
Nine viral food trends that are still delicious – and 11 we wish we'd never tasted
The product that took the world by storm, so much so that Waitrose limited sales to two per customer. It was created by British-Egyptian chef Sarah Hamouda who found herself craving her childhood favourite dessert, knafeh, and imagined its crunchy and creamy textures in a European-style chocolate bar.
'In many ways Dubai chocolate is the perfect storm of what it takes to make a food trend,' says Ebbrell. 'It's indulgent, it's visually beautiful because it's green from the pistachio cream inside, and it has an interesting crunchy texture – similar to filo or baklava – when you bite it.
'I love that you can have something which is traditional in one part of the world, in this case Middle Eastern knafeh – which is pastry usually served on cheese –, showcased in a whole different context. However, it also shows that [going viral has] consequences. Global supplies of pistachio are in trouble because everyone wants them to make Dubai chocolate. That's the power of a food trend.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Retro US-style roadside diners become tourist attraction in the UK – it's like going back to the 1970s
THE US is so far away, but luckily, there are diners right here in the UK that are strikingly similar to the diners we have all seen in classic American movies. With comfy seating booths, juicy burgers, pancake stacks and sundaes, visitors have confessed the diner makes them feel like they're in the 1970s. 5 5 The American-style diners are known for being nostalgic, as well as hearty food. The inspiration behind the chain sparked from the owners' childhood trips to roadside restaurants - in particular, Little Chef which ceased operations in 2017. All of the Brightside diners are open from Monday to Sunday, 8am to 9pm to accommodate those on long journeys and travelling. In the mornings, Brightside has American dishes like Early Rider which is a mix of smoked streaky bacon, The Jolly Hog 'Proper Porker' sausage, egg, baked beans and sourdough toast. There's also pancake stacks with either fruit or bacon toppings and veggie options. Certain breakfast dishes are served as part of the all day breakfast, but other tasty meals include pizza, burgers, fish and chips, and curry. Also served are sides of chunky chips, cheesy garlic dough balls and macaroni chips. Other classic American items include the big selection of milkshakes with chocolate flavours, strawberry, banana, salted caramel and Biscoff. There's also an option to pick from the 'Speedy Menu' for those needing to get back on the road in a hurry. There's also a children's menu as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Inside Popeye's first UK restaurant as we try the menu – and the fried chicken is better than KFC 5 5 The very first restaurant opened back in February 2023 opposite the Exeter racecourse. Across the UK, there are four restaurants, in Honiton, Exeter, Saltash and Ram Jam in Oakham. One visitor to the diner in Saltash wrote: "Thought I'd give this place a try as it's on my way home. Glad I did, the restaurant has cracking retro decor and feel and food was great! Seen somewhere saying it's like Stranger Things, I definitely agree." Another, who had a meal at the Exeter site, added: "Some nice outdoor seating and really cute 1970s style diner done really well." A third visited Honiton and said: "What a great find a fantastic American style roadside diner open all day for breakfast lunch and dinner." These impressive restaurants are ones you will find inside redesigned planes - and there's one in the UK. And Sun Travel reviewed the Mollie's Motel & Diner in Oxfordshire. Plus Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding reveals how she eats on a budget during her travels. 5


The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Inside Ronnie O'Sullivan's on-off relationship with Strictly star Laila Rouass as pair leave UK for ‘clean break'
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN and Laila Rouass have had an on-and-off relationship down the years but have re-united after months apart. The pair have jetted out to Dubai after rekindling their relationship, pals told The Sun. 7 7 7 7 O'Sullivan first met Laila in 2012 and they were engaged a year later before moving in together in Essex. The snooker star became stepdad to Laila's daughter, Inez, from her second marriage to businessman Nasir Khan. But they put marriage on the "back burner" as Laila told The Sun: "We're enjoying our time. There's no rush." Their relationship hit its first rocky patch in 2022, leading to a split. Strictly star Laila, 53, took to social media and wrote: "After nearly ten years of love and memories, Ronnie & I have parted ways." That did not last long however with the duo working out their differences and re-uniting. O'Sullivan reportedly threw himself back into the relationship and he insisted they were "happier than ever". He said: "It's good. She's great. I love her. She's great company and I love being around her. "She's very supportive. I have to behave myself. I know when to go, 'Alright, you're in charge'. "But she's also really good at going, 'Listen, you've got a busy life, you've got a lot to do, just get on with it'." Zhao Xintong's classy act towards Ronnie O'Sullivan revealed after knocking legend out of World Snooker Championship He added: "Now it feels a lot better – everyone's just in a better place. I just want to see her and her daughter happy, and her family, who are like my family, happy." Fast forward two years and they were back in a bad patch, with O'Sullivan moving out of their £2million Essex home. The house was listed for sale with the seven-time world champion setting up shop in a London bachelor pad. A friend of the couple said: "Ronnie and Laila really threw themselves back into their relationship after the split a couple of years ago. "He kept posting pics of them online at home together and saying romantic things on special occasions, but that's all come to a halt. "They've tried so hard but they just can't make it work." Now the pair have ironed out their issues once more and not just back together, but planning a new life in the UAE. 7 7 A source told us: 'They have been back together for a while. 'The time apart gave them time to think about what they want and what is important to them — and that is being together. 'Ronnie is moving to the Middle East and Laila is going with him. They've talked about living in Dubai, which is just a two-hour flight from where Ronnie has his snooker academy in Saudi Arabia. 'He has spoken to people on his snooker circuit about the move and is excited about a clean break from the UK for him and Laila. 'They have had their issues in the past but Ronnie and Laila have worked through it and seem really happy again. 'The people who know them think they make a great couple and just want them to live a happy, quiet life.' The Sun first revealed they had ended their engagement last September after his hectic work schedule pushed them apart.


Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside Royal Ascot: A celebration of British heritage, sport and style, writes REBEKAH ABSALOM
There's nothing quite like the rhythmic thunder of hooves racing down the turf. The charge of horses, glimpsed between top hats and champagne flutes, is nothing short of electrifying. Indeed, I'm talking about Royal Ascot, which has returned in full splendour for 2025. After first experiencing the magic of the event last summer, I couldn't resist returning this year - and it proved every bit as dazzling as the last. Firmly anchored as a jewel of the British summer season, Ascot brings together regal ceremony, daring fashion and world-class racing. Ascot's connection to the Crown dates back to 1711. Queen Anne was out riding near Windsor when she stopped to inspect a stretch of open land, which she remarked was 'ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch'. Ascot Racecourse was born that year and the monarchy has remained at its core ever since. The late Queen Elizabeth II, a lifelong equestrian, was its most dedicated patron, attending nearly every year of her reign. Today, the baton has been passed to King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who continue the tradition with the daily Royal Procession - an eagerly awaited moment where the Royal Family arrives in horse-drawn carriages along the track and into the Parade Ring. Surrounded by fellow racegoers dressed in every imaginable colour, I found myself once again swept up in the excitement. Cheers rippled through the crowd as King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne passed by in their carriages, followed by Peter Phillips and his partner, Harriet Sperling, radiating elegance in cream tweed ensemble by Suzannah London. I'm convinced the King smiled at me - perhaps he remembered me from our previous 'meetings' (Ascot last year; Sandringham Flower Show in 2022)? Third time's the charm. Excitement soared further with the Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race of the day, which delivered both drama and delight. My husband Tim, attending with no previous racing experience, confidently backed Docklands at 14-1. Against the odds, the horse edged out favourite Rosallion by a nose in a heart-pounding photo finish, even after jockey Mark Zahra lost his whip in the final strides. Cue wild celebration. But Royal Ascot is about far more than just racing. There's a sense of theatre at every turn - from the regimental march of the Band of the Coldstream Guards to the curated culinary offerings across the enclosures. Moët & Chandon has been the official champagne partner since 2019, a fitting match given the brand's link to the sport. In 1908, two racehorses named Moët and Chandon - owned by the House's London representative, Alfred Simon - caused a stir on the UK racing circuit. More than a century later, the association lives on, with no shortage of bars ready to pour a glass. Rebekah experienced the Queen Anne Enclosure at Royal Ascot with her husband Tim For lunch, we had pre-ordered a Fortnum & Mason picnic hamper through the official Ascot website. A variety of options were available, catering to both meat lovers and vegetarians. Packed in a smart branded cool bag, our spread featured a smoked trout and caper starter, coronation chicken main, sides of potato salad and summer slaw, a cheese platter and botanical berry jelly - accompanied by our choice of red or white wine. We devoured it all from a prime trackside spot in the Queen Anne Enclosure, complete with a private bar and uninterrupted views. Elsewhere, concession stalls offered everything from mac 'n' cheese and fish and chips to sweet and savoury crêpes. There were also some more upmarket restaurants, specialising in British cuisine, gourmet burgers and afternoon tea. Ascot's enclosures each offer a distinct experience. Queen Anne, where we were based, is the premium public option, with access to the Grandstand and Parade Ring, as well as singalongs around the Bandstand. The Village Enclosure, set within the track, offers a relaxed festival atmosphere with a post-racing concert until 9pm. For those after a more casual day out, the Windsor Enclosure welcomes homemade picnics and has no formal dress code. At the pinnacle sits the Royal Enclosure - invitation-only, of course - originally reserved for the friends of King George IV. To this day, it remains a symbol of exclusivity and tradition, where royalty mingles with diplomats, aristocrats and notable figures from around the world. For lunch, Rebekah had pre-ordered a Fortnum & Mason picnic hamper through the official Ascot website. Packed in a smart branded cool bag, the spread featured a smoked trout and caper starter, coronation chicken main, sides of potato salad and summer slaw, a cheese platter and botanical berry jelly - accompanied by our choice of red or white wine Ascot is, without question, a fashion spectacle like no other. This year's official lookbook, released in April under the artistic direction of British designer Daniel Fletcher, offered a wealth of style inspiration. It marked Fletcher's second year leading the creative vision, following his historic appointment as Ascot's first-ever creative director in its 300-year history. I chose the pink Liliana dress from Samantha Cameron's brand Cefinn, accessorised with a red M&S crossbody bag and a comfortable pair of slingback shoes by Steve Madden - a must, as I'm hopeless in heels. Having recently interviewed renowned milliner Jess Collett - best known for the exquisite headpieces worn by the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte at King Charles' coronation - I was delighted to top off my outfit with her Rita boater hat. Jess has collaborated with Cefinn on a capsule collection of hats designed to complement the brand's clothing line. The brilliance of the partnership lies in its simplicity: the styling is already done for you - just select your favourites and you're ready to go. Tim, on the other hand, took a more relaxed approach. He wore his reliable charcoal grey herringbone suit from Roderick Charles, teamed with a Liberty tie I gave him when we were dating, and classic Loake Oxford shoes. King Charles and Queen Camilla mingle with diplomats, aristocrats and notable figures in the Parade Ring The dress code remains a key part of the experience. The Royal Enclosure's rules are famously strict: modest-length dresses, straps of at least one inch and hats - not fascinators - are compulsory. The Queen Anne Enclosure offers slightly more flexibility, requiring a hat, headpiece or fascinator, and formal daywear. This year, florals and sculptural headpieces stole the show with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall paving the way. British labels, such as Suzannah, Beulah, ME+EM and LK Bennett - all royal favourites - were seen in abundance. Men, meanwhile, embraced the opportunity to don morning suits. Royal Ascot continues to captivate not only because of its royal links, but because it represents something quintessentially British. It's a week when the country dresses up, slows down and comes together - celebrating heritage through pageantry, sport and style. And, on occasion, it's where a racing novice picks the winner. Shop my outfit Cefinn Liliana Maxi Dress £370 Shop