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Here is the Nottinghamian from Monday, January 23.
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian takes a look at two Nottingham students competing in the Young MasterChef final. The students will be trying to wow the judges later tonight with their culinary skills.
We will also take a look at the future of a city high street store and the temporary closure of a bar in Carlton Square. Plus the top ten things to do this week across our region.
Student finalists
Students have a reputation for living on pasta, baked beans and Pot Noodles. But not Bobby Odu and Keziah Whittaker - whose culinary skills have taken them to the final of BBC Three's Young MasterChef tonight. The duo, who are studying for degrees at the University of Nottingham, have wowed judges, Michelin-trained internet sensation Poppy O'Toole, and Kerth Gumbs, who was a finalist on Great British Menu 2020.
Bobby and Keziah are up against Jordan Pomerance, a 21-year-old vegan entrepreneur from Knebworth. Mechanical engineering student Bobby, 19, who cooks every day and is a big fan of Southeast Asian cooking, said: "Cooking in the MasterChef kitchen is like a tough workout. It’s really difficult in the midst of it, things may not go to plan and you may feel like throwing in the towel.
"But, if you push through, the relief and joy you feel once you get through the challenge are immeasurable. It’s also very surreal being in the kitchen. As someone who watches MasterChef, it’s crazy that I’m really here."
Keziah, a law student, said the experience had been "eye-opening". The 21-year-old added: "I’m acknowledging my flaws and working on them. I’m meeting amazing people and I am becoming more confident. It’s just very humbling and surreal." Read more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: After a misty morning, with some fog on Tuesday, it will be brighter with some sunshine for the afternoon. Remaining on the cold side. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: 'Everything must go' as Nottinghamshire bar announces closure
Trivia question: What three animals are native wildlife to Nottingham?
The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
What's on
Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal - January 24 to January 28
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty reawakens in 2022, celebrating ten years since its premiere at Sadler’s Wells, when it became the fastest selling production in the company’s history. Enter a wondrous world of magical fairies and vampires, where the timeless tale of good vs evil is turned upside down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder. Get ready to be transported from the late Edwardian era through to the modern-day in this dazzling gothic romance. Book here.
Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, Motorpoint Arena - January 24 and January 25
Fun, fab-u-lous and pure entertainment – the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour is coming to Nottingham. Anton Du Beke will join fellow TV judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood, alongside the host with the most, Janette Manrara. Watch the 2022 champions perform as well as other dance pairs. See the full line up here.
Whisky tasting, Fox and Grapes - January 24
Celebrate Burns Night with an evening of whisky tasting by the Whisky Shop. There will be five different whiskies to try alongside four courses of food prepared by Marc, head chef at the Embankment. It is £30 per person. To book, call 0115 841 8970.
Burns Night Supper, Cosy Club - January 25
The Burns Night celebrations will continue at Cosy Club in Nottingham with a four-course meal. The evening will be hosted by Schuggie-Ceilidhs, and in addition to all the Burns speeches they have the Big Moose Ceilidh band to entertain in the Imperial after dinner. Tickets are £65 per person inclusive of an arrival cocktail, four-course meal and Ceilidh which is payable upon booking. Book here.
NTU big band, Metronome - Friday 27
Celebrate the end of the January blues with a night of swing and jazz from Nottingham Trent University music's award-winning big band. Join them for an energetic evening of music at Metronome featuring everything from Miles Davis to Frank Sinatra. Tickets from £5.
Sip n Paint, KoKo Cafe - January 27
A collaborative evening of all things creative and fun. Sip n Paint is about discovering the inner artist in you, with no experience required. They provide everything you need to create your masterpiece including brushes, easels, paints and canvas. There will also be an opportunity to team build, win prizes, network and feast on some food and drink. Book your place here.
Lewis Capaldi, Motorpoint Arena - January 27
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi will head to Nottingham this Friday. Best known for his hit 'Someone You Loved', he has now released his second album to much anticipation. Keep an eye on Motorpoint Arena's website for any remaining tickets.
Spectacle of Light, Belvoir Castle - January 27 to February 19
Brightening the winter evenings with a magical after-dark experience, the brand new Spectacle of Light will be a chance to see the fairytale Belvoir Castle, formal gardens and woodlands illuminated as never seen before. It’s also the first time the gardens have been opened to the public during early spring as snowdrops carpet the woodland floor. Hot chocolate and mulled wine will be available on the castle terrace to enjoy along with street food and sweet treats. Advance tickets are still available until January 26. Get them here.
Beat the Streets, city centre - January 29
Aiming to bring about positive change by uniting people through music, Beat the Streets returns this weekend to raise money for Framework. All proceeds from tickets, merch and bar takings are donated to the homeless charity. The full line-up of live music features more than 50 artists who will take to stages across major venues in the city centre, including Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Stealth and Bodega. Tickets start from £10 and can be found here.
Sara Pascoe, Theatre Royal - January 29
The star of BBC2 stand-up special Sara Pascoe: LadsLadsLads is back with a brand new show. Sara is a highly-acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor. She wrote and starred in her recent BBC2 sitcom Out Of Her Mind, and is the celebrated host of BBC2's The Great British Sewing Bee, BBC's Last Woman On Earth, Dave's Comedians Giving Lectures and Comedy Central's Guessable. Catch Sara on her visit to Nottingham here.
Switching focus
The owner of a Carlton bar has temporarily shut up shop to focus on getting a new venue established. Steve's Bar, in Carlton Square, shut its doors at the weekend and is likely to be closed until April - unless the property is sold in the meantime. Co-owner Stephen Charles, who launched the bar in June 2021, has recently taken over Tipsy T's in Mapperley which is open six days a week.
He said on the bar's Facebook page: "Since taking over Mapperley we just physically do not have the time or staff resources for the bar. Secondly, with everyone's bills sky high (businesses too), we only have so much disposable income. Thirdly, January for everyone is a bad month, some of us don't want to venture out because of the weather, or we are paying off Christmas.
"By the time April comes, the better weather will be here, Steve's Bar Mapperley will be sorted and I will have more time and will work Carlton Square myself, to build it up again ready for any potential buyer. I would like to thank everyone that has supported us so far. I will reiterate that I will re-open April 1. If not sold by this date."
Carrying on
Paperchase is still seeking a possible new buyer for the troubled high street brand - which recently relocated in Nottingham. There were reports earlier this month that the stationery company had lined up administrators less than six months after the last buyout. The brand has been facing rising costs, poor sales and criticism for the alleged lack of payments to suppliers after the last buyout.
Owners have put the business up for auction under the advisory firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). All stores are operating as normal during this time, including the Nottingham branch. The shop recently moved from Middle Pavement to Clumber Street in August last year.
Permira Debt Managers had rescued the brand from administration in January 2022. Paperchase was created in 1968 by two art students with its first store in London. They offer design-led cards, wrap, stationery and gifts, along with craft supplies. The retailer took over the empty Virgin Media store on Clumber street, situated next to the historic Lion Hotel building, which is now a casino, and the empty Chopstix noodle bar.
That's all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today's trivia question, what three animals are native wildlife to Nottingham, is red fox, peregrine falcon and common kingfisher.
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