Around 140 people have celebrated Scotland’s national bard at the biggest-ever Burns Supper held in Antarctica. Haggis was specially transported to the continent aboard the UK’s exploration ship RRS Sir David Attenborough so workers at the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station could mark the event. Fifty Scots were among those at the celebration, which was … [Read more...] about Haggis shipped to Antarctica for Burns Night celebration
British Food
Crumbs! Judges sample 500 entrants at Scotch pie championship
Judges have delivered their verdict on nearly 500 entrants at the world Scotch pie championship. The pies were judged by 60 professionals at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline, Fife, who selected category winners as well as the ultimate winner – who will be crowned world champion in January. They judged the pies on their taste, touch, appearance and smell across … [Read more...] about Crumbs! Judges sample 500 entrants at Scotch pie championship
World Porridge Making Champion ‘delighted’ to secure victory for second time
A woman who runs a cafe has proved that she knows how to make porridge taste “just right” after claiming her second victory in the World Porridge Making Championship. Lisa Williams, who runs Stennetts Community Cafe in Trimley St Mary in Suffolk, took home the coveted Golden Spurtle Trophy for her take on the traditional breakfast dish, after a contest on Saturday in … [Read more...] about World Porridge Making Champion ‘delighted’ to secure victory for second time
A Brief Overview of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
Whether you’re in the United States or the United Kingdom, beer choices seem to be dominated by large breweries like Budweiser, Coors, Heineken, and Carlsberg. What these mega breweries don’t make themselves, they buy up, with formerly independent breweries falling under their large corporate umbrellas. This is where the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) comes into play. In … [Read more...] about A Brief Overview of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
Great British Icons: A History of Bovril
Bovril is a beef extract used in England for making a hot drink, as well as to boost the flavor of gravies and soups. It was invented in the 19th century at a time when food preservation and transport methods made meat transportation difficult and when meat was often beyond the pockets of the poor. Associated from the beginning with war, it was fed to wounded soldiers, who … [Read more...] about Great British Icons: A History of Bovril
California pub ensures British ex-pats are not left out over Jubilee weekend
Editor's Note: This is one of our favorite 'British' pubs in America - been there and the food is great. The store next door also stocks Anglotopia's books! Check it out if you're in the area! Bunting, afternoon tea and a Queen Elizabeth impersonator are among the things ensuring that British ex-pats more than 5,000 miles from home do not miss out on the Platinum Jubilee … [Read more...] about California pub ensures British ex-pats are not left out over Jubilee weekend
Let them eat cake…of One – Life-sized Queen cake created for Platinum Jubilee celebration
One of the fun things about covering events like a Royal Jubilee is the inevitably weird things that come out around out. This is one of them. Someone has made an edible cake version of HM The Queen. A life-sized cake of the Queen has been baked to mark her Platinum Jubilee. Social media star Lara Mason, whose Cake Anything account has 2.7 million followers and more than … [Read more...] about Let them eat cake…of One – Life-sized Queen cake created for Platinum Jubilee celebration
Former Bake Off champion unveils world’s largest Jaffa Cake
Former Great British Bake Off winner Frances Quinn has baked the world’s largest Jaffa Cake, which weighs in at 80kg. The equivalent of more than 6,557 regular-sized Jaffa Cakes, the gigantic treat clocked in with a diameter of 175cm, beating her own Guinness World Record set in 2017. More than 160 eggs, 8kg of dark chocolate, and 15kg of orange jelly were used for the … [Read more...] about Former Bake Off champion unveils world’s largest Jaffa Cake
Lemon trifle is crowned Platinum Pudding for Queen’s Jubilee celebrations
The winner of the Platinum Pudding competition says the experience was “surreal” – after only deciding to enter after a friend suggested it to her. Jemma Melvin’s lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle beat 5,000 desserts to become the official pudding of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. The trifle, inspired by the 31-year-old copywriter’s grandparents – and Her Majesty – will … [Read more...] about Lemon trifle is crowned Platinum Pudding for Queen’s Jubilee celebrations
HM Sauce and Heinz Salad Queen: Sauces get royal makeover to mark Platinum Jubilee
Two of Britain’s favorite condiments, HP Sauce and Heinz Salad Cream, are receiving a royal makeover to mark the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee. Food giant Heinz is releasing limited-edition bottles on which the sauces are labeled “HM Sauce” and “Heinz Salad Queen.” The celebratory sauces will start to appear on supermarket shelves from this week, ready to douse dishes … [Read more...] about HM Sauce and Heinz Salad Queen: Sauces get royal makeover to mark Platinum Jubilee
The Full English Breakfast and Its Origins
If you’re an Anglophile or ever been to the United Kingdom, the chances are good that you’ve enjoyed a Full English Breakfast. Whether in England, Scotland, Wales, or Ireland, the contents of the full breakfast are roughly the same: Bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, and either black or white pudding. You can find variants of this dish throughout the … [Read more...] about The Full English Breakfast and Its Origins
Cadbury World chocolatiers craft 40kg Easter egg equivalent to 889 bars
Two Cadbury World chocolatiers have designed a monster Easter egg to celebrate the holiday. Dawn Jenks and Donna Oluban spent three days crafting the chocolate colossus which stands at 3ft tall and weighs in at 40kg. The hand-crafted egg, which depicts a spring scene including rabbits, a fox, and an owl, is approximate in weight to 889 standard bars of Cadbury Dairy … [Read more...] about Cadbury World chocolatiers craft 40kg Easter egg equivalent to 889 bars
A Biscuit Tragedy: Lorryload of McVitie’s biscuits spilt across Derbyshire road
Drivers in Derbyshire were obstructed by an avalanche of biscuits when a lorry spilt hundreds of McVitie’s packets across a main road. Derbyshire Constabulary were called to the scene on Ilkeston Road, Sandiacre, at around 4.30 pm on Monday, arriving to find the road and adjacent pavement strewn with McVitie’s ginger nuts and bourbon creams. A rescue operation for the fallen … [Read more...] about A Biscuit Tragedy: Lorryload of McVitie’s biscuits spilt across Derbyshire road
Eating British in America: Cakes and Ale in San Diego at The Shakespeare Pub
In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Sir Toby Belch asks, "Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?" Well, fear not, virtuous Anglotopia readers! You can get your fill of both at The Shakespeare Pub and at Shakespeare's Corner Shoppe and Afternoon Tea in sunny San Diego, California. I want to give a shout out to my brother-in-law, a long-time … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Cakes and Ale in San Diego at The Shakespeare Pub
Record-breaking 976 entries in British Pie Awards
Judges at the world-famous British Pie Awards have their work cut out this year with a record-breaking 976 entries, including one made with kangaroo meat. Returning to its traditional March timing after the Covid pandemic saw last year’s competition moved to September, 151 judges were running an expert eye over 23 different classes of hot and cold savory and dessert pies and … [Read more...] about Record-breaking 976 entries in British Pie Awards
Ten Interesting Facts about The Great British Bake Off
Whether you watch on Channel 4 or use Netflix, The Great British Bake Off (The Great British Baking Show in the US) is often a highlight of your week. Since 2010, twelve bakers have entered a tent on the gorgeous grounds of an English estate to see which of them is the best amateur baker in the United Kingdom. Unlike some reality shows, GBBO almost goes out of its way to … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about The Great British Bake Off
Eating British in America: Double-Decker Dining – British Buses Turned Into Restaurants and Cafes in the USA
The jaunty red double-decker bus is one of the most iconic symbols of England. Routemaster double-decker buses plied the streets of London for almost 50 years, and modern versions still roam London today. Other versions of the double-decker have also been used in London and across the country. Over the years, many old Routemasters and their descendants have made their way to … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Double-Decker Dining – British Buses Turned Into Restaurants and Cafes in the USA
Terry’s and Heinz collaborate to produce ‘world first’ Chocolate Orange Mayo
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the latest Heinz publicity stunt (see the Christmas dinner in a can...). Fans of the Terry’s Chocolate Orange can enjoy the festive treat in mayonnaise form this Christmas following an unlikely partnership with Heinz. In a move set to divide fans of the stocking filler favorite, Terry’s has joined forces with Heinz to create the … [Read more...] about Terry’s and Heinz collaborate to produce ‘world first’ Chocolate Orange Mayo
Cadbury World chocolatiers build Nutcracker model entirely out of chocolate
Cadbury World has produced a chocolate model of The Nutcracker to celebrate the renowned ballet arriving in Birmingham. The 70cm tall solid chocolate figure took two days to create and weighs 7kg, the equivalent of 155 standard bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk. Cadbury World chocolatiers Dawn Jenks and Donna Oluban hand-painted The Nutcracker’s face with liquid cocoa butter and … [Read more...] about Cadbury World chocolatiers build Nutcracker model entirely out of chocolate
If you want to taste sadness – Heinz launches Christmas dinner in a can
I think I'll pass on this! Heinz has launched a Christmas Dinner soup complete with turkey, Brussels sprouts, and pigs in blankets in a move sure to bring joy to consumers fretting over empty shelves this festive season. The brand’s first cans of Christmas Dinner Big Soup contain “big chunks” of turkey, pigs in blankets, Brussels sprouts, stuffing balls, and potatoes, with a … [Read more...] about If you want to taste sadness – Heinz launches Christmas dinner in a can
Eating British in America: Enjoy the Best of British in Davenport, Florida
I took a road trip back in May, and naturally, I prepared for it by researching British and Irish shops and restaurants along my route from Chicago to Orlando. That's how I discovered Best of British Café and Pub in Davenport, Florida, a relative newcomer to the Eating British in America scene. Owners Anne and Jimmy Jones are originally from Durham, England. They bring great … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Enjoy the Best of British in Davenport, Florida
Prepare to Drool: British Pie Awards ‘back on the menu’ after Covid postponement
The world-famous British Pie Awards are “back on the menu” after a Covid-enforced postponement, with a crowded field battling it out to be named among the upper crust. There are 800 entries across 23 categories, with the Vegan category, which controversially provided 2019’s supreme champion, attracting the most interest this year. Apart from what has been dubbed “the rise of … [Read more...] about Prepare to Drool: British Pie Awards ‘back on the menu’ after Covid postponement
Eating British in America: Taste of Britain Shares the UK with Georgia
I’ve visited British stores all over the United States, but despite numerous trips to Georgia, I’d never visited Taste of Britain in Norcross, Georgia, until this year. As soon as I stepped through the door, I realized I’d been missing out on a fantastic Eating British in America experience! This venerable store has been around since 1989, and during that time, the store’s … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Taste of Britain Shares the UK with Georgia
A Brit Back Home: When it comes to the crunch, it’s all about the flavo(u)r
Every few years, the subject of crisp sandwiches is topical in the UK. (Readers are reminded that ‘crisps’ in the UK are what Americans call ‘chips.’ Our ‘chips’ (as in fish & chips) are French fries.) A recent poll taken by Walkers Crisps looked at whether Brits prefer a sandwich with crisps on the side or with crisps in the sandwich. And yes, there were hashtags - … [Read more...] about A Brit Back Home: When it comes to the crunch, it’s all about the flavo(u)r
A Cake Too Far? Fusion of Jaffa Cake and doughnut to hit UK shelves next week
The Jaffa Cake is to hit shelves in doughnut form next week in the latest variation of the 94-year-old British classic. McVitie’s Jaffa Jonut is a doughnut-shaped ring of sponge with the familiar orange-flavored filling and dark chocolate coating. It follows Jaffa Cake bars and mini rolls as well as flavor variations pineapple, cherry, and passion fruit alongside the original … [Read more...] about A Cake Too Far? Fusion of Jaffa Cake and doughnut to hit UK shelves next week
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
