Stay Home, Stay Safe and cook up a storm!

Half way through week 4 of isolation in the UK and I have been amazed at how so many business and individuals have adapted to this incredibly unusual and unsettling situation.

Many in the events and hospitality industry have truly kept me motivated; there have been many live cooking demos, live chats and blogs to keep us trying new things, reading, learning and growing.

So I wanted to share with you a few pages that have encouraged me to try new things in the kitchen. I love food and cooking however I just don’t usually get time to cook as much as Id like so these past few weeks have given me the chance to rekindle that love. However I am looking forward to visiting all the lovely restaurant we have here in London & I will never take any of them for granted again!

The first live cooking class I joined was by @bigmamma.uk. Gloria’s is one of my favourite Italian Restaurants in London, so I was super excited to take part. We made gnocchi which is a family favourite so I was expecting a lot of constructive criticism, however to my surprise I did not receive much as they all loved the dish! It was my first time making it and I will defiantly do it again as it was much quicker than I thought it would be.

My second recommendation for inspiration would be the @originalflava instagram and cookbook. I have been following them for a while and have tried out a few of their recipes before, however I have had time to try a few of the more advance dishes and loved every one of them. They recently share a plantain and black bean burger recipe which I will be making next week.
While writing this I am wishing I took photographs of everything I have made! So I will share a few photos next week on our Instagram story.

My third and final recommendation has been one that I maybe should have avoided because now my sweet tooth is in full effect. I have been trying out a number of new Greek desert recipes from the amazing cookbook Traditional Greek Cooking from Cyprus and Beyond . This book is old but gold and honestly so easy to follow. It can be purchased on Amazon however there may not be many available. If you cannot get hold of one and there is a dish you would like to try out leave a comment below with your email address and the name of the dish and I would be happy to share the recipe with you.

A super short and sweet blog today as I hope you will all be promptly following the above pages and buying the books to get started.
If you do try out any recipes from the above recommendations please share your photos and tag us.
We can never see enough food photos!

Stay safe everyone!

S x

Staying Well. Staying At Home.

It is the topic on everyone’s minds at the moment and it looks like it will be for the next few weeks... So in light of this we thought we would help where we can and share some tips on how to stay well, whilst staying at home!

So to begin, experts have suggested trying to follow a schedule similar to the one you used to before. As obvious as this one may seem, get up, get showered, and get changed. It’s so tempting to lay in, and stay in those PJ’s all day, but making sure you try and mimic your normal routine will help you stay feeling productive!

Eat regular and eat healthy! Supermarkets might not have every single product that we might normally buy, but we need to work with it! When you can buy some healthy food to snack on. Making sure your reaching for these rather than fast food really helps to keep you in a positive cycle and feeling good! At times like this, keeping your food and exercise in check will really help keep your mood positive and focused. We also have so much more free time, so it’s a perfect opportunity to be making fresh meals.

Try to exercise! Whether it is in your garden or kitchen a small space is all you need. There are tonnes of workouts that are going on at the moment on all socials. On Instagram I’m loving @ciaralondons body workouts and @saeid_rm_ ab blast. @mike_fitness_ also offers online training and _mrgainz is also offering instagram live workouts. Have a look around and find what suits you best. There’s such a range we really are spoilt for choice. Find one that you enjoy and it will serve as a distraction and help to boost your endorphins.

Catch up with friends and family. We’re in such a lucky position that we have our friends and family at a touch of a button. Video call them, phone them or even make a group call. Engaging with people that aren’t at home with you really makes a difference and makes you feel more connected. Apps like zoom have become incredibly popular and handy for large group calls and conference calls.

And lastly, try to switch off. Being at home constantly makes it so easy to fall into the habit of becoming GLUED to your phone. It really does become the ‘checking the socials cycle’. Especially for those working from home it can be such a strain being on your laptop all day and then going to your phone. So try to put it all down and grab a book, go for your walk of the day or try something else creative like baking. We have a lot more free time now than we normally would so let’s make the most of it!

If anyone has an event coming up that they haven’t used an event planner for, and are overwhelmed or uncertain by the current situation please email us at events@serenitylondon.co.uk , we are working with individuals and couples to reschedule their events.

Stay home, and stay well!

E x

3 Must Do Weekends Away In 2020

Where: St Petersburg

Why: Offering a fascinating glimpse into what’s been dubbed as the cultural capital of Russia, St Petersburg is filled with historical values. Not only does it have beautiful palaces, cathedrals and luxurious hotels, but it also comes with a more affordable price tag in comparison to traveling in the west. What more could we want?

When: If you’re aiming for wonderful temperatures of 20-25 °C your best times to visit are April, May, June and September, making it a perfect time for outdoor activities and exploring. Something utterly surreal in St Petersburg is that in June you’ll experience ‘White Nights’ (these tend to differ slightly each year, be sure to check before!). This period in summer is when the city remains light for a 24hr period. During this time bars, restaurants and museums all stay open late and festivals happen around the city, creating an amazing atmosphere throughout.

Great for: Something different! A corporate event/retreat, or a site seeing weekend.

Where: Paris

Why: This destination has been pulling in visitors for centuries. With its range of historical monuments to exceptional cuisine it really is a destination like no other. It’s amazing for those that love history, art and a great sense of luxury.

When: Paris is a great option all year round with its usually mild temperatures and some hotter periods in July and August, however even exploring Paris in the Snow can add a whole new dimension.

Be sure to visit the Louvre Museum, inside the former palace you’ll see some of the most iconic pieces of art in history. Although, Paris’ art scene is not just kept in the museums. Whilst exploring the streets you’ll be sure to come across some of its vibrant street art.

Paris really is the city of food so you have a great choice of wine bars, pastry shops and a world-class range of Michelin star restaurants. Private dining experiences here are a great way to celebrate a special occasion.

Great for: Celebrating a special occasion or event

Where: Barcelona

Why: This vibrant city embraces a reputation for being one of the most attractive cities in Europe and I can really see why! Holding a cosmopolitan international vibe it draws people in from all places and paths.

When: Barcelona remains rather warm throughout the year, however between June to September you’ll be sure to enjoy some warmer times with temperatures reaching 30°C and an average of 10 hours sunlight a day! With a variety of pools and beaches I really love exploring, then relaxing and soaking up the sun.

Visiting Eixample will spoil you with some of Barcelona’s best shopping, vibrant bars and restaurants as well being the home to Gaudis Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and Sagrada Familia. A very popular way to explore is often by hiring a bicycle, it’s a great way to discover the sites at your own pace. I felt a weekend away here really have me the buzz Barcelona was known for.

Great for: An exciting event or corporate retreat, a good all rounder!

Each destination really does have something unique to offer, from a luxurious private dining experience in Paris, to a trendy activity based corporate event in Barcelona there’s a match for all! If you would like any more information about planning a getaway or incentive trips like this please click here …