CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Heritage British menswear label Hawes & Curtis was founded in 1913 by Ralph Hawes and George Frederick Curtis, Hawes & Curtis, has developed into the quintessentially British brand specialising in fine tailoring and accessories for both men and women. The brand is built upon the promise of exceptional quality, innovation and outstanding value.

As the original Jermyn Street shirtmaker since 1913, opening its first store in the Piccadilly Arcade and is known for having introduced the backless evening waistcoat and the Windsor collar. Steeped in heritage the gentleman’s Gentleman’s atelier have dressed the great and renowned from the Duke of Windsor and Lord Mountbatten to Cary Grant and Fred Astaire, Hawes & Curtis has been dressing the best since 1913. Outfitter For The Aristocracy Hawes & Curtis is known for having introduced the backless evening waistCoat.

Fast forward to today Hawes & Curtis is just as passionate about menswear today as they were then, building a global name with its exquisite shirts thanks to their superb quality and attention to detail. Making is easy for Men to make a stylish summer statement in a printed shirt showcasing the characteristics of opulent British design and craftsmanship. The offering is comprised of premium cotton options, either in100% eco-friendly Better Cotton, or including a bit (3%) of elastane for extra stretch. From the subdued to the standout, there’s a print for every aesthetic to effortlessly upgrade desk or dinner staples and incorporate colour and print in a classy way. 

Offering sophisticated summer styles in their holiday edit. Choose from festival essentials, including relaxed, beach-ready shirts and the perfect lightweight linen to elevate your evening aesthetic, along with everything in-between. Neutral tones and breathable fabrics adorn non-iron shirts, chinos, linen suits, polos and more, while the offering includes loafers and trainers to complete your holiday look.

BBQ lover Summer is upon us and gardens spruced up for the warm weather, Traeger – market leaders in premium wood pellet BBQ’s –  We caught up with a couple of their leading Traeger chefs to share some of their best and top grilling tips and hacks .

What’s your top trick for cleaning your grill?

– Clean little and often rather than letting it build up.  Using a Traeger cleaning spray helps

– Wipe it down while it’s still hot! It’s much easier to do than when it’s cold.  If you don’t have a wooden Traeger scraper, a ball of tinfoil works really well. Do this either at the end of your cook or once you’ve preheated the BBQ.

– For the grill grate itself, grill brush to scrape away large pieces and then a half onion on a hot grill to sterilise and flavour. The acids in the onion will help lift the grease

What’s your top BBQ cooking hack?

– Always give yourself more time than you think you’ll need! Worst case scenario, the food is done a little early. Wrap it up, put in your oven on the lowest setting (usually around 60c) and keep it warm.

– No matter what happens with a cook, even if it goes wrong, it can more than likely be rescued and still turned into something amazing.

– Re-season your food with the rub you have used to start with, it adds a big depth of flavour

– To BBQ the juiciest chicken wings with the crispiest skin – cook them at 2 different temperatures. Start by smoking them low and slow to lock in the flavour, then half way through – turn up the temperature to crisp up the skin

– Wrap an assembled burger in foil and put it back on the grill. Takes it to the next juiciest level!

What trends do you think will be big this year in BBQ? – have asked for recipes

– Cheaper/different cuts of meat will feature heavily as people want better value for money with the cost of living crisis and want as much bang for their buck

– Mexican food such as tacos and easy one pot recipes such as  Goulash or stews

– Smoking food and cooking low and slow are going to be big trends this year. This method of cooking is definitely becoming more popular in the UK with dishes such as smoked pulled pork, ribs and wings  

– We see more and more foods getting “smashed”. It started with the avocado, then we had burgers last season….Now we can see smashed potatoes next

– We should start to see more plant based and gluten free products as health comes to the top agenda.

– Batch cooking will return and with the mindset of healthy meal planning and reducing food waste.

What’s your go-to veggie or vegan dish to cook on a BBQ?

– Braised carrots in a stock that’s flavoured with everything you will find in pickle vinegar, then smoke them and serve them as ‘not dogs’

– A tray bake is always a good one to do. Throw in some new potatoes with a load of veggies. Sprinkle some Traeger Veggie rub over the top and bake in the Traeger until everything’s lovely and soft.

– Some smoked confit tomatoes which make an incredible bruschetta or a fantastic brown sugar and cinnamon slow smoked butternut squash.

Why are pellets the best way to grill?

– Wood pellets  are clean, efficient, cost effective, family friendly and they produce the most incredible clean smokey flavour

– Pellets are the best way to grill as they enhance the flavour of whatever you are cooking, depending on which wood flavour you use.  You get such a big punch of flavour even from a small number of pellets

– Wood pellets give you all the smoke flavour you need, with none of the hassle. You don’t have to worry about fire management like other methods of grilling, which means you can put 100% of your focus on the food and have 1 less thing to stress about.

How to cook the perfect Steak?

– Use the Reverse sear method. Season your steak with Traeger coffee rub, set your Traeger to 110c and insert the built in probe or Meater probe. If you like a medium rare steak, once the internal temperature hits 46c, remove the steak from the grill.  Put the Traeger cast iron on the grate to heat up first, then add the steak and turn up the temperature as high as it goes. Sear each side for just a couple of minutes until you’ve hit 56c internal.

– Always use a good rub that’s made for the type of meat you are cooking.  With Steak – use a beef rub

– Use a steak that is at least a 1-inch thick and has the same thickness throughout, to ensure a uniform cook throughout the steak: https://www.traeger.com/recipes/reverse-seared-rib-eye-steaks

– Most importantly, let the meat rest, so any juices have come out before serving.

– The perfect Steak

– Ingredients

– 1 Thick cut steak ( no less than 1”) of your choice

– Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub

– Steak needs to acclimatise to room temperature, so allow it to rest out of the fridge for around 30 minutes. If you hit your steak with heat straight from the fridge, it will contract and seize up and you will have a tough piece of meat.  

– Pat your steak dry with some kitchen roll and season liberally with traeger blackened Saskatchewan and leave it on the side for 30 minutes.

– Set your traeger for 100 degrees c using Traeger Signature pellets where possible.

– Place your meat probe into the thickest part of your steak, making sure you avoid any fat as this will increase your temperatures.

– Grill on both sides as you prefer

How important is it to marinade meat or fish before you BBQ?

– It’s important for a few reasons.  A marinade will add flavour, help tenderise the meat and lock in important juices.  Try adding marinade or re-season while the meat or fish is resting to add even more flavour

– Don’t overpower with too much rub or marinade, so that the star of the show doesn’t lose its identity.

Enjoy !

WAWWA is a clothing brand based in the wonderful and creative hotbed that is Manchester, UK, with an important mission to prioritise the planet and people over profits. They use vegan, organic and recycled materials and are dedicated to making a positive social impact by paying fair wages and donating clothing through their 1+1 collection. In 2020, they established their own micro factory in Manchester and now produce most of their products in-house. They source materials from UK suppliers whenever possible to support local production and reduce their carbon footprint. The WAWWA factory operates on a made-to-order or pre-order model for the majority of styles, to minimise waste by producing only what’s needed

Their latest innovative venture is with fellow Mancunian based Cloudwater Brew Co, an award-winning, innovative craft brewery. Known for their dedication to quality, creativity, and pushing boundaries, Cloudwater Brewery has garnered global recognition for their exceptional beers. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, community engagement, and ethical practices, Cloudwater Brewery remains committed to innovation and creating memorable experiences for craft beer enthusiasts.

The partnership brings together their respective expertise and passion for sustainability and ethical resourcing to create an exclusive clothing range and a craft beer, both proudly made in Manchester, within a one mile radius of each other.

The collaborative clothing range merges WAWWA’s signature sustainable styles with Cloudwater artistic flair, resulting in a truly unique collection. By incorporating Cloudwater’s artwork, the range showcases an earthy-toned print that is actually a re-work of beer seen through the lens of a microscope, offering a fresh perspective on the beverage. The standout print is locally printed onto fabric in Manchester and crafted into garments in WAWWA’s micro-factory. The print can be seen as an all-over design across various pieces, including their Ezra Cuban Shirt, Zama Shorts, Jay Cap, and Boonie hat. Additionally, the collection features graphic prints on soft organic t-shirts and hoodies.

WAWWA’s popular cross body bag and totes also receive a beer lovers update. These accessories now boast four side pockets designed to perfectly fit cans, making them ideal for beach BBQs or picnics in the park. Each piece in the collection proudly features a redesigned WAWWA logo inspired by Cloudwater’s iconic branding.

In parallel, Cloudwater Brewery introduces a refreshing craft beer – One Mile Radius – brewed with passion utilising seasonal ingredients. This bespoke beer is guaranteed to tantalise taste buds with its fresh and zesty flavour profile. Brewed with a lead hop Waimea, a modern NZ version of classic US hops, delivering citrus and pine. It represents the fusion of brewing traditions, embodying the spirit of Manchester’s innovative manufacturing scene. 

 Andrew, Co-Founder of WAWWA Clothing. “Together, we aim to showcase Manchester’s talent, creativity, and sustainability ethos through our collaborative clothing range. This partnership represents our shared commitment to making a positive impact in our respective industries, while celebrating local craftsmanship.”

Paul Jones, Co-founder of Cloudwater Brew Co, added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with WAWWA Clothing, a brand that shares our passion for quality, working together with local independent businesses and pushing boundaries. Our new beer will bring together the best of our brewing expertise with Manchester’s vibrant spirit, to tantalise your taste buds.”

Their pre-order model reflects our commitment to sustainability, as it reduces textile waste by producing only the amount of pieces that will be purchased. Estimates suggest the fashion industry overproduces by about 30-40%. By implementing this model for the collaboration, it contributes to a reduction in fabric and fibre consumption, water usage, energy consumption, and transportation emissions.

Since Covid-19 swept across the globe, many industries have shifted to fully remote or hybrid working. During covid, 70% of the workforce was working from home (WFH) and since then, 61.9% of companies have planned to incorporate remote work, be it fully remote or hybrid.

With more and more people working from the comfort of their own home, a Health Impact Assessment found that home working may be associated with more sedentary lifestyles and in turn increased risk of obesity. Most of our calories throughout the day are burned through non-exercise activity thermogenesis, which is things such as walking, and other basic activities. When working from home, sometimes our activities can be even more limited.

This guide from Total Shape includes some great ways to stay fit even when you are working from home. 

• Standing Desk

Standing desks have gained popularity over the last few years and have been proven to provide many positive health benefits. Some of the benefits of standing desks is that standing burns more calories than sitting, even if you simply stand still. Research has also shown that 66% of workers felt more productive and 87% felt more energised. Standing activates the muscles in your legs and core while stimulating circulation, which can help you to burn extra calories and build your strength. Standing desks come in a range of styles and cater for all different budgets meaning this is an accessible option for all.

Cost: £150 – £600

Calories per hour: 60 – 90

• Desk Treadmill 

Although it is a more expensive option, this is one of the most effective ways to stay fit while working at home. It essentially takes the standing desk a step further by adding the walking element. Studies have shown that walking between 1 and 2.5 mph can lead to an extra 170 – 240 calories burned per hour. Not only have people encountered the physical benefits of getting more exercise, but walking helps to oxygenate the brain by stimulating blood circulation. So, we think better and more efficiently when we walk. With most people having busy schedules outside of work, it can make getting the recommended amount of physical exercise difficult, which makes this a great way to stay fit while working from home.

Cost: £200 – £800

Calories per hour: 170 – 240 

• Under Desk Bikes

A very similar concept to the desk treadmill, an under the desk bike features a small set of pedals that can slide under your desk so that you can pedal while sitting. The small machines can be altered to have more resistance which makes it harder or easier to pedal. This type of aerobic exercise is good for staying fit and can help strengthen your legs and joints. Studies estimated that peddling while seated can burn up to 10 calories per minute depending on the intensity, which means you could burn up to 600 calories an hour. However, the average gentle peddling will most likely burn 100-300 an hour. 

Cost: £50 – £200

Calories per hour: 100 – 600 (depending on intensity)

• Resistance Bands 

Resistance bands are an affordable option to help train your body and get fitter. You can perform plenty of more passive resistance band workouts even when you’re doing something at your desk. This means that in between typing and during brainstorming sessions, your body can keep active alongside your mind. Exercises could include bicep curls, overhead tricep extensions and shoulder raises. However, there are many variations and other exercises that can be done with resistance bands.

Resistance bands can help you build muscle and burn calories while seated at your desk. A study published in 2022 showed that resistance band training lowers body fat in people who are overweight better than other forms of training, including free weights and bodyweight exercises.

Cost: £15 – £40

Calories per hour: 180 – 252

• 7 Minute workout 

Searching “seven-minute workout” on the app store will reveal a fantastic app that will guide you through various workouts that you can do in your own home, which take just seven minutes at a time. The best thing about the seven-minute workout app is that its programs are designed especially for people who are doing the workouts at home, and who have no special equipment. While there are some in-app purchases available, you can use the app completely free – so there’s nothing stopping you from getting started. 

The 7-minute nature of these workouts allows people with busy schedules to fit in exercise and can help break up your working day which can increase productivity. Building muscle will also help you to burn more NEAT calories as well which in the long term will help you stay fit and healthy. 

Cost: Free

Calories per 7 minutes: 20 – 50 

• Diet 

Exercise and living an active lifestyle are obviously important in staying fit and healthy; however, diet is a key contributor to overall health and fitness. People with few distractions at home may find that they are more aware of hunger than they would be at the workplace which can lead to more snacking and possibly an unhealthier diet. By focusing on eating healthy foods and healthy snacks, people who work from home can ensure that they are staying fit and keeping their bodies healthy. Studies show that both the overall composition of the human diet and specific dietary components have been shown to have an impact on brain function, this means that diet isn’t only going to keep you fit, but it’s going to improve cognitive function, and thus the quality of work produced. 

A spokesperson from Total Shape commented: “Roughly 2 in 3 people in the US are overweight and with many aspects of life becoming more sedentary, it’s important that people try to find new ways to keep fit and healthy. Life has become busy and more expensive, meaning that it’s harder to find the time and money to attend gyms or activities that help us to remain fit. This guide provides a plethora of choices for people on various budgets and with specific preferences to ensure we are keeping ourselves healthy.”