Should ketchup be kept in the cupboard or in the fridge?
It’s a question we’ve all heard before, it’s an age-old debate among the British public, and at this point, in 2023, it’s an answer that we just can’t seem to agree or see eye-to-eye on, no matter how hard we try to come to a decision.
The debate has generated opinion from pretty much everyone who’s ever tasted the classic condiment, but now, Heinz has finally decided to weigh in and end the conversation once and for all.
The manufacturer’s iconic red sauce with an “unmistakeable taste” and “unique flavour” has been a staple in UK households since it was first introduced all the way back in 1886, but while millions of Brits will find common ground in the fact they probably have a bottle or two at home, where they choose to keep it, however, isn’t the same across the board.
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Heinz has finally settled the ‘fridge v cupboard’ ketchup debate / Credit: Heinz UK | Jacob Rice (via Unsplash)
Heinz knows this all too well.
But despite the debate raging on for decades, the company has kept pretty tight-lipped on its stance… until only recently.
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Choosing to weigh in on X, formerly known as Twitter, the manufacturer first dropped the bombshell that “ketchup goes in the fridge”, before going on to reply to shocked fans and ask people to give their opinions on an interactive poll.
The results of Heinz’s poll revealed that 63% of respondents agreed the condiment should be stored in the fridge, while just over 36% think it should live in the cupboard.
Northern Ireland is apparently “the worse cupboard offender in the UK”, according to Heinz, with 58% of the responding population choosing to keep their ketchup bottles behind room-temperature doors, while the Welsh capital of Cardiff, on the other hand, keep it in the fridge “where it belongs”.
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Where do you keep yours? It has to be… in the fridge!
A third ‘team cupboard’ fighter wrote: “Take it back!!!!,” while a fourth added: “Never, ever has it ever gone in my fridge, nor anybody elses,” and another said: “Heinz don’t even know where their product should be stored.”
While it does seem that lots of people disagree with Heinz, there was, of course, a good chunk of the hundreds of comments siding with the company.
Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
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The Chestergate pub in Stockport is at it again with some of the most wonderfully Manc scenes you’ll ever see
Danny Jones
The legendary Chestergate pub in Stockport is back with another belter of a video, following on from their viral belly-flashing clip of 2022.
The Mersey Square boozer has painted yet another quintessentially Northern depiction of UK pub culture with the latest Manc scenes they’ve captured around the karaoke machine.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of stumbling into The Chestergate in Stockport town centre, the long-standing boozer currently operated by publican chain Blind Tiger Inns, you’re seriously missing out.
While it might not be the flashiest of pubs, when it comes to entertainment, it always delivers.
Whether it’s stunts like renaming themselves ‘The Southgate’ whenever the Euros or World Cup rolls around, or the locals just genuinely having a whale of a time no matter what day of the week it is, it really sums up the best of pub culture.
The Chestergate went viral for some of the most British footage ever caught on film back in 2022 and the videos saw a huge wave of love and support flooding in for the pub, as well as a healthy amount of chuckles. Safe to say we were chuffed to see them pop back up on our feed again recently.
Karaoke night at The Chestergate literally never disappoints.
Forget ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ or ‘Champagne Supernova’ for karaoke songs – we’ll take a cacophony of inaudible throwback pop music, whilst another bloke and his hype man try and MC over a totally ill-fitting beat any day of the week.
And that’s handy because you’ll find those kinds of shenanigans happening at this place all the time.
It’s simultaneously one of the most no-nonsense and somehow a non-stop shenanigan-filled paradise. They also look after their own and consider their regulars part of the family. Case and point: they threw their very own ‘Dancing Queen’ Molly a big bash for her 86th birthday and it’s such wholesome viewing.
At this point, it’s worth flagging that we have nothing but envy for these folks and anyone who’s just out there having the time of their lives on any random weeknight.
Yes, it produced plenty of laughs for those watching online in recent times but this lot won’t mind one bit – not only is the pub seeing more and more new faces through the door but that’s the whole point of a pub, isn’t it? Going for a pint with your nearest and dearest and having a laugh.
Not only is it very Manchester but it’s Britain at its very best.
We hope to see you at The Chestergate pub in Stockport for a pint or two sometime soon and we’re making a bit of a prat of ourselves, don’t worry, we’re sure they’ll have the cameras ready for you.
Emily Sergeant -
31st August 2023 
