Blog

In recent years, veganism has grown rapidly in the UK – for a combination of ethical and sustainable reasons – and the options available for vegans in the food industry have advanced, providing a much more sophisticated offering. According to finder.com, there are currently around 1.4 million people following a vegan diet in the UK, which is equivalent [...]

Due to rising temperatures and extreme summer heat, the UK food industry has faced significant obstacles in the last few years. With temperatures hitting 35°C and above, food production and supply chains have taken a hit. So, what can we do to change this? The effects of rising temperatures Back in 2018, central and northern Europe [...]

Cyber-attacks have become a common part of online culture – with estimates showing that around 800,000 people are hacked every year. Hospitality is no stranger to these attacks, having recently been identified as one of the worst suffering industries for cyber-attacks in the UK. A cyber-attack can lead to financial losses and reputational damage for any business – [...]

As Brisbane geared up to host a whirlwind of football excitement during the FIFA World Cup, our colleagues living and working in the city took the opportunity to experience the vibrant culinary scene in and around the fan zones. The famous football tournament provided the perfect opportunity for Brisbane to showcase the diversity of its food industry, so [...]

The UK food industry faces significant obstacles when it comes to recruitment and labour, which must be targeted to ensure a stable and efficient food supply chain. Brexit, the global pandemic and climate change have all led, directly and indirectly, to a drastic labour shortage, and this has emphasised the lack of resilience in the domestic food supply [...]

The cost-of-living crisis in the UK has seen the price of everyday essentials rise to a level that is disproportionate to average household incomes. As a result, consumer behaviour has dramatically changed, particularly when it comes to grocery shopping. With rising prices and tighter budgets, consumers are looking to get more for their money and supermarkets have a [...]

Throughout July, the kitchen has been bustling with new and familiar faces and Olivier has been whipping up some delicious recipes. We’ve had Christmas photo shoots (yes, we’ve said the C word already), cake sales, masterclasses and staff dinners – read on to find out more! Maple from Canada photo shoots On 6th July, we welcomed [...]

In 2018, ex Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, proposed enforced measurement and mandatory targets to reduce food waste. Now, almost five years later, the government has announced it has ‘no plans’ to implement this. The UK already faces a challenge to meet Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to halve food waste by 2030, [...]

Today, Netflix is bigger than it's ever been with over 220 million subscribers worldwide and it has generated a massive revenue of $30 billion in 2021! With Netflix being so successful, can this success be taken into a different form of pop up restaurants? Netflix Bites brings your favourite TV shows to life allowing you to escape into [...]

June has been a busy month for the Kitchen by Liquid team, but we’ve been up to something a little bit different… This month, we’ve been venturing out of the kitchen to share our expertise, as well as develop our knowledge of trends in the industry  – both locally and globally! Our travels have seen us attend The [...]

Ongoing food inflation is an issue brought about by a multitude of factors: the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, labour and skill shortages and more controversially, by corporations profiteering across the supply chain. ‘Greedflation’ refers to excessive price increases driven by a desire to increase profit margins rather than genuine cost factors. Supermarket chains are under fire [...]

England has seen its very first Chinese drive-thru open, in Warrington, and it is already causing quite a stir, with people travelling from Wales to visit the first of its kind. The creators of Wiyo, which stands for ‘what is your order’, hope to become the ‘McDonalds’ of Asian cuisine and have been developing the concept since 2018. [...]

The Kitchen by Liquid team has been hard at work in May and the kitchen has been alive with the sights and smells of lots of delicious recipes. We’ve been busy with photoshoots, masterclasses and food styling courses – and you can read all about it below! Summer recipe shoot On 10th May, we hosted a [...]

Did you know that whenever hospitality customers leave a tip using their card, the business has discretion over the recipient of that tip, meaning that the money doesn’t always go to those that it’s intended for? Given that 80% of tips in the UK are now paid by card, the reality is that a lot of hospitality staff [...]

The rates of obesity and people who are considered overweight are steadily on the rise and the Health Survey for England reveals that, currently, almost three-quarters of adults in England aged 45-74 are considered obese or overweight. One of the major factors causing the growth of obesity levels is an increased consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods that [...]

ChatGPT, the AI-powered chatbot, is revolutionising the hospitality industry. Since OpenAI released ChatGPT in 2022, it has been adopted by millions of hospitality businesses around the world due to its ability to generate human-like conversations tailored to their specific needs. It has been vital in improving customer service, helping restaurants and hotel businesses alike build on their relationship [...]

April has been a packed-out month for us here at Kitchen by Liquid. From staff socials to afternoon tea masterclasses, magazine shoots to networking events, we’ve certainly been keeping Olivier busy in the kitchen. Read on to find out more! Staff social On 13th April, the Kitchen by Liquid team joined the rest of our colleagues [...]

As the hospitality industry grows and continues to bounce back on its feet to pre-pandemic levels, recruitment challenges remain a persistent issue. With vacancy rates still 72% higher than they were pre-pandemic, meaning 1 in 4 businesses are unable to meet demand, the hospitality industry is facing an incredibly challenging recruitment landscape. The recruitment crisis is also stunting [...]

Due to the cost-of-living crisis, many hospitality businesses have been experiencing quieter times in recent months, as consumers prioritise where to spend their income. However, with the King’s Coronation happening on 6th May, there are questions as to whether the public will continue this trend by choosing to celebrate this momentous occasion at home or whether they will [...]

More people than ever are seeking no and low-alcohol beverages, both at home and in the pub, with on-trade sales of such drinks almost doubling (48% increase) in the last 12 months. In fact, 20% of Brits now have a non-alcoholic beer as their drink of choice, with even more of us (34%) favouring a mocktail when socialising. [...]

Here at Kitchen by Liquid, another busy month has come to an end and Olivier has been hard at work cooking up some wonderful recipes. March has seen us host two photoshoots, restock our Urban Cultivator and welcome familiar faces into the kitchen for some tasty treats – and you can hear all about it here! Photoshoots [...]

Perhaps the most prestigious accolade in the culinary sphere, the Michelin Star guide, has been influencing the world since 1889. Brothers Andrew and Edouard Michelin, founders of the Michelin tyre company, created a guide explaining how to change a tyre, where to find a petrol station, as well as where to stay and what to eat, which has [...]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his annual Spring Budget for 2023 on Wednesday 15th March. Prior to this, the hospitality industry was just one of the sectors pleading for reform, following turbulent times post-pandemic. Although members of the food and drink industry broadly welcomed the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, there were questions raised around the viability [...]

With the global restaurant staff shortage set to continue throughout 2023, the hospitality industry is running out of ways to drive recruitment. According to the Office for National Statistics, in January 2023 the number of job vacancies in the UK hospitality sector hit 146,000 – 72% higher than those recorded during pre-pandemic levels. This suggests that there are [...]

To understand the essence of Ukrainian cuisine you need to mix harsh snowy winters, a British-like spring and autumn and desert-hot summers in one big bowl. Sprinkle in nearly a quarter of the world's most fertile soil, spice it up with very complicated history, and sweeten it to taste with incredible creativity - the result is fascinating!   Join [...]

It’s been a fabulous February for us here at Kitchen by Liquid, as we’ve welcomed new faces into the kitchen and seen Olivier cook up some tasty treats. We’ve had trainee chefs in for masterclasses, a celebration of women in business and a photoshoot for a national food chain – read on to find out more! Springboard [...]

Due to the current cost of living crisis, the hospitality industry is seeing less and less people walk through their doors, as people simply don’t have the expendable income to visit restaurants and cafes. As a result of this, many chefs and restaurant owners are beginning to look to alternative avenues and ‘grocerants’ are just one of these. [...]

With the ever-unpredictable weather conditions in the UK, largely caused by climate change, we are starting to see colder, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers.  The effect that this extreme weather has on British-grown produce can be detrimental, killing off crops and creating supply shortages. With this in mind, people are increasingly starting to explore alternative options, with controlled [...]

Last month, The Burnt Chef Project – which aims to eradicate mental health stigma within the hospitality industry – announced the launch of its revolutionary mental health apprenticeship. But just what is a mental health apprenticeship and what does this mean for the hospitality industry? The Burnt Chef Project Launched in May 2019, The Burnt Chef [...]

English sparkling wine is seeing a complete emergence. With more vineyards being planted in the UK, and English fizz set for its biggest year ever – it’s truly never been easier to feel at home with a glass in hand. Despite the scepticism around British wine over recent years, the industry has (quite literally) been bubbling away for [...]

On the 9th January 2023, the culinary world stopped in their tracks as the New York Times first broke the news that Noma – arguably the best restaurant in the world – would close its doors at the end of 2024. Despite a torrent of accolades over the years including 3 Michelin Stars and charging diners $500 per [...]

We’ve kicked off 2023 with a bang here at Kitchen by Liquid – with lots to keep us busy, there has certainly been no time for January blues. We’ve welcomed some lovely people into the kitchen for a taste of Olivier’s magic, as well as taking a foodie-focused trip to France and finding fame on Instagram. There’s been [...]

Birmingham has long been home to many amazing breweries who have since perfected their craft. The city's brewing origins date back to the 1860’s with the Davenports brewing co inspiring new distilleries such as the Birmingham brewing co opening their taps in 2016. The city is spoilt for choice when it comes to homegrown craft beers, so it’s [...]

We’ve all heard of Veganuary, but did you know that the organisation behind it is actually a registered charity which has been promoting veganism since 2014? Veganuary’s mission is simple: to inspire people to follow a vegan lifestyle, spread awareness and accelerate corporate change. With over 629,000 people from 228 countries and territories taking part last year, the [...]

When planning a weekly meal list and choosing to feature beef on the menu, most Brits would instinctively consider home comforts like roast beef, spaghetti bolognese or cottage pie. The likelihood of opting for cuts such as beef cheek, short rib or brisket don’t normally make the cut to make it into your top three go-tos, or potentially [...]

Our December at Kitchen by Liquid has indeed been busy - from events, to photoshoots, to more chocolate than you could throw a snowman’s arm at, here’s a roundup of everything that kept us busy last month.  We kicked off December with the production of more than 450 beautifully handmade and individually decorated chocolates by master pastry chef [...]

First there was synthetic meat. Then came lab-grown milk. And now, researchers are racing ahead with cell-cultured coffee.  Like the lab-grown foods that have come before, there’s hope that cellular coffee can encourage more sustainable modes of consumption and make headway in the fight to curb climate change.  Driven by this hope, investors are now pouring millions of [...]

It’s been another busy month for the Kitchen by Liquid team, as the kitchen doors have opened to a number of local businesses.   From a Transatlantic networking event with mini hotdogs and sliders to celebrate Tthanksgiving, through to a pâtisserie masterclass for chefs from local Indian restaurants to expaend their repertoire, we’ve had a busy but enjoyable month [...]

Fish substitutes are taking the UK by storm. In 2017, the fish alternatives category was worth just over £2m. Remarkably, this value reached £5.1m in 2021 and this is only forecasted to grow. So, move over veggie nuggets and plant-based burgers, there is a new fish in town! From plant-based filet-o-fish burgers, to goujons and prawns, we’re seeing [...]

At Kitchen by Liquid, we count ourselves lucky to call Birmingham our home, while there are many reasons for this, one of the main reasons is that it is the most ethnically diverse regional city in the UK and is home to people of 187 different nationalities. There aren’t many cities in the world with almost 200 [...]

Things have been hotting up at Kitchen by Liquid over the past month! The team have been busy hosting a special event to raise money for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice and Olivier delivered the first practical masterclass from our brand-new cookery school, find out more about the events below.  ‘’Come Dine with Us” event for Acorns Children’s Hospice    [...]

Remember, remember the 5th November. Bonfire night, Guy Fawkes Day, Firework night, however you refer to the day in your family, we’re sure you have fond memories of being wrapped up in your big coat and scarf at a bonfire in your local park. Food and drink often play a big part of traditions, especially in the UK, [...]

November is World Vegan Month, so what better way to celebrate than to join the millions of vegans around the world and get creative with plant-based ingredients in the kitchen!   To help inspire you, we caught up with our awarding-winning development chef, Olivier Briault, who shared some of his favourite plant-based recipes that even the total beginners amongst [...]

We’re big foodies here at Kitchen by Liquid and, in particular, we do love a good breakfast! So much so, we serve it in the Liquid HQ every day. We are absolutely delighted to see the holy grail of breakfasts, the full English, rightfully recognised with English Breakfast Day, celebrated annually on 2nd December.  What so many admire [...]

As a team of self-confessed foodies, few things give us more joy than chatting about our favourite foods and most beloved family recipes. Not only do these conversations offer us a brief escape from work, but they also help us learn more about the various backgrounds that make up the team.  This month, we sat down with our [...]

Every year, 150 countries recognise World Food Day on 16th October to draw awareness to food poverty worldwide and this year’s theme is “Leave NO ONE behind”. Despite the progress we have made as a global community, unfortunately, too many people are unable to benefit from the steps we’ve taken and are suffering because of it.   The [...]

Spooky season is officially upon us and it’s time to start thinking about picking out the perfect pumpkin. However, shocking figures show that out of 17 million pumpkins bought in the UK, nearly 8 million of those go to waste.  Instead of throwing your pumpkins away this year, why not get creative and try some of our favourite [...]

Pack your bags, hop on the Liquid plane, and strap up your seatbelts as we’re taking you around the world to learn all about delicious foods. Not only are we a global company, but we also love learning about our team’s culture and heritage. Now, we want to take you on this journey.   This month, we chatted to [...]

On the 17th and 18th September, the Kitchen by Liquid team visited Abergavenny Food Festival – an annual, not-for-profit event which fuses a wide range of food and drink brands, producers, well-known chefs and journalists.  With over 35,000 visitors each year, the event was listed as one of the 50 Best Summer Festivals to attend by The Independent [...]

2022 marks the 10th annual international Sourdough September – a month dedicated to helping people across the world to discover that “life’s sweeter with sourdough!”. #SourdoughSeptember is all about encouraging everyone to bake and buy sourdough bread. It’s an opportunity for genuine sourdough bakers and teachers to showcase what they do – and all that’s great about sourdough! [...]

Here at Kitchen by Liquid, we have some exciting news to share with you… Following the successful launch of our state-of-the-art development kitchen as a hireable space, we’re thrilled to be introducing our very own cookery school. Our Development Chef, Olivier Briault, is an expert when it comes to whipping up delicious recipes and now it’s time for [...]

Lunchtime is a vital part of a child’s school day as it not only gives them a chance to unwind with friends, but it also allows them to re-energise with delicious food. Getting the nutrients they need from eating a range of tasty food will (hopefully) help them to stay focused during afternoon lessons and the day ahead. [...]

Here at Liquid, we’re passionate about celebrating our team’s diverse culture and heritage – especially when it comes to all the delicious foods from various team members’ home countries! This month, we chatted to our Senior Account Manager, Emma Johansson, about her favourite foodie traditions from her home country of Sweden. Emma moved to the UK in 2012, [...]

School’s out for the summer, meaning one thing – the kids are at home for the holiday!   It can be difficult finding fun things to do that will keep them occupied and fill the time so why not whip up some fairy cakes or bake gooey brownies?   Baking and cooking with the little ones have many benefits. It’ll [...]

On Saturday 23rd July, team Liquid came together to celebrate our recent successes – from award wins to jaw-dropping campaigns – at our summer party.   Held on floor two of our office, the team welcomed friends and family along for the occasion. Thanks to some excellent preparation from the social committee – Heather, Claudia, Luke, Antonia, and Jess [...]

With summer drawing to a close, the upcoming August bank holiday could be one of the final few chances to fire up the grill this year. Never one to pass up a BBQ, our Chef Director has shared some of his secrets ahead of the big weekend.  Here are five tips to take your bank holiday BBQ to [...]

With Afternoon Tea Week fast approaching (August 8 to 14th) here at WTF! we have handpicked our favourite cake and sandwich combinations to make at home with friends and family throughout the week.   Afternoon tea really wouldn’t be complete without a classic scone with jam and clotted cream. Follow this quick and easy recipe to make the perfect [...]

Here at WTF! we love to keep up with the most recent industry news, as well as the latest hot topics that all us foodies want to hear about.    Staff Canteen recently revealed how Michelin-starred chefs Paul Ainsworth and Tommy Banks have launched the sector’s first exclusive employee exchange programme, an initiative which allows staff - from both [...]

As an agency of foodies, Liquid was never likely to turn down an invitation to Christchurch Food Festival! The annual event, held this year over the Queen’s Jubilee weekend, showcases the UK’s finest food and drink from local farmers through to world-renowned chefs.  Along with its usual line-up of delicious street food and craft drinks, this year’s edition [...]

Every second Saturday of July, rum bars, brands, distillers and rum lovers across the world celebrate World Rum Day. Rum is hard to categorise but, put simply, there is white and dark rum and these different grades lend themselves to different cocktail recipes due to their distinctive flavours.   Dark rum traditionally has a deep, caramel flavour with notes [...]

On the 19th May, our Chef Director David Colcombe, Development Chef Olivier Briault and members of the food team took a memorable trip to The Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall for the Adopt a School Take 3 Colleges Fundraising Dinner. The prestigious annual event celebrates the work of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA)’s Adopt a [...]

Our food team have run many varied shoots for our clients over the 18 years. Throughout this time they have picked up some tips and hard rules that they always incorporate into food shoots, happily shared below:  Social media is now one of the most important channels for brands to stay connected with their audiences. It is a [...]

Ignited by the Romantic movement, since the mid-1800s picnics have been a popular pastime in Britain. Going on a picnic was once a luxury only few could afford. Reserved for the upper classes only, it was seen a way to escape the formality of the dining room and move meals outside where nature provided the most fashionable and romantic [...]

It’s that time of year again – Father’s Day. A day that’s all about dad… or stepdad, grandad, and anyone else you’d like to celebrate.  With Father’s Day comes the annual struggle to find something creative to do for your dad and avoid buying the same gift as last year – socks and a crate of beer. This [...]

Monday 16th April marks the start of National Vegetarian Week – a week-long celebration of exciting vegetarian food and raising awareness of the benefits of a vegetarian diet.   There are a variety of ways that you can eat vegetarian foods, at any time of the day. So, we’ve pulled together a summary of veggie delights to inspire you [...]

As Liquid turns 18, our Chef Director, David Colcombe, reflects on the changes in the food sector over the last two decades.  The food industry has changed a lot since 2004, the year that Liquid was born. The events of the last 18 years have shaped the sector in many ways – and particularly since the pandemic. From people’s shopping habits to [...]

There is an ever-growing thirst for home grown wine, as wine producers and retailers have worked tirelessly to transform perceptions of English wine over the past decade. The industry was previously reduced to ultra-sweet sherry type bottles, but things have certainly changed – about time in our opinion!  The industry has been toasting an exponential growth, with figures [...]

Sandwiches have always been at the heart of English mealtimes – whether it’s a quick on-the-go lunch or a brunch style sandwich, you can’t beat a perfectly made sarnie to add to your picnics or lunchboxes this summer.   To celebrate British Sandwich Week, we have selected our top five irresistible sandwich filler ideas to inspire your sandwich making [...]

On behalf of our international food client, we create Always in Season a podcast which aims to engage and educate people on the importance of eating seasonally and more sustainably.    From explaining what it really means to eat in season, to talking to some of the UK’s most influential food experts, each episode serves up insightful knowledge on [...]

Last month, we shared the news that we had launched Kitchen by Liquid – our new service offering enabling brands, companies, organisations, chefs, and individuals to hire our state-of-the-art development kitchen and studio in the heart of Birmingham.   This month, we’re giving an inside look at what our development chefs and food stylists get up to on shoot [...]

Left over Easter chocolate? It’s a problem we all love to have. Luckily here at Liquid, we have two experienced chefs who can transform your leftovers into a deliciously sweet treat for the whole family to enjoy.  Olivier, our in-house development chef, has two go-to recipes he uses leftover Easter chocolate for:  Chocolate truffles In typical French style, [...]

British beef is amongst the most efficient and sustainable in the world due to extensive, grass-based farming systems. This year, Great British Beef Week is taking place from 23rd to 30th April and will be a celebration of this, focusing on how the industry can become more sustainable.  To mark the occasion, we’ve shared our favourite beef recipes [...]

Spring is the time of year where supplies of vibrant, seasonal fruit and veg is endless, making it the perfect time to get cooking using locally sourced produce – what more could you want? Here at WTF! we’ve selected some of our favourite seasonal recipes to mark the start of spring, perfect for sharing as the days start [...]

Waterloo Street boasts some of Birmingham’s best restaurants and bars, but we’ll let you in on a secret… It’s also home to another kitchen that is very special to us – introducing Kitchen by Liquid! Our state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen is where we do our very best work – they do say that the kitchen is the heart of [...]