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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
The best supermarket BBQ food revealed in blind taste test including burgers and bangers
From burger buns to veggie sausages, we share the best places to get your BBQ grub this weekend LICENCE TO GRILL The best supermarket BBQ food revealed in blind taste test including burgers and bangers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE best supermarket BBQ food has been revealed in a blind taste test. BBC Good Food has published the results of its Good Food Summer Taste Awards 2025. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The best BBQ food for summer 2025 has been revealed A panel of experts blind-tasted more than 140 products submitted by 12 UK supermarkets across 16 categories. All packaging is removed and the products are prepared by a home economist according to packet instructions. This is to ensure the judging is fair and unbiased. Bargain retailer Aldi won three awards, scooping best vegan sausages, BBQ meat hero, and best sharing bread. Its Specially Selected Ultimate No-Pork Sausages, were crowned the best on the market and cost £2.49. Lidl also came out on top after its antipasti platter, vegan burger, sausage rolls and quiche won were crowned the best in each category. The German discounter and the Co-op both won four awards, the most compared to any other supermarket. The member owned supermarket was a favourite for brioche buns, coleslaw and vegetarian picnic pastry. Tesco was crowned the tastiest store to pick up sausages, with its Fire Pit 7 Jumbo Cheesy BBQ Pork trumping other contenders. The UK's biggest supermarket and Sainsbury's were named joint winners for the best place to pick up burgers. I have the easiest and safest way to clean your BBQ grill - after a few wipes, it will be ready to cook again Meanwhile posh retailer Waitrose scooped the best award for hummus, while veggie burgers. Lulu Grimes, managing editor of Good Food, said: 'It's fantastic to see so much variety and quality in this year's entries from all the supermarkets. "The winning products really reflect the way people want to eat over the summer – with bold, punchy flavours and time-saving options, so you can spend more time outside enjoying the sunshine.' Full list of taste test winners Best Sausages Tesco Fire Pit 7 Jumbo Cheesy BBQ Pork Sausages (£4.75/595g) Best Vegan Sausages Aldi Specially Selected Ultimate No-Pork Sausages (£2.49/270g) Best Burger Buns Co-op Irresistible Soft & Buttery Brioche Buns (£1.95/4 pack) Best Burgers (Joint Winners) Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Dry Aged Aberdeen Angus Burgers (£4.25/pack of 2) Tesco Finest Wild Garlic Beef Burgers (£4.50/pack of 2) Best Veggie Burgers Waitrose Vegetarian Aubergine & Feta Burgers (£2.95/pack of 2) Best Vegan Burgers Lidl Vemondo Vegan Burgers (£1.89/250g) Best Meat or Fish Kebab Morrisons The Best Tandoori Chicken King Kebab Best BBQ Hero for Entertaining (Meat or Fish) Aldi Specially Selected Coronation Chicken King Kebab (£5.49) Best BBQ Hero for Entertaining (Fish or Seafood) Tesco Fire Pit Mango Coconut & Lime Fish Skewers (£3.75/6 skewers) Best Coleslaw Co-op Irresistible Deliciously Rich Coleslaw (£1.95/300g) Best Sausage Roll (Joint Winners) Co-op Irresistible Perfectly Seasoned Ploughman's Sausage Rolls (£3.50/4 pack) Lidl Chef Select Sausage Rolls (£1.69/360g) Best Vegetarian Picnic Pastry Co-op Irresistible West Country Cheddar & Habanero Chilli Jam Pinwheels (£3.50/88g) Best Picnic Centrepiece Lidl Deluxe Quiche – Maple Bacon (£2.99) Best Sharing Bread Aldi Rosemary & Rock Salt Sharing Focaccia (£1.99/220g) Best Antipasti Platter Waitrose No.1 Italian Grazing Platter (£10/380g) Best Hummus Waitrose No.1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous (£2.75/170g)
The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
In honour of Joe Shaughnessy – a bonafide 'cinchman'
You can even do it by yourself. Sure, randomly saying the names of former-glory footballers out loud to yourself and laughing along may be a little extreme, and probably get you escorted out of your local Co-op, but we've all also carried out a version of this by getting lost in some online rabbit hole. It's often with the help of Wikipedia. You look up a player from years past, see his current club, recognise another player name there, and off you go! You can also do it with strangers online. In September of this past season, there was one such trend which took off on social media that was all about sitting around, trying to think of beloved (but not obviously so) players from days gone by and getting a kick out of what others managed to rescue from their subconscious. It was entitled 'Barclaysman' (or 'Barclaysmen'). This was in reference to the time when Barclays sponsored the English Premier League (née Premiership) between 2001 and 2016. To be labelled as Barclaysman, the player had to be good enough to be remembered fondly by a larger group of people than just supporters of one club, but they couldn't be so good as to being completely obvious and thereby miss the whole point in the exercise. Cristiano Ronaldo? Absolutely not a Barclaysman. Far too good, far too famous, far too successful. But Jay Jay Okocha on the other hand? Now you're talking. More than the players, it also appeals to the widely-shared belief that football was better before (it didn't have VAR, so it was). This was a celebrated era in which the Premier League really started to expand out to a global force, but before over-saturation got out of control and it was preordained that there be at least one English team in a European final every season. Following the success of #Barclaysman, there were some attempted spin-offs north of the border. We even had one on The Terrace Podcast talking about the ultimate lower-league heroes from recent years – or 'Irn-Bru Men' as we dubbed it. But it's much trickier for that kind of trend to take off amongst Scottish football supporters, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, while 'cinchman' was the most popular Scottish adaptation, it doesn't quite work to the same degree. After all, while some people still call it 'the cinch' despite William Hill having taken over as SPFL sponsors last summer, their run as the prefix to the Scottish league names only lasted two years (ah, but what a run it was!). You could go with 'Ladbrokesman' but that was only five years. And 'sponsorlessman' wouldn't do it either – everyone would just get annoyed about the governance of our game over recent decades and concentrate on that instead. Secondly, there just isn't the same level of interest from the average fan about players who don't play for their own club. You really have to be a Scottish football nerd (he says from experience) to get any sort of mild thrill out of someone going 'here, mind Kallum Higginbotham?' Most fans are likely to go 'who?'. Or, at best, 'aye, I remember the name' before incorrectly naming one of his former clubs. While we may not be strong in number, there are those of us who think watching Ross County v Dundee United on a rare Sky Sports broadcast is a treat and not a chore or something to be ignored, and we cherish these good men who may not have shone brightly but added to our enjoyment of Scottish football. Sadly, it now seems certain one such example of this is going to leave Scottish football for pastures new this summer. Joe Shaughnessy is just the epitome of a cinchman. He started at Aberdeen but he didn't really make his name there, despite making over 50 appearances following his move over from Ireland as a 16-year-old. That's because he was largely played at right-back and was, largely, not very good at it. He really grew into his own when he moved to St Johnstone in 2015 and was made a permanent fixture at the heart of their defence. He later impressed in a three-year spell at St Mirren before falling out with Stephen Robinson. And he was the only adult in the room over the last two seasons for a Dundee defence that was still shambolic with him in the team, but a total car-crash without his presence. He wasn't the most skilled of footballers, even for a centre-back, but he had enough poise in possession that meant you felt comfortable if you were a Saints or Dundee supporter and stopped him being a figure of ridicule if you weren't. What made him stand out was his aggression in the air. The man never saw a ball off the ground that he didn't like to attack, which contributed to his ability to make a difference at set-pieces in the opposing penalty area, scoring 27 times over the years. He was the perfect plug-and-play serviceable Scottish top-flight defender; exactly what a team needed if they aspirations were simply 'let's not make a fool of ourselves this season' – which is a mindset our clubs should really think about adopting more often. It feels inexplicable that he never featured for Motherwell or Kilmarnock and now he likely never will. With his 33rd birthday coming up, he has decided against remaining at Dundee for the Steven Pressley era and is now set to make the move down under to the Newcastle Jets. Unless he suffers immediate homesickness, we probably won't see Joe rock up again at another Premiership side. That is a shame, but he goes with the best wishes from those who will ultimately remember him as a proper cinchman.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
He burgled their home then went back to ask for the belongings he left behind
He burgled their home then went back to ask for the belongings he left behind South Wales Police said the culprit was caught thanks to facial recognition technology The CCTV still of Said Hassan, left, and his custody headshot, right (Image: South Wales Police ) A burglar who boldly returned to the home he had targeted to ask for his forgotten belongings has been jailed. Said Hassan, 39, broke into a house on Pontcanna Street, Cardiff, on Friday, February 7, along with an accomplice. Police said the pair forced their way through the front door and began helping themselves to alcohol from the kitchen cupboards. However, their plans were foiled when the owners of the house caught them in the act and ordered them to leave. A statement said Hassan then fled the property, but shortly after, returned to the scene to ask for some personal items he had left behind during his hurried exit. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here The surprised residents refused his request – by then, they had already called South Wales Police. Although the burglars had left by the time officers arrived, police headed to the nearby Co-op to review CCTV footage, wherein Hassan had been caught on camera just minutes before the break-in. South Wales Police said using retrospective facial recognition technology, officers were able to identify him from a still image taken from the footage. He was arrested two days later. Article continues below At Cardiff Crown Court, Hassan pleaded guilty to burglary and on May 15, he was sentenced to two years in prison. Police said that retrospective facial recognition allowed them to compare images of unknown suspects to a database of reference photos. Last year alone (2024/25), South Wales Police used the technology on 2,715 images taken from sources including CCTV, dashcams, Ring doorbells, and mobile phones to help identify suspects. In December, officers from south Wales and Gwent were the first in the UK to be given a facial recognition mobile app meaning people's identities can be confirmed with the touch of the button. It enables officers to confirm the identity of someone who is missing, at risk or wanted in circumstances when they're unable to provide details, refuse to give details or provide false details. The app can also be used on someone who has passed away or are unconscious – helping officers to identify them promptly so their family can be reached with care and compassion. Known as Operator Initiated Facial Recognition (OIFR), it has already been tested by 70 officers across south Wales who were able to use it in a range of scenarios where people either refused to identify themselves or provided false details. The app allowed the safe return of a 15-year-old missing person from another part of the UK who it identified after he refused to give his details. He was returned to a place of safety after being identified using the app. Officers in South Wales were then able to contact the missing person's home force to inform them of his whereabouts. Article continues below Get Cardiff news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Doctor urges millions to get a tin of baked beans before June 30
With festival season here and over six million people taking part, new research found weird and wacky post-festival fatigue cures people swear by - with an old-fashioned fry-up and hair of the dog nowhere. In fact, over a quarter of Millennials and Gen Z say they've tried aromatherapy and essential oils to support their festival recovery, whilst 21% indulge in raw eggs and 17% rely on crystal healing for a quick fix. Just Eat has recruited Dr Amos Ogunkoya, to launch 'Festival Aid Kits' - a science-backed solution to help people recover more effectively, delivered straight to the door. Half of all festival-goers say they've never felt worse than the day after their return - and the average festival recovery time is two entire days. The Festival Aid Kit is filled with doctor-approved essentials that'll speed up the road to recovery. Just Eat has partnered with Boots and Co-op to create Festival SOS aisles on the app. Bringing together all the items festival-goers might need for pre-festival preparation and post-festival recovery, available for delivery in as little as 30 minutes. Among the items included in the kits is Dr Amos' elite recovery aid - a tin of baked beans. Whilst the store-cupboard staple might not seem like it has healing powers, according to Dr Amos, the high-fibre, plant protein-rich nature of baked beans helps with slow energy release, which is great for combatting fatigue, as well as supporting gut health - perfect for getting nutrition back on track after days of inconsistent eating patterns. Another unexpected addition is pickled beetroot, with Dr Amos citing this as another essential recovery solution. As well as being packed with vitamins and minerals, the fermentation process behind pickling produces probiotics to help boost the immune system and gut health recovery. Sipping the pickling juice itself can reduce fatigue and support endurance. Other hero recovery hacks in the kit include Lemon & Ginger Tea - a secret weapon in combatting feelings of nausea post-festival, DioraHydrate Effervescent Tablets to help replenish lost electrolytes after heat exposure, Back & Muscle Pain Relief Gel - an essential after trekking around with heavy rucksacks and sleeping on uneven campsite ground, and a Moisture Bomb Revitalising Tissue Mask to bring a moment of self-care calm after the festival chaos. Dr Ogunkoya said: 'After festivals, our bodies need a lot of conscious recovery, repair, and TLC. It's all about prioritising self-care after days of late nights, too much sun, and non-stop socialising, but many of us struggle to find solutions that actually stick. I've curated the ultimate Festival Aid Kit from Just Eat to help make the recovery period that little bit easier - with my favourite simple but effective fixes all in one place.' Dana Grabiner, Head of Grocery and Retail at Just Eat said: 'Just Eat knows the nation loves to make the most of festival season, but that the aftermath can also be a bit of a struggle. We're excited to team up with Boots and Co-op to make post-festival recovery as convenient as possible. Whether selfcare is in the form of baked beans or a relaxing face mask, our Festival SOS aisles have everything you need to feel refreshed.' Those feeling the full force of festival fatigue can be in with a chance of snagging a limited-edition Festival Aid Kits by heading over to @dr_amoss on Instagram. The kits will be up for grabs on Dr Amos' channels from June 30. Winners will be announced later w/c 30th June. Festival-goers can also enjoy exclusive offers on Just Eat during festival season with buy one get one half price on selected Boots festival items, and 25% off selected Co-op festival items across the summer.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major supermarket launches ‘thank you' scheme with free perks for shoppers following cyber attack
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR supermarket has launched a scheme with free perks to thank shoppers for their support following a recent cyber attack. The Co-op said its 2,300 stores had returned to usual trading after it was hit with a crippling cyber attack last month, which left some shelves empty and forced it to shut down parts of its IT system. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Co-op has launched a 'thank you' scheme to give back to its members Credit: Getty Co-op members can get £10 off when they spend £40 in stores from Wednesday, June 18 - but shoppers only have one week to claim the deal. It said the discount scheme, which is also available to new Co-op members, was launched to thank customers for their support during the "challenging period". The deal is available from Wednesday until midnight on Tuesday, June 24, at stores nationwide, and can only be used for one shop. Meanwhile, shoppers who wish to order online can get £5 off a £30 grocery shop from the retailer's website. Co-op managing director Matt Hood said: 'I'm very proud that, thanks to the work of our colleagues, we are very near to making a full and complete recovery from the recent cyber-attack on our Co-op, and I'm delighted to see our stores looking back to normal and being able to serve our shoppers and communities. 'We are so grateful to our member owners for their support and patience with us during what was a very difficult time and hope this gesture of appreciation goes a little way to showing them our thanks, with more value rewards to come over the summer. "Co-op stores are now full of summer products, providing great value and good quality food and drink, so there is lots to choose from for our members to use the thank you offer." The scheme is believed to be the first of its kind launched by a retailer to thank customers following a cyber attack, and comes after a number of businesses were hit by hacks this year. The Co-op declared it had been hit by a cyber attack on April 30, saying in a letter to staff that it had "taken proactive steps to keep our systems safe", including restricting access to certain IT systems. Shoppers reported seeing empty shelves in some branches, with some stores unable to take card payments and staff saying they were having to scan all deliveries by hand. Days later it was revealed that the personal data of a "significant number" of its 6.2million customers had been stolen, including names, contact information and dates of birth. However, the Co-op said this did not include passwords, bank or credit card details. The £3.50 M&S buy that'll make your whole house smell like a 'boujee candle' The fallout from the cyber attack even led to stores flogging Christmas pastries in May, with chicken and cranberry festive slices being shipped out to some branches to fill shelves. The Co-op's online orders resumed on May 14 as it switched back on its systems. What happened at M&S? Marks and Spencer also suffered a cyber attack in April, with its contactless payments going down and disruption to click and collect orders. The supermarket was then forced to suspend all online orders through its app and website for six weeks, with its website reopening to shoppers last week. The cyber attack kicked off over Easter weekend and was one of the worst to hit the high street in years. As well as suspending online orders, it suffered major supply chain issues, with bananas, fish and the iconic Colin the Caterpillar cakes among the items reported missing from shelves. Some smaller stores were also forced to temporarily suspend their meal deal offers. M&S also said that some personal information had been taken by the hackers, but that this did not include useable card or payment details or passwords. Separately, Co-op is to make a major change across all its stores by replacing paper product tags with electronic labels over the coming months. The change has already been rolled out in 340 branches, but will be introduced more widely this year and into 2026. The new electronic labels will show allergen and nutritional information and products' country of origin, as well as deals and savings. How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
