Sweet Mandarin is a 10minute walk to the MEN Area. Perfect for a Pre-concert meal. Book here

Strictly Come Dancing 2011 winner Harry Judd will lead an all-star celebrity line-up at this year’s live Manchester shows.

Fellow finalists Australian acting and singing superstar Jason Donovan and local actress Chelsee Healey plus ex-Eastenders legend Anita Dobson, former footballer Robbie Savage, feisty property lawyer and entrepreneur Nancy Dell’Olio and ex-Olympic swimmer Mark Foster will join McFly’s Harry in Manchester for the Tuesday 31 January & Wednesday 1 February shows. Kate Thornton will return as the host of the live shows.

Alongside the exciting celebrity line-up will be judges Lee Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, who is also directing the live tour for a second year running.

Former Blackburn Rovers footballer Robbie Savage said: I’m enjoying each week more and more and I’m really glad to be continuing the experience on tour. I can’t wait to be out on the floor every night, hopefully there won’t be any cameras to crash into this time!”.

Eccles-born Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey said: “I’m so thrilled to be part of the Strictly tour, the TV show has been more fun than I ever could have imagined and I can’t wait to carry on dancing every week”.

Jason Donovan added: “I have been overwhelmed with the support I have had so far on the show and I have really enjoyed dancing every week. Learning so many different dances has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait to see the new routines we’ll be performing on the tour”.

The ultimate in feel-good entertainment, Strictly Come Dancing Live features all the must-haves from the hugely popular BBC1 TV series. Stunning costumes, outspoken judges, dazzling dances from your favourite celebrity contestants and some brand new routines courtesy of the ever-popular professional dancers make this a must-see show.

More than 9 million viewers tuned in to watch the series’ launch show on BBC1.  The television format, also known as Dancing With The Stars, entered the Guinness Book of World Records three years ago as the world’s most successful reality television show and has been sold by BBC Worldwide to over 35 international broadcasters.  2010′s final saw more than 14 million people tune in to see Kara Tointon raise the Strictly glitterball.

Wishing you all a very Happy Chinese New Year for 2012 and thank you for your continued support and friendship.

1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters.

Please do book via our Book a Table page (below or click here) and we look forward to accomodating you.

Follow me on Twitter @sweetmandarin

Wishing you a very Happy Chinese New Year

All the best and see you soon.

Lisa, Helen and Janet
www.sweetmandarin.com

A New Year’s Message to You All

HELLO!

We hope you have recovered from all the Christmas festivities and raring to go for 2011. At Sweet Mandarin there are early preparations  to make the celebration of  the year of the Rabbit a magnificent one. As we await this celebration, let us see what is in store for the year of the Rabbit.

To ease you into the brand new year why not start the new year with our lovely jubbly tips to get the NEW YEAR OFF TO A BANG and most importantly a NEW YOU…Every day we keep you up to date with New Recipes and Cooking tips on our blog.

We are open on Saturday 1st January 2012- book your table here

Happy New Year To YOU

Best Wishes and Sweet Dishes to You and Your Family

Lisa, Helen and Janet

TIP TOP TIPS FOR 2012

1. LOOK FORWARD
2012 welcomes the Year of the Dragon – the sign symbolizes strength and innovation.  Reward yourself with a dinner at Sweet Mandarin to celebrate your year ahead.

2. RECHARGE YOU
A great Chinese proverb: ” Getting up when the sun is up and rest when the sun is down” Remember to recharge your batteries after the christmas rush. Enjoy a sumptuous meal at Sweet Mandarin and book a table (click here).

3. COOKING YOUR WAY TO HEALTH
Try something different by taking part in the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School (Featured in the Sunday Times and CityLife). Learn how to make fast, healthy super suppers and impress you, your friends and family.

4. TREAT THE NEW YOU
Calorific mouthwatering dishes at Sweet Mandarin to celebrate the new year – Try the Sizzling King Prawns bursting with fresh vegetables and light soya flavour. Join Sweet Mandarin’s fortnightly detox menu and see the New You.

5. ME MYSELF AND I
Take advantage of the special offers for Sweet Mandarin Newsletter subscribers. Win a bottle of champagne, a meal for 4 or a place on the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School. Enter here and we wish you luck on the monthly prize draw.

Dear Friends,

I don’t know where the year went but its nearly Christmas already. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day – my only two days off in the whole year and I can’t wait :0)

Some dear customers have asked how do the Chinese celebrate Christmas…I guess in response, the Chinese like any other nationality celebrate with Family and Food.

Our family has always cooked two turkeys for Christmas. One British style with pork and sage stuffing, baby sausages wrapped in bacon, roast potatoes and Brussel sprouts, and the other braised in soy sauce and crammed with glutinous rice and mushroom. Both are delicious and typically represent my identity being British Born Chinese (‘BBC’).

At Christmas, we also remember our dearly beloved grandmother, Lily Kwok who passed away in 2007, aged 89. My grandmother had so much courage. Pop, thank you for your sacrifice and determination. I wish you were here.

Wishing you and your family a safe happy Christmas filled with love and good food.

Lisa, Helen and Janet

Nosebleeds may be a symptom of high blood pressure so if you are getting them regularly please please please go check yourself at the doctors.

The best thing to alleviate nosebleeds is good ole fashioned tea. PG tips is my favourite breakfast tea. Its the tannin in the tea that prevents nosebleeds. The used cold teabags can be placed on the nose to stop the bleeding. I know you might feel like a plonker, but its worth it.

That’s better. Now your talking. This is more the Kiss I’m talking about. Sweet, tender, loving. Sunset or no sunset. Do you keep your eyes shut when you’re kissing and is it therefore sweeter?

Coeliac Disease is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the intolerance of the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. Basically no bread allowed. It can be quite serious as the gluten damages the intestinal lining, therefore the sufferer cannot absorb nutrients.

Some clients didn’t even know they had this disease – but often felt bloated, tired, anaemic, depressed, had pain in their joints or even had diarrhorea or constipation. If in doubt, just go check it out at your GP.

What I have done at Sweet Mandarin is to thicken our sauces with potato starch so there is no gluten involved. For the aromatic peking duck, we replace the pancakes with lettuce wraps. Spring rolls which are wrapped in wheat pastries are replaced with cabbage leaves. One can no longer enjoy the good ole chow mein…but don’t worry, I’ve created the most amazing Singapore Vermicelli (made with rice noodles) that you won’t even miss the chow mein! Even the batter for the salt and pepper chilli ribs or the sweet and sour chicken uses potato starch and not corn flour, so its all good at Sweet Mandarin. If in doubt, email lisa before you visit and I’ll personally oversee your dinner is gluten free.

Contact Lisa to book your Christmas Do at Sweet Mandarin click here or 0161 832 8848

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Put your hands up if you have a cold – that awful sneezing, wheezing, blocked up nose, cough and temperature. Its man’s worst enemy and it spreads virally – in the air, by touch and pounces on those with a weak immune system or are stressed.

Here is my suggested diet to fight away a cold – foods rich in vitamin C and zinc, spiced up with ginger, chillies and ginger.

Oranges for breakfast or dessert. Lots of them. Whole or juiced – preferrably raw.

Sizzling king prawns with ginger and spring onions. Ginger itself has healing qualities that warm the body and fight infection.

Wok tossed kale greens with fermented blackbeans and garlic – rich in vitamin A (beta carotene), super delicious and fast to cook up.

Noted if you have catarrh – avoid chocolate or foods which are fatty – these are mucus forming and could really make your situation worse.

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here ).

Following her Arena show in May of this year, the Barbados-native returns next October and November to showcase tracks from Loud – including the UK number one single Only Girl (In The World) - alongside the chart-topping hits Umbrella, Don’t Stop The Music, SOS, Disturbia and Shut Up And Drive.

Earlier this year Rihanna became the first female artist of the past decade to score six number one’s on Billboard’s Hot List 100 when Rude Boy topped the charts.

Earlier this year Rihanna became the first female artist of the past decade to score six number one’s on Hot List 100 when topped the charts.

The second single to be taken from Rihanna’s fifth studio album – What’s My Name? featuring Drake – is out now.

A couple of days ago, a young lady by the name of Alicja dropped off an invitation for the opening of the Holiday Inn Express which is 30 footsteps, yes 30 footsteps away from Sweet Mandarin. So tonight, we went to meet the team and look at the hotel and rooms. I must say, Bob and his team are THE most friendliest staff in the hotel industry that I have ever met. They are a big brand but they integrate well into the local community and include people like us, and other local businesses to help foster a neighbourhood community feel which is fantastic. We welcome you with open arms and look forward to serving your team and your guests at Sweet Mandarin.

We met Sion (@RevHoly) and Jo (@basketcasejo) on Twitter (@sweetmandarin). Sion and Jo are celebrating Sion’s birthday with a masterclass at Sweet Mandarin Cookery School. On the Intermediate course, they learnt Sweet and Sour Chicken bonus dish Salt and Pepper chicken balls (Sion’s favourite), beef green peppers and blackbean, Singapore Vermicelli, Steamed fish with ginger and spring onions, Sichuan spicy prawns and the perfect egg fried rice. Bon Appetite and enjoy your video. Love Lisa and Helen
www.sweetmandarin.com Tweet us (@sweetmandarin). Like our facebook page www.facebook.com/sweetmandarins

Song  is Photosynthesis by Frank Turner (Sion’s favourite song)

CING stands for The Creative Industries Networking Group – and boasts some of the most connected people on social media i.e. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. So when they invited me to join their panel of speakers to share how Sweet Mandarin uses social media, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. I tweet my +7,000 followers, Facebook my +2,000 fans, write blogs to my 10,000 website visitors per month and create YouTube videos for over 10,000 viewers. So the CING network is something that excites me, and to be invited to speak is a great honour. Meeting the other speakers and listening to audience commentary in real life as well as on live tweet made the talk electrifying. Just a huge thanks to the CING team – Phil and Benny for organising – and their members for making me feel so welcome. All CING members are most welcome at Sweet Mandarin. Follow us on Twitter (@sweetmandarin).

Here is a youtube video giving a snapshot of the talk I gave at CING (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJlTukvXLlk).

Thank God for Peter Kay. I love the Bolton born comic and man-of-a-thousand-faces who loves Chinese food.
Here’s my favourite joke (thanks Peter) ….. So I went to the Chinese restaurant and this duck came up to me with a red rose and says “Your eyes sparkle like diamonds”. I said, “Waiter, I asked for a-ROMATIC duck”.

Finally, Peter has returned to us in Manchester with his tour which has people in stitches as he turns the most trivial of daily nuisances in the world of the working class family, and turns them into comedy gold. Without this man, life would, quite simply, be a bit boring.

I’ll feed Peter and I’ll feed all you lovely people who are going to see Peter Kay’s show at the MEN. We are next door to the Crowne Plaza Hotel which is a short 5-10 minute walk to the MEN Arena. Approximately 40 furry footsteps and you are door to door. Click HERE for the AA Routeplanner and Map.

OK, and I’ll get you revved up with that uber-annoying (because once heard you can’t get it out of your head) ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo’ song that Peter forced upon us, Peter Kay at his exasperated best.

[contact-form-7]
Sweet Mandarin Address: 19 Copperas Street (off High Street), Manchester M4 1HS

‘I have just returned from our one day cooking course with Lisa Tse and wanted to say thanks for such a fantastic day!! We were very much made to feel involved in everything and can’t wait to try out the recipes at home!  My daughter had booked this course for me as I have always wanted to learn how to cook Chinese food and this will be one that I’ll always remember.

The amount of information imparted was immense and I am now studying the recipes to practice so that I can impress my wife and produce something similar, although unlikely to be quite so good! It was also of course great fun, and I have not laughed so much for about ten years.

Please pass on my best wishes and thanks to all the team and especially to Lisa -  the world would not be the same without your amazing Cookery School at Sweet Mandarin!!!

Dr Sharma

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Cystitis is a bladder infection. When one goes to wee, only a few drops pass but the burning sensation could possibly knock you to the ground its that painful. If left untreated, the kidneys may get infected especially if you are passing blood. Gorry stuff, but it should be talked about so people can understand its common – not embarrasing – and more importantly, can be treated with a bout of anti-biotics.

There is the humble cranberry that when drank in 50ml doses can halve the risk of getting cystitis and lessen the onslaught of the attack. If you feel the burning sensation – stop drinking tea, coffee and alcohol. Drink plenty of water to dilute the urine which makes it less painful to pass as well as reducing infecting bacteria. Chemists have packets of potassium citrate that neutralizes the urine so takes the pain out of going to the loo.  Ultimately, the message is whilst cranberry juice can help, if you get these symptons, go to the doctor immediately.

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Nausea is a feeling of queasiness or sickness which may or may not result in vomiting. My clients are an international crowd and sometimes the travel can disrupt one’s well being.

On of the best cures is fresh ginger. I grate them a grated fresh ginger and make them a ginger wine which I send to their hotel room. If they don’t like ginger, then peppermint tea also helps.

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

Acne is caused by the over production of oil which sits in the pores of the skin, especially the face and back. The pores clog and get infected and produces unsightly clumped together spots otherwise known as acne.

Solution: I make a lunchbox rich in beta-carotene such as carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli, with apricots for dessert. The body turns the beta-carotene into Vitamin A which maintains a healthy skin.
In addition, for evening meals, I focus on zinc-rich foods such as shellfish, lean meat and nuts as the acne suffer may have a zinc deficiency. The desserts focus on vitamin C boosters such as fresh fruits especially oranges – which help fight infection.

If the doctor has prescribed an antibiotic, taken for long times it can affect the gut – so balance this out with eating bio live yoghurt.

Sudocreme, lavender and rosemary oil applied at night could soothe itching, prevent infection and heal the skin.

Given that Captain America was filming around the Northern Quarter (where Sweet Mandarin is located), I enjoyed taking a stroll on the set of Captain America to deliver delicious Chinese cuisine and even found myself a walk on part (lol -as I’m walking into Meyers Bros I’m going to say ‘I wonder if they do sweet mandarins here’  lol). The whole place has been turned into New York City 1940s. I’m loving it, loving it, loving it.  If you are coming to Sweet Mandarin over the next few weeks watch out for superheros, fast cars and villans.

Facebook Competition Announcement

‎8 CHANCES TO WIN A MEAL FOR 2 AT THE AMAZING SWEET MANDARIN

SIMPLY ‘LIKE’ OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND YOU COULD BE ONE OF THE 8 LUCKY FANS TO WIN A TASTY MEAL FOR 2.

CLICK HERE AND ‘LIKE’:
http://www.facebook.com/sw​eetmandarins

“For those not in the know, Sweet Mandarin is a restaurant in the Northern Quarter of Manchester offering some of the countries top Chinese nosh! You may have seen these talented ladies WIN their heat on Gordon Ramsay’s F Word. I did. Outstanding.” M Dog www.mdog.me

One lucky winner will be announced and contacted per hour – 1.08pm, 2.08pm, 3.08pm, 4.08pm, 5.08pm, 6.08pm, 7.08pm and 8.08pm – on 8th August 2011.

Winners can dine whenever they choose.

Crazy but true. Hollywood descended on the sleepy Northern Quarter and now the movie is finally released today. Although we are less than 25 yards from the polished doors of the Arndale Centre, half of Manchester probably will never ever wander in the Northern Quarter – and although those members of the public are missing out on an absolute unique dining and shopping experience, the majority of the shopkeepers in the Northern Quarter, including myself are not too fussed. We’re more easy going and have the 20,000 residents in the area to cater for most of the time. Having said that, its always nice to meet more people outside of the enclaves of the four streets that make up the Northern Quarter.

The Northern Quarter is a get together of independents who don’t want huge chains descending upon us and creating pure and utter blandness. What we at Sweet Mandarin stand for is something different, something fun, something unique. That’s why we opted for the Northern Quarter rather than elsewhere in Manchester. We deliberately placed ourselves outside of Chinatown to make a statement.And I suppose its working. Gordon Ramsay crowned us with the Best Chinese Restaurant in the UK on his F Word Programme and we’ve recently been awarded the coveted 1AA Rosette.

I have also noticed there have been a significant number of American clients visiting us but I never in a million years would suspect that Tinseltown would zero in on the Northern Quarter (I mean they have the whole world at their fingertips) and say “I have found the perfect location for Captain America. Manchester’s Northern Quarter.”  LOL That is quite funny. I better tell you now Captain America, Manchester has signed a huge disclaimer for the weather. It rains here. Sorry about that but I hope that adds some dramatic effect for your movie. Today, outside Sweet Mandarin I witnessed a mini waterfall and a running stream. Anyhow, we welcome you to the Northern Quarter and to Sweet Mandarin.

When they filmed around the corner, it was great to meet the stars and their entourage – and we’re talking mega entourages whose presence could be mistaken for a union meeting. Talking about pre-orders for food at Sweet Mandarin….it got a bit crazy at Sweet Mandarin but I say bring it on. I can’t wait to cook for Tommy Lee Jones (I got your dim sum won tons right here right now), Samuel L Jackson (I got your chicken wings ready for you here!) and the superhero Captain America aka Chris Evans (the perfect portion of prawn twitters lol here ) (and we’re not talking the ginger Chris Evans).

Amazingly, in the midst of our Rainy City, I have been rescued by Captain America, my hero!

About Captain America

Based on the Marvel Comics character from World War II. A brave, yet mild-mannered young soldier named Steve Rogers volunteers to undergo a series of experiments for a US army Super Soldier program. The military succeeds in transforming him into a human weapon, but quickly decide that their Super Soldier is far too expensive a creation to risk in combat. So, they decide to put him to use as an army celebrity and parade him across Europe to boost morale by performing in USO shows for American troops. He is even given a costume that bear the colors of Old Glory for the stage. Then, when a Nazi plot reveals itself Rogers must rise up and and become the First Avenger, in order to save his country. Steve Rogers becomes Captain America and he earns his way into the hearts and souls of every American, bringing hope and justice to a war-weary nation. Later, during a mission to Germany to stop his archenemy – The Red Skull, from launching rockets at the allies, Captain America sacrifices himself and winds up frozen in ice for almost six decades! Revived, Steve Rogers now must join forces with new heroes and become an Avenger of the modern age.

Media

Here’s the Manchester Evening News Bulletin about Captain America being filmed in the Northern Quarter (link)

Book Your Front Row Seat at Sweet Mandarin

If you want to star gaze from the comfort of Sweet Mandarin as Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Evans and Samuel L Jackson whizz around in their car chases and jump from the Smithfield Fishmarket Wall, click here

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden will return to the M.E.N Arena next summer for their first Manchester show in five years.

Iron Maiden’s return to the city is part of The Final Frontier – Around The World In 66 Days tour – a fifty thousand mile journey aboard ‘Ed Force One’, the specially customised Boeing 757 piloted by airline captain and lead singer Bruce Dickinson.

Ahead of touching down in Manchester, Bruce said: “As our fans all know from the Flight 666 film, which documented the trials and tribulations we underwent in order to get the whole project literally off the ground, the end result was well worth all the effort and complex logistics we had to deal with! The band and crew enjoyed themselves so much travelling that way, it seemed only logical to set up this part of The Final Frontier tour in the same way.”

July’s M.E.N Arena show will see the British Heavy Metal pioneers perform tracks from their latest album, The Final Frontier, alongside classics from their 35 year back catalogue including Aces High, Run To The Hills, Can I Play With Madness and The Number Of The Beast.

Band mascot Eddie, who has appeared on all Iron Maiden’s album and single covers, will also appear as part of the group’s legendary live shows next summer.

Congratulations to all the Graduates.

We see new friends coming in and old friends are about to leave. Graduates now have a big decision to make in their life track. Some of them will start their career next summer while others will plan for their further study. Time flies. Three years at university transform a person from a high school student to a professional ready to serve society. We at Sweet Mandarin congratulate you on your hard earned degrees and give you our best wishes.

But before you start to fly high, please slow down and spend a quiet moment on your university campus, where you have been studying, working and making friends for three years. Give sincere thanks to every road you went through, every book you read, and every friend you made. Because once you begin to work, you will see how different it is from university life.

At university, all moments, happy or sad, have been treasures from heaven. Pack them up in your mind, and embark on a new journey. Plenty more such moments are waiting for you in the years to come. Whether these moments are good or bad, you will understand life through experiencing them.

Years later, when you are in another part of the world, the moment you think of your youth, you will realise that part of your heart is still at university and Manchester will always be your home!

To celebrate, join us at Sweet Mandarin for a graduation banquet. To book a table email Lisa@sweetmandarin.com or book here

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Manchester’s M.E.N Arena has been revealed as the host venue for the world premiere of Batman Live next summer.

For the first time ever see Batman – the world’s most popular DC superhero – in a live-action arena adventure, set to take the world by storm.

Premiering at Manchester’s M.E.N Arena next summer, Batman Live is a multi-million pound stage production of unprecedented scale and a must-see for families and Batman fans everywhere.

Based on an original story being created exclusively for the world arena tour, Batman Live is a theatrical extravaganza of thrilling stunts, acrobatic acts and illusions. Never before has Gotham City, Wayne Manor, the Batcave and Arkham Asylum been brought to life on stage in a more visually exciting way.

Join Batman and Robin as they battle their nemesis The Joker and other super-villains such as The Riddler, Catwoman, The Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, set on destroying Gotham City.

This is one adventure and one delicious meal (at Sweet Mandarin) that you do not want to miss!

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Blink 182, the Californian trio return to the Arena for the first time since 2004′s sold-out appearance to perform hits from their pop punk back catalogue including I Miss You, What’s My Age Again, Carousel and All The Small Things.
Blink 182 will open their 2011 UK tour at the M.E.N Arena next summer as part of their first headline shows in the country for more than seven years. Formed in San Diego in

1992 by Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, the band recruited drummer Travis Barker in 1998.

The band’s breakthrough album, Enema Of The State, was released the following year and went on to sell over 15 million copies worldwide. Their next two albums, 2001′s Take Off Your Pants And Jacket and 2003′s Blink 182, cemented their position as pop punk pioneers.

Following DeLonge’s seven year hiatus from the band – and Barker surviving a plane crash in 2008 – the trio are now back in the studio working on their as-yet-untitled sixth studio album, due for release next summer.

Happy Independence Day. Today on the 4th July 1776 America celebrated its independence from Great Britain. The funny fact I learnt was that the legal separation of the countries actually occured on the 2nd July rather than the 4th July. However, on the 4th July fireworks, banquet and parties were scheduled. So the entire USA adopted 4th July as the official celebratory day. That means food trumps legal papers! Hey I’m cool with that!
Thank you to America for embracing our book, Sweet Mandarin – which is used in schools in America and has been endorsed by Amy Tan and Oprah’s chef, Art Smith (click here) .

Mouth ulcers are found in the mouth and can make you wince in pain if touched. No-one really knows why they flare up – perhaps one is stressed or over worked. Nonetheless, swallowing a whole tube of Bonjela may or may not work. Here are some alternatives using food as the weapon:

Try honey as approved by Winnie the Pooh bear :0) – this sweetness is an antiseptic which heals and cools the ulcer.  Another alternative is rubbing garlic on the affected area (but not that good for a date). Or how about trying bio yoghurt – its healthy bacteria may sort out that ulcer quicker than you can say Bonjela!

A small tip to make your life more bearable – avoid vinegar, ketchup, pickles, oranges and lemons until the ulcer has gone. If such foods touched the ulcer, I’ll get my camcorder ready and watch you shoot to the moon!

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Glee, making its European premiere at the M.E.N Arena next summer, will now have performances on Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 June 2011.

Glee has been described by the Los Angeles Times as “triumphant” and by USA Today as “equal parts musical theatre, giddy pop culture phenomenon and Journey-loving rock show.”

Following a sold-out 2010 US tour, Glee stars Lea Michele (Rachel), Cory Monteith (Finn), Amber Riley (Mercedes), Chris Colfer (Kurt), Kevin McHale (Artie), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina), Mark Salling (Puck), Dianna Agron (Quinn), Naya Rivera (Santana), Heather Morris (Brittany), Harry Shum Jr. (Mike), Chord Overstreet (Sam) and Darren Criss (Blaine) will open their European tour in Manchester next summer in an all singing and dancing celebration of the hit TV show.

All the show’s most memorable musical numbers from seasons one and two will be featured – including Empire State of Mind, Toxic, My Life Would Suck Without You, It’s

My Life and show anthem Don’t Stop Believin’.

Speaking ahead of the 2011 tour, Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy said: “We had such a great time putting together last year’s US shows and the response from the fans was incredible. People around the world want to see our cast live and in person, so this European tour is our way of thanking them for the unbelievable way they’ve embraced our little show”.

To date, over 16 million Glee tracks have been digitally downloaded and over 5.5 million albums sold worldwide. The second season of Glee, currently showing in the US, will air on E4 this winter.

I know one day will never make up for all the universal joys and incredible memories of childhood that I’ve shared with my Dad but I wanted to thank you Dad, for being there for me, always, unconditionally and always fighting our corner. Together with the entire world – in celebrations of Dads all over the world on Father’s Day 20th June, I wanted to say I love you Dad.

I remember the midnight jogging sessions to Chaddy park with Dad, my siblings and our dog, Choy Sum as Mum drove the old banger alongside us. Even though we never managed to jog back as we all went home in the car – I loved that sense of adventure you instilled in us.

I remember Mum had gone out to buy the groceries and you decided to be a hairdresser for the day. We all had pudding bowl haircuts……and it was so atrocious you bought us an ice cream to make up for it. I learnt quickly not to let you touch my hair ever again!

I remember the amazing dinners you made us ranging from spare ribs to a whole steamed fish to chicken tomato with an egg in it and your amazing red cooked melt in the mouth chicken. And you allowed me to go on the woks and you taught me how to cook the perfect egg fried rice. Wow – Dad you’re the best.

And now you and the fat baby are partners in crime!

For everyone out there, don’t forget its Father’s Day on Sunday 20th June. We only have a few tables left that evening (5-11pm). If you’d like to tell your Dad you love him by treating him to a delicious Chinese banquet, I’d be honoured to serve you our sumptuous food and ice cold beers. To book your table call 0161 832 8848 or email me lisa@sweetmandarin.com or click here

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the City of Manchester Stadium because we get to meet all the stars that perform. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

On Tuesday October 26th, the most exciting reunion in British pop history gathered speed as dates for a brand new Take That Tour, Progress Live 2011, were announced at a press conference in London.

Gary, Howard, Jason, Mark and Robbie confirmed that they will hit the road next year for a monumental 14-date summer stadium tour around the UK before heading to Europe for a further six shows. Progress Live 2011, is the band’s biggest tour yet and will be the first time they have toured together as a five-piece since 1995.

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Journey will be performing hits from their classic rock back catalogue including Never Walk Away, Any Way You Want It, Open Arms and the massive power ballad anthem Don’t Stop Believin’ - back in the charts after being sung by the cast of the hit US show Glee.

The San Francisco band – Neal Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Arnel Pineda (lead vocals) – will also be performing tracks from their latest recording project Revelation, a three-disc CD/DVD package.

British-American rock band Foreigner will join Journey in Manchester next summer to perform their worldwide number one hits I Want To Know What Love Is, Waiting For A Girl Like You and the video game classics Hot Blooded and Juke Box Hero.

Speaking ahead of the M.E.N Arena show, founding member and songwriter / guitarist Mick Jones said: “This will be one of the main events of the summer.  Bands who represent the magic era in classic rock together for the first time in my home country.  Get ready to rock!”

Making up the trio will be prog-rock heavyweights Styx.

Over the course of their 38-year career the Chicago band have released 15 studio albums, six best-of compilations, four live albums and eight top ten singles including Lady, Babe, The Best Of Times and Mr Roboto.

Speaking about the 2011 joint tour, Styx’s James ‘JY’ Young said: “Styx has always enjoyed sharing the stage with Journey, going back to the Santa Monica Civic Center in 1976. The tour we did with them in 2003 across the United States was an amazing success of sold out arenas. Journey, Foreigner & Styx seems like a can’t miss “Guitars a-blazin’”  ”Vocals a-mazing” kind of a Classic Rock Evening!”

I’ve often been asked to provide a lunchbox of foods to help my clients overcome their illness. I believe in the power of food – that certain foods can make you better and certain foods can make you worse. Here is a short excerpt from my handwritten book that I look to when cooking for my clients.

If Jeckell and Hyde were a woman, some would have probably diagnosed her with Pre-Menstrual Sydrome aka PMS – which appear 4-10 days before a woman’s period begins and disappear a day or two after it has started. The symptoms are weight gain, water retention, a foul mood, food cravings, breast pain and fatigue.

Now to cheer you up. Diet and being more careful of what you consume can help alleviate the symptoms of PMS.

1. Avoid caffeine in the week pre-period.

2. Reduce salt – this minimizes water retention (which could add 7 pounds to your weight…now there’s an incentive

3. Eat weatgerm, pulses, oily fish, bananas and poultry (these have vitamin B boost – keeps your nerves healthy and replenishes when you feel depleted)

Try it, and let me know how next month goes.

Helen’s book Sweet Mandarin is an internationally reknown books with fans who have read about it all around the globe. Having been distributed to 33 countries by Random House, Helen’s journey has been extremely busy. Here’s Helen catching up with Michael Ondaatje, author of The English Patient.

Sweet Mandarin and all the other establishments in the Northern Quarter, Manchester had one street party to remember. The street party itself was a sight to see. So many had put in so much work to make the celebration a success. Sweet Mandarin has an outdoor beer garden adjacent to the magnificent Smithfield Fish Market Wall (in the photo) that seats 40 people and we took advantage of the sun to serve ice cold beers, delicious dim sum and a dollop of British pride of being part of history.

I was enjoying talking to our guests who ranged from aged 9 to 90, the latter having a very happy memory of a street party to celebrate the Queens’ Silver Jubilee  in 1977 – the year I was born!  She went on to tell us about the next most memorable street party for Diana and Charles’ wedding. And now, I was experiencing it for myself. Wow. Earlier in the day, I was glued to the TV watching the fairytale wedding of Wills and Kate, coo-ing at the amazingly elegant Alexander McQueen dress and how dashing Prince William looked. Now, the euphoria of a nation spilled into Sweet Mandarin’s beer garden and the Northern Quarter alike. Its amazing when our little community of independent businesses pull together for something that isn’t out of necessity or some kind of emergency. That’s what makes the Northern Quarter so special. We can do so much when we collaborate. We’re small enough to care, big enough to cope. May God Bless the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge. We wish them all the best for their sweet future together. We also wish you and your families all the best and look forward to welcoming you to Sweet Mandarin for your special dinner or even your wedding (http://www.sweetmandarin.com/wedding).

To book a table at our beer garden or restaurant please fill in the below table. Please note that although Manchester is of course the best place on the Earth it does rain ‘occasionally’ so the beer garden is open if the weather permits!

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Skating legends Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean will return to the M.E.N Arena next spring for the fifth live Dancing On Ice Tour.  Returning to the home of their 1995 record-breaking performance, Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean will join a new line-up of celebrity skaters to perform dazzling routines including their own spectacular show-stopping performance.

Celebrities taking part in the 2011 tour will be announced shortly, along with the judging panel who will cast their expert opinions on each performance.

Using the same format as the hit ITV1 show, spectators can use their mobile phones to text vote for their favourite celebrity. Audience votes will then be added to scores from the judges to decide the overall celebrity winner. The winning couple then take to the ice for a magical finale performance. As with previous tours, all profits from text voting will go to charity.

More than £100,000 has been raised to date which in previous years has been donated to the Royal London Society For The Blind and Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

Hip hop trio N-Dubz will play their first headline show at the M.E.N Arena next spring joined by very special guest Professor Green.

N-Dubz return in 2011 to showcase tracks from their latest album Love. Live. Life.

Formed in Camden Town in 2000, Dappy, Tulisa and Fazer have become the breakout stars of the UK grime scene.

The trio’s first two albums, Uncle B and Against All Odds, spawned eight top 40 hits between them including I Swear, You Better Not Waste My Time, I Need You and the Mr Hudson duet Playing With Fire.

Its great being a short 10minute walk away from the MEN Arena because we get to meet all the stars that perform at the MEN Arena. If you are going, be sure to book your pre-concert dinner at Sweet Mandarin (click here).

The Jay Kay fronted group return to the Arena for their first performance since 2005′s Dynamite tour to showcase tracks from their latest top ten album Rock Dust Light Star.

Speaking ahead of their Manchester show, Jay Kay said: “I can’t wait to get back out on the road and tour, particularly round the UK where we haven’t toured for a while. We’re looking forward to playing stuff from the new album, as well as giving you new twists on plenty of the old hits”.

Formed during the early 1990′s acid jazz movement, Jamiroquai’s first hit – Space Cowboy – was released in 1994, followed by Virtual Insanity and Cosmic Girl from 1996′s international breakthrough album Travelling Without Moving.

There are some moments in one’s life that one will always remember. Here is one magical moment that I want to share with you. It was an event to give thanks to all our customers predominantly from the Middleton area – over the years who have kept my grandma, my mum and me in business.

As I was serving these wonderful folk, my heart twinged with sadness and longing. Unlike my grandma's and mum's businesses who have loyal regulars every single week - on the same day, at the same time - ordering the same dishes ('Usual please') for the last 50 years - being located in the Manchester city centre area - the population is far more transient. Nonetheless, I value my regular customers and corporate clients and set myself a personal challenge to get to know my regulars with a view to build a lasting legacy for Sweet Mandarin and future generations. Helen, Janet and I want to invite you to my very exciting events. Who knows, maybe after my 50 years, our grandchildren can invite you, our regular customers to a wonderful event like the above.