BBC One's 20th MasterChef Champion is crowned

Bristol veterinary surgeon Brin Pirathapan has claimed the prestigious title of MasterChef Champion 2024.

Brin was awarded the coveted MasterChef trophy by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace on BBC One, in what Torode said was the "best final" in the show's history.

Becoming part of MasterChef history, 29-year-old Brin joins two decades of champions: Thomasina Miers, Peter Bayless, James Nathan, Mat Follas, Dhruv Baker, Tim Anderson, Shelina Permalloo, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, Kenny Tutt, Irini Tzortzoglou, Thomas Frake, Tom Rhodes, Eddie Scott, and last year’s champion, Chariya Khattiyot.

MasterChef Series 20 is available to catch up on iPlayer and applications for the next series of MasterChef are now open: masterchef.tv

OUR JUNE ISSUE IS OUT NEXT WEEK!

Our June issue has – among many other incredible things – three fantastic interviews that cover theatre, comedy and music. Prepare to be entertained... 

First up is Emma Clegg’s exclusive interview with the one and only Sir Ian McKellen ahead of his appearance on stage at the Hippodrome; then we get under the skin of comedian Peter Serafinowicz’s popular sketch show character, business titan Brian Butterfield who's coming to the Beacon; plus, we chat to Johnny Scratchley from Gentlemen’s Dub Club, who will be bringing their thundering bass lines to Bristol Sounds during their headline slot later this month.

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Strawberry Shortcake

Super-short scone/sponge cake hybrids crammed with strawberries and cream, best served as part of a lazy Bank Holiday garden tea.

Ingredients (makes 8 shortcakes)

325g self-raising flour
5 tablespoons caster sugar
125g frozen unsalted butter
1 large egg, beaten
125m single cream
1 large egg white (lightly beaten)

For the filling:
300g strawberries
1 tbsp caster sugar
250m double cream

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220°G/gas mark 7.

2. Mix the flour and 3 tbsp of the sugar together in a bowl. Grate the frozen butter into the dry ingredients and use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until you've created a breadcrumb-like texture.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg into the cream and add the flour/butter mixture a little at a time, using a fork to mix together (you may not need all of the eggy cream to make the dough come together).

4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface and gently roll to approx. 2cm thick. Dip a 6cm cutter (or similarly-sized glass) in flour and stamp out as many rounds as you can. Work the scraps back into a dough, re-roll and continue cutting out; you should get 8 rounds in all.

5. Place the shortcakes around 2cm apart on a greased or lined baking sheet, brush the tops with the egg white and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tbsp of caster sugar. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden-brown, and transfer to a wire rack.

6. Crush half the strawberries with the sugar, quarter the remaining strawberries and whip the double cream. Split each shortcake in half horizontally (if they're still slightly warm inside, all the better!) and fill with a spoonful of the crushed strawberry mixture, a tumble of quartered strawberries and generous dollops of whipped cream. Put the 'lid' on top and serve immediately, dusted with icing sugar.

Italian red wines at The Great Wine Co.

Italy's topographic makeup lends itself perfectly to wine production. As a result of her physique Italy boasts a myriad of different soils and climates. Adding to the equation a plethora of indigenous grape varieties, each harvest yields an abundance of diverse and fascinating wine styles. Italy is further blessed with many dedicated and passionate winemakers and vine growers.

Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci, Chianti Riserva | £15.95

Deep ruby in colour, this Riserva Chianti is fruity and spicy on the nose, showing aromas of fresh red fruit - especially cherries - with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with juicy fruit notes, soft tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Bosco Nestore, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC | £13.30

With delicious, plump, tangy black cherry and purple plum flavours; succulent roundness of texture and fantastic overall balance, it is easy to enjoy. It has just enough barrel character to give extra complexity and depth, without getting in the way of the delectably luscious fruit. 

Tenute Orestiadi, Nero d'Avola | £12.75

Deep red colour with purple tones.The nose provides a mix of red cherry and raspberry.The palate is true to the nose with primary red berry notes and a mineral acidity. A medium bodied profile rounded by subtle tannins and a fruity finish.

Il Poggione, Rosso di Montalcino | £22.00

Lovely rounded red fruit character, very easy and immediate, yet backed up by satisfying complexity and structure. Produced entirely from the Brunello variant of Sangiovese grapes, from Il Poggione's younger vines, this is aged for 12 months in large casks before a period of bottle ageing. 

Visit greatwine.co.uk to explore more

Father’s Day Dining at Harvey Nichols Bristol

With a menu featuring Sailsbury leg of lamb, red wine marinated Chequers Farm roasted beef and Brixham caught cod fillet for mains, along with a selection of mouthwatering starters and decadent desserts, dads will also be treated to a complimentary beer and goodie bag. Enjoy two courses for £40.

Sunday 16 June | 12pm–4pm
The Second Floor Restaurant
harveynichols.com

Not just for when the sun shines

It could be sunnier, but even on a dull day in May, nothing says statement style more than putting on a really great pair of shades. In fact, whatever the weather, you'll feel cool, glamorous, and be very much in your own Hollywood moment. Shown here are four great styles from Mallory...

Click here to see more sunglasses at Mallory

Lab-Grown Diamond Textured Engagement Ring | £1,600

This unique lab-grown diamond engagement ring is made from 9ct Fairtrade yellow gold and features a 0.60ct rose-cut, lab-grown diamond with glistening facets, framed by polished claws, set in a large textured surround and marquise diamonds on either side of the band.

See this and much more at dianaporter.co.uk

Grace & Mabel Rainkiss Rain Poncho - City Lights | £69

The City Lights rain poncho features an aesthetic Bokeh blur effect of a vibrant cityscape at night. Orbs of light; black, blues, violet and pinky hues seem to cause a glare. The City Lights rain poncho comes from everywhere.

Rainkiss rain ponchos are cut to perfection with taped seams and are 100% waterproof. It’s of high importance to the brand to only work with sustainable materials, such as recycled polyester. 

Click here to purchase. 

FOREO LUNA™ 4 smart facial cleansing & firming device for sensitive skin | £269

Get ready to experience the gentlest and most effective cleanse of your life. LUNA™ 4 removes 99% of dirt, oil and makeup residue while promoting circulation, lymphatic drainage and absorption of active ingredients - all thanks to T-Sonic™ pulsations. 

Personalise the device to your skin needs, and enjoy video-guided skin firming massages via the app to enjoy a premium skincare experience whenever you want. 

Click here to purchase. 

Curated by Daniel McCabe

The latest Hotshoe is subtitled ‘Shooting Mum and Dad’. If it sounds off-putting, well, relax. Hotshoe is a photography magazine and this issue examines our relationship with our parents and how our intimacy with them, or lack of it, has shaped us as individuals, both physically and psychologically. As always the magazine has solicited an outstanding selection of A-list and emerging artists to tackle the theme. The variety of approaches really does give pause for thought and continues an outstanding sequence of releases over the last couple years. If you’re looking for a sturdy photography journal to keep on the shelves and return to again and again, this is one we can recommend. | £20

magalleria.co.uk

A Kindness-themed Week at Redmaids’ High Junior School

Pupils in Years 3 and 4 at Redmaids’ High Junior School were truly engaged during a week of activities dedicated to kindness and compassion, through the lens of different world religions. 

In line with this term’s Jigsaw theme of relationships, during lessons such as art, music, drama and dance, the girls were both creative and reflective, thinking about how acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a big impact on those around them, and on themselves too. 

Paying special attention to both their own actions and those of others, they recorded their kind deeds each day and then wrote them in a kindness diary in English. In art, the girls looked at the image of The Khamsa and the Five Pillars of Islam. They looked at some beautiful Islamic patterns, geometry and symbols and learnt that the third pillar of Islam is Zakat; charity and giving to those in need. 

For more information visit redmaidshigh.co.uk

Shipwrecks and Dreams Productions' present 'Tender Napalm'

Don't miss Shipwrecks and Dreams Productions' debut at The Tobacco Factory Theatres with Philip Ridley’s explosive, poetic and brutal play Tender Napalm on 1–2 June. 

A compelling tapestry, re-examining the language of love and the politics of sexual attraction amongst the ruins of a relationship scarred by catastrophe. Grenades, bullets, monkeys, aliens, sea Gods, a tropical wasteland and memory and imagination. Ridley’s world is barbaric and beautiful in equal measure.

With Nina Bright as 'Woman' and Jack Bannell as 'Man'. Directed by Ben Jenkins.

(Tender Napalm contains sexual language, threats of violence and themes of grief and bereavement.)

7.30pm–9pm | The Tobacco Factory Theatres
Click here to book your tickets.

Stand Up for Safe Water

Get ready for a splashing good time at Frank Water's annual stand-up paddle-boarding challenge on 4 July between 1pm–6.30pm at Bristol Harbourside (in front of the Cottage Inn). 

Frank Water takes over Bristol harbourside with SUP Bristol. It's not just any event, it's a chance to bond with your colleagues and pals while supporting Frank Water. Its mission is to alleviate global water poverty reaching the most vulnerable communities in India, Nepal, and Kenya.

Gather your crew of four and dive into the action-packed races and challenges, all in pursuit of claiming the coveted Stand Up For Safe Water Shield! Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams kindly donated by our partners, and the best fancy dress team will also be awarded! 

Goody bags will be given to every participant, a DJ will be there, and Frank Water's longstanding partner Pieminster will serve their delicious handy pies to keep the hunger at bay. (Food and drink will also be available to purchase from The Cottage Inn).

If you're worried about your paddle prowess, a pre-event training session before the event will ensure everyone's shipshape before hitting the water.

Team entry is £200 and we ask for a further £200 in fundraising.

Register your team at FrankWater.com

Visit the fascinating communal gardens behind the elegant terraces of Clifton and Hotwells

Green Squares and Secret Gardens will be open 8-9 June.

This part of Bristol is rich in private communal garden squares and gardens that lay hidden behind elegant Georgian terraces and many will be open to the public for our event. In addition, many of the gardens also offer entertainment to add to the enjoyment of your visit. With refreshments, stalls, live music and talks there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Tickets start from £7 and can be purchased in advance or on the day.

Click here to visit the website and find out more!

We The Curious launches Curiositickets: A city-wide hunt for free tickets

We The Curious, Bristol’s biggest science centre and educational charity, is kicking off a city-wide hunt for the ‘Curiositickets’ on the run up to its long-awaited reopening on 2 July 2024.

We The Curious is celebrating reopening with the city, working with community partners across Bristol, to offer 80 group tickets, plus free travel with First Bus, to visit the science centre free of charge. Simply get your hands on one of the special silver tokens to bag a prize. The only catch? They’re hidden all over the city for families, friends and curious minds to find.

From community centres to city farms and even hidden on buses, the 80 tickets are hiding in some of Bristol’s most well-known spots. The huge citywide treasure hunt aims to get the people of Bristol having fun, exploring, and of course getting excited about the reopening in July.

Each Curiositicket grants six people free entry to We The Curious, plus a Planetarium show, and free travel via First Bus to and from the venue. By hiding them all over the city, the science centre hopes to reach people who may not have had a chance to visit the centre before.

So, let the search for the Curiositickets commence!

Click here to visit the website and find out more!

Inclusive Rugby Team, Bristol Bisons RFC, are at World Cup in Rome

Bristol Bisons RFC, the south west’s first inclusive and queer-friendly rugby team are currently in Italy, taking part in International Gay Rugby’s World Cup in Rome (23-26 May).

The competition has been held around the world, including in London, New York, Sydney, Amsterdam, and most recently, Ottawa. 2024’s event in Rome bring together thousands of players from every corner of the world and has seen the Bisons send two full squads – the first time in its history of attending.

Click here to find out more and visit the website. 

'The Planets': three of Bristol’s leading ensembles collaborate at Bristol Beacon

Three of Bristol’s leading ensembles, Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra, City of Bristol Choir & Exultate Singers, collaborate for an unforgettable concert in Bristol Beacon's transformed venue on 16 June at 7pm–9.30pm. 

The event will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst’s birth with a performance of one of the most famous of all orchestral works.

First performed in Gloucester Cathedral in 1950, Intimations of Immortality by Gerald Finzi is a setting of a poem by William Wordsworth. The words passionately describe a heavenly vision of nature, expressing how the beauty and joy of the natural world can ignite memories of our childhood and make connections to our own souls and lives. Internationally renowned tenor James Gilchrist sings the solo in this rarely-performed masterpiece.

Click here for more information and to book tickets. 

Thatchers Cider and Aardman collaborate on new campaign

Somerset’s Thatchers Cider are back in the studio with multi–Academy Award® winning studio Aardman for the next chapter of their pint-sized perfection advertising campaign.

Airing for the first time at the weekend, (25–26 May), the new series of commercials celebrate the nation’s passion for sport, with the pint-sized models adapting their cider making skills to try their hand at football and cricket.

The commercial will be part of a multi-media campaign including linear TV, video on demand, cinema and YouTube. This will be enhanced by outdoor advertising and a consumer focussed social media campaign running across the summer.

The adverts will run across the FA Cup Final and UEFA Euro 2024 tournament as well as the women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers.

Click the image to watch the advert. 
Click here to visit the Aardman website. 

The Paragon, Clifton, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents

Princes Cottage is an architectural gem; Grade II Listed and built circa 1790 in the late Georgian style by William Paty, an important architect responsible for many of Bristol's most distinctive buildings including Blaise Castle House and “The Georgian House” museum on Great George Street.

It's charming four-storey double bow-fronted exterior is unmissable, complete with “Tuscan” style pilasters and entrance portico with its rare oiel-de-boeuf window. Internally are beautifully retained mahogany doors, a stone cantilevered staircase, original fire-surrounds and ceiling plasterwork. 

Once through the gated entrance, where there is enough space for five or six parked cars, shallow steps lead up to the first floor front door and into the welcoming entrance hall. Flanked on either side by bays, there is a beautiful bay-fronted sitting room to the south side with a light filled dual aspect, triple shuttered sash windows and coal effect gas fire with a marble fire surround. 

Shuttered French doors open into a superb south-facing conservatory, catching much of the day's sun with bi-folding doors opening out onto a flagged sun terrace with steps leading down to the garden. 

On the opposite side of the hall is a lovely bay-fronted dining room, again with triple sash shuttered windows with views down The Paragon, and a carved wooden fire-surround and coal effect gas fire. From here, steps lead down into the recently fitted kitchen, with an expanse of quartz worktops, plenty of floor and wall-mounted storage and a range of integrated NEFF appliances including a recessed microwave/combi, ceramic hob and electric pyrolytic oven. In addition there is an integrated dishwasher and family fridge/freezer. 

The family room boasts plenty of fitted storage, along with access to the utility room which in turn leads through into the vaulted wine cellar. The study/home office is again a wonderful size, and leads into the large integrated double garage/workshop with an electric door opening to the driveway and garden beyond.

From the entrance hall a beautiful stone cantilevered staircase leads up to the first floor, complete with mahogany handrail, with the first floor landing illuminated by an oversize arched sash window. 

To the south side is the master bedroom, with its light filled dual aspect and southerly views down the garden, complete with twin sets of fitted wardrobes. On the other side of the hall is a guest bedroom, with a well-appointed family bath and shower room serving both bedrooms. Across the top floor lie three further double bedrooms; with an extensive bedroom above the master with full wall of built in wardrobes and extensive southerly views. From the rear bedroom are lovely views up towards Royal York Crescent, and views from the front bedroom across the south of Clifton. These rooms are served by a modern fitted shower room, complete with enclosed shower cubicle, a w.c and wash basin. 

The gardens are also served by outside power, lights and a water feature. In addition the house has the distinct advantage of owning a share of The Paragon communal gardens (subject to an annual subscription); a stunning, mostly level garden shared between several other residents of the road and kept beautifully throughout the year for the residents' enjoyment. Both gardens, public and private, are fully enclosed with an array of year ‘round colour, form and extensive views. | Guide Price £2,000,000

For more information and images click here.