travelmakingkai

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Travel with me to the Kwaku Summer Festival, in Amsterdam NL

A visit to see my cousin Rita in Amsterdam lead to us checking out Kwaku Summer Festival over a weekend. It was a beautiful display of African, and African-inspired Asian culture (who knew Indonesian music could sound like Ghanaian High-Life?)! Yes, Kwaku is a Ghanaian name for ‘born on Wednesday’, however this event is organised by the Surinamese community in Amsterdam��� Perhaps in homage of…

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Let's do Lunch Reels Series | Sette Knightsbridge with influencer Chaly DN

It’s a pleasure to launch my new Let’s do Lunch interview reels series via Instagram! The plan was always to include a video element to this philosophy of creating meaningful connections over food – I just didn’t think I’d be the one filming it! Like I always say, don’t wait for opportunities to come your way – create your own! Continue reading Untitled

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Let's do Lunch | 3 PR Agency Directors share a memorable Lunch Date and the impact it created

Seven years ago I set up Let’s Do Lunch Network, a networking platform with the aim of creating meaningful connections through the sharing of food. It’s finally having a revival (check out our Christmas Lunch Network event at Gunpowder), so I’ve asked three PR executives I admire to share a memorable ‘let’s do lunch’ moment, and its impact… Continue reading Untitled

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Let's do Lunch Network | Christmas Menu at Gunpowder Soho with My Soho Times

Let's do Lunch Network influencers' table at Gunpowder Soho...

Food has a wonderful way of connecting us, regardless of our background. I knew I was onto something special when I set up Let’s Do Lunch Network seven years ago whilst studying journalism at UAL (University of the Arts London). Even then, at the early stage of my career, it was apparent my superpower as a creative would be to establish meaningful IRL (in real life) connections beyond the…

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Amanda Gorman's Powerful Poem: The Hill We Climb

Amanda Gorman’s Powerful Poem: The Hill We Climb

When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? Continue reading

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Memories of a Wonderful (late) Summer: A Taste of Greece

Memories of a Wonderful (late) Summer: A Taste of Greece

Despite my passion for travel and a second hat as a travel journalist, Greece hadn’t yet made its way on my ‘been there, done that’ list. Prior to this trip my nearest connection to the host country of the first modern-day Olympics back in 1896, was a short-lived stay on Greek Street (London). 15 years ago my Soho life started when I moved into a small room overlooking what was once the Gay…

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My London Story (that was never published but it's OK)

My London Story (that was never published but it’s OK)

I wrote this article back in 2017 for TimeOut’s My London Story segment however it never got published – for whatever reason. I also realised looking back at the correspondence with the journalist – I only chased it up once. Once! Now I’m in the role of editor at My Soho TimesI know how much I appreciate it when people show initiative by chasing up responses – most of the time it isn’t being…

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My TFL Cycle to Yoga video post-lockdown goes viral...

My TFL Cycle to Yoga video post-lockdown goes viral…

I woke up yesterday with a WhatsApp message from my cousin Rae “looking great on my Twitter feed cuz!”

What nice surprise, I thought. I hadn’t heard from Rae in while. I clicked on the click to be sure of what she was referring to. I have to admit my social media presence fizzled away with my enthusiasm particularly during the lockdown months so I couldn’t be sure it was anything I had posted……

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How to chase away your Lockdown Blues: Eat Out to Help Out

How to chase away your Lockdown Blues: Eat Out to Help Out

After months of being cooped up indoors, nothing quite says ‘post-lockdown’ like the Eat Out to Help Out scheme being rolled out throughout the UK from today !… Looks like I’ll be eating my way outta of the lockdown blues! (more…)

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StreetSpace for London Campaign

StreetSpace for London Campaign

We call need a wake-up call every now and then to signal new beginnings. Mine came in the form of a WhatsApp text, not an alarm clock. See, prior to the text, I’d made it a habit to dwell in self-pity; ‘rona stole my routine – and work, from right under my feet! I was probably tucking into yet another Gü caramel cheesecake pot (make that two) whilst on the sofa watching Netflix when the ‘wake-up’…

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Travel On My Own Terms: The Tell All (I Know) Book for Solo Travellers

Travel On My Own Terms: The Tell All (I Know) Book for Solo Travellers

The truth is, I didn’t just wake up like this – with a smile on my face ready to pose for an Instagram picture… As someone prone to anxiety and depression, I’m constantly working on ways re-affirm my right to be happy on a daily basis… Doing what I love like travelling, remembering to express gratitude for even the smallest of things, and connecting with my tribe of #changemakers, are just some…

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Returnees before The Year of Return: A trip down Brazil Lane, Accra Ghana

Returnees before The Year of Return: A trip down Brazil Lane, Accra Ghana

Taking a trip down memory lane to when I lead a guided tour through Jamestown and Otublohum with a few international friends who took me up on the offer to learn more about what remains of the Tabom community (descendants of Afro-Brazilian retunees) in Accra, Ghana.

A trip down Brazil Lane, Otublohum, Accra

A young boy gives us a joyful welcome to the Tabom community

The Year of Returnwas perhaps…

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An afternoon in Everest... At the UN Bhairab Battalion base, Haiti

An afternoon in Everest… At the UN Bhairab Battalion base, Haiti

lt.col.Sanukaji Thapa, myself in the middle and Maj.Birendra sit by a monument of the highest peak of the world: Mount Everest

When I joined journalist Shanti Paudel to meet a friend for lunch, little did I know that we’d be visiting the UN Nepalese Bhairab Battalion base in Port-au-Prince… The closest I will get to Nepal until I actually step foot on its soil.

The Haitian, UN and Nepalese flag…

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Brazil's Black Queer Scene is a Beautiful Act of Resistance... Meet Afrobapho

Brazil’s Black Queer Scene is a Beautiful Act of Resistance… Meet Afrobapho

When I planned my third trip to Brazil (if you can call spontaneously booking a flight on the orders of your best friend who’s worried about your mental and emotional wellbeing), I hadn’t expected to be so immersed in the black queer community. As someone who’s intrigued in exploring black identity and it’s intersections, surrounding myself with black people who identify as LGBTQ+ gave me a…

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Black Lives Matter: If It Ain't Global and Intersectional - What Are We Fighting For?

Black Lives Matter: If It Ain’t Global and Intersectional – What Are We Fighting For?

I don’t think any of us could have envisioned 2020 the way it has paned out. I don’t think any of us could have envisioned 2020 the way it has paned out. A global pandemic (COVID-19) is bringing the world to a standstill, while the Black Lives Matter protests march through our cities and demanding an end to police brutality and systematic racism.

The brutal killing of George Floyd, an unarmed…

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15 People You Should Know Redefining African Culture in the World

15 People You Should Know Redefining African Culture in the World

Africa Day is an annual commemoration of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, now known as the African Union) founded on the 25th May 1963. It’s day to put Africa at the forefront of our conscious, and celebrate the successes of African Unity in the struggle against colonialism.

Despite all that’s going on in a world faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, my friend Paulo Rogério Nuneswhom I met…

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Our guest food blogger Melina Zachariou shares her thoughts and insights on a new vegan dish at Wagamama Noodle Lab.

A short walk from Oxford Circus station will take you to the Wagamama Noodle Lab on Dean Street, Soho.

This was no ordinary trip to your typical food joint. It was the opportunity to sit down with editor of My Soho Times magazine, The Soho Girl, and a small team of talented creatives with an interest in blogging.

Combined, there were eight of us with skills ranging across the board discussing food, culture, history, and fashion that will make it into the magazine along some exciting events, coming very soon to readers.

Accompanying the discussions, was of course, the food.

Wagamama. A name we’re all familiar with. But how many of us know of its Noodle lab? Wagamama’s innovative restaurant where all their new dishes are designed and trialled before going out to Wagamama menus across the nation. Soho is home to its very own Noodle Lab nestled along Dean street – and worth the visit. Long benches across the tables encourage conversation and the brightly lit neon signs dotted around, fit in with the Soho vibes of London.

The menu has a long red strip on the right side showcasing their test items whilst keeping the old favourites in the main menu. I was eager to test the vegan “suika” tuna. Not exactly a noodle lab special but I was interested nonetheless.

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Dehydrated watermelon steak is seasoned and wok seared. The steak sits atop a bed of sticky white rice; accompanied by miso sesame wok fried kale, tenderstem broccoli, a handful of pickled radish and a generous dollop of guacamole.

The guacamole wasn’t your average helping of avocado. Blended tofu explains the silkiness of the dip while edamame keeps the guacamole sweet. Add it to the bowl which is then topped with crispy fried shallots, sesame seeds, fresh chilli and lime.

But what of the star of the dish? The Suika tuna, in one word, could only be described as perplexing. Wok searing the watermelon transforms the watery sweetness of the fruit into the savoury, umami warmth of a gently fried skinless tomato. Something one could get used to after a couple of tastes.

What about the texture? Dehydrating a watermelon does something amazing to it. You go from an ice cold, fall apart freshness to a delightfully held together meat that actually does resemble a tuna. The slight ‘jelliness’ isn’t to my personal taste but it’s not a problem. I would definitely try the dish again.

The sticky white rice was simple and less flavourful than the rest of the bowl. A good thing given the remaining ingredients had enough flavour to pick it up. Wagamama always find ways to make veggies delicious and this time round was no exception. Top your sticky rice with a generous heap of the crunchy broccoli and soft, crispy kale and you have a very happy mouthful of food.

You should definitely try the Lab if they are looking to go vegan or simply want a bit of a break from meat.

Wagamama Menu drop!

We’ve partnered with Wagamama for six of our readers, to win an exclusive FREE tasting at Wagamama Noodle Lab for the launch of their new menu drop on Tuesday Feb 4 between 12 – 2pm. Interested in joining? Email info@mysohotimes.co.uk and we’ll get back to you! Limited availability, first come first served!

81 Dean St, Soho, London, W1D 3SW

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   Veganuary at Wagamama Noodle Lab | My Soho Times Our guest food blogger Melina Zachariou shares her thoughts and insights on a new vegan dish at Wagamama Noodle Lab.