One of CBeebies’ best-loved shows of the mid-2000s has returned to our TV screens after nearly two decades off air.
Big Cook, Little Cook is back.
If you’re unfamiliar with the popular children’s cooking show, the original series first aired between 2004 and 2006 was famously is set in the kitchen of a cafe owned by the two main characters – Big Cook Ben and Little Cook Small, with the former a full-sized adult, and the latter only a few inches tall and known for flying around on a wooden spoon.
And it seems like the reboot is no different in that respect, as the new series of Big Cook, Little Cook had it’s premiere on CBeebies yesterday.
This time around though, the show’s comeback – which is filmed in MediaCityUK in Salford – features an all-new female cast, with Ibinabo Jack as Big Cook Jen and Courtney Bowman Little Cook Small, replacing original show hosts Steve Marsh and Dan Wright.
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There’s said to be at least 50 episodes in the new series, which will air on weekdays.
Much like the original, the cookery duo are tasked with creating various recipes for children and their parents to try at home, and during each episode of the reboot there’ll be an informative documentary section that teaches kids where their food comes from, and is shot in fields, herb gardens, factories and farms all around the UK.
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If all of that wasn’t nostalgic enough as it is, the reboot of the show even has the same theme song from the original series too.
Speaking ahead of the airing of the first episode of the reboot yesterday, Jo Killingley – Creator and Executive Producer – said: “We made the original iconic ‘Big Cook Little Cook’ nearly 20 years ago, it was the most fun series I’ve ever worked on.
“With brand new talent in 2022, it’s continuing to be a joy.
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“We’re celebrating British ingredients and food producers, plus a whole host of World recipes [and] we’re hoping this will be a delicious treat for kids and their grown up helpers and encourage everyone to pick up a wooden spoon and create some magic in the kitchen -and maybe a little mess.”
The original Big Cook, Little Cook series first aired on CBeebies between 2004 and 2006 / Credit: BBC iPlayer
Following the first episode airing last night, the reboot seems to have already proved a hit with parents on social media, with many enjoying the “nostalgic moment” by watching the show themselves.
“My son really liked this new episode and cast, he was very engaged,” one Twitter user said.
Another review read: “I’ve watched the original Big Cook Little Cook back when I was a child, so watching the modern revamp was such a nostalgic treat. Really enjoyed the episode. Felt so similar to the original, but had a nice modern take to it.”
Big Cook, Little Cook airs on weekdays on CBeebies at 4:45pm.
Featured Image – BBC
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One in 10 Brits are fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party, new survey finds
Emily Sergeant
We’re in peak office Christmas party season right about now.
With just under two weeks to go until the big day itself is here, many businesses across the UK are treating their staff to night out to celebrate both the festive season and all of the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year… and as you can expect, these are usually quite eventful gatherings, shall we say.
But now, a survey by has shed light on just how ‘eventful’ they actually are, as a new survey has revealed that, apparently, one in ten Brits face some sort of disciplinary action or dismissal due to their behaviour at Christmas parties.
The study was conducted by After Drink, and included more than 2,000 participants.
During the research, it was highlighted that 89% of employees admitted to drinking alcohol at these events, Lad Bible reports – with 65% of these confessing that they drank “excessively”.
One in 10 Brits get fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party / Credit: Kraken Images | Mimi Thian (via Unsplash)
There are a multitude of incidents which could lead to disciplinary action in the workplace nowadays, but according to the survey, some of the common reasons following festive celebrations with colleagues included inappropriate comments (23%) and even getting into fights (21%).
16% of these incidents were because of drug use during the event, while inappropriate interactions with colleagues accounted for 14%.
Some of the legal reasons you can be fired from your place of work after a Christmas party include gross misconduct, drunken behaviour, and fighting of any kind.
Despite all these risks, however, Christmas parties still remain as popular as always, and a whopping 79% of respondents said they are planning to attend theirs this year.
Clearly, the moral of the story here is , enjoy yourself… but just not too much.
Featured Image – The OurWhiskey Company (via Pexels)
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Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd March 2022 
