Jacinta Dawn

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I went along to their bloggers’ event with my good friend and blogging twinny Missy of Contour Allure.  Partial to a good brunch, as you may have guessed, we were super excited to check out Juniper’s menu, especially as I’d near starved myself that day as were eating said brunch in the evening!  Luckily we don’t discriminate and are happy to devour any sort of food at any time of day and, as they don’t have an evening menu, brunch and lunch was all they had to offer.

A little more pomp & ceremony than you’d normally expect for a café, we arrived to a Rolls Royce Phantom outside and a live singer inside.  The décor of Juniper really is lovely – dark wood tables and copper plant pots perfectly complement the white paint and gleaming white tiles and there’s a gorgeous bit of framed art adorning the walls wherever you look.  It’s got a really classy, upmarket feel and really makes the place feel less café and more eatery.

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As we sat amongst other bloggers and locals, we waited in anticipation for our food.  Now, this is the point where I have to make very clear that prior to turning up to the event Missy told me that we’d very kindly been offered two free dishes to try that evening by the PR – and I’ve no doubt that was truly what Missy was told.  Or what she truly believed.  Or what she truly dreamt up.  Anyway, that’s exactly what we pre-ordered – a brunch dish and a lunch dish – and we thought nothing more of it.  However, it soon became clear on the night that we were the only little piggies on the table who had ordered two dishes – and we were two little piggies who felt no shame in devouring those two dishes in front of everyone else.  So, I guess what I’m saying here is that no one should judge us but if I am going to blame my expanding waistline on anyone, it’s fitness-blogger-and-PT-extraordinaire, Missy Thorley.  So, hit her up if you want to lose or gain weight, she’s excellent either way.

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Anyway, joking aside, the dishes were very good.  I’d plumped for a rather divine Brie & cranberry bagel that came with an ample side salad for my lunch dish and it really hit the spot.  I’m such a fan of Brie – I mean, who isn’t?! – and the classic pairing with cranberry meant the bagel was as delicious as expected.  Sometimes, by their nature, bagels can be a bit tough but it was the perfect level of chewiness, as bagels go.  I’d definitely order it again.

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Last week, I was lucky enough to get an invite through my lovely blogger friend Sophie of Sophie’s Scran to attend an ‘Introduction to Baking Bread’ with One Mile Bakery Hale.  Now, I’m no whizz in the kitchen at all and cooking bores me to death but I do fancy myself as a Mary Berry when it comes to baking (except my cakes aren’t as pretty) so I was really intrigued to see how I’d fare with bread.

I’d heard a little bit about One Mile Bakery and seen them about on Twitter but I was a little unsure how they operated and where from…and that’s how I found myself, on Friday morning at 10.25 am (you read that right, I was early) outside a residential property just off Hale Road.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4352″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Basically, One Mile Bakery Hale is a fantastic little business run by the lovely Matt out of his own home kitchen.  Aside from running baking classes during the week (and there’s a fab selection to choose from), every Wednesday evening he also goes out on his bike and delivers handmade artisan loaves, seasonal soups and preserves to customers within a mile of his home.  It’s a concept originally dreamt up by Elisabeth Mahoney, journalist and passionate foodie, in Sheffield and grew from a desire to provide fantastic bread that could be paired simply with delicious comfort food.

As I say, I was really excited to take this class as I’ve always found the prospect of making bread a little scary.  There’s too much that could go wrong, in my opinion, and I know little-to-nothing about what flour I should be using.  With the kneading, the rising and the proving, it felt like a series of complicated steps I’d be sure to mess up.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4353″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4354″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4355″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Despite my little love of baking, I must admit I’m a quite lazy too and it was great to see that every ingredient (and there aren’t many!) had been pre-weighed out for ease.  Armed with our trusty (and I’m sure appropriately named but for the purpose of this blog and due to my lack of memory I’m going to call them…) scrapers, we set to work making our first loaf.

Over the course of the day we would make three loaves and Matt spent a lot of time at various points telling us a little about them and the flour we’d be using, as well as some general tips and tricks for making the perfect bread.  Mind blown, my favourite tip from the day was that when you have a wet, mushy mess of dough in your hands don’t be tempted to add more flour to dry it out – just roll with it!  Amateur bakers are seemingly obsessed with drying dough out and a good loaf of bread that does not make.  The three loaves of the day were a seeded spelt loaf, a pain de Campagne (French country bread) and some classic wholemeal bread.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4356″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]There were only three of us on the course – Matt never likes to have more than around five – and we had a really good giggle whilst mixing our ingredients together and getting to grips with perfecting kneading.  I truly embarked on the day thinking I’d be a little bit rubbish but with demonstrations from Matt and a little dose of confidence, we were all scraping and rolling away at our doughs like little pros.

A happy bonus was that the five-hour class was interspersed with some lovely food and it wasn’t long before we were breaking off to have some tea and (handmade) toast whilst our dough rose.  I think tasting what our bread could potentially turn out like really whet our appetite for what was to come – and the handmade rhubarb jam went down a hit too![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4359″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4358″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4357″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]My favourite part of the day had to be adding extra ingredients into the bread before popping them into the proving baskets (or bannetons).  With a whole array of ingredients available, I was in my element throwing a lot of olives (shock horror) into my breads with addition of seeds, sundried tomatoes and nuts.  It’s a chance to get creative and really personalise your bread before you embark on the difficult task of folding it into itself, shaping it for the basket and flipping it over all in one go![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4360″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Much to our delight, we had a soup starter before our lunch and, as with all the courses, this had been made by Matt too.  It was a really nice touch to have the food so thoughtfully put together and it was great to get a chance to all sit around the table and get to know each other, as well as learning about Matt’s background.  The lunch itself was a lovely little spread of bits to pick at – salad, halloumi, homemade hummus and buttermilk-soaked bread.  It was delicious.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4362″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4361″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Bread proved and all there was left to do was slash it Norman Bates-style and put it in the oven.  Me being me, I went for a traditional straight line and cross on two loaves before attempting a delicate – and, obvs, incredibly well executed – crown using scissors.  I don’t mean to brag here but I’m pretty sure I can now add artisan bread designer to my CV but I’ll let you be the judge of that.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4363″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]As expected, thanks to Matt’s overseeing, our loaves turned out beautifully after around 30 minutes in the oven.  Risen to perfection, wholesome and exceptionally artisan, I think we all felt like they were mini works of art.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4366″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4365″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4364″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]If baking is your thing – or even if it isn’t! – and you’re considering giving a class a go then you won’t find a better than what’s offered by One Mile Bakery.  Not only can you have an ‘Introduction to Bread’ but you could also attend one of Matt’s other upcoming classes too:

• Introduction to Sourdough
• Italian Baking
• Breads of the World
• Bread & Beer

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]My meal at Gusto Alderley Edge was complimentary in exchange for a completely honest review.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]When I started my own website, all those years ago when I thought I was some sort of adolescent answer to Carrie Bradshaw, it never crossed my mind to ever talk about food.  I’m vegetarian and traditionally that’s meant I’ve been a slightly fussy eater (especially in the times when it wasn’t as mainstream to be veggie) and consequently I’ve never really been that adventurous with food.  I make no secret of the fact Italian food is my absolute favourite – I’d never even had a curry until a few months ago – and there’s nothing I like more than devouring a pizza on the weekend.  I’ve always felt it’s the safest option in terms of finding something on the menu I’ll like.

I’m slowly learning to go out of my comfort zone a little more with food, it’s amazing the things you discover you like when you stop being a 28-year-old baby, but despite other people’s disapproval, I still don’t think you can ever top a really good Italian.  I was really excited, therefore, to be invited by the lovely team at Gusto Alderley Edge to dine with them and try out their new menu.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4385″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]I’ve always been a massive fan of Gusto, I think it’s one of those places you can always guarantee you’ll have a good time at and eat really lovely food every time.  I was particularly excited to try out their new menu as there’s a real focus this time on delicious vegetarian and vegan meals.  As I touched on above, historically it’s been quite hard to eat out as a vegetarian as the choices are always so limited – if I see a bland mushroom risotto one more time in my life I think I’ll throw up – and I think in some places it’s near impossible to feel like you’re catered for as a vegan.  I’m absolutely not a vegan but I am trying to eat as much of a plant-based diet as possible.  I don’t drink milk (I never really have) and generally don’t eat a lot of dairy at all but I dolike a little bit of cheese on that aforementioned weekend pizza so I don’t think I could ever go the full hog and cut it out completely.  As much as it’s about the animals, this reduced animal produce diet has come from watching What The Health on YouTube (NB don’t watch it if you’re impressionable like clearly I am!) which basically tells you dairy is the root of all evil and the cause of all cancers.  Anyway, I digress.  My point it, it’s really refreshing to see a chain restaurant really think about its customers and offer a real, considered choice for those who don’t want to eat meat or dairy.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4384″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4383″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The dinner was a super cute affair with the Alderley Edge BDM, Juliette, and the newly-appointed Didsbury BDM, Lucy and joining us around the table was food blogger Sophie of Sophie’s Scran and fashion blogger Lil of Vogue Label.  Straight off, I have to say how lovely it is that Juliette and Lucy joined us for dinner – it made the whole thing very personable and friendly and the girls were just so lovely.  So often when you go to events you’re left to your own devices, so it was really nice to have representatives from the company actually sit and eat with you and guide you through the menu.

I’d never actually been to the Alderley Edge Gusto before and it really is a beautiful space.  The main dining area is beautifully done – complete with gorgeous light coming from the roof – and there’s a pretty little spiral staircase going up to the upper level.  We sat in one of the cute little booths towards the back of the restaurant that was the perfect size for our five-strong party – not too far away from each other but not cramped either.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4382″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]We ordered a few starters to share as a table to kick off the evening.  Garlic pizza bread is always a personal favourite of mine (we got half with cheese and half with tomato, which was lush) but the dough petals won the carb round for me.  They’re delicious little folded strips of pizza dough with tomato, crispy shallots and housemade romesco mayonnaise (which is vegan!) and they are just little bites of Heaven.  We also ordered some Sicilian arancini rice balls, served with a spiced tomato coulis which were absolutely insane and it was great to see they also featured in the starter sharer board we ordered which caters for all tastes with its selection of crispy calamari, rice balls, antipasti and Milanese-style meatballs served with lemon mayonnaise.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4381″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4380″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Starters eaten and I was already a little stuffed but nothing was going to stop me ordering the main I’d been eyeing up.  To be honest, there were a few dishes I liked the look of – the Milanese saffron risotto crowned with artichokes, asparagus and roast red pepper and the spaghetti verdi with peas, soya & French beans and pea shoots to name but a couple – but as I’ve mentioned, I’m a pizza lover at heart and I’d already set my sights on the truffled funghi.

Whilst waiting for our mains, we took advantage of the new cocktail menu.  The menu is nothing short of super summery with its fruity concoctions and we all settled on a gin to match the gloriously sunny evening we were having.  I’ve never been a massive gin lover until relatively recently but my ‘Pink Gin’ really hit the spot – Beefeater Pink Gin, strawberry liqueur, fresh strawberries and Fever-Tree tonic – and look at that red colour![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4379″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The fullness of the starters had passed a little and I was more than ready for my pizza – and it certainly didn’t disappoint.  I’m such a tomato sauce lover so I was a bit wary about having a white base pizza but it was incredibly indulgent and I really enjoyed it.  The white cream sauce base complemented the wild mushrooms and rocket and the gorgeous truffle oil was just the cherry on top of the cake in terms of flavour.  Be warned though, their pizzas are really filling!  Perhaps I’d overindulged in the starters or perhaps the cream base made it a heartier choice than normal pizza but I was definitely stuffed when I threw in the towel.  I just about managed to squeeze in one (!) polenta chip – which is something I’ve never tried before and was pleasantly surprised by – but that was my limit![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4378″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4377″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4376″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Despite being more than happy with my choice, I had major food envy over Sophie and Juliette’s choice.  They had both chosen the vegan spaghetti verdi and it looked – and apparently tasted – absolutely delicious.  I’m definitely going to give it a go next time.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4375″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4374″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4373″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]I think sometimes ‘chain’ restaurants get a bad name on the food front and diners can sometimes leave feeling underwhelmed or disappointed but I can honestly say that I was really impressed by Gusto’s new menu offering.  The food was full of flavour, tasty and of a high standard and the service was the faultless.  I had such a lovely night with the Gusto team and the other girls and I really wouldn’t hesitate to go back there time and time again.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4372″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Thank you so much Gusto for inviting me down!

View their new menu here.

Have you been to Gusto yet?  What do you fancy off the new menu?  I’d love for you to let me know on Instagram or Twitter @jacintadawn.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]All food and drink was paid for by us.  This is not a sponsored post but simply a true and honest review of a place I love.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4400″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]If there’s one thing I love to do on a weekend day it’s – shock horror – going for brunch, especially when it’s with my blogger girls.  For those of you that don’t know, aside from all the other lovely girls I’ve met and consider my friends through this crazy little sideline, I’m particularly close to 13 amazing ladies who, although I didn’t know some of them that well this time last year, I am so fortunate to now call my close friends.  For those of you that also don’t know, this group of ‘girls’ also includes our gorgeous, and definitely male, Pablo although he is forever lumped in as one of the girl gang and, to be honest, will continue to be for the duration of this post.  (I love you and your manliness Pablo but I’m lazy, okay?)  Seriously though, it’s a truly lovely thing to find people in this world who are on the same wavelength as you and as cheesy as it sounds, I don’t think the over-used phrase ‘your vibe attracts your tribe’ has ever been more apt.  I feel so lucky to be part of such a supportive group of friends – despite the slightly ridiculous level of Whatsapp notifications we seem to generate throughout the day – and it’s so inspiring to be surrounded by such motivated young females.

(Check out their links at the bottom of this post – they all have insane content and you need to follow them).[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4399″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4398″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]ANYWAY – soppiness aside (which, FYI, is so not usually like me so enjoy it while it lasts guys) – we try our best to meet up quite regularly and have become a little brunch club of sorts.  As any millennial gal knows, a brunch is just simply not worth having unless it’s photogenic so it’s unsurprising that a group so obsessed with ‘getting the shot’ should only want to frequent a place that is the definition of ‘insta goals’ – are you cringing yet?! – and alas, we descended on Love Thy Neighbour in Chorlton for our little June meetup.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4397″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4396″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4395″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Quelle surprise, I was a little late to the party thanks to a Saturday night out and a deep-seated hatred of getting up on a Sunday so the majority were sat and waiting by the time I managed to haul my cookies over to Chorlton.  We had the prettiest little table next to the window which was actually quite nice as we still enjoyed the glorious weather with the benefit of a bit of shade – I honestly think we would have maybe melted if we’d sat on one of the cute tables outside.  Some beetroot lattes had already been order by some of the girls by the time I’d arrived – which, by the way, are the prettiest drink I’ve ever clapped eyes on – but I settled on a refreshing pineapple & coconut Soda Works which really helped to cool me down from all the rushing around.*

*Lol, jk – I never rush.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4394″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Aside from the pretty interior, the neon signs and the edgy pianist playing some Disney classics, the main reason anyone would be visiting Love Thy Neighbour is for the food.  OH MY GOODNESS THE FOOD.  Just in case you’re unclear about what I’m talking about, let me break it down for you:

1. it’s the most Instagrammable selection of dishes you’ll ever see
2. it tastes SO GOOD
3. the menu actually caters for vegetarians and vegans (as well as meat eaters) if that’s your thing

Queen of indecisiveness, I struggled, to choose what I wanted to eat and despite being tempted by the fluffy pancakes, I decided to play it cool and super healthy and stick to a smoothie bowl.  I plumped for the ‘Berry Blast’ version and it came adorned with raspberries, blueberries, pineapple, banana, granola, coconut AND chia seeds on top too.  It was honestly delicious and despite choosing it because I thought it would be a light option, it was actually so incredibly filling.  Missy and Danielle both opted for a smoothie bowl too and Danielle’s Cosmic Cacao which featured, slightly bizarrely, blended avocado in it looked absolutely insane too.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4393″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4392″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”4391″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Of course, the grass is always greener on the other side and I had major envy over some of the other guys’ food.  Lacey’s coconut creamed mushrooms…Rachel’s vegan breakfast…I honestly could have eaten it all.  Elsa’s fluffy pancakes were all the little piggie inside me really wanted to eat and they looked amazing but your girl here is trying to tone up at the moment and I honestly couldn’t justify the calories.  I really didn’t think chickpea pancakes would be my bag and I actually rejected Pablo’s initial offering to try some of his but curiosity got the better of me and I did and I definitely think I’ll 100% be ordering them next time.  They didn’t taste anything like I’d imagined they would do and with the addition of the hummus, cherry tomatoes and avocado, it literally looks like the perfect dish.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4390″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4389″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4388″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Have you been to Love Thy Neighbour yet?  What did you think?  I’d love you to leave a comment below or chat to me on Instagram or Twitter, @jacintadawn.

My gal pals (& Pablo):

Missy www.contourallure.co.uk

Laura www.smileatstyle.com

Tanesha www.taneshajade.com

Danielle www.kiht.co.uk

Ellie www.eleanorgraceful.com

Georgie www.georgieglass.co.uk

Lacey www.laceyfitspo.com

Rachel www.fiercefeministthoughts.com

Elsa www.elsaeats.com

Eve www.critiquesofacritic.com

Pablo www.mrtrainers-thelifeofpablo.com

Holly www.lunarlunarxo.com

Faye www.thefussyfeeder.com

PS…I love taking photos for and managing clients’ social media channels.  I’m not a professional photographer – hit my girl Georgie up for that – but if you want lovely photos for, or me to manage, your restaurant or cafe’s event on your Insta story then get in touch on jacinta@madeincheshire.co.uk[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] I was invited, along with a guest, to the Kahlua Brunch Club for free by their PR team however, as usual, this does not influence my honest review.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4405″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Last Bank Holiday I was lucky enough to be invited by Kahlua (and my lovely friends at Carousel PR) to the Kahlua Brunch Club.  Going out for brunch at the weekend has to be one of my favourite things to do ever so getting to go along – and take my gorgeous mum – to one with a cocktail masterclass included sounded like the absolute dream.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4416″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The event was held at The Loft on Quay Street in Manchester – a beautiful, purpose-renovated space by, if I’m not mistaken, Pernod Ricard to house events for the various, and many, brands they own.  It actually wasn’t the first time I had been either as I had visited before a couple of months ago for a whiskey masterclass (book here) with Chivas Regal.  Not only had that night been super fun – you got to make and take away your very own blend of whiskey you’d measured out and created to your own taste – but I went away from it thinking what an impressive space The Loft was so I was really excited to head back there.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4415″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4414″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]What I really like about what they’re doing at The Loft is that each event and brand really put their own stamp on the space when they’re there.  We walked into a Mexican-esque utopia complete with deck chairs, colourful flowers adorning the walls and even a cute cactus or two.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4413″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4412″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The first brunch course came out pretty sharpish and the avocado and egg topped with spinach and toasted pumpkin seeds on an English muffin (sansthe bacon for us veggies) was a really pleasant dish – not too heavy and the bread did well to soak up that little bit of alcohol we’d already had at 11am.  I especially liked the presentation on the plate and it seemed to be a hit with the room.  To be honest with you, I’d read the menu as soon as I sat down and, even on paper, the eggs had already been completely overshadowed by the second course – rainbow pancakes with Kahlua chocolate sauce, chocolate coated coffee beans and a choice of toppings.  They tasted as good and they sounded as they were light and fluffy and the sauce, although darker than I would usually like, was a really decadent touch.  Cute little jars of toppings lay in a tray on the table and I scattered mine with strawberries, blueberries and some chocolate buttons (because you can never really have too much chocolate, am I right?!).[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4411″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”4410″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]After the pankcakes, we were given a ‘Chokahlua Cocktail’ to finish off the meal and this truly was my favourite part of the menu because I was unexpectedly wowed by it.  Made with Kahlua (obvs), Olmeca tequila, creme de cacao, orange and chocolate powder (by the fab bartender from Australasia, Chris Baines), it was a taste I’d never experienced before; weirdly chocolatey and sweet with a bit of a sharp tang from the orange and topped off with that creamy-coffee Kahlua flavour.  It was honestly completely different to what I’d usually order off a cocktail menu but definitely something I’d be tempted to from now on.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4409″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4408″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

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