England and Harlequins rugby player Chris Robshaw and old school friend, hospitality industry entrepreneur Kevin Latouf, have opened a new joint venture BLACK WHITE RED: an innovative new coffee shop and wine café in Jewry Street, Winchester.

Inspired by Chris and Kevin’s common passion for good coffee and fine wines, BLACK WHITE RED is a new concept in retail. Kevin explains: “Wine and coffee are not usually linked together, but there’s a close relationship in many ways: from the manufacturing process, to the similar rituals, to the way flavours are described and the different styles that pair with different foods. Not only will we match wine with food, but also coffee with food. We want to create an environment that is entertaining, active and addictive!”

Chris comments: “BLACK WHITE RED links the atmosphere, ambience and service of a specialist, premium coffee bar with the exclusive identity of a wine bar. When Kevin opened Josie’s a few years back - his café restaurant and deli in Bishops Waltham - I fell in love with the place. It’s really relaxed and cool, yet the food and drinks are top notch. Josie’s has been a huge hit and so I said to Kevin let’s see if we can do something together and take this concept to the next stage.”

At its heart, BLACK WHITE RED is a coffee shop making top quality artisan coffees from espresso-based drinks with various brewing methods to cold drip coffee, which takes over 24 hours to prepare! Bags of sustainably sourced beans and ground coffee from independent micro roasters are available to take away, or it can be freshly made in store and enjoyed with breakfast or light meals throughout the day and early evening.

A range of eclectic wines is also available, hand-selected by Kevin mostly from small independent wine producers. Wines are displayed around the walls of BLACK WHITE RED by style rather than by country of origin, to encourage customers to experiment and try something new based on what they already know and enjoy. Again all bottles can be bought to take away, or enjoyed in-store.

Soft centred

Hampshire based food company Copper and Cane™ have recently launched their brand new range of natural and gourmet EAT. TOAST. DUNK ME.™ marshmallows.

Made with only natural ingredients, Fairtrade sugar and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, these delicious marshmallows are currently available in six indulgent and seasonal flavours.

Founder, and Director of Copper and Cane Hazel Wright, says: “Our marshmallows are made to a special recipe to ensure the perfect combination of taste and texture to eat, toast and dunk.

“For me, marshmallows conjure up feelings of nostalgia, and I wanted to complement this with bang up to date flavours such as our autumnal Toffee Apple and Pumpkin Spice varieties, that I like to eat and share today without losing any of the camping and bonfire fun I recall from my childhood”.

The resulting range are great to eat in a moment of “me” time, toasted fireside with family and friends and dunked in to your favourite hot drink to give a luxurious velvety topping. The pretty signature swirls also make them perfect for a girl’s night in or as a tasty gift for all occasions.

For stockists and to find out more visit www.eattoastdunkme.comStarstruck

The team at the Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu are celebrating this month having retained their prestigious status as the only Michelin Starred establishment in the New Forest National Park for the fourth year running.

The hotel and restaurant, a favourite of locals and a distinguished foodie destination for those from further afield, is renowned for championing local produce - combining a mix of contemporary and modern cooking techniques to create delicious, seasonal menus.

Offering world class service and wine pairing expertise, the experienced restaurant team, led by Head Chef Matthew Tomkinson, have assisted in ensuring the Montagu Arms position as one of the most consistent holders of a Michelin Star in the South.

To experience the magic of the Montagu Arms Hotel and to sample the fine dining menu and award winning service on offer for yourselves, visit www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk or call 01590 612324 to make a reservation.

Lainston’s new chef

Exclusive Hotels have recently announced the appointment of Olly Rouse as Head Chef at Lainston House. Previously Head Chef at Coworth Park, where he helped to achieve a Michelin star within its first year of opening and 3 AA rosettes, Olly will be overseeing all of Lainston House’s Food and Beverage offerings. He commented: “Lainston House has everything I’ve been looking for within a property. I cannot wait to work with the team and grow our food philosophy in a really natural way. Our surroundings will be our inspiration to drive the food in the restaurant. We will embrace our Kitchen Garden and set out to utilise all it produces, with interesting combinations created to intrigue and give the feel-good factor.

“Diners can expect dishes which are complex in flavour and texture, with simple yet elegant presentation. We will be using old and forgotten techniques and the best British ingredients to produce dishes that will take the environment into consideration.”

Sweet success

Hampshire-based Anglo-Asian dessert company, Sweet Karma, has been named as a finalist in a prestigious national food awards within a month of its launch.

Former lawyer Neeta Mehta, from Fleet, founded Sweet Karma when her solicitor’s firm folded in mid-2012. She used the opportunity to follow her dream of creating a sweet samosa to fill a gap in the Anglo-Indian dessert market.

Now, Sweet Karma has been named as a finalist in the Frozen desserts category of the 2013 Quality Food Awards, for their apple and cinnamon sweet samosas, alongside other finalists Sainsbury’s and Lidl.

Neeta said, “We’re beyond thrilled to have been shortlisted, I can’t believe it after such a short time. It’s given us a huge boost.”

This year the awards received a record number of entries, so to be chosen among big names including Tesco, Asda, Marks and Spencer and Merchant Gourmet is a huge accolade.

The finalists have been invited to an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane this month when Neeta will find out if she has won her category. Good Luck Neeta!

Soul food

Hampshire based cookery school Lemon & Soul has been shortlisted in the prestigious Tiptree World Bread Awards 2013. Owned and run by mum of three Katarina Willingham, it seems a talent for cooking is in the genes as it’s her seven-year-old daughter Lola’s entry that has tickled the judge’s taste buds. Although details of her entry cannot be revealed until after the prize-giving, the recipe was adapted from one passed down by Lola’s Slovakian great-grandmother.

Her entry is shortlisted for the Grainchain.com Young Baker category and the winner will be announced next month in central London. Fingers crossed!