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The holiday season is a time for celebration, family, and delicious food. Yet, anyone who’s hosted Christmas knows that it can also be stressful—from planning the menu to prepping the ingredients and actually cooking a feast. This year, imagine taking a break from the kitchen chaos and enjoying a holiday meal prepared by a private chef. Here’s why hiring a private chef for Christmas can make your holiday season unforgettable, and stress-free, while leaving your guests raving 1. Enjoy a Stress-Free Holiday Christmas is often a whirlwind of activity, leaving little time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. A private chef takes care of everything, from planning a festive menu to the grocery shopping, food prep, cooking, and even the cleanup. You can focus on the joyful moments—decorating the tree, opening presents, or catching up with loved ones—instead of worrying about cooking timelines and last-minute grocery store runs. 2. Customized Menus to Suit Every Taste One of the best things about hiring a private chef is the personalized menu. Private chefs create meals tailored specifically to your family’s preferences and dietary needs, whether it’s gluten-free, vegan, or allergy-sensitive. For Christmas, you can craft a menu that captures the festive spirit—think traditional dishes with a unique twist or multicultural options that celebrate your family’s heritage. Your chef will work with you to design a menu that’s perfect for your holiday gathering. 3. Impress Your Guests with Restaurant-Quality Dishes The holidays are a time to impress, and a private chef can elevate your Christmas meal to a whole new level. With professional expertise and a passion for culinary excellence, private chefs bring a refined touch to every dish. From perfectly cooked entrees to decadent desserts, your holiday feast will rival even the finest restaurants. It’s a perfect choice for those looking to treat their family and guests to an extraordinary dining experience at home. 4. Create a Memorable and Unique Experience Hiring a private chef offers more than just incredible food—it creates an unforgettable experience. Picture your guests watching the chef work their magic in the kitchen, adding to the festive atmosphere. Some chefs even provide interactive elements, such as cooking demos or sharing culinary stories. This adds a unique, personal touch that makes your Christmas gathering even more memorable. 5. Spend Quality Time with Your Loved Ones Christmas is about togetherness, yet holiday hosts often miss out on precious moments because they’re stuck in the kitchen. By bringing in a private chef, you’re freed up to spend quality time with family and friends. Imagine enjoying a relaxed Christmas Eve, lingering over drinks, sharing stories, and being fully present with your guests. A private chef gives you the freedom to connect and create memories that last a lifetime. 6. No Cleanup Necessary One of the least enjoyable parts of hosting is dealing with the mountain of dishes afterward. A private chef not only prepares a memorable meal but also takes care of the cleanup. From the pots and pans to the serving platters, they’ll ensure your kitchen is spotless, allowing you to truly unwind after dinner. 7. Elevate Your Holiday Celebrations in Style With a private chef, every course is carefully curated and plated, elevating your Christmas dinner from a regular family meal to a holiday event. This sophisticated touch can make a Christmas dinner feel even more festive, adding a sense of luxury and indulgence that perfectly complements the holiday spirit. How to Find the Right Private Chef for Christmas If you’re convinced that hiring a private chef is the perfect choice for this year’s holiday season, the next step is finding the right one. Here are some tips to help guide your search: Look for Local Expertise : Seek chefs in your area who specialize in holiday menus or have experience with high-end events. They’ll bring a level of local flair and knowledge of seasonal ingredients that can enhance your meal. Check Reviews and References : See what previous clients have to say. Reliable reviews will give you insight into the chef’s professionalism, culinary style, and ability to deliver memorable dining experiences. Ask About Custom Menus : Many private chefs offer consultations to discuss your tastes and dietary needs. This is a great opportunity to ensure the chef can deliver the type of meal you’re envisioning. Plan Early : The holiday season is a busy time for private chefs, so book as soon as possible to secure your chosen date. Conclusion: Give Yourself the Gift of a Private Chef This Christmas Hiring a private chef for Christmas transforms the holiday experience, letting you relax, indulge, and connect with the people who matter most. From a stress-free day to exceptional, personalized dishes and zero cleanup, it’s a gift you give yourself—and everyone around your table. So, this Christmas, consider elevating your celebrations by bringing in a culinary professional and make it a holiday to remember.

If you’re organising an upcoming event or dinner party, you’ll want to make sure to purchase some of the best wines & spirits from a quality wine merchant. London is home to some of the finest wine merchants in the world, offering a wide range of selections from classic regions to emerging producers. Here's some of our favourite Wine Shops in London. Here are some of the best wine shops in London 1. Berry Bros. & Rudd • Location:  St. James’s Street • Overview:  Established in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine merchants in London. They have a remarkable selection of fine wines, including rare bottles from Burgundy, Bordeaux, and beyond. They offer private wine tastings, a fine wine investment service, and a knowledgeable team. • Specialty:  Fine wines, Bordeaux & Burgundy, spirits, en primeur offerings, and rare bottles. 2. Hedonism Wines • Location:  Mayfair • Overview:  Known for its luxurious and contemporary space, Hedonism Wines offers a high-end wine experience. With over 10,000 bottles from around the world, this Mayfair wine merchant specializes in rare and expensive wines and spirits. Their staff is highly knowledgeable and the service is top-notch. • Specialty:  Rare wines, large bottles, extensive collection of vintage wines, and high-end spirits. 3. Justerini & Brooks • Locations:  Burlington Arcade, Mayfair • Overview:  Justerini & Brooks, founded in 1749, is a prestigious British wine and spirits merchant renowned for its expertise in fine wines and rare spirits. Based in London, the company has built a reputation for quality and excellence, supplying both private collectors and the hospitality industry. Over the years, Justerini & Brooks has developed strong relationships with vineyards and distilleries worldwide, curating a diverse portfolio that includes esteemed brands and exclusive releases. The company is celebrated not only for its selection but also for its commitment to customer service and wine education, making it a respected name in the world of wine and spirits. • Specialty:  Justerini & Brooks specializes in several key areas: Fine Wines : They offer an extensive selection of premium wines, particularly from renowned regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône Valley. Rare and Collectible Bottles : The company is known for sourcing and providing rare and vintage wines that are highly sought after by collectors. Champagne : Justerini & Brooks features a wide range of high-quality Champagnes, including prestigious houses and unique cuvées. Spirits : Their portfolio includes a variety of fine spirits, such as single malt whiskies, aged rums, and premium gins. Personalized Service : They emphasize tailored advice and wine education, helping clients select the perfect wines for their needs. Direct Relationships with Producers : Their strong connections with vineyards and distilleries allow them to offer exclusive releases and access to limited editions. These specialties contribute to their reputation as a leading merchant in the fine wine and spirits market. 4. Jeroboams • Locations:  Various across London (Belgravia, Chelsea, Holland Park, etc.) • Overview:  With multiple locations across London, Jeroboams is a well-established wine merchant that caters to a broad range of wine lovers. They are known for their excellent customer service and have an impressive selection of wines from both established and up-and-coming regions. • Specialty:  Everyday wines to high-end collectibles, with a focus on French and Italian wines. 5. Lea & Sandeman • Locations:  Chelsea, Kensington, Barnes, and Notting Hill • Overview:  Lea & Sandeman is known for its carefully curated selection of wines from family-owned estates. They offer exceptional value wines from lesser-known producers and have a strong focus on customer education and experience. Their selection covers all major regions, with a good mix of classics and new discoveries. • Specialty:  Wines from small, family-owned vineyards and biodynamic producers. 6. Vagabond Wines • Locations:  Multiple locations across London • Overview:  Vagabond Wines offers a relaxed and fun approach to wine tasting. They have several wine bars across the city with self-serve wine machines that allow customers to try over 100 wines by the glass. Their selection spans both classic and modern regions, making it a great place to discover something new. • Specialty:  By-the-glass tastings and a wide variety of wines from around the world. 7. Handford Wines • Location:  South Kensington • Overview:  Handford Wines has a strong focus on classic European regions, particularly Burgundy and Bordeaux. They offer personalized service and a selection that appeals to both seasoned collectors and casual wine drinkers. They also run regular wine events and tastings. • Specialty:  Fine wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Rhône. 8. The Winery • Location:  Maida Vale • Overview:  A smaller, boutique wine merchant, The Winery focuses on wines from Germany, Austria, and other lesser-known regions. They pride themselves on offering organic and natural wines and have a carefully curated selection that will appeal to adventurous drinkers. • Specialty:  Organic, biodynamic, and natural wines, with a focus on Central European regions. 9. Philglas & Swiggot • Locations:  Marylebone, Battersea • Overview:  With a relaxed and approachable atmosphere, Philglas & Swiggot is a great place for both novice wine drinkers and connoisseurs. Their selection is wide-ranging, and they emphasize a balanced mix of Old World and New World wines. Their staff is knowledgeable and happy to guide customers through their purchases. • Specialty:  Balanced selection from both classic and modern wine regions. 10. Honest Grapes • Location:  Online and private members club • Overview:  Honest Grapes is a modern, subscription-based wine merchant known for offering wines through an exclusive wine club. Their range includes carefully curated boutique wines, many of which are exclusive to their members. They offer tailored tastings and access to rare wines. • Specialty:  Boutique wines and members-only exclusives. Each of these merchants offers a unique experience, whether you’re looking for rare vintages, sustainable producers, or an approachable introduction to the world of wine. Even if you're not able to visit one of London's best wine shops, small local stores also often offer good quality wines in London. Summary If you’re planning an upcoming event or special occassion and are thinking about hiring a private chef or event caterer, then contact us now using the booking form linked below. You’ll receive an information pack immediately & we’ll respond as soon as possible to confirm our availability, put together your bespoke menu & an estimate.

This soft & sweet banana bread is our favourite cake to have around the house. Make two loaves now, and keep one in the freezer to defrost quickly when you don't have time to make one fresh. If you've forgotten to eat all the bananas again and they've started going black, don't throw them away! These are the best for any banana flavoured cakes or desserts as the flavour intensifies and becomes fruitier! We created this recipe to use up all the leftover bananas that were past the point of being good to eat fresh. Pecan Banana Bread Ingredients (one loaf) 150g Butter, Softened 100g Caster Sugar 50g Light Brown Sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature 150g Self-Raising Flour 1 Tsp Baking Powder 2 Very Ripe Bananas, Lightly Mashed ¼ cup Roasted Pecans Biscoff Spread Fudge Pieces Instructions This banana bread recipe is so easy to make and takes very little active time. Preheat a fan-assisted oven to 160°C. Cream the butter and the sugar, before adding the eggs one by one until mixed together thoroughly. Add the Flour and Baking Powder, then add the mashed bananas and pecans and mix together thoroughly. Bake for 35-45 mins, in a greased 1 pound loaf tin, until a skewer or cocktail pick comes out clean. Leave to cool on a baking rack before cutting & serving Great served with your morning coffee. Try toasting the banana bread in a pan with some butter and sugar to give a crunchy crust and some added sweetness. Alternatively, try spreading it with smooth Biscoff spread for a spicy, wintery treat. Leave your comments & feedback below to let us know how yours came out.

Thinking about booking a private chef in the London or the South East? Read our guide to some of the available services Booking a private chef in London & the South East can be a minefield with a wide variety in the price and quality of the chefs available. In this post, we'll quickly go over some of the available services and what you can expect from them. When hiring a chef for the perfect at home celebration, AirBNB booking or in a countryside retreat in an idyllic Scottish castle, you want to make sure you are hiring a professional with a wealth of experience. Other factors that are of critical importance are the ease of booking, ability to communicate directly with the chef, the quality of the food & the sourcing of the ingredients from their local area. 1. Yuzu Private Dining Using a small private chef agency means you can book a totally bespoke experience, and you are free to make suggestions & prepare a detailed brief for us, which we will discuss in our initial booking enquiry consultation. As a small company run by former colleagues and with minimal overheads, we're able to be more flexible & responsive to our customers than larger companies & booking platforms. We're also able to ensure our chefs are able to earn a fair wage (something famously difficult for chefs to get e ven in this day and age). At Yuzu Private Dining, we pride ourselves on providing a bespoke service to discerning clients, only providing chefs with a Michelin Star professional background & who have completed a DBS check. We're experienced in creating bespoke initimate weddings, canape parties & dinner party celebrations, as well as multi-day private chef bookings, whether that's over Christmas or when staying in a holiday let, shooting estate or in a country estate. 2. Yhangry Yhangry is a relatively new startup, having been founded in 2019 by 2 former finance professionals in London & having been featured on Dragon's Den. It's essentially a large booking platform with many chefs who are setup their own profiles & do their own menus while the platform take a large commission from the chefs. As such, the quality can vary drastically, and you can never be too sure that you'll be hiring a chef with an extensive professional background. 3. Take a Chef Take a Chef is a large company, founded in Madrid in 2012. It works in a similar way to Yhangry, as a self-managed marketplace to book a chef, taking a significant commission from the chefs available budget for materials & to earn a living. 4. La Belle assiette Once a popular private chef booking platform, it seems in 2024 that La Belle Assiette has no gone bankrupt. Their website states they are no longer taking bookings. 5. DineIndulge Dineindulge is a British company founded in Bristol by former chefs & caterers from the industry. They are available to book far & wide, accepting bookings in multiple countries and in all regions of the UK. They typically outsource their work to "self-employed" chefs with minimal background checks & professional vetting. These chefs aren't given the opportunity to create their own menus so there's limited scope for receiving a bespoke service as per the client's requirements or requests. The menus don't seem to change very often, so once you've had it once there really doesn't seem to be much reason to use them a second time. They've now branched out into meal prep services as well as these fixed menu offerings, so might be good for this if that's something you'd be looking for. Conclusion There's many ways to book a private chef in the London & the South East in 2024. With many chefs having left the restaurant trade post COVID & the hospitality industry in dire straights, many talented chefs are now available to take on this kind of work & draw on their extensive previous experience in professional settings to cook directly for customers in their homes, private households & for holiday lets. Whatever choice you decide to make, you won't regret hiring a chef to cook in your home if you make an informed decision. Follow this link to be taken to our contact page to make a booking enquiry, receive a sample menu or just ask us a question.

If you’re a foodie and you’ve eaten in a lot of Japanese restaurants you definitely will have tried these Octopus Takoyaki balls. While you can make the takoyaki balls from scratch, we don’t think it’s worth it unless you’re making large quantities and quite regularly. To make the balls from scratch you need to cook the octopus, make the batter, cook it using a special single purpose pan and it can be quite messy. You can buy the frozen takoyaki balls from Oriental/ Japanese supermarkets, which you reheat either microwaving deep frying or popping them into the air fryer. Ingredients 1 Bag Frozen Octopus Takoyaki One bottle of Kewpie mayonnaise One bottle of Takoyaki sauce Bonito Flakes Shichimi Togarashi Sansho Pepper Nori, cut into fine julienne Method Heat up the Takoyaki balls by which of a method that you choose as per packet guidelines. Cover the hot ball with the Takoyaki sauce and the kewpie mayonnaise. Sprinkle with the Shichimi powder and sansho pepper Finish with some Bonito flakes and the Nori Julienne and enjoy If you'd rather have an experienced chef cook for you, then contact us now. Fill in the form with a few event details and we'll get back to you to discuss a sample menu & put together a quote.

In this post, we'll go over a quick & easy recipe to make delicious Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches. So, if you want to make a Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich, you'll need a few specialist items, but most items can be found in any supermarket. While you can make the bread yourself, and there is a slight difference in the traditional bread making to a regular baguette, we'd definitely reccomend you buy a pre-baked or bake at home baguette from a local supermarket. Where's this Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich recipe at then? Ingredients (makes 2 sandwiches) 2 Small Baguette-style bread 2x Pork Loin Chops 50g Thai Oyster Sauce 2x Teaspoons Jimmy's Sate Marinade 75g Water 50g Distilled Malt Vinegar 25g Caster Sugar 2x Red Chillis 1x Carrot, sliced thinly into Julienne 1x Pickled Mouli, sliced into Julienne (available from Oriental stores) 20g Coriander 1/3rd Cucumber 1x Pack Smooth Pate Method Warm & crisp the bread up in the oven or air fryer. Meanwhile, marinade the pork loins with the oyster sauce & sate marinade & drizzle with some oil. Roast in air fryer on 200 degrees Celsius for around 15 minutes until coloured & cooked through. Boil the water, distilled malt vinegar & caster sugar. Add the julienne carrots into the boiling liquid and switch off the heat after 15 seconds. Cut the bread in half horizontally & spread with the pate. Slice the cooked pork loin steaks and spread between the sandwiches. Add the pickled vegetables, cucumber & coriander. Finely chop the red chillis and add to taste. Enjoy! What are Vietnamese Banh Mi sandiwches? Banh Mi are one of our favourite sandwiches. With delicious Asian flavours, rich meat balanced with fresh vegetables & pickles, they're a real crowd pleaser and always go down well. Originally coming from Vietnam, they're a fusion of the culture of French bread baking left by the French colonial days with some Asian flavours, techniques and ingredients. They're most commonly made with pork, often using marinated fresh pork, luncheon meat or spam. The bread is also often spread with pate. They're then often filled with pickled carrots & mouli, cucumber & coriander. Where do Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches come from originally? These tasty sandwiches originally became popular in Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, South Vietnam. They're popularity spread around the world after the Vietnam War. Where can I try a Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich? If you're looking for one of the best Banh Mi sandwich joints in London, then read our guide here. They're popular all over the world, especially in larger cities with any Vietnamese population. If you've enjoyed this recipe, please share & follow us on social media so we can continue to make more of them :). Thanks!

Banh Mi are one of our favourite sandwiches. With delicious Asian flavours, rich meat balanced with fresh vegetables & pickles, they're a real crowd pleaser and always go down well. Originally coming from Vietnam, they're a fusion of the culture of French bread baking left by the French colonial days with some Asian flavours, techniques and ingredients. They're most commonly made with pork, often using marinated fresh pork, luncheon meat or spam. The bread is also often spread with pate. They're then often filled with pickled carrots & mouli, cucumber & coriander. Banh Mi Keu, Soho If you're in the West End, then Banh Mi Keu is definitely the place to go. There's seating available inside as well as more substantial meals, broths & rice bowls available. The classic Banh Mi are always delicious & prepared fresh to order, so the bread is always warm and crunchy & the fillings are always delicious. Banh Mi Hoi An, Hackney If you're based in East London, then be sure to check out Banh Mi Hoi An. Banh Mi Bay, Holborn If you're in the Holborn area, Banh Mi Bay is well worth a visit. They serve Banh Mi as well as more substantial Vietnamese dishes, summer rolls etc. Banh Mi Keu, Shoreditch & City of London Branches If you're in Shoreditch or the City of London, then you'll find alternative branches of Keu Banh Mi. We really think their Banh Mi are some of the best in London (and easily as good as the ones we've eaten in Vietnam!) so would recommend anyone to try. Hire a private chef from Yuzu Private Dining We are a private chef & event catering business & we also love Banh Mi! If you don't have time to get to any of the locations or are hosting a special event, you could always hire one of our private chefs to come to your home or office & cook some Banh Mi for you. We're a small boutique agency, working with a small number of Michelin-background private chefs to host corporate functions, canape parties, intimate luxury weddings and bespoke catered events. If you're a Banh Mi fan, contact us now to schedule an initial consultation and price estimate.

If you're planning on visiting the Cotswolds, you might be wondering which towns and villages you should visit on your trip. Read on below to find some of our local tips. Where are the Cotswolds? The Cotswolds is a region of England in the South West. It is the country's largest area of natural beauty (AONB) & covers 800 square miles across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset & Wiltshire. It's mostly farmland, and is an ideal retreat from anyone working in London, Bristol or Birmingham as it's only 1-2 hours by train or car from any of these. Nearby towns include Bath, Banbury, Oxford & Cheltenham. What are the best towns & villages to visit in the North Cotswolds? The North Cotswolds are home to many pretty old villages, many dating back to the 17th Century. Here's some of our favourites. Cirencester Broadway Stow-on-the-Wold Bourton-on-the-Water Chipping Camden Stanton Snowshill What are the best places to visit in the South Cotswolds? The southern end of the Cotswolds is located close to Bath & contains many beautiful villages as well as Westonbirt Arboretum, which unmissable if you're visiting in the Autumn as you'll get to see the trees in their amazing changing colours. Badminton Westonbirt Castle Combe Kemble Lacock Nympsfield Tetbury What are the best places to visit in the Cotswolds with dogs? The Cotswolds is a great location to visit with dogs. With plenty of footpaths, streams & woods for them to exercise, there's really not any area of the Cotswolds that isn't dog friendly & most pubs will be more than happy for you to bring your dog with you. Just keep in mind that dogs can harm livestock & animals so keep them on a lead where appropriate. What are the best places to visit in the Cotswolds in Summer? The summer in the Cotswolds will be the best time to visit most locations, with better chances of good weather to get outside & explore. Some of the more popular villages like Broadway & Bourton-on-the-Water can get really busy & a bit overcrowded in summer, so it might be worth visiting one of the lesser known villages, which are still well worth a visit! What are the best places to visit in the Cotswolds in Winter? In the winter the Cotswolds will be a lot quieter, with reduced tourists on foot & in their cars on the small roads. Blenheim Palace at Christmas could be a good choice, with a Winter festival taking place, or a winter walk up to Broadway Tower.

What is Chaat? Chaat refers to a family of snack items, popular in India and often served from street stalls. Some popular examples of chaat are pani puri, dahi puri & kachori chaat. What are Kachori? Kachori are deep fried, flaky pastries originating from Rajasthan. They're stuffed with a slightly spiced moong dal mixture, which gives them their flavour and seasoning. What is Khasta Kachori Chaat? Khasta Kachori chaat refers to a dish made from Kachori chaat. The kachori are hollowed out, stuffed with a potato and lentil mixture and coated in sweet yoghurt, tamarind chutney & green chutney. Some Kashmiri red chilli powder, pomegranate, chaat masala & crunchy sev might also be added for some colour and texture. What is Kachori Chaat made from? Kachori chaat is made from all-purpose plain flour, often known as maida. The filling is made from spiced lentils, with dry mango powder (amchoor), Kashmiri chilli powder. Where can I eat Kachori Chaat? If you're looking to find Kachori Chaat in the UK, hiring one of our Indian private chefs is one option. It's bit of a specialist niche so isn't easy to find in a restaurant. Who does the best Kachori Chaat in London? One of our professional private Indian & Gujarati chefs can make you the best Kachori Chaat in London. With decades of experience cooking in private estates & restaurant, they will be able to deliver a memorable experience. Are Kachori Chaat vegetarian? Kachori Chaat are totally vegetarian, as is a lot of Indian street food. There's a huge number of vegetarians in India, so they have a highly developed cuisine revolving around vegetarian food & Khasta Kachori Chaat are one of those vegetarian dishes.

The Cotswolds is one of England's most popular locations to visit in the summer. If you're visiting from London or further afield, then read on to discover some of the Cotswolds best AirBNBs that are available to rent in this area of the UK. The Cotswolds is home to some charming properties, including some available on AirBNB In this post we'll share some of our favourite AirBNBs in the Cotswold district, all of which are suitable for hiring one of Michelin trained private chefs. What is the best AirBNB rental in the Cotswolds? Bolthole Retreats, Cotswold Water Park Hoo Cottage, Chipping Camden Barn in Barton-on-the-Heath The Little Barn, Lower Slaughter Barn Conversion, Leigherton How much does it cost to hire an AirBNB in the Cotswolds? Hiring an AirBNB in the Cotswolds will vary significantly depending on the time of years, the size of the property & the location of the property. For a larger house with some good facilities for a special occasion or family holiday, you could expect to pay from £100 per night upwards, with some of the top properties, costing from £250 per night. How much is a private chef per day in the Cotswolds? The Cotswolds is a great location to hire a private chef, with restaurants & country pubs often being far away from your accommodation. If you book a private chef on a day rate with Yuzu Private Dining, you can expect to pay from £250 per day, depending on the chef's experience, proximity to the venue & the expectations of the booking. This can often work out cheaper than going to a restaurant once you factor in travel costs, childcare etc. so can be an economical choice if you're in a group. If you're looking to host a multi day event or larger party or wedding, then contact us to discuss an estimate. Can I hire a chef to come to my house in the Cotswolds? You can always hire a private chef to come to your house in the Cotswolds if you're a local or second home owner. Our private chefs have extensive experience in all types of kitchens, from commercial restaurant kitchens to private estates & domestic kitchens, so are able to adapt to any surroundings. We'll just need some confirmation from you that there's some equipment & crockery in place, otherwise we'll need to charge a rental fee. What are the best towns & villages to stay in the Cotswolds? Bourton on the Water Tetbury Bibury Broadway Lower & Upper Slaughter Castle Combe

If you're thinking about booking a corporate event, you might be wondering which types of events are tax deductible. Is a company Christmas party tax deductible? Accounting firm BDO have published a handy guide detailing what corporate events can be tax deductible. In short, there are few rules about what can be claimed & the amount per employee. It's important that you don't spend over 150 per employee. This is considered a threshold, not an allowance, so if the amount is over by 2 per employee, that means that the whole amount cannot be claimed back against your company's annual tax bill. It's also important that the event is available to all members of staff. Will hosting a corporate event mean we pay less corporation tax? If you're able to stick within HMRC's guidance on annual parties, then your company will pay less corporation tax. Claiming your annual corporate event, summer retreat or Christmas party will mean that there is a lower amount of taxable profit on which to pay corporation tax. What are the other benefits of corporate catering events? Hosting a corporate event or staff party can be a massive morale booster & improve your team's working relationships. This might mean greater productivity & teamwork in future and can lead to greater employee retention & morale in your team. Are there any limits on how much we can spend? HMRC's website tells us that you can spend up to £150 + VAT per head on your annual company Christmas or Summer party. The party must be open to all employees to be tax deductible. Is client entertaining tax deductible? Entertaining clients is specifically not considered tax deductible by HMRC. This means it's important to confirm that your corporate event or Christmas party is not considered to be entertaining, or you might end up with an unexpected tax bill. Summary If you're not 100% sure, check with your accountant to confirm if you're able to write off your annual or Christmas party against your business tax bill. If you're thinking about hosting a Christmas party, then contact us now. We'll put together a sample quote & an estimate of the cost involved.

Wondering where to get the best Vada Pav (Pao) in London? If you're an Indian street food lover, you'll be sure to enjoy Vada Pao. Read on below to find out some of our top recommendation of where to eat Vada Pao in London in 2024. What is Vada Pav (Pao)? Vada Pao are a popular Indian street food snack from Maharashtra state. The vada or wada is made from mashed potatoes, flavoured with chilli, curry leaves, mustard seeds rolled into a ball and fried in a batter. This is served in a soft fluffy roll with green chutney and spicy garlic chutney. Where can I get the best Vada Pao in London? If you're looking for some of the best Vada Pao in London, there's many different options available. Hire an Indian private chef from Yuzu Private Dining. Shree Krishna Vada Pav, available Harrow & Wealdstone, Hounslow Dishoom, multiple sites in London & Edinburgh. Where can I find Vada Pav near me? If you're in the London area, you can be sure to find some Vada Pav near your location. Both Dishoom &Shree Krishna Vada Pav have multiple sites across the city. What goes well with Vada Pav? Vada pav can be quite spicy so it can be worth having something cooling to drink with it. It's normally served with all the necessary accompaniments, like green & garlic chutneys, diced onions & lemons, so you shouldn't need to order any other accompaniments. What is Misal Pav? Misal Pav is a similar dish, closer to Pav Bhaji. It's a toasted white bread with a curry made from moth bean sprouts. This is topped with farsan or nylon sev, onions, lemon & coriander. You can check out a great recipe for Misal Pav on Dassana's Veg Recipes.