We love a cooking hack as much as the next person, but this tip for removing excess fat from your frying pan just feels a little wrong.

TikToker Victoria, who is known for her cleaning, recipe and home hack videos, sparked a rather heated debate after she revealed how she soaks up the excess fat from her meat when she’s cooking.

In a 10 second video Victoria unpackages and places two new tampons in her frying pan while she cooks, allowing them to sit there and soak up all the liquid.

She even seasons and stirs her meal while the tampons are still in the pan.

Her controversial cooking technique has now been viewed over 3.4million times, leaving many TikTok users flabbergasted.

Many were mortified at the thought of the possible chemicals in the tampons leaking out into the food, while others suggested there were much cheaper and more ‘normal’ ways to get rid of excess fat in the pan.

One user wrote: ‘But the chemicals in the tampon cotton,’ while another agreed questioning: ‘Aren’t there carcinogens and glyphosate in those?’

Another outraged TikToker wrote: ‘Just drain it in a strainer, god lord is it that hard?’

Others suggested, paper towels, toilet roll or buying leaner beef that has less fat.

Some saw the funnier side to it, with one writing: ‘I will always avoid eating at people’s homes.’

One TikToker who stitched the video jokingly said: ‘We’re not going to sit here and pretend those tampons are seared to perfection. It’s the most edible thing on this plate.

‘That looks like halibut. If I looked at this photo for a second I would be like “yeah I’d totally eat those instead”.

‘They’re the perfect hors d’oeuvre, just pick it up by the string.’

Obviously, do not under any circumstances eat a tampon, and here’s why you probably shouldn’t cook with one either.

According to a journal in the US National Library of Medicine, tampons are a potential source of chemical exposure. 

It particularly highlighted elevated levels of mercury for tampon users but according to the UK Health Security Agency ‘swallowing small amounts of elemental mercury is unlikely to cause adverse health effects’. However, if large amounts are swallowed, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain can occur.

Most tampons are made of cotton or cotton blends, although some tampons are made solely of rayon.

According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics these products may contain traces of dioxin from bleach, pesticide residues from conventional, non-organic cotton, and mystery ‘fragrance’ ingredients.

Personally, we don’t think we really want any of those swimming about in our evening meal.

Do you have a story to share?

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

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Rejoice McNugget fans, for a new nug meal is landing in McDonald’s new October menu.

Now, for the first time ever, you can make your box of nine nuggets a meal at McDonald’s, costing £6.69 for a medium and £7.39 for a large.

You used to only be able to get a 6 Chicken McNugget meal (or a separate box of 9 or 20), but those days are gone.

Or at least, they soon will be, as this change is coming as part of the chain’s October menu that’s landing in the UK Wednesday, 18 October and available until 12 November.

Fans have been asking after a 9 Chicken McNugget meal and are looking forward to the change, with Metro.co.uk’s own nug fan Alice Murphy saying: ‘Everyone wants more don’t they?’

A friend of mine in the group chat adds: ‘More crispy goodness, I say. Let’s all get a layer of insulation in the energy crisis.’

And this new meal is just the tip of the fast food iceberg.

There’s a new The Philly Cheese Stack burger (£6.99) for the dairy-lovers, with two succulent beef patties, a cheese sauce, two cheese slices, grilled and crispy onions and pickles served in a toasted bun, and a McCrispy BBQ Smokehouse (£7.39), made with a crispy chicken breast fillet, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and red onion, lettuce.

Chilli Cheese Bites (£2.49, £6.79 for a sharebox) are also making a comeback and the Halloween M&M’s Halloween McFlurry (£1.99), made with soft dairy ice cream, M&Ms and Halloween sugar shapes and topped with Galaxy Chocolate sauce.

It’s a great time to have a sweet tooth, because there’s also a Twix Toffee Apple McFlurry (£1.99), made with soft dairy ice cream swirled with Twix piece and topped with a toffee apple sauce, a Toffee Apple Pie (£1.99), which is a pastry filled with a spiced apple compote, toffee sauce, and toffee pieces, and a Toffee Apple Donut (£2.19), which is a ring doughnut filled with toffee apple compote, topped with crumble pieces and toffee sauce.

As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s also a chicken combo deal going live only on Just Eat until 17 October before it launches more widely.

Said meal, the aptly-named McDonald’s Chicken Combo (£16.99), includes 10 Chicken Selects, a 20 Chicken McNuggets Sharebox, four Selects dips and four Standard dips.

Do you have a story to share?

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

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If you do your food shopping at Aldi, it’s worth being careful when you visit the self-checkout.

Customers of the discount supermarket have been warned they may not be getting the best deal by using these self-scanners, and advised to check their receipts to see if they’ve missed out on savings.

According to savvy shoppers online, Aldi’s self-checkout machines don’t automatically apply promotions to your purchase, meaning you need to ask a member of staff to manually do so.

So while you’ll still get to take advantage of the retailer’s regular low prices, you may miss out on additional offers.

In a 270,000-strong Facebook group for Aldi fans, one eagle-eyed user explained: ‘Any discounts don’t automatically apply on the self-checkouts. You have to ask a human employee to take the discounts off manually.

‘This applies for % off stickers and any multibuys etc. I don’t know if this is common knowledge.’

Commenters shared their own experiences under the post, with some claiming they’d been burned by not knowing what to do.

‘Staff have to apply the discount on a normal till so def will have to on a self-service till,’ said one person. ‘I’ve had a few missed then realised!’

Another highlighted that ‘staff have to apply the discount at normal checkouts too,’ and a third added: ‘Yes it’s because they don’t change the barcode to reflect the reduced price.’

Others argued that the supermarket should have signs to alert customers about this, including one user who called the issue ‘disgusting’.

Aldi confirmed to The Mirror that discounts on all tills required manual input from in-store employees, but claimed feedback around its self-checkouts (first introduced in 2019) was ‘overwhelmingly positive’.

A spokesperson also encouraged those who believe they’ve been wrongly charged to contact its customer services department.

Going forward, however, do flag down a team member before paying to make sure you get the prices you expect at the self-checkout. Alternatively, just brave the queue and kick it old-school.

Do you have a story to share?

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

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Call me Mr Picky, but seriously, why do I need a jalapeño floating in my rosé or one of my shoes to uncork a wine bottle?

Isn’t the process of putting a glass to your lips, pouring the liquid inside your mouth and swallowing it enough? Obviously not, otherwise someone wouldn’t have invented TikTok.

It’s infuriating – no matter how hard I try to judge, I can’t help but be impressed by people’s ingenuity.

Whether it’s pulling a cork with a knife and fork or a lighter, pouring red wine into a blender to make it taste more expensive or putting it through a Brita filter to avoid a hangover (allegedly), these are the tips, hacks and tricks no one asked for.

As a drinks expert, I feel a duty to personally check out anything before I slate it.

So, first up, let’s start with a few of the rosé flavour enhancing tips and tricks that can be found on the home of #winetok (which has a jawdropping 735 million views, btw).

I’ll be using Snoop Dogg’s new fruity offering, Cali Rosé, £10 in Ocado. Why? Because it’s beyond opulent with flavours of summer pudding, aka deep pink and bordering on sweet.

It also needs a little toning down for my taste, so let’s see if these hacks can help.

WIN! A year’s supply of Wine PLUS exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour

Metro Drinks Club has joined forces with Naked Wines to give you the chance to WIN a year’s supply of delicious wine, plus exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour.

These aren’t any old wines. Every single bottle is made by a talented, independent winemaker. So whether you’re a fizz lover, Malbec nut or Sauvignon fan, you’ll get the perfect selection to savour.

5 lucky winners will also get tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour that’s hitting 5 UK cities (Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, London and Ipswich) from 1st-5th November. Ticket winners will meet the likes of Carmen Stevens from South Africa, an award-winning trailblazer who gets a Beatles-style welcome at any tasting she attends.

Loved by over 330,000 UK wine drinkers, Naked Wines connects everyday wine drinkers with the world’s best independent winemakers. They support hundreds of talented winemakers, so they have the freedom to make the best wines they’ve ever made. In return, you get to enjoy better wine at insider prices.

You have until midnight on Wednesday 18 October to enter, so make sure you sign up soon!

Click here and fill in your details to enter. Good luck!

Using my experience with flavours, I also added additional suggestions that I thought might work better. Here goes…

Cinnamon Stick

I often describe certain rosés as having warm spice flavours, so what happens if I actually drop in a cinnamon stick? Pro tip, sieve the wine before drinking it if you don’t want cinnamon shards stuck in your teeth. Half a scroll and you’ll immediately get a noseful of autumnal spice. Palate-wise, cinnamon enhances the fruit flavours in the rosé, giving warmth and dimension. Love this hack.

Jalapeño

This has been doing the rounds for a while, so I couldn’t wait to dig in. Add a slice of fresh jalapeño to your rosé, ditching most of the seeds. On the nose, it delivers an immediate thwack of Pyrazines, the vegetal-smelling compounds found in peppers. In the mouth, the sting of chilli neutralises the wine’s sweetness, giving a warm buzzing sensation and making the wine nicely balanced and savoury.

Gherkin

This was my own riff on a jalapeño to illustrate what not to add, but unexpectedly, I’m in love. If I’m honest, I was convinced the vinegar would clash with the wine and cause a metallic taste, as it tends to do. It didn’t. If anything, the gherkin brings salty and vegetal notes to the party that offset the luscious sweetness of the wine. I would do this again.

Pickled Onion

Look, if it can work in a Gibson Martini, I was convinced a pickled onion would work in a rosé. Spoiler alert, it doesn’t. Note to self, there are sulphurous-flavoured compounds in onions that clash with, well, everything except gin and dry vermouth, apparently. It’s too overtly savoury and pungent to pair with the richness of Snoop’s rosé, better in a dryer-style wine. Provence rosé perhaps…?

Whipped Cream

I’m no stranger to the phrase ‘Wimbledon in a glass’ in my rosé tasting descriptions. It’s the wine version of chomping Eton Mess on Murray Mount. So, when I clocked the trend of adding whipped cream to rosé, I had high hopes for the combo. Granted, I squirted it way over the rim, but aside from looking like an Ice Cream Sundae, the whipped cream curdled immediately, tasted like alcoholic cake and made the wine turn cloudy. Zero points.

Do you have a story to share?

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

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

It’s not every day you get to explore London’s best bars on a budget, but that’s what’s on offer this week! If cocktails aren’t your thing, there are rum and beer festivals, theatre transporting you back to 1974 West Africa and free DJ workshops for aspiring DJs. It’s gonna be a big weekend…

The Slice’s Pick

Le Petit Chef

Le Petit Chef is named after the tiny animated French chef who graces diners between courses with a cartoon skit of how the food about to be eaten has ended up on the plate. Think fun Tom and Jerry stuff, such as dramatically slicing a lobster in two in front of your eyes with a lot of muttering and the odd ‘merde’ drop. 

The projector lighting and limited tables create an intimate yet theatrical atmosphere but the food really delivers too. We opted for the Classic Menu, which starts with a fresh burrata salad, followed by beautifully fishy bouillabaisse, a lobster risotto, a perfectly pink Hereford beef, and the final course a delightfully creamy and sugar-cracking vanilla crème brûlée. It’s a lot to eat, and starting from £119 per head, there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s expensive – but if you’ve got that sort of money, this is definitely an enchanting foodie experience. Bon appétit! 

Set menus from £119pp, Juniors £59pp. Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square.

Food & Drink

WIN! A year’s supply of Wine PLUS exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour

Metro Drinks Club has joined forces with Naked Wines to give you the chance to WIN a year’s supply of delicious wine, plus exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour.

These aren’t any old wines. Every single bottle is made by a talented, independent winemaker. So whether you’re a fizz lover, Malbec nut or Sauvignon fan, you’ll get the perfect selection to savour.

5 lucky winners will also get tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour that’s hitting 5 UK cities (Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, London and Ipswich) from 1st-5th November. Ticket winners will meet the likes of Carmen Stevens from South Africa, an award-winning trailblazer who gets a Beatles-style welcome at any tasting she attends.

Loved by over 330,000 UK wine drinkers, Naked Wines connects everyday wine drinkers with the world’s best independent winemakers. They support hundreds of talented winemakers, so they have the freedom to make the best wines they’ve ever made. In return, you get to enjoy better wine at insider prices.

You have until midnight on Wednesday 18 October to enter, so make sure you sign up soon!

Click here and fill in your details to enter. Good luck!

Supperclub Tube

Step aboard this decommissioned Victoria Line tube carriage and let Head Chef Bea Maldonado take you from London to Latin America. Each of the six courses promises a plate full of flavour with our highlights being the yellow corn-based arepas served under black beans and a tomato relish. With its original 1960s patterned seats, this unique supper club set within the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum is sure to be enjoyed by both foodies and train enthusiasts alike. And if you’re neither of those… It’s a great spot if you’re looking to impress a date with your knowledge of the London restaurant scene off the beaten (train) track.

6-course menu from £67pp. Pumphouse Museum, Walthamstow.

Silverleaf

Scuttle across the Pan Pacific London courtyard plaza to its industrially chic destination bar, Silverleaf and taste the new ‘Building Blocks’ menu. Based around two core ingredients, each cocktail is a masterclass in mixology, art, science and design. Try the Tomato Shiso, Watermelon Sake, the Raspberry Vetiver, or any of them really. The bar team are ready to immerse you in the DNA of each drink, or not. This is cerebral sipping, if you want it to be, or just aesthetic and tasty cocktails if you don’t feel like braining. It’s well worth the scuttle.

Cocktails from £8 with London Cocktail Week (see details below ⬇). 3rd Floor, Devonshire House, 3 Bishopsgate. 

Find out more about Metro Drinks Club and its editor’s pick here.

RumFest

RumFest, the world’s longest rum festival is back in London this weekend for its 17th year! Perfect for rum enthusiasts, the festival will showcase over 400 rums from all over the world to test and try. Tickets include access to all 400 of the delicious rums on offer, cocktail masterclasses hosted by industry experts, tasting sessions, live Caribbean music and dancing during ‘Carnival Hour’, and delicious and perfectly paired Caribbean food stalls. And you get a tiny tasting cup to take home, of course. It’s a must for all rum and spirit lovers!

Tickets from £44. 14-15 October, 47 Lillie Rd, Fulham.

London's best... cocktails London Cocktail Week, 12 - 22 October

Every bar on London Cocktail Week’s list will offer at least one signature cocktail for just £8! Get your £15 wristband from any of the bars and show it when you order – as many times as you like during the week!

BEST EXPERIENCE: Gin Mare’s Med Transfers

Combining a bar crawl with a road trip around the Iberian peninsula, Gin Mare’s cocktail-quaffing expedition sees guests ferried around town in a VW campervan for a bar-hopping evening of perfectly paired gin cocktails and light bites at Parillan, Kwant and Bar Daskal.

Tickets from £20 (must be purchased as a pair, includes three cocktail and food pairings). 17-18 October, meet at Parillan, Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross.

BEST SUNDOWNER: The Rooftop at One Hundred Shoreditch

London Cocktail Week is practically designed for post-work drinkies, and this blush pink hangout atop a trendy hotel is the perfect spot to sip and watch the sunset. Their £8 offering is the aptly named Shoreditch Sundowner – a punchy concoction with Patron reposado tequila, Cointreau, agave, lime juice and blood orange soda. Rock up with your wristband and stay till late.

One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel, 100 Shoreditch High Street.

BEST FANCY-PANTS: Baccarat Bar and Studio Franzten

It’s not often we can actually afford anything in Harrods, let alone swanky cocktails. But these are under a tenner! Start with a Pepper Berry Club (served in an exquisite Baccarat crystal glass) in the dazzling bar downstairs, then up to the rooftop for a knockout Vastkusten – with Don Julio blanco tequila, Mandarin Napoleon, Linie Akvavit Sherry cask and Montelobos mezcal.

Lower Ground Floor/ Fifth Floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge.

What’s on

Black History Month

Start From Scratch: Free DJ Workshop

The Slice is celebrating Black History Month every week of October, and today we’re highlighting the Start From Scratch DJ Workshop series which looks to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black DJs around the world and throughout history.

Join Pioneer DJ and KISS Fresh Breakfast presenter DJ Esi at the famous Fabric London for a free three-hour session where you will explore the fundamentals of DJing, try out Pioneer DJ’s latest gear and receive a complimentary 3-month license for the online educational platform Virtuoso. Spots are limited so make sure to sign up now!

Free. 18 October, Fabric, 77A Charterhouse, Farringdon.

Theatre

Rumble in the Jungle Rematch★★★

This immersive production transports you back to 1974 Kinshasa where Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought for the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion. Taking place in a warehouse in London’s Docklands which doubles as the luxury Kinshasa Hotel, you’re left to walk around and experience the tasty Congolese street food and performances from James Brown tributes before the main event is recreated, cleverly mixing film clips and live actors. Ultimately, London’s latest immersive production is more party than story. The show is entertaining, but you only belatedly care about the fate of the fighters at its core.

Tickets from £30. Until 29 October, Dock X, Surrey Quays.

Culture

Pink Oktoberfest

Get ready for two weekends of Bavarian fun as Pink Oktoberfest, the world’s largest queer beer festival returns to Between the Bridges. Hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 5 star, Ginger Johnson, expect a night of hilarity and tasteful vulgarity. Joining her are renowned queer drag and alt-cabaret artists, including His Royal Hairiness, Dave The Bear, and The Sisters of Shesus. The six-piece synch-pop band, Topsie Redfern and the Morning Afters, will provide a camp twist to the festivities. Enjoy German sausage, cold Steins, games and table dancing, and join the party! Lederhosen or Dirndl optional.

Tickets from £18. 14 and 21 October, Between the Bridges, South Bank.

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Christmas Came Early – 12 bottles at £64.99 for Metro members (usual price £176.38)

Metro Drinks Club's first case of wines – all from independent winemakers from across the globe and curated by our wine expert Rob Buckhaven – is fantastic value. Follow the link to join the club and save £100 off your first order.

JOIN METRO DRINKS CLUB AT NAKED WINES

Fancy regular access to delicious drinks at tasty prices? Then welcome to the brand new Metro Drinks Club, brought to you in association with Naked Wines.

Metro Drinks Club editor Rob Buckhaven says: ‘We recognise that savvy Metro readers are curious about expanding their drinking repertoire. Naked Wines has a fantastic range produced by some of the most highly skilled, passionate and colourful winemakers on the planet and we are here to help you choose which ones to try.

‘Its model is to cut out the middleman and to pass those savings on to us. Naked also act as mentors, investing in interesting, independent winemakers, each with a story more intriguing than the last. So, come and join me as I rummage through Naked Wine’s cellar to show you the corkers.’

To mark this exciting occasion, Rob has selected a series of cases from the Naked Wines range – offered at a very special price to Metro Drinks Club members.

Choose between a red, white and mixed 12-bottle case, or splash out on all three, to gain access to the Metro Drinks Club.

For £64.99 per case, including free delivery, you’ll get a best-in-market deal and save over £100 off the market price.

They contain delicious fizz, such as Martial Richard Crémant de Limoux and Prosecco Spumante Borgo di Sassi, while whites include the peachy and creamy Benjamin Darnault Viognier and zesty Arabella Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa.

Then there are the reds, from the rich Hacienda Don Hernan Rioja to the lighter, turkey-friendly Lay Of The Land Ben Morven Farm Pinot Noir from New Zealand.

You’ll find familiar classics including Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhône, Bordeaux, German Pfalz Riesling and Argentinian Malbec, alongside New World newbies from Lodi in California and southeastern Australia.

Meanwhile, post-Christmas dinner fireside slumping is covered by fortified wines such as Maison Sichel Sauternes and Mario and Oscar’s ruby port – Porto Para Amigos. Enjoy!

What can you expect as a Drinks Club Member?

• Massive discount on first Metro Drinks Club Case (Eg Christmas Came Early – £64.99 for members, usual price £176.38)
• Personal welcome email from Metro Drinks Club editor Rob Buckhaven, complete with tasting notes on the highlights ofyour first case
• Up to 30% off on cases curated for you from the Naked Wines range
• Competitions with fantastic prizes – including free cases of wine
• Virtual tastings of your Naked wines, hosted by Metro Drinks Club Editor and Naked Wines Buyer (first to be held on 14 November)
• Special offers and deals straight to your inbox

How to join – and save over £100 on your first case
Purchase any Metro Drinks Club case and you’re in the club, though you can opt out at any time.

Follow the link to Metro Drinks Club at Naked Wines to join and purchase your case.

WIN! A year’s supply of Wine PLUS exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour

Metro Drinks Club has joined forces with Naked Wines to give you the chance to WIN a year’s supply of delicious wine, plus exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour.

These aren’t any old wines. Every single bottle is made by a talented, independent winemaker. So whether you’re a fizz lover, Malbec nut or Sauvignon fan, you’ll get the perfect selection to savour.

5 lucky winners will also get tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour that’s hitting 5 UK cities (Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, London and Ipswich) from 1st-5th November. Ticket winners will meet the likes of Carmen Stevens from South Africa, an award-winning trailblazer who gets a Beatles-style welcome at any tasting she attends.

Loved by over 330,000 UK wine drinkers, Naked Wines connects everyday wine drinkers with the world’s best independent winemakers. They support hundreds of talented winemakers, so they have the freedom to make the best wines they’ve ever made. In return, you get to enjoy better wine at insider prices.

You have until midnight on Wednesday 18 October to enter, so make sure you sign up soon!

Click here and fill in your details to enter. Good luck!

Perhaps you enjoy an oat latte, a soya flat white, or maybe coconut milk is more to your liking – but now Brody Jenner has offered up a new option: breast milk.

This week, 40-year-old Brody – star of The Hills and son of Caitlyn Jenner – revealed he’d decided to pop his partner’s breast milk into a hot cup of Joe, and said he was thrilled with the results.

Brody explained he made himself, and pro surfer Tia Blanco, two lattes using her breast milk after the couple ran out of almond milk. How resourceful.

The doting dad said in a YouTube video: ‘I’ve heard great things about breast milk. I hear it’s very nutritious. I hear it’s very delicious. I think it will do.’ Tia then added: ‘That would be really good for you.’

While Brody insisted that it was ‘freaking delicious’, his claims that breast milk is great for adults might not be so accurate.

Nutritional Therapist Cara Shaw told Metro.co.uk that yes, breast milk does contain valuable nutrients – but they’re for babies.

She says: ‘Colostrum, the initial milk produced by the mother in the first few days is often referred to as ‘liquid gold’, due to its rich abundance of antibodies, immunoglobulins, growth factors, vitamins and minerals.

‘Generally, breast milk is heavily colonised with bifidobacterium and lactobacillus species, making it a natural source of probiotics. Additionally, it contains prebiotic oligosaccharides.

‘Both probiotic and prebiotics work to support both gut and immune function. 

‘It provides the perfect proportions of vitamins, minerals and macronutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates.’

But, as Cara points out, this is all intended for the growth and development of infants.

‘The nutrients in breastmilk, along with the pro and prebiotic properties, can help to reduce the risk of atopic conditions like eczema and asthma. 

‘Some research also suggests positive links between breastfeeding and improved cognition as well as social and emotional development in children.

‘Yes it contains valuable nutrients, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, but these nutrients are designed to support the rapid growth and development of a baby, not the nutritional needs of adults,’ she says.

‘There may be no harm in trying breast milk but I wouldn’t recommend it as a must-have superfood for adults. Its designed for infant needs.’

If you’re still adamant you’d like to try some breast milk, Cara warns to proceed with caution. ‘If you are considering drinking breast milk from another person, it is crucial to obtain it from a trusted and healthy source,’ she says. ‘Ideally, the donor should undergo screening for infectious diseases, similar to the screening process for donated blood or organs.’

She also adds that, there’s no much point going to the trouble: ‘There’s no harm in it. But there are other foods out there that may be better suited for your needs.’

The good news is, if you are in the market for a super-charged, nutritious beverage, there are options out there.

‘Bone broth is my go-to,’ she says. ‘It’s packed with vitamins, minerals and amino acids like glutamine to help strengthen the gut lining.

‘If you’re looking for a nutrient powerhouse in a cup, boil some meat bones for four to six hours and enjoy plenty of gut-loving nutrients to support your immunity this winter. 

‘Alternatively, if you’re steering clear of animal products, opt for diluting functional mushroom powder into your smoothie or hot coca. I use a tsp of DIRTEA Reishi, which has a whole host of antioxidants and anti-ageing properties.’

Do you have a story to share?

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

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Whether you’re a lover of spooky season or a Squishmallows fanatic, you’ll want to get down to McDonald’s to get hold of one of the new Happy Meal toys.

Ahead of Halloween, the fast food chain has launched a range of plushies for customers to collect – and they’re already proving a hit.

Although they were released on October 11, a few TikTokers have managed to get their hands on the cuddly toys ahead of time, describing them as ‘super cute’ and ‘absolutely adorable.’

There are six different Squishmallows to choose from, each with its own backstory.

Promotional materials from the brand show a spider, a bat, a dog with bat wings, a skeleton cat, and a werewolf.

According to the Squishmallows Wiki, the blue bat is a paperboy called Patricio who’s saving up for a big trip because he wants to fly around the world, the spider is a palm reader, and gifted magician called Bella, and the dog is Brock; a football team quarterback with a heart of gold.

The sweet skeleton cat is Stump, the Halloween collection’s bouncer who teaches self-defence classes to help the gang stay safe, while the werewolf is called Wade and is gentler than he looks, participating in beach clean-ups and playing the violin.

Not included in the promotional photo is Autumn, a black and purple cat who seeks adventure and loves to travel.

Those who managed to nab the toys early shared unboxing videos of their fast food freebies, with one person on TikTok who got a Brock toy saying: ‘These are so cute omg!!!!”

‘I’m only getting happy meals now!’ said one follower in the comments, while another added ‘OMG I WANT IT!’

Some celebrated the new addition of stuffed toys following a run of cardboard offerings in the £2.59 to £3.59 meals, and another fan also commented: ‘Omg these are embroidered! and not printed like the ones they had this summer!’

When it comes to how long they’ll be available, McDonald’s has confirmed that you have until Halloween, after which a new crop of autumn-themed Squishmallows will take their place.

Like all Happy Meal toys, you’ll get a random one in your box, so you’ll need luck on your side if you want specific ones. Alternatively, your little ones can choose a Little People, BIG DREAMS book, as well as play games on the Happy Meal app.

Plus, after almost four years, McDonald’s character visits are making a comeback. Starting from October 16, a third of UK restaurants will get visits from Fifi the Fox, Cam the Cat, and Emily the Bat. They’ll be spreading joy with customers, helping with photos, hosting fun games, and handing out Family Packs and Panini sticker books for even more enjoyment.

And that’s not all. Giant Squishmallows plushies will be popping up in McDonald’s locations across the country, and customers can enter to win each restaurant’s giant toy. To enter the raffle and be in with a chance to win, simply donate to Children in Need in-store.

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The winner of Uber Eats’ UK and Ireland Restaurant of the Year award for 2023 has now been announced – and it’s good news for Bristolians.

Bristol eatery Sandwich Sandwich beat thousands of independent businesses to take home the coveted £100,000 prize. And, looking at the menu, we can see why.

The eatery specialises in, you guessed it, sandwiches, but these monster buns are incomparable to the sad cheese sarnie you packed for lunch today.

Among the favourites, customers can enjoy a sweet potato hash sandwich filled with sweet potato pakora, hummus and pickled red onion, a chicken kiev option with breaded chicken, pilled bacon, garlic, parmesan and herby soft cheese, or overnight roasted sirloin of rare roast beef.

Hot meat sandwich stacks are available too, from hog roast to BBQ beef brisket to crispy battered cod, while flatbreads and salad boxes can also be ordered in-store or via Uber Eats.

Bake Off icon Prue Leith, one of the competition’s judges, described the menu as ‘fresh, full of flavour, healthy and extremely varied’.

The shortlist was decided through several rounds of public voting, after which national finalists took part in an intensive judging day, with Prue making the final decision alongside celeb chef Monica Galetti.

Josh Kleiner, owner at Sandwich Sandwich said: ‘It is difficult to put into words how much being announced as the winner of the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Awards means to us. The process has been so exciting from start to finish and it has been incredible to take part alongside the other finalists.

‘Big shout out to our restaurant team back home in Bristol, our family and of course Uber Eats for the support in getting us to this moment. This investment will make our ambitions to grow as a family business a reality.’

Meanwhile, Dame Prue Leith, cook, restaurateur, TV presenter and author, commented: ‘I was hugely impressed by all of the finalists, and by the food they served on the judging day. That from Sandwich Sandwich was particularly imaginative, inventive and delicious.

‘I’m delighted to hear of their ambition to open additional restaurants. Their menu is fresh, full of flavour, healthy and extremely varied. There’s something for everyone on there.’

Alongside the grand prize, applications were opened for the 2024 Uber Eats Black Business Fund – which will see £250,000 of grants distributed to 25 Black-owned restaurants across the UK – and the awards recognised some of the country’s best restaurants dedicated to changing the face of the food industry.

The winners of the Uber Eats Pioneer and Innovator award categories were:

• Female Chef/Restaurateur of the Year: Natalie Francis from Doreen’s Kitchen, West Midlands
• Community Impact Award Restaurant of the Year: Taste from India, West Midlands
• Health-Focused Restaurant of the Year: EAT LEBO, Ruislip
• Sustainable Restaurant of the Year: ANSH, Cardiff 

Judge Monica Galetti said: ‘Through these awards, we’re not only able to spotlight the dedication and passion elevating the culinary world but also inspire others to push the boundaries of the industry.’

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KFC fries are strong contenders for some of the worst fast food chips out there, right? And it seems a relaunch can’t even change their reputation.

The chicken outlet has finally listened to the years-old complaint of customers and revamped its recipe.

Except, here’s the drawback: it seems as though the fries are the same as always, with the brand calling them their ‘signature fries’, just with salt and pepper chucked on.

Don’t expect any changes in the texture of the fries, only the flavour.

From today, if you go onto X (formerly Twitter) and visit the hashtag #NewKFCFries, you can ‘make it rain’ on your screen with animation of chips falling down your phone.

Customers aren’t so impressed though… while some are glad, seeing any change to the fries as an upgrade, others are serving sass.

‘Just the same crap fries then,’ someone wrote.

‘They are the same bad fries. They don’t need seasoning. You just need to change your fries, completely,’ another said.

And someone else added: ‘They really spent thousands of pounds on marketing just to throw some salt and pepper on the fries.’

Ouch.

Others are more optimistic and at least want to give them a chance.

‘Can’t be worse than the last 10(?) years,’ someone said.

Meanwhile, others are joking they’ll still be going to McDonald’s for their fries, after getting their chicken from KFC.

Will you be giving them a go, or waiting out to see if they ever change their chip recipe completely?

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Pizza Express has announced a change to its menu – involving a switch up of a fan favourite.

Very soon the brand’s iconic dough balls will be getting a festive makeover.

The classic snack will be available in two new flavours: one sweet and one savoury.

For the first time ever, the chain’s famous dough balls will be wrapped in pancetta with sage, and given a sprinkle of Gran Milano cheese. They’ll be served with a honey mustard dip, too.

For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant has also announced the return of its Loaded Snowball Dough Balls, which will be topped with white chocolate sauce, cinnamon and icing sugar.

A vegan option will also be available, so those on plant based diets won’t need to worry about FOMO this festive season. 

For those who believe that sharing is caring, the loaded dough balls will also be available as a sharer.

The Snowball Dough Balls Christmas Tree dessert will be served with extra white chocolate sauce and a salted caramel dip. 

Can you hear the sleigh bells in your tummy, too, or is that just us?

Jane Treasure, the food and beverage director at Pizza Express said: ‘While many already think our Dough Balls are perfect as they are, you can’t argue with wrapping them in crispy pancetta.

‘We’re beyond delighted to unveil our Dough Balls in Blankets as part of this year’s Christmas Menu at Pizza Express, fusing the festive flavours we all know and love with the iconic Pizza Express favourites that our customers come back for time and time again.’

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A TikToker has revealed a new McDonalds breakfast hack – and it’s a million times more appealing than a McFlurry hash brown sandwich.

Bec Hargrave shared her creation in a video, revealing that the trick found its way to her in a dream (yes really).

All you need is two hash browns and a bacon and egg McMuffin – without the muffin (well, that and you need to know what time McDonald’s stops serving breakfast so you don’t miss out).

Then, simply sandwich the bacon and egg between the two hash browns and, voila, you have Bec’s brainchild: a ‘bacon and egg McHashbrown’. 

If you want to go one step further, you can also add pancake syrup – for a sweet and salty twist.

Bec said: ‘Is it healthy and would I recommend this being in your diet? No.

‘Is it absolutely worth trying though? Hell yes.’

We have to admit, the concoction looks as tasty as it is debaucherous, and it seems many of the 77,000 people who saw Bec’s TikTok agree.

‘Game changer,’ one person commented. ‘I know what I’m having for breakfast tomorrow.’

‘That’s going to be so good,’ wrote another.

While another person advised ordering the bacon and egg individually (rather than a McMuffin), to save money. Genius.

Is McDonalds still serving breakfast? Asking for a friend…

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A new supermarket has overtaken Waitrose as the most expensive for a big shop – if you don’t use a loyalty card.

Sainsbury’s has been named by Which? in its monthly survey of prices of 131 items at Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose – which does not include loyalty offers. 

A basket of 131 popular goods costs £359.23 at Sainsbury’s for shoppers without a Nectar card. This puts it ahead of the £355.51 basket at Waitrose, by just less than £4.

However, it’s worth pointing out that in a smaller survey of 39 items, Waitrose was most expensive and Sainsbury’s was named as fourth-most. Whereas, Aldi was named as the cheapest.

It comes as supermarkets have been increasingly making special offers only available to those who are members of loyalty schemes, creating two very different shopping experiences.

Which? has previously warned that the rise of loyalty schemes make it difficult for shoppers to compare prices between different supermarkets.

Ele Clark – the retail editor at Which? – said: ‘As millions struggle with increased food prices and other high household bills, it is no surprise that many are turning to discounters for their food shop. Our latest research shows that once again Aldi is the cheapest supermarket for a basket of groceries but for the first time, Sainsbury’s has come out as the most expensive for a big shop.’

However, Sainsbury’s has argued the claims are ‘false’ and ‘insulting’, instead stressing the items in question are ‘cherry picked’ and not a true representation of its pricing.

In response to the data, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: ‘These claims are entirely false and insulting to the millions of savvy customers who choose to shop with us every week. There is an overwhelming amount of independently verified data showing the great value customers get when shopping at Sainsbury’s. 

‘We are disappointed that Which has refused to share its data with us and has instead chosen to mislead customers by choosing to exclude Nectar Prices promotions in its research.

‘The vast majority of our customers are shopping with Nectar Prices and have saved £400 million on their shopping in the last six months. Customers can be sure they getting great value every time they shop with us.’

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Walkers has quietly discontinued a ‘God level’ flavour of crisps — and fans are reeling.

The Leicester company last month confirmed it had axed its Worcester Sauce flavour while responding to customers on Twitter.

Replying to a fan of the crisps who asked ‘what had happened’ to his favourite snack, the Walkers Twitter account responded: ‘Sorry to say Worcester Sauce has been discontinued, but Tomato ketchup is still out there!’

The news came as a surprise to many, despite the fact that Worcester Sauce Walkers haven’t been too common on supermarket shelves in recent years. 

Still, fans weren’t happy.

‘Why would anybody want tomato ketchup over Worcester sauce this is sooo selfish bring them back please,’ wrote one Twitter user.

‘Time for everyone to stop buying Walkers crisps,’ another wrote. ‘They keep disgusting cheese and onion and stop making Worcester sauce.’

Another said she was ‘bereft’.

She wrote: ‘The world is so f*cking horrible right now so excuse me while I lend my ire to the only issue I afford to focus my energy on right now: why oh why did @walkers_crisps discontinue the God level flavour, Worcester Sauce?’

Worcester Sauce isn’t the only flavour to go. The Walkers account also confirmed that its Beef and Onion flavour – another fan favourite – had also been discontinued. 

Times are changing, but we’re sure Worcester Sauce Walkers will never be forgotten.

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Get that oven pre-heated babes, because the perfect way to make a fish finger sandwich has been found.

A poll of 2,000 adults who all eat fish finger sandwiches has found that the ideal sarnie is made with four fish fingers, ‘real’ butter, two slices of white bread and ketchup.

According to close to half (48%) of those polled, the ideal sarnie must also be cut sideways, so there are complete fish fingers in each slice.

However, this was contested by the 30% who like to cut their sarnie lengthways, and the 9% who prefer it cut into two triangles.

A number of respondents also decreed that the optimum fish finger sarnie is also made with lettuce (21%), cheese (15%) and tomato (12%).

The study, which was commissioned by Birds Eye, The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), and Iceland Foods, found that 76% would choose a fish finger sandwich made from sustainably sourced cod.

A spokesperson for Iceland said: ‘We know our fish fingers are not only great value, but they taste good too – making them a quick and easy meal that is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser for families.

‘With one-third of the world’s fish stocks overfished, it is more important than ever for shoppers to choose seafood from sustainable sources.’

More than half (55%) of those who took part in the OnePoll.com study said that, even though they find the whole thing confusing, they care about the impact their food choices have on the environment.

However, 39% feel like they just can’t afford to make the necessary changes, so it’s a good thing nine in 10 agreed that the fish finger sandwich is a quick, easy and affordable meal that’s tasty too.

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Sorry chocolate fans, it’s time to say goodbye to the Cadbury Dairy Milk 30% Less Sugar.

Eagle-eyed fans may have noticed the bar has dropped off the shelves just four years after it launched in 2019.

A spokesperson for the iconic chocolate brand says this is due to a fall in demand for the less sweet treat.

Mondelez, formerly known as Kraft, the company that bought Cadbury in 2010, had initially hoped that the bar could become the chocolate version of Diet Coke and become a popular, ‘lighter’ answer to the Dairy Milk bar.

But it seems that just wasn’t on the cards. We all love the OG too much.

A Mondelez spokesperson said: ‘In 2019, we launched Cadbury Dairy Milk 30% Less Sugar following significant investment over three years. 

‘We not only invested heavily in developing a bar that consumers told us tasted great – but also in promoting it through a nationwide marketing campaign. 

‘Despite these efforts, demand for this product has dropped and we have sadly taken the decision to delist it.

‘We understand that some consumers will be disappointed by this news, but they can rest assured that we will continue to invest and innovate and bring more well-being choices to our consumers.’

But in some happier news, in August, Cadbury announced the much-anticipated return of its beloved Dairy Milk Chocolate Coins.

The coins were discontinued back in 2014, disappointing chocolate lovers across the country.

‘It’s a joyous moment to see the return of this national treasure that has captivated generations of Cadbury fans over the years,’ said Sarah Foden, archivist for Cadbury.

‘The nostalgia surrounding this iconic product is a testament to its timeless charm, and we’re thrilled to bring back the joy and excitement it holds for the Christmas season.’

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‘To a lot of you, this isn’t going to mean anything. But this means a lot to me,’ said TikToker, Mally, as he revealed some earth-shattering news.

In a video which has left viewers aghast, Mally claimed he’d ‘been lied to’ as she realised what really goes into a pot of Petits Filous.

In the background of the clip, which has gone on to earn almost 1million likes, is a screenshot of a Google search with the question ‘Is Petits Filous a yoghurt?’

The top result shows a snippet of a 2018 Irish Times article that reads: ‘These little containers do not contain yoghurt, however, but ‘fromage frais’, as noted on the front of the packet, which means fresh cheese.’

Yes, cheese.

Commenters were left dumfounded. ‘It was cheese all along?!?!!’ wrote one confused user. Another wrote: ‘Trying to deep if I’ve ever actually eaten a yoghurt before.’

After all this buzz over the dairy product started, a spokesperson from Petits Filous said: ‘It’s reassuring to see that in our Instagram poll 81% already knew that Petits Filous isn’t a yoghurt. For anyone struggling to believe it, we can confirm Petits Filous is made from fromage frais! Just check our packaging and website.’

So what’s the difference between fromage frais and yoghurt?

Well, both yoghurt and fromage frais are dairy products, and both of them are made from milk that’s been coagulated and fermented by lactic bacterial starter cultures.

But in the UK, to make fromage frais the product is then ‘drained/separated to partially remove the whey or aqueous phase’, while with yoghurt, this separation doesn’t happen.

It’s all pretty technical, but in simple terms, it means that fromage frais has higher levels of protein and calcium than yoghurt does. You generally need two to three times more milk to make fromage frais than you do to make yoghurt.

‘People will be pleased to know that this recipe confusion comes with some health and taste benefits,’ the spokesperson said. ‘When being made, fromage frais is “drained/separated” which does not occur when making a yoghurt.

‘This means protein and calcium is naturally concentrated in fromage frais so contains higher amounts than a yoghurt. Fromage frais also has a smoother, softer texture and milder, creamier taste than a yoghurt.’

And while plenty of people in the comments under Mally’s video expressed their shock over the whole thing others were very unbothered, with one person writing: ‘Yogurt and cheese are basically siblings chill out.’

Another quipped: ‘Fun fact read the label.’

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

Sometimes you’ve just got to feel lucky to be a Londoner.

This week we’re going on a breathtaking immersive voyage to Ancient Egypt, dining in some of the best Indian restaurants for Curry Week, marking Black History Month with a very special tour of the Natural History Museum and finishing off with free udon noodles.

Truly blessed…

The Slice’s Pick

Horizon of Khufu VR Experience

You’re drifting down the Nile on a royal barge, watching fishermen casting their nets into the reeds as you float towards a gleaming white temple at the base of a vast pyramid. But this isn’t Ancient Egypt – you’re in Westfield shopping centre, where with the help of virtual reality, you’re about to undertake an immersive expedition to discover the hidden secrets of the world’s oldest and only surviving ancient wonder, The Great Pyramid of Khufu.

With an enthusiastic digital Egyptologist and a giant talking cat goddess as your guide, crawl inside the sacred tomb of the Pharaoh – painstakingly recreated using data collected by a Harvard University team – soar above the necropolis, and even attend King Khufu’s funeral. There may not be quite enough facts to satisfy a true Egyptophile, but the sublime animation and infinitesimal attention to detail – the rising smoke of a funerary brazier, the shadows against the pyramid at sunrise, the sounds of modern day Giza humming in the distance – make this experience unmissable. You’ll need a head for heights, though!

WIN! A year’s supply of Wine PLUS exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour

Metro Drinks Club has joined forces with Naked Wines to give you the chance to WIN a year’s supply of delicious wine, plus exclusive tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour.

These aren’t any old wines. Every single bottle is made by a talented, independent winemaker. So whether you’re a fizz lover, Malbec nut or Sauvignon fan, you’ll get the perfect selection to savour.

5 lucky winners will also get tickets to the Naked Wines Winter Tasting Tour that’s hitting 5 UK cities (Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, London and Ipswich) from 1st-5th November. Ticket winners will meet the likes of Carmen Stevens from South Africa, an award-winning trailblazer who gets a Beatles-style welcome at any tasting she attends.

Loved by over 330,000 UK wine drinkers, Naked Wines connects everyday wine drinkers with the world’s best independent winemakers. They support hundreds of talented winemakers, so they have the freedom to make the best wines they’ve ever made. In return, you get to enjoy better wine at insider prices.

You have until midnight on Wednesday 18 October to enter, so make sure you sign up soon!

Click here and fill in your details to enter. Good luck!

Watch the trailer here for a sneak preview.

Tickets from £39, Westfield Stratford City, 157 Montfichet Rd, Stratford.

Food & Drink

Tattu

Elevated high above Tottenham Court Road, Tattu doesn’t hold back its elegance. From the smell of incense that hits you on arrival, to the darkly lit Chinese courtyard under a beautiful cherry blossom tree, this is a chic place with all the extravagance you want for a bougie night. The cocktails are sweet and inventive, the dishes are beautifully presented (get the signature ‘Cherry Blossom’ dessert for a smoky show) and the Mixed Dim Sum in particular is delicious. We felt the sharing menus were pricey for what you get, but the set menu is very reasonable. The food isn’t the most adventurous, but the presentation and décor alone make this one a winner. 

Set menu £36 pp, Sharing Menus from £105pp. Outernet, Denmark Street, West End.

Marugame Udon – 10,000 FREE bowls of udon

To celebrate National Udon Day, Marugame Udon is dishing out an incredible 10,000 bowls of free udon this Friday. In what is their biggest udon giveaway ever, customers will get free udon bowl up to the price of £5.95, and for bowls over this price they will just pay the difference! The offer is just for Marugame Club Members, but luckily signing up is quick and free, just go to their page here. Marugame have sites across London, including Bond Street, Waterloo, The Strand and Canary Wharf – so sign up now, go to your nearest Marugame and eat your way to noodle nirvana!

Free. 6 October. Various locations. 

The 411

Nestled covertly in the shadow of Angel station, The 411 is looking to bring a slice of Americana to Islington High Street. Pitched as your new favourite after-work drinks spot, the bar has everything you’d want from a local go-to: solid, nostalgic beats, quintessentially American bar snacks (you’ll either love or hate their deep-fried pickles), and wide mix of crowd-pleasing cocktails. Prices are, perhaps, a touch steep – but the vibes are good and the broad range of events on offer, from nightly beer pong to Bottomless Pizza and Picante Saturdays, make it hard to resist sneaking back for just one more.

Cocktails from £11, burgers from £13. 411 St John Street, Islington.

London's best... curry nights

BEST EVENT: Spice in the City

Spice up your life and celebrate the 25th National Curry Week at Cinnamon Kitchen City this Friday. The special evening promises a unique menu crafted by five top chefs showcasing their favourite spice-infused dishes, from ghee roast crab with burnt cinnamon to  black pork belly curry. Tickets include a Q&A, canapés, wine, and four courses, with optional wine pairings for £48pp.

£95pp. 6 October, 9 Devonshire Square, Spitalfields.

BEST MENU: Gymkhana

The leaves have turned and so has our coffee order: one pumpkin spice latte please! Even better, Blank Street are putting on a back to uni deal so thirsty students can pick up a Pumpkin Spice Latte or the new Shaken Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew for 50% off.

£110pp, £100pp (v). Offer until 5 Nov. 42 Albemarle Street, Mayfair.

BEST VIBE: Masala Zone

As you step into Masala Zone’s new site on Piccadilly Circus you are immediately transported to the majesty of long ago, such is the beautiful décor of extravagant archways, plush armchairs and a glistening gold-mosaic ceiling. The food is priced a little steep, but the explosion of taste and the attentive staff make up for it. Make sure to try the glorious fish cake starter.

Small plates from £5.20, curries from £15.50. 224 Piccadilly, West End.

What’s on

Black History Month

Explorers Family Festival: Black Natural History

The Slice is celebrating Black History Month every week of October, starting with the National History Museum’s Explorer’s Family Festival. The museum is marking the occasion by hosting special tours led by Black scientists who will discuss their mission to achieve environmental and climate justice. During the day you’ll learn about some of the incredible work taking place at the Museum, as well as taking part in creative workshops that’ll help you connect with nature and the broader Black diaspora in a whole new way. Limited places will prioritised for people from racially marginalised backgrounds.

Free. 8 October, Cromwell Road, South Kensington

Music

S Club – The Good Times Tour

S Club is bringing all the nostalgia back with The S Club – The Good Times Tour. Join the fun, dance and sing along to the timeless pop hits as Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel, and Tina reunite at the O2 in London this weekend for the last few dates of their 25th anniversary tour. Get your tickets now to make sure you’re part of this two in a million event. It promises to be S Club Party like no other!

Tickets from £75. 27 – 28 October, O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, North Greenwich

Culture

Email is D̶e̶a̶d̶

Get ready to dive into the quirky world of email at the Design Museum’s latest exhibit, Email is Dead, running until 22 October. This funky and free exhibition, co-created by Intuit Mailchimp’s Wink and Something Special Studios, creatively examines how email helps shape our work lives, relationships, cultures and economies. Discover the sights, sounds, and yes, even the smells of email in this immersive experience which sparks a lively discussion about the future of communication.

Until 22 October, The Design Museum, 224–238 Kensington High Street.

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Kebabs and pies are among the country’s most beloved takeaway dishes – especially after a night out at the pub.

So if you’ve ever had trouble choosing between the two UK favourites, you’ll be glad to hear about this new launch.

In a Frankenstein-style amalgamation of takeaway staples, Pukka has released a doner kebab pie that’s now available in supermarkets.

Rather than scrolling away at your delivery apps deciding what to order, the brand wants to make the decision for you, allowing you to get the best of both worlds and bung one of these in the oven.

The pie features doner-style beef (which we assume means it wasn’t actually cooked on a vertical rotisserie but hopefully tastes like it was) along with red and green peppers and hot sauce, all encased in 144 layers of light puff pastry.

It certainly sounds intriguing, especially with the ‘oozing sweet and sticky’ chilli sauce designed to mirror the true kebab shop experience.

Yet we can’t help recalling when Domino’s tried a similar mash-up with a doner pizza; a limited edition combination that hasn’t since been called back for an encore.

Regardless, at £1.99, Pukka’s option is certainly more budget-friendly than a takeaway, and you can pick one up on your weekly shop in Morrisons (it’s set to roll out to Tesco and Asda soon).

Whether it’s an abomination or an innovation, only you can decide.

Pukka does have a serving suggestion, though, with a spokesperson commenting: ‘Pair with chunky chips alongside a Turkish salad (not forgetting the green chilli peppers). Or if you want to go all out, pack it into a pitta bread for the ultimate at home fakeaway.

‘Oh, and don’t forget to dip your sides in chilli or garlic sauce.’

Do you have a story to share?

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

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MORE : TikTok butter craze leaves foodies perplexed: ‘A what?’

Last year, butter evolved from the humble spread you slapped onto your toast, to the centrepiece of a chic dinner party.

TikTok feeds became saturated with butter boards, and whole Instagram accounts were dedicated to butter based recipes.

What was once simply an ingredient became a meal in it’s own right, ratified in the same way it’s dairy cousin, the block of cheese, has been for centuries.

But now, we fear we might have taken things a touch to far.

Because now people are making candles out of butter, and eating them.

No, you haven’t entered a butter-themed twilight zone. Yumna Jawad who goes by Feel Good Foodie on TikTok shared her recipe for a ‘butter candle’ which she suggested would be a great addition to your next dinner party.

The premise is fairly simple. You get a block of butter, melt it and then pour it into a paper cup, add in a candle wick, and pop it in the freezer.

Meanwhile, you cut a hole into a big loaf of bread, the same circumference as said paper cup.

Once the butter has been frozen, you cut the paper cup off of the butter and hey presto, you’ve got a candle made from butter.

Pop it into the bread, light it, and as it melts you rip off chunks of bread and dip it into your burning butter candle.

‘You can start dipping in about 10 minutes. This is so fun and so good,’ said Yumna.

Yumna’s video has been viewed a staggering 7.7million times – although it seems the internet can’t quite work out if they love the concept, or hate it.

‘I can’t decide if this or the butter board is worse,’ wrote one commenter. ‘I have the most fun not doing this,’ said another.

While others were feeling a little more positive. ‘What’s wrong with this? I love bread and butter, and this is super fun.’

Even Lidl’s official TikTok account got involved asking, ‘A butter what????’

We’re a little confused too.

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