A brand new primetime show from everyone’s favourite sweary TV chef is due to hit our screens this week, merging the worlds of cooking shows with the competitive, on-screen world of business TV.
Called Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars, it’s being billed as an Apprentice-style series (but for foodies), with contestants battling it out to win a £150,000 fund to help kickstart their business.
And we’ve been tipped off that early episodes airing this week will feature a Manchester-based entrepreneur keen to make her mark.
Enter Steph Buttery, the founder of Japanese inspired sour soft drinks brandsChu Lo – hand-picked by Gordon Ramsay as one of twelve of the UK’s best up-and-coming food and drink entrepreneurs.
Steph will take on the weekly cookery and business-led challenges as she battles it out against other budding entrepreneurs for the chance to win an investment from Gordon himself.
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Speaking of the experience, she said: “I can’t wait for the series to launch and to see the reaction from viewers.
“It was an incredible opportunity and hopefully people are thoroughly entertained. For anyone considering applying, go for it!”
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Who is Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars contestant Steph Buttery?
The Manchester-based entrepreneur has been named as one of the first contestants to appear on the first-ever BBC series of Gordon Ramsey’s Future Food Stars.
Steph is the founder of the Japanese-inspired sour soft drinks brand,Chu Lo, which she launched in 2019 after serving twelve years in the Royal navy.
Following her passion for the unique Japanese flavours she enjoyed whilst deployed in the Far East, Steph set out to create her own line of non-alcoholic, vegan-friendly, gluten-free, sour soft drinks here in the UK.
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Steph Buttery is a former Navy staffer and the founder of the Japanese-inspired sour soft drinks brand,Chu Lo. / Image: Supplied
Today, Chu Lo now has four tantalising flavours available in apple, lemon, peach and cherry and the business has since secured huge deals with industry giants including YO! Sushi and Belong Gaming Arenas.
Since February this year, Chu Lo Drinks has also been supplying outlets across the US and EU.
But Steph’s success doesn’t stop there. Most recently, she joined the ensemble of business owners for the first series of Gordon Ramsay’s latest TV show endeavour, Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars.
Steph joined the series to step out of her comfort zone and challenge herself against other keen business minds.
Contestants on the show come from all across the UK. Worcestershire chef Amit has created a range of bottled Indian sauces from his family recipes and Londoner Leah creates free-from brownies for those with allergies and inolerances.
Ex-Navy chef Jamie has a mussel bar in Macclesfield and PR graduate Asher runs a jam, chutney and marmalade business from her home in the Rhondda Valley. Meanwhile, Jen from Castleford creates low-sugar bottled cocktails whilst Londoner Matthew wants to set up a zero-waste restaurant.
There’s also health coach Bola, who has created low-calorie apple cider vinegar seltzers, Michelle from Perthshire selling Scottish steamed puddings (also known as clootie dumplings), Londoner Victoria and her award-winning plantain and vegan snacks, and Italian Vincenzo who has set up his own artisan smoked salmon brand.
Last but not least, there is also Valentina who is launching a vegan cake mix and cafe in the capital.
When is the release date?
Coming soon to BBC One, the eight-part series sees the formidable chef set a series of challenges for twelve budding entrepreneurs as they compete to win a £150,000 investment for their business.
The series kicks off on Thursday 31 March on BBC One at 9pm. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
Feature image – Youtube / Supplied
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You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
31st March 2022 
