backgrounds, across industry sectors. Over the years we have recognised hundreds of women who exhibit diverse skills and characteristics that have helped them succeed. Enterprise has never been more popular, and it is encouraging that so many more women are pursuing this route. We want to search out and identify the country’s hidden female entrepreneurs, whether they are just a year into their journey or are growing an established business turning over millions of pounds. By spreading the word about the triumphs of these trailblazing women, others will appreciate how rewarding owning a business can be, and have the confidence to follow in their footsteps.”

Nominations are made online at http://www.everywoman.com/ewawards until 8 July and will be judged by a panel of accomplished businesswomen and entrepreneurs.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on 4 December 2013 attended by hundreds of the UK’s leading businesswomen, politicians, media and VIPS. For further information and for table bookings, please contact everywoman directly on 020 7981 2574.

Luke Johnson backs the team behind The Food Awards Company

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LukeJohnsonLooking for some inspiration? Anyone who wants to start a business or new venture will find something in this story: A Radio 4 programme on a wet autumn afternoon in 2011 started a flow of events that resulted in the successful launch of one award in 2012 and two more are now following in 2013. The first, Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year, attracted over 3,000 entries from across the world in year one. Headline sponsor Pink Lady® Apples is now committed for a further five years. This is a great achievement for the enterprising team working out of a potting shed in Lincolnshire!

 

The bottom line

Caroline Kenyon was listening to Radio 4’s ‘The Bottom Line’ presented by Evan Davis one autumn afternoon when she took action. Luke Johnson was being interviewed and it struck her that he could be the right person to help her idea to take shape. After 12 years developing a successful PR and Events business focusing on the food sector, she felt that there was a need for niche awards delivered with flair and originality. After emails, telephone calls, meetings and business plans, Luke Johnson was also convinced and wanted to be involved. It is 12 months since Evan Davis played cupid and The Food Awards Company began. The awards are a culmination of 25 years experience and an ambition to create something with longevity and real purpose. “These awards will, I hope, still be running in 50 years’ time,” says Caroline Kenyon. This concept is now a very real and successful business.

 

From law to food via journalism…

Caroline was about to embark on a career at the Bar following Law at Cambridge, but after a year of travel and an article in the Evening Standard, her direction changed. The years of studying law were put behind her as she began freelance writing combined with waitressing and selling boxer shorts to off-duty bankers in a Fulham boutique on a Saturday, alongside now BAFTA-winning television director, Hugo Blick and his producer wife Elinor. Her writing led to her becoming editor of the Traveller Magazine where she worked with great names such as Ranulph Fiennes and Edmund Hillary. Then a move to Lincolnshire and the birth of her son Henry started on direction number two – helping local food businesses with their PR.

Twelve years later, Kenyon Communications has been responsible for running the British Pie Awards, East Midlands Food & Drink Festival, Lincolnshire in London and worked on many successful PR campaigns such as Yes Peas! and Totally Traditional Turkeys. The team also work with the acclaimed chef, Rachel Green. During this time Caroline has built up a team of eight – all working from the potting shed in her garden and with eclectic backgrounds, including working as promotions manager to Bryan Adams and being responsible for business development with the Orient Express – throw in a karate black belt and you have exciting people to work with! This team has combined to deliver numerous awards and events for clients, so they are now working to build The Food Awards Company. They believe strongly in the business and are working on a profit share basis – all sharing the work and the rewards.

Caroline commented; “The idea had been bubbling in my head for a while and as with all ideas the exciting part is bringing them to life. Fortunately for me my idea has been backed by a man who has implemented many of his own extremely successfully and I hope can spot a good one! I also have a fantastically hard-working and fun team to work with – they are helping us to make this happen at a faster speed than I initially anticipated.”

Photography and bread combined with an enterprising spirit

The first award was designed to highlight the previously not recognised art of food photography, Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year. Images came in from across the globe with categories such as Cream of the Crop, Food Portraiture, Food in the Street, Food for Celebration and a chance for the under 18’s with the Young Photographer section. With judges including Sheila Dillon, Alex James and Henry Dimbleby – the glamorous 2012 presentation took place at the Mall Galleries last April. For 2013 the aim is to have 10,000 entries and so far they are on target. The headline sponsor is Pink Lady® Apples, other key sponsors are Champagne Taittinger and Errazuriz Wines with money also being raised for Action Against Hunger. The second awards celebrate the rise of artisan bread-making – the Tiptree World Bread Awards are now open for entries and the winners will be announced at a harvest supper style event in the autumn. The third award is all-encompassing across the food sector – Food and Drink Entrepreneur of the Year. This is an idea in development and the hunt is on for the right partner to support enterprise in this dynamic sector. We will always need to eat. New and exciting foods are constantly being innovated – this means that Caroline and her creative team at The Food Awards Company will keep thinking of new ideas and ensure that these tasty businesses are recognised for their skill, expertise and overall deliciousness!

 

Luke Johnson explained why he decided to be part of this new business that is setting out to highlight the best in specific niche sectors; “I really liked the idea of this from the outset,” says the serial food entrepreneur known for building the Pizza Express empire in the 90’s and former Chairman of Channel 4, now owner of Giraffe restaurants, Patisserie Valerie, Gail’s Artisan Bakery among many others. “People love awards, and niche awards which celebrate something specific are even more appealing.”