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How people are bonding through food this Christmas Christmas time is a great opportunity to strengthen bonds with family, friends and romantic partners. From bonding with loved ones over a board game, gifting a partner a loving gift, or even reminiscing over a delicious Christmas dinner, the festive period encourages people to carve connections with loved ones.However, it can also cause stress and arguments in the home – whose family will you spend Christmas with? Should you host Christmas Day this year? With this in mind, we’ve surveyed 2,000 Brits to uncover how people across the nation are approaching Christmas.Key findings: • Just 1 in 3 Brits would WANT to host Christmas Day at their own home• 1 in 4 households are expected to have an alternative to turkey this Christmas• Roast potatoes are officially the nation’s favourite Christmas trimming• 47.8 million Brits would NEVER want to host Christmas Day• 694 million pigs in blankets expected to be eaten on Christmas Day• Glaswegians are set to eat the most pigs in blankets this Christmas, more than any other city• 8.2 million Brits have asked guests to bring a dish for Christmas dinner, instead of cooking the whole meal 70% of Brits would never want to host Christmas Day in their own home Hosting Christmas Day comes with a huge amount of pressure – guests expect a delicious meal with all the trimmings, games and entertainment, not to mention a whole host of fond memories to reminisce about in years to come. We asked the nation whether they would feel comfortable and at ease when hosting Christmas Day and a whopping 70% said they would never want to host Christmas Day in their own home, instead preferring to visit someone else’s home for the festivities. When asked the reasons for this, 79% said that cooking for a lot of people bothers them and 1 in 4 (25%) even admitted that cooking a Christmas dinner for family would be extremely anxiety-provoking. This may explain why 8.2 million Brits (12%) have asked guests to bring a dish for Christmas dinner, instead of having sole responsibility of cooking the full meal themselves. How does Christmas affect romantic relationships? There are many opportunities to feel closer to your partner at Christmas, whether through gifts shared around the Christmas tree or even venturing out on romantic dates to Christmas markets. However, with added stressors of how much to spend on each other, and where to spend Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, it can be a complex space to navigate when in a relationship. 1 in 3 people feel closer to their partner at Christmas Our survey revealed that 1 in 3 people feel closer to their partner emotionally during the festive season, with 12% going on more dates with their significant other. And with Christmas encompassing the love language of ‘gifting’, it’s not surprising that 20% of people say that thoughtful gifts bring them and their partner closer – interestingly, men (6%) are more likely than women (3%) to want to be gifted kitchenware this Christmas. 1 in 2 (48%) Brits admit they have been intimate in the kitchen, and with 18% claiming that the festivities make them more intimate with their partner, this number could skyrocket in December. Christmas traditions could be getting us in the mood as 11% of women are getting turned on by their partner carving a turkey. It looks like the kitchen counter could be getting a lot of use this December – just a heads up! A quarter of couples have more arguments at Christmas Certain elements of Christmas can put a strain on romantic relationships – we uncovered that 1 in 4 couples have more arguments due to festive stress. With 51% of Brits having experienced an argument with their partner in the kitchen, the prep for Christmas dinner could be set to cause many issues this year. Interestingly, 1 in 10 people said that cooking with their other half always results in arguments so it may be a good idea to stay out of the way if your partner is the chef on Christmas Day.6% of couples argue about where to spend Christmas and 3% bicker about how long they’ll have to be apart from each other if celebrating separately. Roast potatoes are the nation’s favourite Christmas trimming With so many different trimmings available, we wanted to settle the debate on which is the nation’s favourite, once and for all. We asked Brits to pick their top five Christmas trimmings of all time to establish an official rank. In first place is roast potatoes, with 54% of Brits choosing this crispy delicacy as their all-time favourite. Pigs in blankets (37%), turkey (32%), stuffing (30%) and gravy (30%) round off the top five. Yorkshire puddings (28%), brussels sprouts (24%), parsnips (19%), beef (14%) and cauliflower cheese (14%) finalise the top 10. When it comes to city breakdowns, Bristolians and Norwich residents are officially the biggest fans of roast potatoes, with 73% of locals including roast potatoes in their top five favourite trimmings of all time. However, Aberyswyth locals prefer pigs in blankets (60%) and stuffing (40%) to roast potatoes (20%). While turkey finished in third place, our survey revealed that 1 in 4 (23%) of people actually plan to choose an alternative to turkey this Christmas. This is most prevalent among millennials, with 26% wanting a different option to turkey – interestingly, 50% of Portsmouth locals will be steering clear of turkey this year.  694 million pigs in blankets expected to be eaten in the UK on Christmas Day Across the UK, 694 million pigs in blankets are set to be eaten on Christmas Day, with the average person expected to eat 10 on the big day. However, our study revealed that some cities are bigger fans of pigs in blankets than others. In fact, Glaswegians are expected to eat the most – a whopping 23 on Christmas Day alone! Other cities loving this delicacy are Portsmouth (14), Oxford (13), Brighton (13), Aberdeen (13) and London (12). Christmas is a fantastic time to bond with family and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you plan to cook the Christmas dinner with your partner, eat around a table full of your nearest and dearest, or even gift a loved one some new kitchenware, connections can be carved anywhere in the kitchen. To view our range of gift sets in time for Christmas, tap here for more information. Methodology Global Knives commissioned a survey of 2,000 adult Brits via OnePoll in October 2024, with a focus on how people are carving connections in the kitchen – from getting intimate on the worktop to bonding with family and friends over a home-cooked meal. The survey criteria were as follows: • Those aged between 18 and 65+• People from 30 different cities in the UK

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be back at the Winter BBC Good Food Show this November! You’ll find us at stand G10, right by the entrance, so make sure to swing by and say hello. If you’re passionate about food (and who isn’t?), this is the event you won’t want to miss. From delicious samples to live cooking demos, the show is packed with culinary inspiration and foodie fun galore. As always, Global Knives UK is bringing a unique edge to the kitchen experience. Our knives are trusted by professional chefs, cherished by home cooks, and designed to make your cooking smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s What to Expect: First Look: Get an exclusive preview of our latest 40th Anniversary Collection, blending sharpness, balance, and striking design. Live Demonstrations: See our knives in action and watch as they make every slice and dice look effortless. Knife Know-How: Got questions? Our experts and in-house knife technician are on hand to help you find the ideal knife for your cooking style. Show Specials: Enjoy exclusive discounts available only at the show – it’s the perfect time to upgrade your kitchen essentials! Visit Us at the Show! Mark your calendars for 21st–24th November at NEC Birmingham. We’ll be there, ready to demo our knives, chat all things culinary, and share our love for precision in the kitchen. Follow us on social media @GlobalKnivesUK for sneak peeks, updates, and behind-the-scenes looks leading up to the event. For all event details, visit our website at www.globalknives.uk. Join us as we celebrate the art of cooking at the Winter BBC Good Food Show 2024 – we can’t wait to see you there!

We are immensely proud to announce that Global Knives has been honoured with the esteemed ‘Best Knife Brand’ industry award in The Staff Canteen Members’ Choice Awards 2024. This recognition underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and innovation in our products. Winning this award is particularly meaningful as it is voted for by the members of The Staff Canteen, a respected community of culinary professionals. Over 8,000 votes were cast across 20 categories, reflecting the high regard in which our knives are held within the industry. We extend our deepest gratitude to our customers and supporters who have made this achievement possible. Your trust and confidence in our products inspire us to continually strive for excellence. We remain dedicated to maintaining the superior standards that have earned us this prestigious award. Thank you for your unwavering support. We look forward to many more years of serving the culinary community with the finest knives. For further details on the awards, please visit The Staff Canteen’s official announcement here.

Global knives are delighted to have been selected for use in the prestigious Alain Roux Culinary School. At Global, we believe that the finest institutions, deserve the best knives! Global is pleased to continue our long association with the Roux family and the Waterside Inn, both with the Roux scholarship and now the Alain Roux Culinary School. A selection of the best Global knives with the iconic ‘ship shape’ Global knife block are on hand to be used by all aspiring professional and amateur chefs. Chef Michael Nizzero rejoins Alain Roux at the Waterside Inn, in a project, “close to my heart, in the old house, as part of the family,” to train new chefs, “amateurs and professionals alike, to create a “legacy to be shared with others.” “A knife must be sturdy to use every day. It’s important that it does the job, keeps sharp, easy to resharpen and clean. It must be practical. We use Global knives because of their quality.” Global Knives are distributed by I Grunwerg Ltd, a proud 3rd generation family business based in Sheffield. Limited Edition Waterside 50th Anniversary Global Knives are available from the Waterside Inn Gift Shop.

The Roux Family is delighted to announce that Chef Thomas Keller will lead the judging panel as Honorary President of Judges for the National Final 2024, as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of the prestigious culinary competition. The Roux Scholarship has enabled a new generation of young chefs from Britain to train in the greatest restaurants in the world. In his role as Honorary President of Judges, Chef Keller will lead the judging panel at the National Final on 8th April, 2024 at The Alain Roux Culinary School, at The Waterside Inn, where the six national finalists will be asked to create a recipe of their own based on a theme announced on the day. Chef Keller will be accompanied by Chairmen Alain Roux, Michel Roux Jr, Vice-Chairman Brian Turner, as well as Clare Smyth MBE, Angela Hartnett OBE, Rachel Humphrey, James Martin, Emily Roux, and Roux Scholars Sat Bains, André Garrett MCA and Simon Hulstone. “I’m grateful to be honoured in this way. The Roux Scholarship has impacted generations of chefs including Hrishikesh Desai, Jonathan Ferguson, Ian Scaramuzza, among many others. I’m looking forward to this year’s competition and the scholarship winner,” shares Chef Keller.  Chef Keller, one of America’s most inventive and celebrated chefs, is renowned for his refined yet simple classic French cuisine and commitment to excellence that has inspired chefs throughout the world.  He is the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings from the prestigious Michelin Guide, at his landmark restaurants The French Laundry and Per Se. Among his many accolades, Chef Keller was the first American male chef to be awarded a Chevalier of The French Legion of Honour; he has won The Culinary Institute of America’s Chef of the Year Award, the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Restaurateur Awards. Chef Keller led a team from the U.S. to its first-ever gold medal in the Bocuse d’Or. He is the author of six cookbooks, including the recently released, The French Laundry, Per Se. There are more than 1.5 million copies of his cookbooks in print.  Chairman Alain Roux says, “As a longstanding friend of The Scholarship and Roux family, it’s a great privilege to welcome Chef Keller as our Honorary President of the Judges. Some of The Roux Scholarship’s most extraordinary highlights in recent years are courtesy of Chef Keller. Not least the hosting of stages for our scholars, including Jonnie Ferguson in 2023 and Hrishikesh Desai in 2009, at The French Laundry. During our educational visits to New York in 2014 and California in 2016, we experienced first-hand Chef Keller’s incredible hospitality, cuisine and learned about his unique philosophy at his restaurants. To have Chef Keller share our final, in our 40th anniversary year, is the ultimate joyful, educational opportunity for us all.” “I am delighted that our dear friend, Chef Thomas Keller. is joining us as Honorary President of Judges of the Roux Scholarship. He is without doubt a legend of our industry and has been a beacon in gastronomy for as long as I can remember. A mentor and inspiration for so many young chefs, it’s an absolute honour to have him on board,” shares Chairman Michel Roux Jr.   Recipe challenge 2024Entries are now open for the 2024 competition, and will close on 22nd January, 2024. The Roux Scholarship 2024 competition invites chefs to create a recipe for four people using the following ingredients and criteria: One short loin of free-range gilt pork from the shoulder end, weighing anywhere between 1.6kg and 1.8kg maximum, untrimmed with four bones in. In addition, use two fresh pork kidneys, together plated with crackling and two simple or composed garnishes/accompaniments. One of them must include sweet potatoes and the other can be a garnish/accompaniment of the contestant’s choice. One of these can be served separately, if preferred. A sauce must accompany the dish. Entrants have until midnight on Monday 22nd January 2024 to submit their recipes via the online application system. For additional rules and stipulations, see rouxscholarship.co.uk/how-to-enter/rules/ About the Roux Scholarship:In 1984, the late Michel Roux OBE and his late brother Albert held the first ever Roux Scholarship competition. It was designed to enable a new generation of chefs from Britain to train in the greatest restaurants in the world. Not only has it become the industry’s most acclaimed chef contest in the UK with many scholars having gone on to win Michelin stars themselves, it ranks among the most prestigious competitions for chefs in the world. Since it was established, it has helped British chefs gain the international recognition they deserve. With many young chefs entering the competition each year, it is true to say thousands have been inspired, and lives changed, by the experience of competing. Please visit www.rouxscholarship.co.uk for more information about the Roux Scholarship competition and details of the long list of prizes, courtesy of our sponsors and preferred partners.  Sponsors:The Roux Scholarship is sponsored by a number of companies, whose support is vital: Aubrey Allen Ltd, Bragard UK, Bridor (UK) Ltd, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Elle & Vire Professionnel, Flying Fish Seafoods, Global Knives, L’Unico Caffe Musetti, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Showerings Cider, St Ewe Free Range Eggs, The Macallan, TRUEfoods Ltd, Udale Speciality Foods Ltd, and Wellocks. Their details can be found here: https://www.rouxscholarship.co.uk/sponsors/

Roux Scholarship 2024: A Culinary Celebration Unveiled Entries for the prestigious Roux Scholarship 2024 are now open, and the Roux Family is thrilled to announce exciting developments as they celebrate the competition’s 40th anniversary. UK-resident chefs, aged 22-29, are invited to showcase their culinary prowess by crafting a recipe using a delectable range of ingredients. New Faces, New Venue, New Challenge Adding a fresh perspective to the competition, Chef Emily Roux, chef-patron of Caractère Restaurant in Notting Hill, joins the esteemed judging panel and the Board of Directors. With a background in some of France’s top restaurants, she brings a unique blend of French and Italian culinary expertise. Emily expresses her excitement, stating, ” I am super excited to be joining the panel of judges. Being alongside some incredible chefs and previous winners is a real honour. The Roux Scholarship is a real trampoline for any young chef’s career.” In a significant move, the national final for 2024 will take place at the Alain Roux Culinary School at The Waterside Inn. Set in Michel Roux OBE’s former home, the Culinary School serves as a center for culinary education and training. The six finalists will have the honour of preparing their dishes in the state-of-the-art kitchens and presenting them in the Michel Roux library, surrounded by Alain’s father’s extraordinary collection of books. Alain Roux shares his enthusiasm, stating, “The 2024 final will feel like a homecoming! We are literally bringing The Roux Scholarship home… to my father’s home, and I could not be happier. There can be no better tribute, as we look to celebrate 40 years since the founding of The Scholarship by my father and uncle.” Michel Roux Jr said: “In life, there are ‘pinch me’ moments and to be able to hold the 40th anniversary Roux Scholarship final in what was my uncle’s house is definitely one of them. Both brothers would be so proud to see the school and that we are holding the final there.” The Challenge: Short Loin of Free-Range Gilt Pork The Roux Scholarship 2024 competition invites chefs to create a recipe for four people using the following ingredients and criteria: One short loin of free-range gilt pork from the shoulder end, weighing anywhere between 1.6kg and 1.8kg maximum, untrimmed with four bones in. In addition, use two fresh pork kidneys, together plated with crackling and two simple or composed garnishes/accompaniments. One of them must include sweet potatoes and the other can be a garnish/accompaniment of the contestant’s choice. One of these can be served separately, if preferred. A sauce must accompany the dish. Entrants have until midnight on Monday 22nd January 2024 to submit their recipes via the online application system. For additional rules and stipulations, see rouxscholarship.co.uk/how-to-enter/rules/ Chairman Alain Roux said: “The short loin of gilt pork is one of my favourite cuts and, like the kidneys, offers great value and inspiration to create a fantastic dish. The loin is super versatile with the juiciest, most succulent meat and exceptional subtle flavours. The Roux family loves offal and we will be looking for careful preparation and technique to best preserve texture and flavour. There’s so much scope here to use different styles, flavour combinations and techniques, it should prove a fascinating challenge for our would-be scholars.” Chairman Michel Roux said: “Short loin of pork, especially from the shoulder end, is a tremendous cut; lots of marbling, skin and the kidneys to regale the palate. This recipe challenge has so much potential for creativity and different styles of cuisine.” Innovations for 2024 The Roux Scholarship proudly welcomes two new sponsors, The Macallan, renowned for its extraordinary single malt whiskies, and Showerings Cider, a family-owned business with a legacy of 180 years in crafting award-winning cider. This will be the second year that the winner will choose from two star prizes: the two-month stage at a three-star Michelin restaurant anywhere in the world, or a bespoke training plan tailored to the chef’s skills and knowledge gaps. As the first step of the application, chefs must register their entry via the website. If they meet the application criteria (eg. age, UK resident, correct qualifications), they will be sent the invitation to complete online the recipe application form. For the two years after the pandemic, the age limit was increased to 31. However, the upper age limit for the 2024 competition will be exactly 30 years old. Therefore, if a chef turns 30 on or before 1st February 2024 they qualify for entry. The Roux Scholarship continues to be dedicated to encouraging chefs of all genders and ethnicities to enter the competition, with diversity and ethnicity monitoring included in the application form. To read the White Paper produced in 2022 following the Round Table discussion, visit the website at: rouxscholarship.co.uk/diversity-and-the-roux-scholarship/ The 2024 competition will be the fourth time the Mentorship Award is offered as a prize. As well as the £6,000 awarded to the winner for their career development, an additional £6,000 is awarded to them on completion of 15 months’ service with their current employer after they win. Should they take up a new role in that time, the funds will be awarded to the original employer to help in the development of the remaining brigade. The Honorary President of Judges will be announced in due course.  Judges and Important Dates In addition to Emily Roux The judging panel will remain the same for the 2024 competition and is as follows: Alain Roux, Michel Roux Jr, Brian Turner CBE, Sat Bains (Scholar 1999), André Garrett (Scholar 2002), Simon Hulstone (Scholar 2003), James Martin, Clare Smyth MBE, Rachel Humphrey and Angela Hartnett OBE. Important dates: 22nd January 2024: Deadline for applications. 7th March 2024: Regional finalists compete, each cooking their written recipe plus a mystery basket dessert recipe challenge.  Regional finals take place at University College Birmingham and University of West London. Six national finalists shortlisted. 8th April 2023: National Final at The Waterside Inn Culinary School. Award ceremony venue TBC. Prizes and Sponsors In addition to the star prize options, the winner receives up to £12,000 and a collection of fabulous prizes from ourselves and other sponsors, including Aubrey Allen Ltd, Bragard UK, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Elle & Vire Professionnel, The Macallan, and many more. For more information about the Roux Scholarship 2024 and the list of prizes, visit www.rouxscholarship.co.uk. Photos: A selection of ingredients and images from previous finals, credited to photographer Jodi Hinds.

We are thrilled to announce our participation in the upcoming Winter BBC Good Food Show in November! Find us at stand G10, just inside the entrance so be sure to drop by and say hello! If you’re into food (who isn’t?), then this is the show for you. It’s a food lover’s dream come true, with tasty bites, cooking demos, and all the foodie fun you can handle. We’re not your average knife company. Global Knives UK is all about making your kitchen experience cutting-edge. Our knives are chef-approved, home-cook loved, and we’re here to show you why. Here’s What’s Cooking: Sneak Peek: Be the first to see our latest knife collections. Sharpness, balance, and style – we’ve got it all!Live Demos: Watch us work our knife magic. You won’t believe how smooth our knives glide.Knife Chat: Need help choosing the perfect knife? We’ve got you covered.Exclusive Deals: Showtime means special offers. Get ready for some incredible discounts. Catch Us at the Show! Block off your calendar from 23rd November to 26th November and head to NEC Birmingham. We’ll be there, knives at the ready, ready to slice, dice, and chat about all things culinary. Keep up with us on social media @GlobalKnivesUK for sneak peeks and show updates. And for all the event details, swing by www.globalknives.uk. We can’t wait to meet you, share our passion for precision cutting, and celebrate food at the Winter BBC Good Food Show 2023. Don’t miss out!

We’ve teamed up here at Global Knives UK with renowned South Yorkshire restaurant, Rafters to produce a series of six videos for Spring 2023 that highlight recipes from Rafters debut Cookbook – PIVOT which is a homage to their home town of Sheffield.  As a triple AA Rosette Award Winning, Michelin Listed Restaurant, Rafters have built an enviable reputation for offering the best in relaxed hospitality with fantastic food, cooked & served by a team that genuinely care.  So partnering with Rafters Chef Patron Tom Lawson, we’ve combined both our skills sets to create six, instructional recipe videos that show at home cooking enthusiasts how to create a 5 Course Spring Themed Menu along with an Appetiser that will bring a touch of Rafters and Global Knives quality into their own home. Save 40% on featured products with offer code RaftersXGlobal  Over the next six weeks each recipe we showcase will use a range of GLOBAL products. These products are available to purchase on the Global Knives UK website with a special campaign offer that saves you 40% off the total RRP when you enter the code RaftersXGlobal at checkout until April 30th*.  Stay tuned for all six recipes  Starting with one of Rafters Signature Appetisers below – their Cheese Tart with Sheffield Honey and Rosemary Salt which features the Global GS-95 Cheese Knife and and GS-102 Herb Chopper we’ll release the following five recipes every Friday to inspire you to have a go at home.  So once you’ve learnt how to make the perfect Cheese Tart, check out all the other videos on our ‘Cooking with Rafters‘ page and why not have a go yourself to create a stunning spring menu worthy of an award winning South Yorkshire restaurant?