Drinks expert, The Ice Co, is sharing its Christmas Day essentials guide to help hosts elevate drinks for their guests over the festive period.

Often the forgotten item on Christmas big shop lists, a festive beverage can’t be perfectly crafted without its essential counterpart: ice. In fact, when shoppers were surveyed, 64% of shoppers do often buy bagged ice from the supermarket, and 60% of those said when they intended to buy ice, they forgot it.

Of the same respondents, 13% said they felt embarrassed when they run out of ice when they have guests. That’s why The Ice Co has pulled together its roundup of ice must-buys every host should have in their freezer this December.

FOR CHILLING BOTTLES AND BEERS

Party Ice, available from Tesco or Sainsbury’s, 2KG RRP £1

Party Ice is perfect for cooling bottles and chilling those all-important drinks. Empty a bag into the sink (or even bath) if you’re short of an ice bucket and your beverages will keep extra cool all-night.

Party Ice is the go-to ice product for all occasions, and you’re never too far away from a bag of Party Ice, even for those last-minute festive plans. It’s available to buy at most supermarkets, so is convenient for all. Available in 1kg and 2kg bags, this handy ice guide will help you to calculate how much you need to purchase for Christmas Day.

FOR CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS

Premium Cubes, available from Tesco, 1KG RRP £1

Premium Ice’s large ice cubes are perfect for Christmas – they offer high quality ice for delicious cocktails when all the family are together. When Christmas day and night merges into one, these cubes melt slowly so they’ll stand the test of time, but chill quickly to deliver the perfect serve. The sleek shape also adds aesthetic appeal. Its handy 1kg bag is great if you have a small freezer – leaving plenty of space for turkey, trimmings, and desserts! You can pick up a bag in most major local convenience stores or supermarkets.

FOR THE FINEST DRINKS

Super Cubes, available from Tesco, 1KG RRP £1

Super Cubes are super-sized ice cubes made with natural spring water to complement superior drinking occasions such as Christmas. The very best you can get, they melt extremely slowly, chilling your drink quickly, but without diluting.

Made for the finer drinks this festive season, they know how to slowly turn a delicious tipple into an Instagrammable serve so you can wow guests. Perfect for gin & tonics, whisky on the rocks, and other spirits such as tequila, rum, including craft spirits and mixers, they’re available for from most supermarkets so you can grab and go.

For some amazing drinks recipes, and fun entertainment ideas this Christmas, visit: https://www.theiceco.co.uk/.

 

Workplace expert, Acas, has published some advice to help employers prepare for potential issues that could arise over the World Cup period.

The World Cup is a big sporting event for many employees who may want to follow their favourite football team and enjoy the event. Some staff may want to book time off to go to the World Cup or attend special group events in the UK. Others will want to use the internet or their phones to stay updated on the match results.

Acas advises employers and small businesses to plan ahead and have agreements in place that cover requests for time off, sickness absence, website use during working hours or watching TV during this period.

Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said: “The World Cup is an exciting event for many football fans but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period.

“Many businesses need to maintain a certain staffing level in order to survive. Employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick-off to help ensure their businesses remain productive whilst keeping staff on side too.

“Our top tips can help managers get the best from their team players, arrange appropriate substitutions if necessary and avoid unnecessary penalties or unplanned sendings-off.”

The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar between Sunday 20 November and Sunday 18 December. Due to the time difference, football match start times in the UK will vary between 10am and 7pm.

Time off

Employers may wish to look at being a little more flexible when allowing employees time off during this period and employees should remember that it may not always be possible to book a holiday. The key is for both parties to try and come to an agreement. All requests for leave should be considered fairly. A consistent approach should be applied for holiday requests for other major sporting events too as not everyone likes football!

Sickness absence

Employers may want to remind staff that their sickness and attendance policies will still apply during the World Cup. Any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance are likely be investigated and could result in formal proceedings.

Flexibility

One possible option is to have a more flexible working day. Employees could come in a little later or finish sooner and then agree when this time can be made up.

Allowing staff to listen to the radio or watch the TV may be another possible option. Employers could also allow staff to take a break during match times. Another option is to look at allowing staff to swap shifts with their manager’s permission.

It is important to be fair and consistent with all staff if you allow additional benefits during the World Cup. Any change in hours or flexibility in working hours should be approved before the event.

Use of social media and websites

There may be an increase in the use of social media or websites covering the 2022 World Cup.

Employers may wish to remind staff of any policies regarding the use of social networking and websites during working hours. The policies should be clear on what is and is not acceptable web use.

Acas
November 2022

British Frozen Food Federation Chief Executive, Rupert Ashby, commented:

“The Autumn Statement delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer today is disappointing for businesses in the frozen food industry. Whilst there was some positive action on business rates over the next five years that should be welcomed,  Ministers need to understand the consequences of rising energy prices on businesses in the frozen food industry, which currently provide households across the country with healthy, nutritious, and affordable food.

“Despite representations made to ministers by the BFFF and other bodies, the decision made by the government not to extend energy support for businesses past the end of March means that skyrocketing costs in the frozen food industry will be passed on to customers in supermarkets, exacerbating the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“Today’s statement has provided no reassurance that the government is serious about backing British businesses and, importantly, shows a disregard for food security. Rising costs for frozen food businesses make it harder to ensure affordable food is readily available for families at what is already a difficult time when household budgets are squeezed.

“Frozen food is a nutritious and affordable option for households across the country, and sales of frozen food have been rising as families grapple with the cost of living crisis. Frozen food also helps to reduce food waste, saving households money and reducing carbon emissions, due to the long shelf-life of frozen produce and easier portion control compared to fresh and chilled foods.

“The government must continue to keep the policies announced today under close review over the next few months, and ministers need to understand that if businesses in the frozen food industry are not properly supported, families across the country will have to choose between heating and eating.”

When the war in Ukraine started, David Fox-Pitt went straight out there with a catering truck to feed pizza to Ukrainians crossing the border into Poland with his charity, The Siobhan Trust (https://siobhanstrust.uk/what-we-do). Over the last 4 months, they have set up mobile feeding stations (usually for three or four days at a time) in Kharkiv, Odesa, Izium & Mykolaiv and many other smaller towns & villages in the East of the country, often quite close to the Front Line. These are invariably the most deprived communities and are often ‘no go’ areas for the NGOs and larger charities (so our presence there is most crucial). Those they are feeding are invariably the most vulnerable, often living in squalid conditions without water, gas or electricity.

With the recent missile attacks in Ukraine at the forefront of many of our minds, the next few months will be an ongoing challenge (as winter approaches with temperatures often below – 15C). So, they intend to redouble their efforts to feed and support the huge numbers of internally displaced refugees that remain in desperate need.

We will continue to provide pizza, alongside fruit, chocolates and hot drinks. and evolve the operation to always provide our humanitarian services where we perceive the need to be greatest.

Can you help? David and his team are in desperate need for donations of frozen Pizzas which can be shipped out to the team there.

If you can help, please contact Andy Lister.