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The strange calm of routine when the news never sleeps
There’s something oddly soothing about knowing what happens next — especially in a world that never really pauses. When headlines keep breaking and the phones won’t stop buzzing, routine becomes a quiet kind of stability.
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What Happens Before 6AM: Behind the Scenes of a Breakfast News Show
Ever wondered what happens before breakfast TV goes live? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the caffeine, chaos and camaraderie that unfold before 6 a.m. in the newsroom.
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A Weekend in: Edinburgh – Culture, Kick-offs, and Hidden Corners
There’s something magical about Edinburgh. The Scottish capital has long been a city that mixes history, culture, and an unmistakable buzz – the perfect destination for a weekend away. The cobbled streets, tucked-away cafes, and awe-inspiring architecture provide a backdrop that simply begs to be explored. Whether you’re wandering down the Royal Mile, taking in…
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Hyrox: The Rise of Fitness’ Fastest-Growing Competition
Today’s world is increasingly obsessed with functional fitness and one event is taking the global fitness scene by storm: Hyrox. Described as the ultimate combination of running and functional fitness, the race is designed as a real test of endurance for all abilities. Starting in Germany in 2017, it has now grown into a global…
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Boston: lobsters and landmarks
Boston, Massachusetts: the East Coast’s strange twist on the American dream. A place that doesn’t quite scream “America” in the way a place like Texas might. It’s a little more refined, a little more European – but don’t worry, it’s definitely American. The trip begins, as most trips across the Atlantic do, staring at the…
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The overdue catch-up
This past year has been a grind. A good grind, but a grind nonetheless. As a TV producer, my life revolves around juggling deadlines, scripts, edits, and the beautiful chaos that brings it all together. It’s a career that demands flexibility—sometimes too much—and I can now confidently say I’ve put in the hours. There were…
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The Campaner: ‘utilise their Spanish heritage to create community’
It’s a Friday night. The temperature is finally improving, granted slowly and very temperamentally, but it is England so what can you expect. Your friends have already begun jet-setting around Europe in their summer escapades. So, what do you do? Book a dinner reservation, cross your fingers and hope it transports you to a distant,…
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St. JOHN, Smithfield: ‘Back to basics British cooking’
White-washed walls and white tablecloths that somewhat fittingly resemble the backroom of a butcher, St. JOHN restaurant in Smithfield is a spot I’d recommend to anyone in a heartbeat. Heartbeat is an ironic choice of word for this specific restaurant as it abides by the infamous ‘nose to tail’ philosophy.
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2023
I have been um-ing and ah-ing how to relaunch Not Sophia Loren for a good couple of weeks…Then on this fine (miserable), bright (bleak), British January morning I settled on holding myself accountable for all the gastronomic endeavours I will share this forthcoming year.
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VENICE: THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE OF FOOD
Most perceptions of Venice are that its exclusive, expensive and out of reach for the ordinary person. This is understandable; where else in the world is the chosen mode of transport from the airport a water taxi, and gondolas act as bus and rail replacements? Located in Northern Italy, millions of tourists flock to the…
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Brasserie Zédel: ‘Prixe Fixe menus are gift from the culinary gods’
Plush bench seating, marble-clad interior and sconced ambience. The essence of French fine dining that we all adore and many of us have longed for over the past two years. Anyone with functioning taste buds can appreciate why French cuisine is globally renowned and the French pride themselves on their cooking.
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Cinque Terre: The Famous Five of Italy
A time-capsule of Italian summers gone; Cinque Terre is the ideal summer destination. Consisting of five 13th century fishing villages, all sporting pastel coloured houses, both pebbled and white-sand beaches and each accompanied by the freshest Italian seafood. Cinque Terre truly is an unsullied find. As the harsh reality of Autumn is fully under way,…
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Things You’ll Never See In Venice
(A Londoner’s observation:) A fat gondolier Santander Cycles Tweed suits Delays on the District and Circle lines Deliveroo drivers Congestion charge Nicola Sturgeon, Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson or Sadiq Khan Greggs Ubers Pearly Kings and Queens Double decker bus Cheeky Nandos © S R D HILL
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Filmmaking of the future?
Ambiguity rides on the future of the film industry, as casts and crews have, along with the rest of the world, adapted to the impact of COVID-19. With the introduction of extra safety precautions, temperature tests, quarantine and social distancing, one would assume that the film industry has pressed pause on filming and productions, in…
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Darrio Cecchini: The Mad Butcher of Panzano
As lockdown lifts and the world adapts to a new ‘normal’, I have found myself reflecting on the magnitude of recipe successes and failures that we have all experienced over the past months. Sourdough, banana bread and attempts at Pret’s chocolate chip cookies are just a few of the trends that seem to have been…
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THE COVID-19 BAR (Drinks Menu)
Quarantine has seen the eruption of many new hobbies; be it running, baking, meditation or even perfecting your headstands. However, the revitalising of one particular hour of the day has been a personal highlight. Cocktail Hour. “Is it too early to drink?”, “When is ‘too early’ to drink?”, “Do these rules even still apply?” Questions…
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Isolation Realisations
Scrabble, puzzles and chess, I have something to get off my chest, Cooking, baking, cocktail making, I wouldn’t give quarantine a very high rating. Walking, running, skipping, I have felt my morale dipping. Texting friends, colleagues or exes, I’ve discovered lots of niche flexes. Writing, watching and reading, With the inkling of a strong feeling…
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Massimo Bottura and a Bitesized Revolution
During this quarantine period I have learnt a very important lesson about myself: I live for food. My entire day revolves around it. What is there to eat? What shall I cook? Shall I try baking? Will everyone enjoy this meal? Does it even matter if I know I’ll like it? You know, the usual…
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A Family Affair
*To be read in heated family moments* I love my family dearly, Even if they claim to always hear me. Be it singing in the shower, Talking to my friends every hour, Still, I love my family dearly. I love my family greatly, Even if they sometimes ‘hate’ me. Living in such close proximities Can…
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Verona: More than a cliché?
When I made the decision to write during my year abroad, I made one simple promise to myself: Do not become a ‘What to do in X, Y, Z in 24 hours’ writer. I vowed to find most the interesting and unexplored sides of cities and divulge those instead. However, there are ordinary cities and…
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An Ode to Pizza
An ode to pizza, my greasy friend, I never want the last bite to end. You always surprise me with something new, yet never once have I uttered: “I’ve bitten off more than I can chew!” The perfect combination of tomato and cheese, complemented so perfectly by a topping of zucchini. With chili oil or…
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Not Sophia Loren 