Nando’s has brought out a new spice level, and it’s so hot, that those willing to take on the challenge have to sign a ‘liability waiver’ before tucking in.
The South African Portuguese-inspired restaurant chain is well-known for its PERi-ometer, which lets diners pick from several spice and flavour options to marinade their food in, and ranks them from the least to most spicy, just so you know what you’re getting yourself in for.
As Nando’s fans will know, Extra Hot is usually at the top of the scale, but now, a new addition has been added for 2023 – the VUSA XX HOT.
Or rather, we should say the spice level has returned, as the VUSA XX HOT is actually back on the menu after a hiatus following its short stint tingling – and shocking – the tastebuds of customers across the country.
The only difference now is, you have to sign a ‘liability waiver’.
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VUSA XX HOT gets its name from the Zulu word ‘Vusa’, which means ‘excitement and fire’ in English, and is not only a good indicator of what those brave enough to try it out can expect from the challenge, but also gives an insight into why a ‘liability waiver’ is needed.
We’re putting ‘liability waiver’ in inverted commas here because it is, of course, a little bit tongue-in-cheek on Nando’s part as it basically just gets diners to confirm that they know where the Bottomless Froyo machine is in the restaurant, just in case of cooling-down-related emergencies.
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The waiver reads: “I certify I’m fully aware it’s fiery, fierce and has earned its rightful place at the top of the PERi-ometer. I’ll enjoy the legendary taste, hot sweats and bragging rights – because every mouthful’s a madness.
“After consideration, I waive my rights to complain about any spicy side effects, including but not limited to, streaming eyes and panting in front of my mates (or date).
“As a safety precaution, I confirm I know where to find the Bottomless Froyo machine”.
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The Nando’s VUSA XX HOT spice / Credit: Nando’s
Spicy food not really your bag?
Well, Nando’s is also embracing Veganuary this month, and has launched new spiced chickpea-based range of dishes too – including the Spiced Chickpea Wrap and Pitta to go along with the already-released burger version.
These two new dishes take a spiced chickpea and spinach patty, and mix it with hummus, crunchy pink pickled onions, smoky red pepper chutney, and lettuce, all rolled into a tortilla wrap or fluffy pitta.
The Nando’s plant-based Spiced Chickpea range / Credit: Nando’s
VUSA XX HOT and the Spiced Chickpea wrap and pitta are now available to try out for order for a limited time only at all UK and Ireland Nando’s restaurants.
Aldi launches UK’s cheapest Valentine’s dine-in meal deal for just £2.99 per person
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has launched the UK’s cheapest dine-in meal deal ahead of Valentine’s Day, and prices start at just £2.99 per person.
With only a week of January left, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner now, and that means restaurants across Greater Manchester are likely already getting booked up by couples keen to celebrate their love on the special day.
But for those keen to keep things on a budget, there’s always the supermarket meal deal, of course.
M&S tend to be the heavy-hitters when it comes to Valentine’s dine-in deals, with other retailers like Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s also proving popular in recent years too, and many having already announced their menus for 2025 too – but now, there’s a new rival on the block and, apparently, it’s the cheapest you can get.
Aldi says its Valentine’s Day range is “a match made in heaven” for those looking to host date night at home this year.
Aldi is launching the UK’s cheapest Valentine’s meal deal for just £2.99 per person / Credit: Simon Hadley (via Aldi UK)
With prices starting from just £2.99 per person, there’s everything from succulent seafood and steaks, to delicious desserts and drinks on the lineup this year – with shoppers guaranteed to be “pulling on those heart strings, not the purse strings”.
The cheapest meal deal combination on the menu this year includes Aldi’s Specially Selected Heart Shaped Pizza, available in either classic margherita or spicy pepperoni, for just £2.99, which pairs perfectly with the Valentine’s Day Mini Heart Shaped Garlic Bread topped with mozzarella cheese for £1.49, and finished off with the sweet treat of Pink Mini Heart Pancakes, also for £1.49.
If you stick to just these three food courses, then this combo will only set you back £5.97 all together, but you can also choose to add bubbles onto the deal for under a fiver too.
A sneak peak at some of the options on the menu this year / Credit: Aldi
Some of the other options for mains include the Nduja-style Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts, two different Specially Selected Heart Shaped Pasta dishes, Duck Breasts with Plum & Hoisin Sauce, Gastro Wagyu Pies, and even Wagyu lasagnes, as well as plenty of choice for vegetarians and vegans.
Options for starters and sides this year include things like Gastro Wagyu Triple Cooked Chips, and two different Specially Selected Mac & Cheese dishes.
And when it comes to desserts, those with a sweet tooth can choose from options such as the Tear and Share Cookie with a milk chocolate dip, Specially Selected Cheesecake Slices, and even a new Vegan Caramelised Biscuit Heart Sponge Pudding to finish things off.
Aldi’s Valentine’s range is available in stores from 10 February, so you can get the goods in just in time for the big day itself.
Featured Image – Aldi
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The reason why Stockport station has been temporarily renamed to ‘Scottport’
Danny Jones
Anyone passing through Stockport station this morning may have been a bit confused and potentially panicked that they got on the wrong train after seeing the name ‘Scottport’ out the window.
But fear not, they arrived at their destinations as intended and it wasn’t just a badly spelt new sign either – here’s why…
This Monday (27 January) was her replacement’s first day at work and if you haven’t already put two and two together, we’ll happily walk you the rest of the way there.
With fellow radio veteran Scott Mills being chosen as her replacement, the Eastleigh-born presenter made his debut as the new Breakfast Show host to kick off not only a new week but a new era – and to mark the occasion, Stockport railway station has changed its name for Scottport for the day.
As far as we know, the former Radio 1 has no other connection to Greater Manchester or SK in particular, but the route does connect the BBC’s Broadcasting House in the capital to their Northern hub in MediaCityUK, Salford Quays.
Having stepped away from Radio 1 back in 2022 a whopping 24 years, Mills previously replaced Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2.
The 51-year-old stood in for Ball back in September 2024 after she took a few weeks off which looks to have proven a more than worthy trial shift as he now takes over the early morning slot full-time.
Speaking from the Radio 2 helm for the first time, Mills began by saying: “As a radio presenter and a radio fan all my life, I’m still finding it quite hard to process that this is happening, if I’m honest.
“If I think too much about the previous occupiers of this show it becomes mind-blowing to me for a kid who wanted to be on the radio, but wasn’t sure he had the self-confidence to be able to actually do it.”
This, of course, isn’t the first time a similar rail-related PR stunt like this has been carried out as Brighton train station famously changed its name to ‘Blyton’ last year as it welcomed back 14-year-old Paralympian, Bly Twomey, following her double bronze medal success.
Meanwhile, Trevor Nelson (who presented in the evenings from Monday to Thursday) will now replace Mills as the presenter of the 2-4pm weekday afternoon show from today onwards.
Not everyone has welcomed the change, however, as many listeners switched off within minutes of the latter’s first show after taking issue with his first song choice: ‘Rock DJ’ by Robbie Williams, who later came on the phone to congratulate him.
What do you make of the appointment – is Scott Mills a good fit and will you be listening?
Emily Sergeant -
5th January 2023 
