Author: Sam Allcock

Sam Allcock is a seasoned journalist and editor with a deep passion for the culinary arts. With over two decades of experience in the world of food writing, Sam has become a distinguished voice in the industry, renowned for his insightful reviews, engaging storytelling, and unwavering commitment to highlighting the finest in gastronomy. As the Editor-in-Chief of Feast Magazine, he leads a dynamic team dedicated to exploring the diverse and ever-evolving culinary landscape. Sam's journey into food journalism began with a childhood fascination for cooking, inspired by his grandmother's kitchen where he first learned the magic of blending flavors and crafting delicious meals. This early love for food led him to pursue a degree in Journalism from the University of Leeds, where he honed his skills in writing and developed a keen eye for detail. Throughout his career, Sam has traveled extensively, tasting and documenting cuisines from around the world. His articles are known for their rich, vivid descriptions and his ability to convey the cultural contexts of the dishes he explores. Whether it's a hidden gem in a bustling city or a traditional dish in a remote village, Sam's work brings the reader right to the heart of the culinary experience. Under Sam's leadership, Feast Magazine has flourished, earning accolades for its in-depth features, exclusive interviews with top chefs, and comprehensive guides to the best dining spots. His editorial vision emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and authenticity in the culinary world, ensuring that the magazine not only entertains but also educates and inspires its readers. Beyond his professional achievements, Sam is an advocate for food education and sustainable practices. He frequently participates in panels, workshops, and community events, sharing his expertise and fostering a greater appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of ethical food consumption. In his free time, Sam enjoys experimenting with new recipes, exploring local farmers' markets, and hosting dinner parties for friends and family. His personal blog, where he shares his culinary adventures and recipes, has a loyal following, further cementing his status as a trusted authority in the world of food. Sam Allcock's dedication to his craft and his genuine love for all things culinary make him a pivotal figure in food journalism, continuously inspiring and delighting food enthusiasts around the globe.

Melia Kreiling, the talented actress who appeared alongside Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy, will next star with Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill in Red Bull’s first feature film DxM. She talks to Top 10 Films about her approach to the profession she adores, the experience of working on one of Marvel’s most successful superhero movies, and getting a soap bath with Jeremy Irons in TV’s The Borgias.

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PepsiCo has announced plans to invest £8 million ($10.1 million) in its Pipers Crisps production facility in the UK to cater to increasing demand. This investment aims to enhance the production capacity at the potato snack factory by “nearly 80% to satisfy demand both in the UK and in the brand’s growing export market,” according to the US snack powerhouse. Located in Brigg, Lincolnshire, the site will undergo significant upgrades, including the replacement of existing fryers and the installation of new packaging machinery. Additionally, PepsiCo intends to allocate part of the investment towards improving facilities for the factory’s 100 staff…

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US-based Panos Brands has finalised a transaction to purchase smoked salmon supplier The Santa Barbara Smokehouse for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2005, The Santa Barbara Smokehouse processes its salmon in a traditional smokehouse in the county that shares its name, utilising “full logs in an open fire kiln”, according to a company statement. Located in New Jersey, Panos, which produces grocery items under brands such as Ka-Me, Sesmark, and Mi-del, stated that this acquisition is its second in 2024, following the earlier purchase of Tessemae’s Salad Dressings and Condiments in January. Tim Brown, the founder and managing director of…

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Fonterra has announced plans to divest its consumer-facing operations to concentrate on its ingredients sector, marking what the dairy co-operative has described as a “step-change in strategic direction”. Headquartered in New Zealand, the cooperative, which owns such brands as Anchor butter and De Winkel yogurts, revealed today (16 May) that it is “exploring full or partial divestment options for some or all of its global consumer business”. The publicly-listed Fonterra also stated its intention to hire advisors to evaluate the disposal options, which include the cooperative’s “integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka”. CEO Miles Hurrell noted that the…

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Beyond Meat’s founder and CEO, Ethan Brown, attempted to convey a positive outlook in his recent address to investors, despite ongoing scrutiny of his company’s performance. This came on the back of the US-based plant-based meat company’s first-quarter financial results revealed last Wednesday, 8 May. Brown has declared 2024 as a “pivotal year” for Beyond Meat, which has drifted a long way from its once-celebrated status on Wall Street since its IPO five years ago. Gone are the buoyant days of 2019, replaced by growing scepticism about the actual potential of plant-based meat. A decline in demand for alternative meat…

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Nestlé has unveiled a substantial investment plan of BRL 1 billion (approximately $193.97 million) to be deployed by 2026 aimed at enhancing its business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) operations in Brazil. The multinational coffee corporation intends to use this investment to introduce advanced technology, including new roasting equipment and increasing production line flexibility. This will enable the creation of new products and flavours, particularly those with higher value-added, and incorporate technological advancements to boost sustainability. The primary focus of the investment will be on the Nescafé factory in Araras, São Paulo, and on expanding the Nestlé Professional machine park, with…

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Arla Foods has unveiled plans to invest over £300 million in enhancing five of its UK facilities. The announcement came during the UK Farm to Fork Summit at Downing Street, highlighting Arla’s dedication to bolstering British dairy production and strengthening national food security. The investment will be channelled into modernising and expanding operations at Arla’s sites in Lockerbie, Stourton, Aylesbury, Westbury, and Taw Valley. These initiatives are aimed at boosting the company’s production capacity and sustaining the high quality of dairy products it offers, thereby reinforcing the UK’s stature in the global food marketplace. Bas Padberg, managing director of Arla…

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Mars has announced plans to inject an additional €130m ($140m) into eight of its French factories. The investment, which was unveiled today (13 May) at the Choose France investment summit, aims to bolster the company’s French operations by creating 72 new roles across its factories nationwide. A substantial portion of this funding is allocated to enhance the pet food production lines at the Saint-Denis-de-L’Hôtel site, known for producing Pedigree and Whiskas brands. Mars intends to modernise and expand the production capacity at this location, which will include the recruitment of approximately 60 new employees annually. In addition, nearly €48m will…

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Orkla, a prominent food manufacturer based in Norway, has announced a Skr20m ($1.8m) investment to expand its Bubs confectionery production facility in Sweden. The expansion of the Jönköping factory is scheduled to begin as early as this summer, according to Orkla. The company indicated strong demand for the factory’s products from “both Swedish and international” clients. Niclas Arnelin, Orkla’s business area manager for confectionery and ex-CEO of Bubs, stated: “We are noticing the international trend through an increasing number of international visitors to the website, followers on social media and many new inquiries from international wholesalers.” He added, “Primarily, we…

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Prepare to experience the pure magic of Ireland in a glass with the launch of Le Grá, a premium lager that captures the true spirit and enchantment of the Emerald Isle like never before. On May 9th, Le Grá (“with love” in Irish) will make its official debut in Dublin, where visitors can be among the first to savour this one-of-a-kind golden brew infused with real shamrocks for a touch of ancient Irish luck. Le Grá’s iconic four-leaf clover logo represents the virtues of faith, hope, love, and luck that have forever guided the Irish people. “With Le Grá, we wanted…

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