New book is an inspiring celebration of food, resilience, and community

New book is an inspiring celebration of food, resilience, and community

Bianca Rodrigues Perry, Bia's Kitchen Show, book

Independent businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire are at the heart of a new book celebrating food, resilience and their community.

‘Bia’s Kitchen Show: The Cookbook – A Culinary Journey of Gratitude’ is the first in a collection being launched by Brazilian-born entrepreneur and foodie Bianca Rodrigues-Perry next month.

It comes ahead of the first anniversary of the successful Bia’s Kitchen Show, hosted by Bianca, and celebrates the region that, for the last 15 years, she has called home.

Bianca Rodrigues Perry, Bia's Kitchen Show, book

The book showcases some of the area’s brilliant local chefs, nutritionists, and food and drink artisans who share some of their own recipes and top cooking tips, alongside Bianca’s.

But the project is also rooted in her own journey of overcoming personal mental health challenges through a passion for cooking. It’s in this spirit that the self-taught chef-come-author has also pledged to donate the book’s profits to Mind Warwickshire, a cause very close to her heart.

Bia’s journey of reinvention began when she left behind her family and a high-flying marketing career in 2009, emigrating from her native Rio de Janeiro as the newly married Mrs David Perry – her future now devoted to a new role as mum of three.

It was also to signal the start of a turbulent period in her life, spending much of her pregnancy in hospital with crippling sickness, and battling with post-natal depression and a series of health scares involving her children.

Then, in 2020, the family were rocked when Bianca’s brother-in-law took his own life.

It’s Bia’s combined passions of cooking and entrepreneurialism that became a lifeline – even going on to win Couple’s Come Dine With Me on Channel Four. Buoyed by her early business success running a thriving food delivery service during lockdown, it was in January this year that she stepped out of the shadows of her busy Cubbington kitchen once more, and into the limelight. The Bia’s Kitchen brand was born.

“It was all a big shock for me when I first moved here,” she recalls. “I lost my identity and had no idea what I was going to do next. I just knew that everything comes back to food for me. I thrive off feeling other people’s energy and passion for food. After all, cooking is the universal language of love.”

Since then Bianca and her show, which is streamed twice monthly on YouTube, have won the affections of a loyal and growing UK audience, even winning the entrepreneur a national award, recognising the enterprise and compassion she has shown in her work with local businesses.

She added: “As well as sharing great recipes from fantastic local chefs, the idea behind the book is to hopefully inspire with the message that you can have a bad day or a bad period in your life and come back with a determination to succeed all over again. Hence the title ‘A Culinary Journey of Gratitude.’ Through food and through supporting other people, we can all do better.

“Food has played a huge part in my own journey of recovery from a very dark place. I use it as a therapy, you can use anything as a therapy. There is not ever only one way to get out of depression. Everyone has their own thing which works for them.

“For me it’s about helping other people and finding something that you love along the way. This is what I am all about and what the book is all about. If sharing my personal story goes some way towards helping and inspiring other people who are struggling, I find that incredibly rewarding. Empowering others is what also empowers me.

“Plus, it was important to me to try and give a bit back along the way by donating all of the profits to charity that means a lot to my family and I.”

Bianca Rodrigues Perry, Bia's Kitchen Show, book

Coventry and Warwickshire Mind has been delivering mental health services and promoting positive wellbeing for more than 50 years through a variety of methods, including phone lines, one to one support, activities, peer mentoring, trauma therapy, counselling, drop-in hubs and workshops and purpose-built mental health recovery unit.

Ian Smart, Head of Business Development at Mind, said: “Coventry and Warwickshire Mind is incredibly grateful to be receiving donations from a project that beautifully combines the love of food with the importance of mental health.

“Bias’s personal journey, shared through the pages of this cookbook, will not only inspire readers, but also help fund crucial services for those facing mental health challenges in our community. It’s a wonderful reminder that healing can take many forms, and we’re honored to be part of this meaningful initiative.”

Bia’s Kitchen Show: The Cookbook – A Culinary Journey of Gratitude is published by Birmingham-based The Book Chief and is now available for pre-order from Bia’s Kitchen Show at: https://buy.stripe.com/4gwcNxaEUbtKc5q4gh and through Amazon and Waterstones plus selected independent book shops, soon.

Bia added: “This is a fantastic cookbook full of gratitude, community, and flavour, and discovering how cooking can heal and bring people together.

“I have loved where this journey is taking me so far and have met so many talented entrepreneurs who have also inspired me in their own stories of resilience. It’s been a pleasure to share in their passion and I’m proud to feature them in this first book which, fittingly, begins my culinary’ journey of gratitude’ in the adopted community I now call home.”

To view Bia’s Kitchen Show visit: https://biaskitchenshow.com/

Bia's Kitchen Show, Bia Rodrigues Perry, food

Independent businesses featuring in the book are:

Nikki Ryan Coaching @nickyryancoaching

Paprika Club, Leamington

Emi’s Little Bakery, Leamington

Tropical Brazil Foods, Coventry

Banh Mi Caphe, Leamington

Scratch Cook Social, Leamington

Mari-Carmen Fitness, Leamington

Cakes By Sophie Page, Coventry

Sophie’s Culinary Bites, Coventry

That Gin Company, Warwick

Warwickshire Gin Company, Leamington

The Woodsman, Stratford

The Magic Wingdom, Leamington

Homewrecker Pimento Cheese, Leamington

The Leopard Spots, Leamington

Scott’s Chocs, Leamington

A Good Catch, Leamington

Nailcote Hall Hotel Golf and Country Club, Berkswell (Special Breast Cancer Awareness Month recipe)

Tavola, Leamington

Rodizio Rico, Coventry/Birmingham/London (Christmas recipe)

Local distillery wins new hotel partnerships

Local distillery wins new hotel partnerships

Ashorne Hill, Delta Marriott Hotel, Warwickshire Gin Company

A Warwickshire distillery is celebrating a new partnership with two major local hospitality businesses.

Warwickshire Gin Company is producing white label gin for guests at Ashorne Hill learning and conference centre in Leamington as well as Delta Marriott Hotel in Warwick.

Owner Dave Blick said: “These white label projects give a unique element and deliver a very personal message to a business’s customers/guests.

Ashorne Hill, Delta Marriott Hotel, Warwickshire Gin Company

“The RAF Royal Signals, Leamington Tennis Club, Leamington Polish Centre, Hansgrohe and Röhlig Logistics are also among a few of our completed projects. Customers can choose to add a variation of bottles or gift packaging with their own branding, we also offer a bespoke logistical solution to internal or external customers of the organisation.

“Bringing various projects to life for our customers is really great fun, promotes our distillery but also has great impact for the business/organisation which may be celebrating an anniversary, occasion or for brand awareness.”

Visitors to Ashorne Hill learning and conference centre, which offers over 40 meeting spaces set in 35 acres of grounds, are gifted 5cl miniature bottles of WGC’s Philosopher’s Daughter gin while Delta Marriott Hotel offers miniatures of the distillery’s signature Leamington On Parade gin.

Stuart Anderson, Executive Head Chef at Ashorne Hill, said: “The Warwickshire Gin Company helped bring The Taste of Ashorne Gin to life using botanicals from our estate. Dave and his team provided exceptional support throughout the development process, sharing their expertise to make the experience both enjoyable and seamless. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”

The four-star Delta Marriott Hotel also serves WGC’s award-winning Kingmaker Vodka behind its bar.

Jenny Heath, Director of Sales at Delta Hotels Marriott in Warwick, said: “Although our working relationship is quite new, the service I’ve received to date has been fantastic. We use the Warwickshire Gin Company for our corporate welcome gifts and also the Kingmaker Vodka and Gin in our aptly named Kingmaker Restaurant.”

 

The inspiration behind David’s drinks collection comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to fully represent the county’s own unique story and bringing the range of hand-crafted flavours to life.

Ashorne Hill, Delta Marriott Hotel, Warwickshire Gin Company

As part of the continued chapter of growth for the ambitious entrepreneur, who established Warwickshire Gin Company in 2018, the new Lockhart’s mobile bar now also brings its range of drinks to private and public events. The huge 8x4m bar is designed to recreate the complete pub experience wherever it goes, including barrel tables and seating – a project that was supported by a council-backed duplex loan through Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust.

The distillery also offers popular visitor experiences – Gin Tasting, Cocktails at The Distillery and their new Afternoon Gin & Tea plus a range of build-your-own branded gift bundles, including spirits, goblet, mixers and gin or rum-infused chocolates.

Further information on how to hire Lockhart’s is available from David Blick at: dave@warwickshiregincompany.co.uk

Review: Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, Birmingham

Review: Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, Birmingham

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, Birmingham

On tour from London’s West End, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience has arrived in Birmingham.

It is a show which allows you to step inside the iconic TV series and become part of the action itself.

When the audience become diners in the ‘Faulty Towers’ restaurant, pretty much anything can happen – because 70% of the show is improvised.

The fun starts as guests wait to be seated. It then hurtles along in a two-hour tour de force of gags and shambolic service as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve a ‘70s-style (but delicious) three-course meal together with a good dollop of mayhem at the Banqueting Suite at Birmingham’s Council House, a beautiful Grade II-listed venue in the heart of the city centre.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, Birmingham

Faulty Towers the Dining Experience is now the longest running immersive production in the UK.

Devised by Alison Pollard-Mansergh, Andrew Foreman and others, the show has been touring the UK and internationally since 2008, having appeared in 43 countries to date and over 1000 venues, with approximately 400 shows per year on average across the UK. And it’d easy to see why.

Invited to become a guest at the table during the first few days of its local run, I arrived with an open mind. Would this dining experience leave me fully satisfied or would I have had a belly full by the end? I’m delighted to concede it was the former and would not hesitate to recommend for a night out with friends or family. It seemed a particular popular choice as a birthday celebration on the night I was there. Nothing better than immersive experience such as this to break the ice and guarantee a fun night.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, Birmingham

Avoiding spoilers, I would just say, go with a group of people who are game for a laugh (not one for the shrinking violets in your friendship circle) and prepare to become part of the mayhem.

For Fawlty Towers fans, this is the opportunity to enjoy an evening encapsulating the most iconic scenes and comedy from all 12 episodes of the show, from drunken chef and an escapee rat (don’t worry – not a real one!) through to bungled fire drills and Basil’s famous goosestep.

Expect the unexpected from this very talented trio who brilliantly capture their characters’ mannerisms in a madcap evening of – often physical – comedy you’ll remember for a long time.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is in Birmingham until November 3rd and tickets are available HERE.

Children build Guys for Warwick Bonfire

Children build Guys for Warwick Bonfire

Remember, remember the ‘/2nd’ of November, gunpowder, treason, and plot…and remember also that the annual Town Bonfire and Fireworks is being held this Saturday at Warwick racecourse.

Warwick Mayor, Cllr Dave Skinner visited Newburgh & Westgate Primary Schools to see Guys made by the children for the Bonfire. The Mayor was greeted by excited children with their guys to inspect and have pride of place next Saturday.

Come early and enjoy hot food and drinks, bars are open, as well as the traditional open air food stalls. The racecourse is also offering a ticket in the Kingmaker Bar with a great view of the show.

Warwick Lions club are selling hot mulled wine, Kimberley Sweets will be back, and local Samba band Sambassadors of Sound will entertain everyone, with the grandstands and bars providing protection if it gets damp.

This year the show is set to music by award winning Fantastic Fireworks. Gates open at 5 pm and there will be a short children’s show at 6 before the bonfire is lit at 6.30pm followed by the main show.

Warwick Rotary fireworks

Tickets can be purchased on-line from HERE.

Advance tickets – Adults & children 15 and over – £9; children under 15 £2; and infants 3 and under free.

Organisers Warwick Lions, the Rotary Club of Warwick, are delighted by the support from Warwick Racecourse which is handling all the ticketing and are hoping for record crowds again this year. Warwick District Council has examined the plans and registered our event, so don’t buy your own, come and enjoy our firework display.

Local sponsorship has been provided by Taylor Wimpey Homes, Geberit, Wenman Healthcare, Godfrey Payton, Delta Marriott hotels, Warwick Startins Kia, and the pallets for the Bonfire are supplied by Uniparts Logistics. All proceeds go to local charities.

By Jackie Crampton

Review: Ghost: The Musical

Review: Ghost: The Musical

Ghost: The Musical, Belgrade Theatre

Walking back to their apartment late one night, a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger.

Despite the scenario, Jacqui Dubois brings a lot of laughs, stealing the show as she reprises her iconic role as the not not-so-psychic psychic, ‘Oda Mae Brown.’ While Rebekah Lowings and James Mateo-Salt show incredible chemistry on stage, having us convinced of their deep adoration for each other.

Belgrade Theatre, Ghost: The Musical

The movie Ghost is one of cinema’s biggest all-time hits. Starring the late Patrick Swayze, alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, it was the highest grossing film of 1990 and won an Oscar for screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin who has adapted his screenplay for this musical.

Quite a legacy to honour then but what results is a polished and touching production that rightly earned its standing ovation. The staging and lighting worked well in separating the present with the afterlife and was timed to perfection. After all, this was never going to be an easy task – ‘dead’ bodies deftly appearing out of nowhere and actors jumping in to embody the psychic in order to communicate with the living!

Director Bob Thompson, writer Bruce Joel Rubin and team have succeeded in taking a classic film and turning it into a show that can stand on its own merits, combining key familiar elements of the story with some minor reworks as well as modernising the story and set.

It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a show that is packed full of spirit, helped in no small measure by the delightful score – courtesy of Eurythmics’ Dave Steward – and including the song synonymous with one of the most famous romantic movie scenes in cinematic history, Unchained Melody. (Potters’ wheels have never been seen quite the same way since!)

A successful stage transition combines with stunning score and all-round talented cast and crew to make this one of my most memorable theatre experiences of the year (and I have a lot to choose from!)

Aside from the sad storyline running through, there are also plenty of belly laughs to be had. Either way, you’ll be damp of cheek! Be sure to pop a tissue in your pocket before leaving the house.

Ghost: The Musical plays at The Belgrade Theatre until Saturday. Tickets available here.