Tesco The give back express

Tesco, FareShare and the Trussell Trust open doors to The Give Back Express, as need for food banks and charities soars.

Located on London’s Poland Street, The Give Back Express is open from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th November - one of the busiest shopping weekends before Christmas - and all money raised will help support communities right across the UK.

Tesco is also encouraging customers to get involved in its annual Food Collection - launching in Express stores from Monday 28th November to Saturday 3rd December, and in all Tesco stores nationwide from Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd December. Customers can donate items in their local store, via a charity donation at the checkout, or by purchasing a pre-packaged donation bag full of essentials. As in previous years, Tesco will once again top up the value of donations made in stores as part of the Food Collection, by a further 20% in cash.

Quoted from Tesco PlC

I went along to the store to do my part however I felt that pens should readily be available at the counter for the form where you tick which items you would like to purchase and donate.

For that personal touch, I feel that you should be able to get a receipt.

ASDA chocolate Hazelnut gateau bar

Basically, these gateau bars are made by the same manufacturer for all the supermarkets to their specifications.
You get the usual sponge layers, cream and garnishing.
Overall, it was a nice gateau bar, but the hazelnut flavour was a bit light.
It was not too sweet, but I didn't really the hazelnut brittle because I just don't like that crunch it gives.

ASDA mince pie inspired cookies

To be honest, I am not really a mince pie fan so these cookies are love and hate for me.
They were strangely moreish because I loved the soft chewy texture and the sweet sultanas but at the same time I didn't like it because there was such a weird aftertaste from the raisins.
I was fearing the orange element of it but it didn't turn out that annoying but they were really sweet.

Nature valley crunchy oats & honey

I am not really an oat bar fan so finally tried the Nature Valley crunchy oats and honey bar because I was given one.

Basically it is sweet and crunchy if you like that sort of thing.

ASDA Double Gloucester onion & chive

I admit I didn't open the truckle in a nice way but cor blimey the onions and chives are really strong!

ASDA Festive slices

Chicken slices are good but Festive slices are even better when you have sage and onion with chicken.
The beetroot sprinkle gives it that festive touch and I am glad the cranberry wasn't too prominent being too sweet.
Adding some festive sauces can enhance the taste but they are good without any sauces.
Also available at Asda are the FESTIVE BAKES in the frozen section but according to their website, they are almost identical except the frozen one does not have beetroot sprinkle.
Overall, I am really glad I got it.

Sainsbury's Pud You Dare Cafe experience

As a foodie, I am always upset when traditional food disappears hence, I like to eat and document as many traditional foods like pie mash, English bakery and old school food as possible.

The humble Christmas pudding is also in danger, so I was elated that Sainsbury's are doing a Pud You Dare Cafe experience to put the pudding back on track.

Not only do they have traditional pudding but there is also a modern Caramelised Biscuit Pudding served with a spiced caramel sauce and a sprinkling of biscuit crumb.

The cafe is only there for two days where I went along and tried the puddings.

Although, I am not much of a Christmas pudding fan, it is a must during Christmas.

The Taste the Difference 18-Month Matured Christmas Pudding was seriously good and even better with double cream while the Caramelised Biscuit pudding had a modern twist without being too sweet yet decadent.

To appreciate the puddings, I opted for custard and double cream that was not spiked so that I could taste everything properly.

At the experience, you get to choose different sauces and topping with the pud complimented by drinks.

For drinks, I had the cranberry orange presse which was refreshing.

Overall, I was so glad I got to the cafe which was free of charge held at Hello Love in Holborn and for every attendee at the café, Sainsbury’s will donate £3 to Comic Relief.

More info:

https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2022/10-11-2022-pud-you-dare

Opening Days: Thursday 24th & Friday 25th November 2022

Address: HELLO LOVE, 62–64 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AR

Opening Times: 12pm – 7pm on Thursday 24th November, and 11am – 7pm on Friday 25th November

Cost: FREE

Booking: Via www.opentable.co.uk/r/sainsburys-pud-you-dare-cafe-london