Welcome back to the Slice, your weekly guide to what’s on in London.

We might not love the fact that the sun set at 4pm today, but we’re definitely using it as an excuse to start our nights out earlier than ever.

That means three bargain courses before a West End show, alfresco drinks with friends cosied up under sheepskins, evening walks through illuminated gardens and… a dinner dance with a yeti?

The night is still young…

The Slice’s Pick

Velvet Pines

Neither the blistering indoor blizzard nor the snow-capped entrance to a 1970s ski lodge can prepare you for a night at Velvet Pines. This immersive dining experience begins in the hotel bar (complete with staff plucked from Fawlty Towers), before leading you upstairs to the grand chalet-inspired dining hall.

Expect hilarious songs and performances throughout your meal and even… a dancing yeti?! It is absolutely daft but a fantastic laugh; the actors, the music and the set design understand the brief and then some. Sadly, the food is quite disappointing for the price, so if that is a concern we recommend saving yourself £55 by keeping to the cabaret seating. For that price, you are unlikely to find a more fun, bonkers, feel-good Christmas experience this holiday season.

Until 23 December. Tickets from £35 (non-dining) and £90 (3 course dining). 47- 49 Tanner Street, London.

Food & Drink

Stanley’s Chelsea

by Jeremy Ullmann

More elegant than a pub, and more relaxing than a high-end bar, Stanley’s Chelsea is a West London oasis with exceptionally good food. The courtyard’s charming decor adapts to the changing seasons (it’s currently festooned with frosted foliage for winter) and manages to pull off a ‘too good to Instagram’ atmosphere, asking you to just sit back and enjoy.

And the food, oh the food. Everything is cooked, seasoned and presented to perfection. Dishes like the crab crumpet and the ham croquettes have no business being as spectacular as they are, while the mains’ flavours are blended with a staggering level of confidence by the talented chefs. Food this good, at this price, doesn’t come around often. 

Small plates from £4, mains from £19. 151 Sydney Street, Chelsea.

Fiume

by Rob Buckhaven

I don’t go to Battersea Power Station enough. If I had, I’d have clocked Fiume, the Italian eatery that’s part of the D&D Group. You know, Quaglino’s and Bluebird? I was lured in by Fiume’s Sicilian winter terrace, in collaboration with Italicus Rosalio di Bergamotto, the Italian liqueur based around bergamot. This Christmas terrace comes with a bespoke cocktail menu, I’d recommend the Grande Eleganza for Bergamotto blended with Malfy Gin, or the Negroni Bianco, a sweeter take on a Negroni. Soak them up with a host of tasty plates, then scootch over to the high-end shops next door for some window-licking.

Cocktails from £10. Circus West, Battersea Power Station.

Luci

Escape the busyness of Covent Garden, dim the lights, turn on some slow music, and here enters the mushroom and truffle risotto – creamy, earthy and with a hint of garlic. Each dish from this intimate Italian restaurant is simple yet delicious with the right amount of punch – plus, they don’t shy on the portions. We’d particularly recommend the seafood and homemade focaccia.

Mains from £14. 136 Long Acre, Covent Garden. 

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🦑 Fitzrovia’s luxury hotel The Mandrake plays host to a stunning 10-course menu made from a collaboration between Yopo and Playa Dubai. South American dishes include stunners like octopus empanadas and wagyu anticucho. Pricey, but extraordinarily tasty. Until the end of November. Set menu £125pp. 20-21 Newman Street.

🥘 Tapas Revolution, the quintessential place for authentic Spanish food, have redesigned their London branches and have a new menu! A parade of tasty starters and flavoursome mains include the stand-out Gambas A Las Ajillo. The cocktails are delicious too and the excellent staff round up a great dinner out. ¡Salud!

WIN a year's supply of Flävar vodka schnapps or a Flävar mini gift set

Metro has teamed up with the vodka-schnapps brand FLÄVAR to give away a year’s supply of their best-selling schnapps flavours including blueberry and lemon, salted caramel and strawberry and lime! Three lucky runners-up will receive a Flävar Miniature Gift Box.

To enter, simply fill out your details using the form here before midnight, 29 November! 

Open to UK (excluding Northern Ireland and Scotland) residents aged 18 or over. For full details, terms and conditions, visit our terms and conditions page.

London's best... new pre-theatre menus

BEST ROMANTIC: Hovarda

The best date night in London is dinner and show, and the table should be booked at Hovardo. Emerald tiles and sleek table lamps set the scene for three exquisite Greek acts comprising (among other delights) velvety, honey-ed feta wrapped in crisp phyllo strands, tender, delicate stonebass, and rich pistachio Kataifi. We won’t judge you for eating off each other’s spoons.

2 courses £24.50, 3 courses £29.50, Tues – Sat 5pm to 7pm. 36 – 40 Rupert St, Soho.

BEST VALUE: Paro

A high-octane show like The Lion King needs a big dinner to fuel it, and you don’t have to go far to find one. The newly-opened Paro sits underneath the Lyceum, dishing up three huge courses of classic Anglo-Indian fare (go for the Bang Bang chicken and sweet Chicken Korma). Poppadums at £1.50 a pop are worth it for the sauces. It’s not fancy, but you will be full.

2 courses £19, 3 courses £22, 11.45am – 6.30pm daily. Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington St, Covent Garden.

BEST GLAM: Bocconcio Soho

With its array of golden lamps, glitzy marble bar, and dough-flipping pizza chefs, it clear that Bocconcino was made for the stage, dah-ling. The new Soho branch leans into its Theatreland surroundings with a pre-(or post!) show menu boasting Italian favourites like beef carpaccio, homemade pappardelle with wild mushrooms and stracciatella, and Sicilian cannolo.

2 courses for £30, 3 courses for £35, Mon – Thurs, 5-6:30pm & 9:30-10:30pm. 59 Great Marlborough St, Soho.

WIN the ultimate family day out at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with Crystal Ski Holidays

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Crystal Ski Holidays have partnered up with Metro to give you the chance to win the Ultimate Family Day Out at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland this festive period so you can get that feeling you can’t forget.

You could win entry for six people to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland including tickets for the Real Ice Slide in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays and Magical Ice Kingdom. You’ll also receive three Ride Tokens per person so you can continue the fun, plus 1 x food voucher and 2 x drink vouchers per person so you can tuck into the delicious alpine snacks and beverages available in the park.

Click here and fill out the form to enter – you have until midnight 24 November. Full T&Cs here. 

What’s on

🌼 Take a moment at the Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square, where an installation of 25,000 illuminated white roses glows this winter. You can dedicate one of the roses to a treasured loved one to make a donation to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which supports the work of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a world-leading cancer centre. Until 19 December, Grosvenor Square.

🍸 Everyone is invited at Smirnoff We Do Us Live!, the fully accessible, ultra-inclusive event from Tilting the Lens and Sink the Pink. Hosted by Strictly star Layton Williams, the night promises show-stopping performances from the likes of Joshua James and special guest Mel C. Sign up here to win your free ticket.

💗 The menopause takes the spotlight at PAUSE Live, with real-life stories, top tips from the UK’s menopause experts, an array of workshops, wellness sessions and an exciting celebrity line-up. You can even book a 1-2-1 ‘meet the expert’ add-on session to discuss your symptoms. Tickets £15.99. November 25, Business Design Centre.

Theatre

Sleeping Beauty

Oh yes you DO need a break from the kids post-Christmas. Oh no you DON’T have kids but fancy a pre-NYE hilarious treat? Then join stars of RuPauls Drag Race LIVE in the West End for the outrageous SLEEPING BEAUTY.  Starring Kitty Scott-Claus (Masterchef), Victoria Scone (Death Drop), Kemah Bob (The Jonathan Ross Show) and current Drag Race UK stars Kate Butch and Michael Marouli in this retelling of the classic pantomime as you’ve never seen it before. 

Tickets from £25. 27 – 31 December, Harold Pinter Theatre, West End. 

Culture

Christmas at KidZania

KidZania London is inspiring children to give back this Christmas, by inviting kids aged 4 to 14 to share their KidZos (KidZania’s unique currency) with the charity KidsOut, dedicated to bringing fun and happiness to children in and around London. The initiative encourages them to spread festive spirit and kindness through fun career role-play activities within the indoor city. Families are also invited to ‘Elfmas’, a special experience to bring them closer together and to take caring and sharing to the max!

£54.50 per child, £34.50 per adult. 2 December 2023 – 7 January 2024,  Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush. 

See you next week!

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McDonald’s Christmas menu is finally back in stores, but not all dishes are created equal.

To see what’s made the naughty or nice list this year, the team here at Metro.co.uk tried to lot, to give you the lowdown before you splash your hard-earned cash.

The menu includes the return of the iconic Chicken Big Mac, alongside some new contenders including the Big & Cheesy burger (with option to add bacon), Cheese Melt Dippers (stuffed with Camembert and served with a tomato dip), and a new Chicken Combo option with 10 Chicken Selects. Nugget fans will also be racing to try the 20 Chicken McNugget sharebox with four select dips and four standard dips.

To finish off your festive meal at Maccies with something sweet, there are Galaxy Chocolate or Caramel McFlurries with chocolate stars and sauce or a Galaxy Caramel Pie that features crispy chocolate pastry and a Galaxy Caramel sauce.

And while this new pie sounds pretty tempting, many were outraged over its introduction as it meant that an iconic Christmas staple got the boot this year.

Here’s how we got on with our big taste test.

The Big & Cheesy, £5.49 (single), £7.29 (meal)

Rating: 2.5/5

Rachel says: ‘The Big & Cheesy does what it says on the packet. Yes it’s big. Yes it’s cheesy. But is it Christmassy? Not in the slightest. 

‘The “snowflake flour” dusted on the bun is the only nod to the festive season but feels surplus to requirement. If anything, it takes away from the cheap and cheerful flavour of Maccie D’s bread that we all know and love. 

‘Supposedly this burger comes with crispy onions, but that’s news to me. There are plenty of red onions though, too many for my personal taste, in fact. Still, it fills a hole at lunchtime for a bargain price, leaving spare change for Christmas shopping. It’s nothing noteworthy, but it delivers on the basics.’

Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry, £1.49 (mini), £1.99 (regular)

Rating: 3/5

Alice says: ‘What to say about the Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry… hmmm. It almost doesn’t warrant a review. It’s literally the exact same as a regular Galaxy McFlurry apart from the fact the chocolate pieces are shaped like stars. I’m guessing that’s what is meant to make this festive? 

‘Was it sugary and tasty and chocolatey — absolutely. Will I buy it after a festive drunk night out? Of course. But as for it being a special Christmas menu addition, there’s nothing new or exciting about it.’

The Big & Cheesy with Bacon, £6.29 (single), £8.09 (meal)

Rating: 3.5/5

Courtney says: ‘As a lover of all things cheese, I had high hopes for a burger called the Big & Cheesy and while I feel the size of this didn’t quite live up to the name (it’s decent, but it’s got nothing on the Big Mac), McDonald’s certainly made up for what was lacking when it came to the cheese.

‘This burger contains not one but two slices of cheese and the filling is also topped with a cheese sauce just for good measure. I was initially concerned that there didn’t seem to be much sauce inside, but it seems a little goes a long way in this case, as it’s very cheesy. The flavour was just right for me, not too artificial tasting and not too strong either. A rather mild cheese taste, but tasty nonetheless. 

‘But along with the good, there were a few negatives. The Big & Cheesy with bacon is meant to contain crispy onions and red onion, but mine was just chock full of the latter which I wasn’t very keen on, although that’s just personal preference.

‘And while I do like to tuck into a cheese board or two over the holiday season, this cheesy burger just didn’t feel super festive. I’m not sure if a turkey and cranberry burger would work, but it could be fun to see McDonald’s whip up something new using more traditional Christmas ingredients next year.’ 

Chicken Big Mac, £4.79 (single) £6.59 (meal)

Rating: 4/5

Ross says: ‘I initially worried that the Chicken Big Mac would be too much carb-on-carb, and that’s coming from someone who once had spaghetti bolognese on top of a pizza. But it actually works really well, the Big Mac sauce surprisingly goes better with chicken than their mayo does – but I just didn’t think it needed the cheese slice. I know that might offend Big Mac purists but it would work much better without cheese.’

Cheese Melt Dippers, £2.59 (single), £6.89 (sharebox)

Rating: 4/5

Tanyel says: ‘You can’t go wrong with cheese bites – if you like cheese and a tomato dip, you’ll like these. But do they taste of camembert? Absolutely not. If I really think about it, I do get a slight richer creaminess than a regular cheese bite, but ultimately it just tastes like mozzarella. The flavour is good, so it still gets a 4 out of 5, but it doesn’t actually taste like what it’s meant to.

‘For a post-night out snack in Christmas party season, these go down a treat.’

Galaxy Caramel McFlurry, £1.49 (mini), £1.99 (regular)

Rating: 4/5

Courtney says: ‘I love ice cream and I love Galaxy Caramel, so this McFlurry was a winner for me! Some may argue it’s not the most festive choice of chocolate for this menu, but you do get mini Galaxy Caramel sweets in tubs of Celebrations at Christmas, so that’s good enough for me. 

‘Plus I’m a sucker for anything that’s a cute shape, so the chocolate stars on top were right up my street. It’s not groundbreaking or particularly innovative as far as desserts go, but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it… and thanks to all that’s holy that on this occasion our local Maccies’ McFlurry machines weren’t broken!’

Galaxy Caramel Pie, £1.99

Rating: 5/5

Courtney says: ‘Ok, I’m going to confess something that might be controversial, but I’ve never been a fan of McDonald’s pies. I just didn’t get them. But that’s all about to change because this Galaxy Caramel pie might just be the best thing I’ve ever eaten from McDonald’s. And I’m not even exaggerating. The chocolate pastry is wonderfully crisp and the deep fried taste makes me think of hot doughnuts from the seaside. Add in the caramel sauce and the whole thing is just a dream for anyone with a sweet tooth.

‘Definitely get one of these before they are gone! I know I’ll be going back for more…’

The new menu is available in stores now, but if you want to get your hands on it you’ll have to be fast as it’s only sticking around for the next six weeks, while stocks last. 

And if you have the McDonald’s app, you’ll be able to take your Christmas experience to the next level and be in with a chance of bagging yourself some freebies, thanks to their Festive Wins promotion.

Every day from November 1 to November 30, there will be a chance to get your favourite menu items for as little as 99p. From the Big Mac to Filet-o-Fish, McNuggets and McPlant, there’s a good chance you could get them on the cheap.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Aldi launches new McDonald’s inspired burgers — and they’re a bargain

MORE : McDonald’s is axing a menu favourite this week and fans are raging

Walkers fans have been left heartbroken after the snack brand discreetly removed one of its beloved Wotsits flavours.

The sizzling steak crisps, highly praised by fans, have vanished from shelves after being discontinued from the Walkers product lineup. The flavoured corn puffs were especially favoured for Walkers’ assertion that each pack contained 100 calories or fewer.

The information surfaced on X (previously known as Twitter) when an individual reached out to the company to enquire about the flavour’s discontinuation, having noticed its absence on store shelves.

In an almost poignant reply, the brand acknowledged the discontinuation, stating: ‘We regret to inform you that sizzling steak Wotsits are no longer available in our product range.’

The disappointed fan expressed their emotions with two broken heart emojis.

Another made a bold claim, writing: ‘Much better than original Wotsits, [my] 2-year-old loves them!’

Some observant customers have already taken note of the missing flavour from store shelves, as seen by a message sent to Walkers on X last month: ‘Please bring back sizzling steak Wotsits, I beg you; I miss them.’

The exact timeframe of when the flavour was discontinued remains unclear, but it is still featured on Walker’s website alongside the original cheese flavour and the Flamin’ Hot variety.

It comes as a surprise, as the brand reintroduced the flavour, originally known as BBQ beef, and Flamin’ Hot in 2020 after a prolonged hiatus. 

In addition to the Wotsits disappointment, another popular Quavers flavour, which only made a return two years ago, has once again been discontinued.

Walkers further stirred emotions recently by discontinuing the Worcester Sauce flavour of their baked goods.

This development follows the launch of Walkers’ new range of festive-flavoured snacks, creating a division among fans just in time for Christmas.

The company has reintroduced the classic festive favourites Pigs in a Blanket and Festive Turkey but also introduced a controversial addition to the lineup – in the form of Christmas Pudding flavour.

Available for £1.65 as part of a five-pack multipack, a similar version of these limited edition crisps have also since been sighted on Aldi supermarket shelves.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Aldi are at it again, taking inspiration from Brits’ favourite foods and bringing bargain price dupe versions to their shelves.

The budget supermarket has launched the Double Cheese Burger and the Chicken Burger Southern Fried, which fans of McDonald’s are bound to love.

Both ‘fakeaway’ burgers cost just £1.79, which is a welcome price in the lead up to the expensive Christmas period – it also makes them 69% cheaper than similar McDonald’s burgers.

In a press release, Aldi said that shoppers ‘can enjoy the McDonald’s McCripsy for less’, with their offering made using crispy chicken tenders, creamy mayo and lettuce in a sesame topped bun.

Meanwhile, they said their cheeseburger can ‘rival the chain restaurant’s Double Cheeseburger’. It features two beef patties, fresh lettuce and tangy cheese and brioche buns.

In the past, Aldi has been praised for their take on fast-food items.

Earlier this year, someone posted on X a picture of Aldi hash browns, writing: ‘These taste just like the ones from McDonalds.’

Another said the hash browns were ‘chefs kiss’.

So, hopes are high for the new burgers, which many McDonald’s fans will likely want to try.

Want fries with that? Aldi shoppers can complete their McDonald’s fakeaway fix with Aldi’s Takeaway Style French Fries, which come in at £1.49 for a pack of two. They even come in the recognisable red fries packaging.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : KFC fans seethe as popular burger is axed from Christmas menu

MORE : There’s a ‘correct’ way to eat Pringles that makes them taste even better

From making a cup of tea, to having a shower, there are some things in life you assume should be straight forward.

But TikTok is here to tell you otherwise. Pringle lovers, it’s your turn to feel attacked.

A home cook who posts on TikTok under the name @cookinghungry has said you’ve been munching on your favourite crisps all wrong.

In a viral video, he explained that most people eat Pringles the same way they are placed into the tube, simply lifting them out and biting into them.

However, they claim that you’re actually meant to flip the crisp over so that the top side is on your tongue, as the flavouring is mostly on the top, meaning they’ll taste even better this way.

The TikToker explains: ‘If you rub a Pringle you can actually feel all the seasoning on this side.’

In the comments several people admitted they never knew about this with one person outraged that Pringles aren’t placed the right way up in the tubes if this is the case.

Over on Twitter, people have been sharing the way they eat Pringles, and it’s proved very divisive. One person went straight to the source, asking: ‘Hey @Pringles_UK is there a correct way to eat Pringles? I have always opted for seasoned side first, my wife does the opposite and can’t fathom my method, please help.’

While someone else said was more preoccupied with whether people ‘shove’ Pringles into their mouth, or bite into them first. 

According to Pringles.com there’s ‘no wrong way’ to eat them. However, they do go on to say that there’s a ‘best’ way..

The website states: ‘There’s no wrong way to eat Pringles! However, some people claim that the best way to eat them is with the “top” of the chip (the side facing the lid of the can) facing down. Pringles typically have more seasoning on the top of the crisps than the bottom, so this way you get the most intense flavour experience.’

So there you have it folks! To really get the most out of the flavour, you can turn your Pringles upside down when eating.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Cadbury fans go wild as ‘game-changing’ treat makes surprise return before Christmas

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While many chocolate lovers will be filling their cupboards with tubs of Celebrations and Quality Street at this time of year, shoppers at B&M are purchasing an unexpected treat.

That’s because the bargain store has already started stocking a Cadbury fan favourite that’s normally not available at this time of year.

It turns out, Creme Eggs are no longer just for Easter.

Shoppers are going wild on social media after spotting multipacks of five Cadbury Creme Eggs in B&M, which feature a selection of different flavours, including classic, white chocolate eggs and caramel.

A larger box containing five Creme Eggs and five caramel versions, is also available to buy in-store for £3.75. 

And that’s not all, B&M customers have also reportedly spotted Mini Eggs and Mini Egg Bars on the shelves as well, proving these treats can be enjoyed any time of the year.

The tasty news was shared on social media by Newfoodsuk, who wrote ‘Cadbury Creme Eggs, Mini Eggs and Mini Egg Bars are now back at B&M stores’. Similarly, a video showing off the Creme Eggs was posted on TikTok by @newfoodspotteruk. 

When the white chocolate Creme Eggs first launched in 2018, they were hailed a ‘game-changer’ online, and it’s fair to say many are still enamoured with them, as hundreds of people shared their excitement over their return, with one saying: ‘I need these.’

Another replied: ‘Bought some today!!’ While someone else admitted: ‘I will happily devour a pack of these just saying.’

Others urged the confectionery giants to give the people what they really want and start making a white chocolate and caramel egg.

However, a number of social media users were left feeling rather baffled by the return of the popular Easter treat so close to Christmas, asking ‘What month are we in?’ Someone else wasn’t impressed, adding: ‘It’s November ffs.’

This news comes after Cadbury revealed they were launching a brand new chocolate bar in the UK, which was also Creme Egg-themed.

Fans of the gooey treat will shortly be able to get their hands on a 123g Creme Egg bar, which is a classic Dairy Milk chocolate bar filled with the fondant goodness of the iconic Easter item. 

Eagle-eyed shoppers might have spotted similar bars on the shelves of B&M stores previously, but they were actually an import launched for the Australian market. The UK roll-out will mean the bar will be available much more widely very soon.

On the Snack News & Reviews Facebook group users proclaimed they were already ‘obsessed’ with the Creme Egg bar. ‘New obsession incoming…’ wrote one excited snacker.

The exact release date for the new bar has yet to be confirmed, but Snack News & Reviews hinted that we can ‘expect to see it in shops late December’. This has led to commenters speculating about a Boxing Day roll-out, but it seems we’ll just have to wait and see…

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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On KFC’s Christmas menu this year you’ll find two limited edition burgers packed with trimmings like sage and onion stuffing and cranberry sauce.

But there’s a notable absence from the seasonal offering that’s got fans feeling anything but festive.

In 2020, the chain released an innovative product showcasing its beloved gravy. The gravy burger comprised a mini fillet, gravy mayo, cheese and a special hash brown, along with a pot of the iconic sauce.

Due to the unique indentation of the hash brown, the customer could remove the top bun and pour the gravy into the well, giving them a hit of savoury goodness with every bite.

Having been a staple at KFC every December since, gravy enthusiasts awaited the burger’s return this Christmas. Unfortunately, however, it’s officially been axed.

A spokesperson for the brand told Metro.co.uk: ‘Last Christmas we gave you a Gravy Burger, but the very next year, we sent it away. This year, to save you from tears, we’ll give you something more special.’

Some fans weren’t convinced, however, including one on X (formerly Twitter) who demanded: ‘We need the gravy burger back.’

‘Bring that gravy burger back! I beg!’ said another, while a third added: ‘Praying for KFC gravy burger this crimbo.’

When the fast food outlet asked followers their favourite orders, many replies were along the lines of this person’s: ‘The burger with the hole inside it and gravy in it.’

Multiple people also requested it to be introduced year-round, with one begging: ‘Pretty please keep the gravy burger as a permanent fixture on the menu.’

It’s not the first seasonal item to be consigned to the annals of history; KFC festive fries, which were sprinkled with pepper, toasted onions, garlic and herbs only lasted a year, and the Double Down sandwich which replaced burger buns with chicken fillets was discontinued shortly after its UK launch in 2017 (although it has returned as a limited edition special a few times since).

If you’re missing the gravy burger this year, unfortunately your only option is to dip your Zinger Tower and pretend it’s the same.

Alternatively, keep badgering KFC’s social media team in the hopes they’ll eventually get the message – it did take 10 years for them to answer the call to change their fries, but it’s worth a go.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Aldi shoppers thrilled with Walkers dupe after flavour was axed with no notice

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Another one bites the dust this week as the next food favourite gets the chop, following on from huge axes at Nestle (RIP Caramac) and Walkers.

This time it’s the turn of McDonald’s.

A popular burger is getting axed this week – along with eight other items on the menu.

On Wednesday, fans will have to wave goodbye to the Philly Cheese Stack burger as it makes a dramatic exit from the menu.

It comes as new additions only stick around for about six weeks at McDonald’s, before other items are rotated in.

But fans are heartbroken about this decision and are even calling for the chain to make it a permanent addition.

Someone wrote: ‘Please don’t take the Philly Cheese Stack away from me… I’m not ready.’

While another posted: ‘Please make the Philly Cheese Stack a permanent burger, it’s the best!’

The popular burger is perfect for cheese lovers as it features two beef patties topped with a cheesy sauce, two cheese slices, grilled and crispy onions and pickles and served in a toasted bun.

The BBQ Smokehouse, Chilli Cheese bites, and the Toffee Apple Pie are amongst the other items leaving the menu this week.

Fans will, however, be able to tuck into treats from the new festive menu – which includes the return of the Chicken Big Mac, as well as Cheese Melt Dippers and the Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Your local chippy has been keeping a big secret from you about its vinegar

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You may see a takeaway as an indulgent thing; something you do when you’re craving sugar, fat and salt-laden treats.

According to Deliveroo’s ‘100 Report’, however, we lean towards much healthier options when ordering food to our homes.

The annual researched looked at the top 100 trending dishes from around the world, as well as those here in the UK.

Globally, pork belly and cuttlefish ball noodle soup from Hong Kong’s TamJai Yunnan Mixian took the crown, followed by linguine carbonara from Livio Piu in Paris.

Here, though, the most-ordered meal was the build your own poké bowl from London’s Poké Shack, with Atis’s build your own salad bowl and the burrito from FreshMex in Aberdeen nabbing silver and bronze.

The trend for DIY dishes was clear, as Tortilla’s build your own burrito was in fourth place, while fifth was – somewhat surprisingly – a bunch of small Fairtrade bananas from Waitrose.

Favourites like Wingstop wings, Dishoom’s chicken ruby and Five Guys’ cheeseburger also made the top 10, along with Shake Shack, Wagamama and Popeyes in the final 30.

Deliveroo noted that a third of the winning orders featured chicken, a particular choice for Londoners at lunchtime, but the country as a whole moved away from staples like sandwiches and towards more adventurous food.

In fact, research found that 71% of Brits have tried a new dish or cuisine in the last 12 months, and over half (52%) have tried more than three.

Another trend seen in the report was increased demand for rapid grocery delivery, as 150% more of these items made the list compared to last year, such as bananas from Waitrose, flowers from Wholefoods, milk from Morrisons and paracetemol from Boots.

Fries remain the most popular side dish throughout the UK, while ketchup, garlic mayo and chilli sauce were voted most popular condiments.

Deliveroo’s riders have travelled the equivalent of 674 trips from Earth to the moon and back, delivering from over 60,000 restaurants and 8,000 grocery partners in the UK and Ireland.

And with lots of orders, come some interesting customer requests, the most trending ones being for chicken-based orders and including ‘all flat wings’, ‘thighs and legs only’, ‘chicken well done’. ‘no legs’ and ‘burn the chicken.’ 

Others requested no tomatoes, onions, mushrooms or pickles, but ‘extra spicy’ was also a common request.

Deliveroo Vice President of Regional Growth, Jeff Wemyss, commented: “From bananas to burritos, poké to pizza, it’s always fun revealing our annual list of 100 trending dishes across the globe.

‘Recent research shows us that people in the UK are becoming more adventurous with their food choices… which is evident from the variety in both the global and UK lists. We’re delighted to see customers sampling – and enjoying – the wealth of food on their doorsteps.’

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A local chippy can be the bedrock of a community, offering a safe haven for the end of a night out, or a reliable last-minute fish and chip dinner.

But the cherished spot also holds a dark secret that’s recently been uncovered.

It seems that vinegar you might be coating your chips with may not be quite what it seems.

A YouTuber, named Tom Scott, has shared the shocking truth that our beloved fish and chips may be covered in a non-brewed condiment in place of ‘real’ vinegar. 

According to websites, it is a malt vinegar substitute made with water, acetic acid, and flavourings.

In his video, titled ‘The Fake Vinegar in British Fish and Chip Shops,’ Tom says that chip shops shouldn’t disguise the vinegar substitute and claim it’s the real deal. 

He says: ‘Most people don’t know that this isn’t vinegar. Legally, it can’t be described as vinegar. Trading standards are really clear on that. It cannot be put in the little bottles that people traditionally associate with vinegar.’

It turns out, this substitute is a fair bit cheaper and easier to make than the real thing and there are a few other benefits to using it.

The first reason being that shops can buy it in concentrate, which makes it easier to store and transport. The mixture is also halal, and some brands are gluten-free, so this means more people can enjoy it.

But some people have stressed this revelation makes a lot of sense – and thank Tom for bringing it to their attention.

One person replied: ‘I always wondered why I couldn’t get the same vinegar taste on my chips at home. Now I know and all this has done is pushed me into finding somewhere that sells “‘non brewed condiment.”‘

Someone else said: ‘Always wondered why I could never find vinegar that tasted like chip shop vinegar and now I know, it’s because it isn’t vinegar I’m after.’

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There’s nothing better than spaghetti bolognese after a long day.

The hearty meal is perfect as we get into these colder months, but none of us can seem to agree on the ‘right’ way to make it.

Some love basil while others swear by celery or carrots, but according to Michelin-starred chef, Paul Foster, the key to the perfect bolognese is a breakfast classic.

And no, he doesn’t expect you to mix Coco Pops in your pasta: just add milk.

The chef and content creator shared this unusual tip on a TikTok, where he walked viewers through his go-to spag bol recipe.

‘Are you adding milk to your bolognese?’ he asked. ‘If not, why not? If you want the best results based on authenticity, then follow my method – [this is] how to cook bolognese properly.’

Paul, who owns the acclaimed Salt restaurant in Stratford-Upon-Avon, explained in the clip that adding milk to the sauce helps to give the Italian dish some ‘authenticity.’

‘This recipe is based on my culinary knowledge, my nostalgia and also my experiences with the original recipes in Bologna,’ he explained.

As he walked viewers step-by-step through the recipe, he explained that the foundation for any good bolognese is a ‘sofrito’ — which is made up of diced onions, peeled carrot, and chopped celery.

The milky twist is one of the last steps of the recipe, and Foster recommends adding it to Bolognese sauce as a final flourish.

‘Then in with the milk,” he said in the clip. ‘This gives it that creaminess without adding cream – honestly, this is a game changer.’

So, what are you waiting for? Add some Michelin flair to your dinner!

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It might be the season for Quality Streets and Chocolate Orange, but Cadbury have just announced that a beloved Easter treat is finally coming to the UK, and fans can’t wait.

From next month, shoppers will be about to buy the Creme Egg Bar – the first time that the iconic egg bar will be widely available on UK shores.

As you might have guessed, the 123g bar is classic Dairy Milk chocolate, stuffed with the gooey fondant goodness you usually find inside a Creme Egg.

Eagle-eyed fans may have spotted similar bars on the shelves of B&M stores last year, but they were actually an import launched for the Australian market.

Now, the bar is being rolled out across the country, and should be fairly to easy to find.

Whether you’ve managed to try this treat before, or you’ll be queuing outside of your local supermarket to get your first taste, it’s fair to say that choccie fans are thrilled by the news.

Excitement has filled the comments of Facebook groups, with members of Snack News & Reviews, tagging their Creme Egg-obsessed loved ones.

‘New obsession incoming…’ wrote one excited snacker. While a second added: ‘Oh my actual god.’

‘You know what I’ll be stocking up on,’ a third enthused.

Others fully embraced the springtime treat, saying ‘that’s my Christmas present sorted.’

But for all the enthusiasm about the bar, some commenters were adamant that it was simply too early. ‘Let’s have Christmas first!’ one Facebook user requested, while another was more blunt about their seasonal preferences, saying, ‘We haven’t have Christmas yet, go away.’

The precise release date for the chocolate bar hasn’t been confirmed, but Snack News & Reviews hinted we can ‘expect to see it in shops late December.’

This led to commenters speculating a Boxing Day roll-out date, which might be a bit early for Easter prep, but we’ll allow it if that means we get Creme Egg Bars all year round. 

Even if it isn’t in season, few can resist the allure of the Creme Egg. Perhaps it’s a sentiment we should apply to all seasonal food. Maybe we should start tucking into mince pies in April, too.

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When you step out of the shower, and wrap yourself in a fluffy towel, you’re no longer just getting dry, oh no, you’re making a fashion statement.

That’s according to Balenciaga, who have debuted their ‘towel skirt’ as part of the Spring 2024 collection.

For a staggering $925 – around £740 – you could preorder the unisex skirt from Kim Kardashian’s favourite fashion house, which looks uncannily like your standard beige bath towel.

Naturally, the internet has gone wild over this somewhat bizarre item.

‘A towel skirt? I think Balenciaga is a social experiment to test how dumb we are’, one joker wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Everyone’s favourite Swedish superstore, Ikea, even post a hilarious response on its socials, jumping on the opportunity for a clever marketing campaign featuring its own rival towel skirt.

The IKEA will only set you back £16, though. It’s a no-brainer, fashionistas.

And period tracking app, Clue, took to their social media to say the towel skirt could come in handy in unexpected ways.

Elsewhere on TikTok, creators have shown that you don’t need a Kim K budget to rock wear Balenciaga (or at least look you are). Many have made their own homemade versions out of, you guessed it, towels.

Creator @megankatemcg shared a video of her wearing a standard white bath towel, with the caption: ‘POV: Housekeeping just delivered your fresh Balenciaga skirt.’

TikToker @serenitycreators posted her own video styling the look. ‘No matter the budget, pop that towel and show them how versatile your shower look can be,’ she captioned it.

As she wraps the towel around her waist she says: ‘Boom, baby. The pièce de résistance, the towel of your dreams, making it easy for you to look and feel like a Hollywood star.’

Yes, it might seem strange, but we live in a world where a pair of big red clown boots sold out. You could be stepping out in your towel before you know it…

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the McDonald’s Festive Menu has been unveiled, featuring an array of Christmas favourites we’ve come to know and love.

We’ve been gifted five new treats this year, with old favourites including the Chicken Big Mac returning with a bang.

But – and it’s a big but – McDonald’s fans have admitted to throwing ‘tantrums’ as they’ve noticed that an iconic Christmas item is missing from the menu.

That’s right, the beloved Festive Pie is no more. Or, at least, it won’t be gracing us with all its wonder this season.

The Festive pie was a festive apple pie, filled with mincemeat and custard.

McDonald’s aficionados have taken to social media to air their thoughts about the missing pie – and they aren’t happy.

‘Not ashamed to admit I have had multiple tantrums over McDonald’s not bringing back the festive pie when it and the cheese bites are the best Christmas snacks’, one dedicated fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Another distraught fan fumed on Facebook: ‘Woke up to the devastating news that there will be no festive pie offered by McDonald’s this year.

‘You have ruined Christmas.’

It’s not the first time fans have been left disgruntled – the custardy slice of heaven also vanished from the 2019 menu.

‘Another year, another McDonald’s “Christmas” Menu, another bitter blow for anyone who remembers the majestic McDonald’s Festive Pie’, one disgruntled fan wrote on X at the time.

‘After several years of glaring omission, I think it’s finally time to put hopes of a return to rest. RIP you delicious, deep fried, parcel of joy.’

Another wrote: ‘I need McDonalds to keep that festive pie on the menu all year long like idc I NEED IT’.

There is, however, another pie on the block this season, though: the Galaxy Caramel Pie, a combination of crispy chocolate pastry filled with Galaxy Caramel sauce. Sure, it’s no Festive Pie, but it does sound like a delicious Yuletide treat.

Amidst the absence of this crispy, delicious snack, McDonald’s has assured customers that the Cheese Melt Dippers, another festive essential stuffed with camembert and paired with a tomato dip, are safe. Phew.

Elsewhere, other new additions to the menu include the McDonald’s Chicken Combo, a festive feast of 10 Chicken Selects, a 20 Chicken McNugget Sharebox, four Selects dips and four standard dips.

There’s also the there’s the Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry with chocolate stars and sauce, which can be swapped out for caramel instead.

The McDonald’s Festive Menu will be landing in stores on November 22, launching from 11am. But be quick: you’ll only be able to snap up these morsels of Christmassy joy for six weeks.

Go fill your boots (and your stockings).

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There’s a hack that’s resurfaced, currently doing the rounds on TikTok, where you pour basic vodka through a water filter to eliminate the impurity burn.

Because when it often comes to the spirit, I’m getting notes of…paint stripper, battery acid and razor blades. Ooh, actually, razor blades scribbled over with Sharpie ink, then dipped in battery acid and covered in paint stripper.

For the love of the Bloody Mary, what makes cheap vodka taste so rough? Let’s get into it.

First of all, low-end vodka is usually made from poorer-quality materials like molasses, soya beans, rice or potatoes, while the more expensive stuff comes from wheat, corn or rye.

More importantly though, vodka works on the process of distillation followed by filtration, the more times, the purer the spirit. The price depends on the level of purity, the smoother it goes down, the less offensive it is. And yes, vodka can be over-distilled, making it taste rough and acidic, so it’s a finely balanced art.

What is vodka anyway?

Essentially, it’s water and ethanol, made from fermenting the base ingredient, distilling then filtering it, but there are compounds lurking in it called ‘conjoiners’ that make the end spirit impure.

Many production plants use activated carbon and its micropores to sift out unwanted chemical compounds in vodka, like esters, aldehydes, methanol, acetates and acetic acid, the impurities that give the budget stuff the sensation of something clawing its way down your throat, like swallowing Edward Scissorhands against his will.

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Back to the hack, when you consider that a Brita filter is basically a home version of the charcoal-activated industrial filter at the production plant, it starts to make sense.

I mean, the water filter is basically made up of a mesh screen to remove visible particles and a carbon block to get rid of chlorine and other unwanted flavours. Genius.

Or it would be, if it was only the filtration and not the distillation process that actually made vodka taste smoother.

Higher-end vodka brands tend to distil their vodka multiple times, you may have heard the term ‘triple distilled’, with the vodka becoming smoother with each distillation.

Some even distil their vodka over 10 times, even over diamonds at the bougie end of the scale. Not only that, but the size of the still used to distil the vodka has a massive impact on the purity, the larger the still, the more contact between the alcohol and the heat.

Ok, but listen, I’ve tried the Brita hack and the formerly mouth-stabbing spirit tastes like sugar water after going through the filter, so there must be something going on.

There is, and although the flavour can be improved dramatically by removing the contaminants via Brita filtration, just to manage expectations, it’s not going to transform Billy-basic vodka into Grey Goose in the process.

Friday sees many of us Brits reach for the classic dish of hearty fish and chips.

But one Londoner was outraged after being served a portion for the eye-watering price of £37.

It wasn’t the price that had him so angry though. He took to X (formerly Twitter) sharing a picture of his ‘bland’ dinner, which pictured just nine chips on the plate.

The dish is on the menu by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge in Harrods, and commentators on the social media platform were also up in arms.

The disappointed diner wrote on X: ‘THIRTY SEVEN POUNDS for this bland plate of fish & chips at Tom Kerridge’s in Harrods. NINE chips. NINE.’

Kerridge’s Fish and Chips is, as the name suggests, dedicated to fish and chips, with £37 being the cheapest option for a fish and chip dish on the menu.

The internet was horrified at the diner’s experience, with the post amassing 3,300 comments.

One user said: ‘Blimey! What fish is it? Koi carp?’

Another commented: ‘Frigging disgrace! Fine dining taking the royal piss,’ while someone else said: ‘You’ve been had.’

One even joked: ‘The food is socially distanced too,’ to which another replied: ‘Yeah, most of the chips stayed away completely.’

While it may be a longstanding tradition to avoid meat on a Friday and eat fish instead (it’s a Roman Catholic belief), if it’s going to set us back this much money in a cost of living crisis, we think we’ll give it a miss.

Kerridge’s Fish and Chips writes on their website: ”And as you’d expect, Kerridge does not neglect the chips, which take two days to be prepared before they arrive at your table, piping hot and triple-cooked alongside a choice of dips.’

The chef came under fire back in July for the cost of his food and said: ‘I’ve learnt to deal with it. I’m seen as a man of the people, so when I put fish and chips on for £35, they shout at me for it being expensive.

‘The fish in most chippies is frozen at sea, in a big block, a year ago, then cut up and portioned.

‘The potatoes are maybe four weeks old, have gone through a chipper, been cleaned and put into cheap oil. They’re wrapped in paper, with malt vinegar and salt. 

‘I love it, but at Harrods it’s line-caught, day-boat turbot. The potatoes are specifically sourced for their sugar and starch content, then individually cut up by a person.’

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In a scuffle reminiscent of Joe Lycett’s beef with Hugo Boss, there is a barney brewing between top Champagne producer, Louis Roederer and London-based winery, Renegade.

It’s giving me David and Goliath vibes and I’m here for it, especially as I know how that one went down.

Anyway, get comfortable and grab a glass of bubbly, this one’s a corker.

In one corner we have Renegade, the crafty urban winery based in Walthamstow and founded in 2016, in the other we have Louis Roederer, the top-tier Champagne house founded in 1776.

Roederer is also the producer of the world-renowned, Cristal, aka the £300 Champers first made for Tsar Alexander II with the gold wrapper around the bottle.

Talking of rappers, if you haven’t tasted it, you’ve definitely heard Jay-Z or 50 Cent spitting rhymes about it.

So, what’s the beef?

Renegade produces a £28 sparkling rosé they named ‘Crystal’ after Crystal Lai, a Malaysian fashion student living in Aldgate East at the time, who agreed to have her face and name put on the label in 2018.

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In case you’re wondering, it’s nobody you’d know, Renegade names its wines after real-life Londoners – it’s its thing. Though the wine sounds intriguing, made with Croatian grapes and fermented with wild yeast, the name is where things get messy.

Seemingly out of the blue, Roederer’s legal team sent a letter to Warwick Smith, Renegade’s founder, claiming that Renegade’s ‘Crystal’ branding is too similar to ‘Cristal’s’…apart from there being a ‘y’ instead of the ‘I’ in the name.

They’re concerned about the two wines being mistaken for each other by the ‘average consumer’.

Interestingly, the legal letter introduces their client as, ‘a world-famous French wine producer’ that ‘ships over 3.5 million bottles to more than 100 countries’.

Impressive stuff, though bear in mind that Renegade makes around 7,000 bottles of Crystal a year, while Roederer’s team said, ‘the annual average production of bottles of Cristal is between 300,000 to 400,000, with the most expensive bottles costing thousands of pounds’.

With that in mind, Warwick describes himself as feeling baffled on receiving the letter, saying: ‘I fully understand why an established producer like Louis Roederer would want to protect their brands.

‘However, accusing and threatening a small London wine producer who has a product that is a different colour, made from different grapes, in a different country, using a different winemaking technique, with a completely different label and a name that is both spelt and pronounced differently seems a bit ridiculous.

‘Not to mention our wine retails at around £28 and theirs at nearer £300. Honestly, nobody would be confused.’

Conversely, Roederer’s team feels that the alleged similarity is ‘likely to lead the public to be deceived as to the origin, quality and performance of the goods/services you provide, thereby causing damage to our client through reputational harm and loss of trade. Your actions therefore constitute passing off’.

What does Roederer actually want?

For Renegade to ‘immediately cease all use and sales of the mark ‘Crystal’, remove all reference to ‘Crystal’ in [the] range, [and] agree not to use the mark ‘Crystal’ in relation to the sale of any wine in the future.’

Warwick has since sought legal advice and has now pushed back on every aspect of Roederer’s claim saying, ‘we think the allegations have no merit’.

I might just have to taste the two sparkling wines side by side to see how confused they make me. For research purposes, obviously.

Now, does either pair well with popcorn…?

Aldi shoppers have discovered a dupe for the popular Walkers crisps that were discontinued with no notice.

Earlier this week, news broke that salt and vinegar Quavers had been discontinued — despite only returning to shelves two years ago.

However, Aldi’s Snackrite salt and vinegar curlers are here to save the day.

The similar crisp is selling for £1.29 for a multi-pack of six in stores as part of Aldi’s curlers Snackrite range.

The range includes thick-cut Ridged crisps (not so dissimilar to Mcoys), a Snackrite Walkers copycat and a Snackrite family pack with bacon rashers and cheese puffs.

One Facebook user shared the find of the Snackrite salt and vinegar curlers, wondering if they were new. 

In the Aldi Shoppers UK group, they wrote: ‘These new? Never seen them online or shops don’t say new on them.’

One user admitted: ‘I bought them this week they are lovely,’ while another said: ‘They are yummy x.’

Walkers only revealed they stopped this flavour of Quavers when a fan asked them on X (Twitter): ‘Have you stopped making salt and vinegar Quavers? I can’t find them anywhere.’

It replied: ‘We’re sorry to break it to you Linda, but we’re not making this flavour anymore.’

The fan was clearly disheartened and responded to Walkers, saying: ‘And with no notice. This is a sad day.’

It’s clearly a more popular flavour of Quavers than we realised with the likes of Nigella Lawson among its loyal fan base.

It’s safe to say that the crisps do have a bit of a cult following. One fan called them ‘the best crisps ever’ and added: ‘If they stop making these salt and vinegar quavers again, they are mad.’

But Aldi’s Curlers come in another flavour that is proving equally as popular.

One user wrote: ‘Tried the BBQ ones today, they’re delicious,’ while another said: ‘I like the BBQ ones.’

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Christmas treat lovers, the tastiest mince pie for 2023 has been revealed.

In a blind taste test conducted by consumer champion Which?, the winner of this year’s’ crown is said to have ‘wowed’ the panel of judges.

And the best part? The winner won’t cost you an arm and a leg as the pies come in at 46p each.

The organisation awarded two Best Buy recommendations to premium mince pies this year.

However, taking the top spot in the blind taste test were Co-op’s Irresistible Luxury Mince Pies.

The pies got a 73% rating that earned them the coveted Which? Best Buy recommendation.

The judging panel adored the buttery pastry and sweet glossy filling, and also commended the generous ratio of filling to pastry.

The Co-op mince pies cost £2.75 for six, or 46p per pie.

Meanwhile, Tesco Finest Mince Pies also earned themselves a Best Buy award as they scored an impressive 72%, coming in just behind the Co-op options.

Tesco’s offerings were highlighted because of their festive citrus zing and pleasant, well-balanced flavours.

Thankfully, these mince pies are also affordable coming in at £3 for six, or 50p per pie.

The panel was made up of baking experts including Great British Bake Off 2021 semi-finalist Jürgen Krauss and the award-winning baker and food writer Dan Lepard.

Also present on the panel were Nathan Rave, the winner of Bake Off The Professionals 2022, and Shaheen Peerbhai, a pastry chef and author.

The experts sought mince pies with an appealing golden appearance, featuring rich, buttery, well-baked pastry and a flavorful filling showcasing a harmonious blend of fruit and spices.

Despite not securing a Which? Best Buy recommendation, several other supermarket mince pies received attention. Aldi’s Specially Selected Mince Pies, the most budget-friendly at £2.19 for six or 37p per pie, emerged as a cost-effective option.

Iceland’s Luxury All Butter Mince Pies, priced at £2.50 for six, earned praise for their tasty fillings, although the experts noted a slightly soft and doughy pastry.

Lidl’s Deluxe Luxury Mince Pies, priced at £2.49 for six, performed well, though the panel observed a mild deficiency in spice and fruit flavour.

However, some mince pies failed to impress the experts. Asda Extra Special Brown Butter and Rum pies, priced at £2.75 for six, and Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference pies, also at £2.75 for six, ranked lowest in the taste test.

It’s not all bad news for Sainsbury’s though, as the supermarket emerged as the overall champion in Metro’s very own battle of the Christmas sandwiches.

If you’re a fan of limited edition festive hot drinks, we recommend you head down to Costa Coffee, where the Black Forest how chocolate won major points in our team taste test.

Commenting on the mince piece, Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and Services at Which?, said: ‘Our experts sampled pies from major UK supermarkets to identify those that will elevate this holiday season, uncovering excellent options that won’t strain your budget.

‘This year’s competition was fierce, but the luxury mince pie offerings from Co-op and Tesco emerged as the top choices.’

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Driving past the only McDonald’s in Freeport, Maine, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a museum.

The grey Victorian building is made from wood and even has picturesque dark shutters you would usually find on a quaint family home. There’s no giant golden arch, only a discrete sign above the door.

But despite the minimal aesthetic, you can still get your chicken McNuggets in this classy joint.

While you might be used to picking up your daily Egg McMuffin from a drive-thru, this McDonald’s provides an altogether different fast food experience, including lobster rolls on the summer menu.

Inside the 173-year-old Colonial building is even more toned down in comparison to other branches, with homely minimalist chic wooden benches and even fireplaces.

It’s one of the most unique McDonald’s in the world, and one of the few that doesn’t have any golden arches.

So what’s going on? It’s simply New England style mixed with classic McDonald’s.

Due to the town’s strict building design codes, McDonald’s couldn’t open its usual type of fast food outlet and instead had to stick to the town’s approved colours and design.

Instead of building its own fast food joint, it chose to remodel an existing mansion to fit with the town’s old world aesthetic.

At first, the residents of Freeport weren’t keen on McDonald’s upsetting the vibe of their posh town.

But luckily, McDonald’s chose to refurbish the historic Gore House, built by William Gore, and down-play its usual bright red and yellow branding.

Gore was a local merchant who built the beautiful mansion back in 1850, according to The Freeport Historical Society.

The remodelling was tastefully done, and aimed to make the restaurant compatible with the town’s values and community so that the residents wouldn’t boycott it.

It was a big success, and it turns out the good people of Freeport love the food as much as the rest of us as it has been operating as the town’s only McDonald’s since 1984.

It even has it’s own drive-thru round the back – if you still want the authentic experience.

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Aldi is slightly raining on our Christmas parade this year as it announced a strict rule which will come into effect today.

The highly-anticipated return of Kevin the Carrot and other stuffed toys happens in store this week, but the supermarket has limited its purchase to two per customer.

The German supermarket released the video showcasing their new plushies in production, promoting their release today.

The video caption reads: ‘The plushie production is in full swing! Kevin and his Christmas Factory friends are available in store 16.11.23. #AldiAmazingChristmas.’

Die-hard Aldi fans can collect Kevin the Carrot, William Conker, Plumpty Dumpty and more, but don’t wait because they’re Specialbuy items.

This means once they’re gone, they’re gone.

They’re an adorable bargain too, with each toy priced at just £3.99.

There’s even a special Golden Kevin available for the same price, while the Christmas advert stars are available as toys for £6.99.

If a regular or golden Kevin isn’t going to cut it, you can pick yourself up the Jumbo Kevin Plush at £19.99.

But, as we said, Aldi has warned that all plush toy sales are limited to two per customer to give as many people as possible the chance to buy a squishy friend.

You cannot buy Kevin the Carrots online, so you’ll have to get yourself down to your local Aldi.

One Facebook user commented: ‘Can’t wait to add to our Kevin family,’ while another wrote: ‘Definitely looking out for the Plumty Dumtys.’

But fans were very disappointed to learn that the Kevin the Carrot book will not be hitting the shelves this year, as it has done in previous years.

One disappointed fan said: ‘Gutted there’s no book we have collected one every year.’

Other options available to you are the Tree Plush Decorations for £2.99, available in a choice of Kevin and Golden Kevin or three Plumty Dumptys.

Kevin Christmas Pyjamas for children ages one to 12 years old will also be available in stores in purple or grey colours.

If you’re a hot chocolate fan then Kevin the Carrot 3D Mugs are available from November 23.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Chicken Big Mac returns as McDonald’s unveils festive menu – along with five new additions

MORE : Aldi to open bottomless pigs in blankets restaurant later this month

MORE : A full list of all the London Christmas Market opening dates to know for 2023

Welcome back to the Slice, your weekly guide to what’s on in London.

It’s cold, dark and drizzly outside, and we need warming up. Let’s start with a steamy night in a South American-inspired cabaret restaurant, then tuck into a stack of hot, maple-drizzled pancakes for brunch, before rolling up for a gravy-soaked Sunday dinner. We’re feeling better just thinking about it…

The Slice’s Pick

WIN the ultimate family day out at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with Crystal Ski Holidays

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Crystal Ski Holidays have partnered up with Metro to give you the chance to win the Ultimate Family Day Out at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland this festive period so you can get that feeling you can’t forget.

You could win entry for six people to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland including tickets for the Real Ice Slide in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays and Magical Ice Kingdom. You’ll also receive three Ride Tokens per person so you can continue the fun, plus 1 x food voucher and 2 x drink vouchers per person so you can tuck into the delicious alpine snacks and beverages available in the park.

Click here and fill out the form to enter. Full T&Cs here. 

Food & Drink

WIN a year's supply of Flävar vodka schnapps or a Flävar mini gift set

Metro has teamed up with the vodka-schnapps brand FLÄVAR to give away a year’s supply of their best-selling schnapps flavours including blueberry and lemon, salted caramel and strawberry and lime! Three lucky runners-up will receive a Flävar Miniature Gift Box.

To enter, simply fill out your details using the form here before midnight, 29 November! 

Open to UK (excluding Northern Ireland and Scotland) residents aged 18 or over. For full details, terms and conditions, visit our terms and conditions page.

Inca

by Jeremy Ullmann

As dining experiences go, Inca stands out. Its darkly lit, majestic interior transports you to a luxe, seductive imagining of the Inca Empire, from the plush seating to the elegant dark wood design. The menu boasts an impressive mix of Latin-influenced and Japanese fusion dishes, with an equally exciting vegetarian offering (you will not believe the grilled shiitake mushroom isn’t meat). Dinner here is certainly not cheap, and with a minimum spend of £150pp don’t expect a casual night out (the £75 mezcal durango cocktail should make you double take). The justification, however, is the entire experience, enhanced by exceptional (and rather steamy) dance peformances. If you have the money, there are very few places like it.

Set menus from £100. 8-9 Argyll Street, Mayfair.

NEW IN TOWN:

📚 La Bibliothèque, East London’s newest fine-dining experience, has a beautiful interior and an exquisitely tasty menu that, while short on options and with portions on the smaller side, includes some scene-stealers like the braised lamb shoulder. The cocktails are special and worth the visit alone. Set menu at £55pp. 325 Kingsland Road, Haggerston. 

🍸 Bar 45 at the swanky 45 Park Lane Hotel is a top-tier cocktail destination if you don’t mind the accompanying price tag. The bar has recently launched a new drinks menu that matches the vibe of its elegant yet buzzy surroundings, with deliciously rich and balanced cocktails (our favourites include Lover, the Pout and the chocolate Negroni). Cocktails from £23. 45 Park Lane, Mayfair. 

Wacky Wombat

by Rob Buckhaven

Wacky Wombat is a homage to Nico de Soto’s Australian travels where each cocktail represents a memory of his. Who needs a photo album when you can create the Overland Track with gin, fermented caju, pepperberry and whey to remind you of Tasmania, or the Melbourne bar-scene-inspired Der Raum with coconut oil, gin, amaro, sweet vermouth, jackfruit, koshihikari and lemon myrtle? Sidenote, fans of Stranger Things should check out the bathroom…

Cocktails from £13. Manette Street, Soho.  

The Table Cafe

Independently-owned and best known for its brunch menu, The Table prides itself on working with local suppliers and sustainability. It first opened its doors in 2005 in Southwark, but now it’s expanded to Battersea Rise. Highlights include the Long Weekender (smashed avocado, eggs and chives) with added bacon and halloumi – all smothered in maple syrup – and the refreshing mixed berry, mint and kale juice. Reasonably priced, lovely bustling atmosphere and hearty grub – what more could you ask for?

Brunch from £12.5, 35-37 Battersea Rise, Wandsworth. 

London's best... festive warmups

BEST PUB: The Culpeper.

The iconic Shoreditch pub knows how to do Sundays, with a menu including  Roasted Pork & Apple Sauce, Bavette, Horseradish Cream & Pomme Anne. All roasts are served with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, honey glazed carrot, roasted parsnip, greens and gravy and made with herbs grown in the pub’s own roof garden. It doesn’t get more local than that!

Roasts from £22. 40 Commercial Street.

BEST BOTTOMLESS: The Libertine.

The City might be quiet on Sundays, but underneath the Royal Exchange lurks a Sunday feast that’s worth making a noise about. Their traditional ‘Sunday Roast Service’ is served with 90 minutes of free-flowing Pont Pietra Merlot red wine alongside complimentary Yorkshire puddings and gravy top-ups from the roast trolley.

Roasts from £23, bottomless red wine £25pp. 1 Royal Exchange, Bank.

BEST MEATY: Macellaio RC.

They might be run by Italians, but this chain of steakhouses have mastered the British roast. Book a table at their Battersea, Union Street or Fitzrovia sites for your towering platter of Yorkshire puds, crispy potatoes, quality beef cuts and gravy – with a true authentic Italian twist. This offer also includes 2 glasses of bubbles or red wine.

£28pp, various locations.

What’s on

Regeneration at Riverside – Six decades of Doctor Who

Step into the time vortex at Riverside Studios for “Regeneration at Riverside,” a free exhibition celebrating Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary. Immerse yourself in the world of the Doctor with this unique collection of photos and memorabilia from the BBC’s vast photographic archives, highlighting the iconic show’s production at Riverside studios which was the principal home of Seasons Two to Four. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it!

Free. 101 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith.

Theatre

Black Friday Theatre Sale

It’s that time of year! Whether you’re tuning in for a pre-Christmas encore at the theater or orchestrating the perfect gift, London Theatre have slashed prices across multiple West End Productions until 27 November for Black Friday, with some shows up to 40% off! Tickets are priced as low as £15 with hits such as The Book of Moron, Frozen, Guys & Dolls and Back To The Future going for cheap. See the full lineup of Black Friday discounts here.

Tickets from £15. Until 27 November, various locations.

Culture

Xtreme Painting

Unleash your creativity in a perfectly named ‘paint rage room’, and make your own masterpiece using original, creative and extreme painting techniques such as splattering and graffiti (with a little guidance from real professionals). Paintbrush in hand, get ready to get messy as you channel your inner art attack and take out your rage on the page. You even get take your creation home with you. Cathartic and chaotic!

Tickets from £40. 15-17 January, 85 Old Brompton Road, Kensington.

See you next week!

MORE : Nestlé discontinues nostalgic chocolate bar – leaving fans devastated

MORE : Aldi issues Christmas warning to shoppers affecting more than 1,000 of its stores

McDonald’s has launched its festive menu and it’s given us five new mouthwateringly good treats to unwrap early this year.

The Festive Menu for 2023 went live at 11am on November 22, meaning people can once again tuck into the iconic Chicken Big Mac.

Following its sell-out success last year and in March 2023, the scrumptious burger is clearly high on many wish lists.

It’s got its classic triple layered bun, two chicken patties, a slice of cheese, lettuce, pickles and that tasty Big Mac sauce.

We wish we could stuff that in our stocking.

The next addition is for the cheese lovers out there. McDonald’s is offering the new Big & Cheesy — a 100% beef patty, two slices of cheese, red onions, crispy onions, and cheese sauce, all in a freshly toasted snowflake flour dusted bun. 

If you want to elevate your Big & Cheesy you can add bacon too, for the perfect festive trimming.

Following the return of the Chicken Big Mac, the Cheese Melt Dippers are also back by popular demand.

Stuffed with Camembert and served with a tomato dip, they are the perfect Yuletide treat.

The McDonald’s Chicken Combo is also a new addition to the menu. It’s a festive feast of 10 Chicken Selects, a 20 Chicken McNugget Sharebox, four Selects dips and four standard dips.

The fast food chain claim this serves four but we wouldn’t blame you if you were a Grinch and didn’t want to share.

Moving on to the sweet treats, there’s the Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry with chocolate stars and sauce.

Or, you can opt to top it with caramel sauce instead.

Next up is pie. The Galaxy Caramel Pie is a combination of crispy chocolate pastry filled with Galaxy Caramel sauce.

The Winter Menu went live in stores from 11am on November 22, but you’ll need to be quick though as the menu is only available for six weeks or while stocks last.

So run, don’t walk.

McDonald’s is really getting in the Christmas spirit this year as the fast food giant is offering its most generous promotion to date — Festive Wins.

Every day from November 1 to November 30, there will be a chance to get your favourite menu items for as little as 99p.

From the Big Mac to Filet-o-Fish, McNuggets and McPlant, there’s a good chance you could get them on the cheap.

The catch? Customers need to head to the McDonald’s UK app to unlock the latest offering.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Aldi launches new burgers inspired by McDonald’s McCrispy for just £1.79

MORE : McDonald’s is axing a menu favourite this week and fans are raging

MORE : I ate every Christmas sandwich on the high street — and one left me like Scrooge

Fans of Caramac were devastated to learn earlier this week that the Nestlé chocolate bar is soon to be discontinued.

But none more so than Gary Millar, who loves the caramel-based sweet so much he was compelled to take action in the hope of keeping it on shelves.

The former Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool decided to start a petition showing demand for the treat, and has managed to rack up over 28,000 signatures.

Appealing to fellow fans and the product’s manufacturers alike, he wrote: ‘We cannot let this piece of confectionery history fade away without a fight.

‘By signing this petition, you are showing your support for preserving the production of Caramac bars and ensuring future generations can enjoy its unique taste as we have.’

Citing the £1.1 billion brought into the UK by the confectionery industry, Gary described the ‘iconic’ brand’s removal from stores as representing a ‘significant loss not only for those who enjoy Caramac bars but also for our shared cultural heritage.’

Gary’s love affair with Caramac goes way back to his childhood, as it was launched by Rowntree Mackintosh shortly after he was born.

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘I inherited my sweet tooth from my paternal grandad, who started me off on Scottish Tablet and later introduced me to Caramac deliciousness as I preferred it to chocolate.

‘We also used to laugh as the advertising tagline was “Silence is Golden” and my family suggested I should try it sometime – I was a chatterbox!’

When the semi-retired author, philanthropist and business coach heard the news of Nestlé’s plan to axe the product, he felt it could be the end of an era, saying: ‘Unlike the aforementioned advert, I don’t think it’s time to be silent.’

Gary calls the response to his petition ‘amazing’, and he hopes to make it to 100,000 signatures in order to drive a U-turn from its manufacturers.

He also has some advice for Nestlé, recommending they advertise Caramac more if they decide to keep it around.

‘Make it nostalgic, highlight that it also meets the sweet needs of those that either can’t eat chocolate or prefer chocolate alternatives,’ said Gary.

‘Plus, make sure the warehouses, distributors etc actually stock it so that supermarkets, newsagents and corner shops actually have it in stock – as it’s often been difficult to find!’

Many of his petition’s backers share similar sentiments, including one person who commented: ‘In a family with many who cannot eat cocoa, this little bar of indulgence has enabled them to be no different to those who can eat many other brands.

‘Furthermore, one of the reasons for the declining sales is because it has been impossible to walk into any shop and buy – we have all had to hunt a Caramac, and I’m sure many of us have had a totally ridiculous fit of excitement when finding them on shelves.’

Others shared their own stories of growing up enjoying the toffee-flavoured bars, or warned they planned to boycott Nestlé if the discontinuation went ahead.

‘A world without Caramac would be a dull and less interesting world for many who love the joys it truly brings to their lives,’ added one person.

Let’s hope their pleas don’t fall on deaf ears.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Walkers fans bereft after brand quietly axes popular crisp flavour with ‘no notice’

MORE : The UK’s most missed chocolate bars that fans are begging to be brought back

It wouldn’t be Christmas without pigs in blankets and Aldi knows it.

The German supermarket is expecting to sell a whopping 43 million bacon-wrapped sausages this year, up five million from last year’s 38 million.

But it’s not stopping there. Aldi is set to open a restaurant that will offer ‘bottomless’ pigs in blankets for its diners.

Yes, we’re drooling too.

Given that polling from YouGov shows the Christmas pork side is the 10th most famous British dish, we’re thinking this restaurant could be a hit. Not to mention the fact that Brits are expected to consume a whopping 423 million pigs in blankets on Christmas Day alone.

That’s a lot of pork.

The eatery is inspired by the swanky Soho establishment Bob Bob Ricard, which you’ve probably heard of because of its ‘press for champagne’ button.

Aldi’s restaurant will have a ‘press for PIB’ button, which will usher pigs in blankets directly to your table.

Yes, it’s not as luxurious but it sounds like a darn good idea to us.

The temporary restaurant is located in Camden Passage, Islington, but don’t hesitate because it’s only open for lunch and dinner sittings on November 24 and 25.

Tickets are only £5 per person, which seems pretty reasonable considering the set-up.

On the menu is brie and cranberry ‘candy cane’ pigs in blankets, as well as others made with chipolatas and caramelised onions, and a ‘butcher’s select’ variety.

There’s even pigs in blankets-flavoured crisps and a vegan alternative with plenty of prosecco to go alongside.

If we haven’t already convinced you, Aldi’s research shows that one in six say pigs in blankets are the first thing they reach for at the Christmas dinner table, with 29% preferring them to roast potatoes and 38% opting for the trimming over traditional turkey.

Furthermore, nearly half admit they prefer pigs in blankets over chocolate and 34% say that the best way to eat them is on their own, straight out the oven.

Aldi’s managing director of buying Julie Ashfield commented: ‘The pig-in-blanket has always been a popular Christmas trimming and our research really does show it to be a mighty festive staple for Brits across the nation.

‘Launching a restaurant is a chance for Aldi fans to enjoy our biggest range yet.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Walkers fans bereft after brand quietly axes popular crisp flavour with ‘no notice’

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Christmas is coming and you’re probably starting to think about stocking up the cupboards for the big feast ahead.

If you drink alcohol, wine is likely on your shopping list. But according to one chef, it may be better to go for something else entirely.

In fact, Jay Halford, owner of luxury catering company, Reeka Events, and private chef to the stars, says vodka or gin could be a better fit for your turkey and trimmings.

‘There are a few drinks that are a must-have when it comes to Christmas dinner,’ says Jay, who’s partnering with NIO Cocktails to offer accompaniment advice for the festive season.

‘The first one is the classic mulled wine or a good spicy Christmas punch. The warm spices in these drinks echo the seasoning in the various ingredients, creating a well-rounded festive experience. 

‘But gin or vodka also pairs well with a Christmas dinner, so ensure you offer plenty of mixers for the spirits so your guests have a good variety to choose from.’

The crisp and clean flavour of vodka won’t overpower the variety of foods on a Christmas table, allowing your culinary efforts to shine through. Vodka is also commonly enjoyed with food in Russia, where it’s thought to balance acidic dishes, making it perfect next to the likes of braised red cabbage or cranberry sauce.

The juniper notes in gin, meanwhile, offset the saltiness of staples like pigs in blankets, or you can choose a more lemony or lavender blend if you want the botanicals to cut through the rich, savoury elements of the meal.

WIN a year's supply of Flävar vodka schnapps or a Flävar mini gift set

Metro has teamed up with the vodka-schnapps brand FLÄVAR to give away a year’s supply of their best-selling schnapps flavours including blueberry and lemon, salted caramel and strawberry and lime! Three lucky runners-up will receive a Flävar Miniature Gift Box.

To enter, simply fill out your details using the form here before midnight, 29 November! 

Open to UK (excluding Northern Ireland and Scotland) residents aged 18 or over. For full details, terms and conditions, visit our terms and conditions page.

Looking for more drinks tasting notes to make the elements of your Christmas dinner pop? Jay has shared his top picks.

Christmas pudding

To complement a Christmas pudding, Jay advises a whiskey-based drink such as an Old Fashioned.

‘The rich caramel and vanilla notes in the whiskey reflect the deep, spiced flavours in the pudding, creating a luxurious and indulgent experience,’ he comments.

Gingerbread

‘We haven’t found anything that goes better with the sweetness and spiciness of gingerbread than a smoky Scotch,’ says Jay.

‘The smoky, peaty notes in the Scotch pair well with the spicy warmth of the gingerbread, creating a complex and satisfying flavour profile.’

Ideal to put out for Santa to enjoy with a biscuit on his Christmas Eve delivery route, but just as great for you when you’re getting through the wrapping with a treat and a tipple.

Cheese board

There’s no need to avoid wine entirely – especially if you’re having a cheese board.

Jay recommends: ‘For strong cheeses like Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton, we recommend a zippy Sauvignon Blanc or a New Zealand Riesling. The high acidity in these wines cuts through the richness of the cheese, making for a balanced and refreshing pairing.’

Chocolate yule log

Having a classic yule log for dessert? Wine’s a good shout here, too.

‘A full-bodied red, like a Zinfandel or a Cabernet Sauvignon, is always perfect to pair with chocolate, especially if it’s a rich homemade yule log, with a dark chocolate cream filling,’ says Jay.

The dark fruit notes in these wines are a perfect match for the deep cocoa flavours in the festive after-dinner staple.

Trifle

What you have with trifle ‘depends on the type’ you go for, as well as how much sherry is in it.

‘But you can’t go wrong with pairing it with a good sweet wine or an ice-cold fruity liqueur,’ adds Jay. ‘We find that the wine or the sweetness of the liqueur really enhances the fruit and cream layers, bringing it to life.’

Consider a nip of something like a Cointreau, Grand Marnier, sloe gin, cherry brandy or limoncello to help give an extra kick to this traditional pudding.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Mum’s warning after dogs scoffed plate of mince pies leaving her with £550 bill

MORE : KFC’s new stuffing burger has fans saying the same thing

It seems no flavour is safe after Walkers axed another popular crisp flavour from our supermarket shelves with ‘no notice’.

It’s bad news for salt and vinegar fans after the snack maker told customers that flavour of Quavers has been discontinued — despite it only returning to shelves two years ago.

This comes after Walkers axed the Worcester Sauce flavour for all crisps — leaving fans fuming.

Walkers only revealed they stopped this flavour when a fan asked them on X (Twitter): ‘Have you stopped making salt and vinegar Quavers? I can’t find them anywhere.’

It replied: ‘We’re sorry to break it to you Linda, but we’re not making this flavour anymore.’

The Quaver flavour was first created by Walkers’ back in 1993 and returned to shelves in 2021 along with prawn cocktail Quavers.

The fan was clearly disheartened and responded to Walkers, saying: ‘And with no notice. This is a sad day.’

It’s clearly a more popular flavour of Quavers than we realised with the likes of Nigella Lawson among its loyal fan base.

After the crisp flavour’s return in 2021 she tweeted: ‘Why have I only just now discovered salt & vinegar Quavers?’

But this sentiment was not shared by comedian Tim Vine who said: ‘Just trying to decide if salt and vinegar flavoured Quavers are a good idea or the beginning of the apocalypse.’

It’s safe to say that the crisps do have a bit of a cult following. One fan called them ‘the best crisps ever’ and added: ‘If they stop making these salt and vinegar quavers again, they are mad.’

Currently, you can still buy multi-packs containing six 16g bags for £1.95 from Tesco’s website but they don’t appear to be for sale from other supermarkets like Asda and Sainsbury’s.

Walkers also discontinued the beef and onion flavour last year, as well as changing the recipe to its Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations.

The Worcester Sauce flavour being axed hit fans hard too. One wrote: ‘I really miss Walkers Worcester Sauce crisps.’

Another said: ‘I want the Worcester Sauce Walkers crisps back right this instant.’

Someone else complained: ‘Why does literally nowhere sell Worcester Sauce Walkers anymore, it’s making my comfort eating extremely bland.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : The UK’s most missed chocolate bars that fans are begging to be brought back

MORE : Toby Carvery is selling an entire roast dinner in a sandwich and everyone has the same question

MORE : KFC’s new stuffing burger has fans saying the same thing

With December creeping up fast, KFC has unveiled its Christmas menu for 2023 – including two festive additions.

From November 13, fast food fans will be able to get their hands on two new burgers at KFC – with stuffing taking centre stage in both.

The Stuffing Stacker Burger and the Stuffing Tower Burger are now on sale and are set to be available until January 1, 2024.

Consisting of two crispy chicken fillets, the Stuffing Stacker Burger is also layered with sage and onion stuffing, spicy cranberry sauce, cheese, and burger dressing – all sandwiched within a brioche bun.

Whereas the Stuffing Tower Burger features all the same trimmings just with a single fillet of chicken, rather than two.

Both newbies are available at restaurants nationwide and via KFC Delivery, with the Stuffing Stacker Burger coming in at £7.99 and Stuffing Tower Burger priced at £6.49.

However, some fans have claimed the fast food chain has missed a trick with the two new additions, questioning why there is no turkey on the menu this year.

‘Not really a Christmas burger as it’s chicken and not turkey,’ one person pointed out.

As second suggested KFC launch a turkey sandwich and call it the ‘KFT’.

The KFC menu comes just days after other eateries unveiled their Christmas offerings, including new festive sandwiches from Pret, Costa, and more – and you can find out our honest thoughts on these here.

In other fast food news, McDonald’s is running a month of deals for November, so customers can snap up some savings ahead of Christmas.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : McDonald’s launches a new breakfast meal deal — and the savings are huge

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When you want a sweet treat, sometimes only your favourite will do.

But people across the country have been forced to leave their cravings uncurbed, as some of the UK’s most beloved chocolates have been callously removed from stores.

The Caramac is the latest confection to fall victim to the same fate, leaving fans ‘in tears’ after being discontinued by Nestlé after 64 years.

Appliance firm AEG decided to delve into the products the British public miss most following their withdrawal from shelves- and with any luck, the demand may just persuade manufacturers to bring them back.

In first place was the Cadbury Dream, which was discontinued in 2002, and was voted as the most sorely missed by 11% of the 500 people surveyed.

Facebook went wild in 2020 when shoppers found the white chocolate bar in a B&M store, but unfortunately it no longer seems to be available. Now you’ll have to make do with Cadbury White (launched in 2019) or head to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa where the Dream is still sold.

In second spot was Milky Way Crispy Rolls, which were pulled from shelves in 2022, sparking a petition to bring them back that racked up over 8,500 signatures.

It may only have been a year since they’ve been gone, but the chocolate-covered tubes of milk cream and wafer clearly made their mark, garnering 9% of the public vote.

Next was Mars Delight, another wafer-based treat featuring cocoa and caramel creams and plenty of chocolate. It spent four years on sale after its launch in 2004, but fans are still longing for its return 15 years later.

Then, at number four was Cadbury Spira, a semi-hollow chocolate bar with a spiral shape that you could drink through. Customers have missed it so much since it was discontinued in 2005 that a Facebook page begging for its comeback has an impressive 35,000 likes.

Mars Planets – a selection of chocolates with different fillings within the same packet, discontinued in 2007 – took fifth place, while Cadbury Coconut Boost was sixth.

It’s been almost 30 years since the Coconut Boost was taken from us following its launch in 1985, and although you can still get hold of a biscuit and caramel version of the bar, it’s not the same.

Some other vintage favourites were next in the rankings: Nestlé’s Secret and Texan bars which were discontinued in 1998 and 1984 respectively.

You may remember the Secret, with its birds-nest styled chocolate coating and mousse centre, from the 1980s and 1990s, but it dropped in popularity towards the end of the century leading to its removal. The nougat and caramel Texan, meanwhile, was reintroduced as a limited ‘nostalgia’ edition in 2005, but has been absent from shops ever since.

Nestlé Vice Versas, the ninth most-missed chocolate, also had a few chances for resurgence after leaving stores in 2005. The half-milk and half-white candy coated chocolate balls had a real cult following, yet they failed to return permanently after a short stint in 2012.

And finally, number 10 on the list was White Maltesers, which have now been discontinued for almost 10 years.

There’s definitely an appetite for sweets of days gone by to reappear in our lives, as Quality Street’s announcement of the coffee creme flavour’s comeback following a 20-year hiatus was met with major fanfare.

Public pressure worked for Turkey Twizzlers too, so there’s always hope if missing your favourite becomes too much to bear.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : Chocolate fans in mourning as Nestlé axes Animal Bars right after Caramac blow

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McDonald’s fans have been left gobsmacked after learning what goes into one of their most popular menu items: sweet and sour sauce.

That is, despite the fact the ‘shocking revelation’ has been uncovered numerous times before.

It’s been a hot topic recently after two Australian radio hosts, Jase and Lauren, revealed what the dip is made from.

Host Lauren explained that the sauce is actually made up of a certain fruit.

‘Would you believe it is actually… apricot flavour?’ she said on her show.

According to the McDonald’s UK website, one of the key components in the sauce is apricot puree. Other unexpected ingredients also include soy sauce, spices, dried red bell pepper, and caramelised sugar syrup.

The McDonald’s website even describes it as ‘a sweet/sour apricot flavour, lightly spiced with a sour aftertaste.’

Nevertheless, it’s safe to say this fruity news has rocked McDonald’s fans – including the co-host of the radio show.

‘I hate apricot… I can taste the apricot now,’ Jase said, while throwing a half-eaten chicken nugget away. 

However, hardcore McDonald’s fans are questioning why people are only finding out about this now.

‘Sweet n Sour is essentially apricot jam and white vinegar,’ someone explained.

This news follows on from Maccies fans uncovering what the buttons on fast food chain’s drinks lids are for.

In other shock revelations, Greggs fanatics have joked ‘Christmas is cancelled’ after a beloved bake has been axed from the menu.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE : McDonald’s unveils its 2023 Christmas ad with nod to classic festive movie

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