Ditch your plastic

I was recently struck by a remarkably obvious idea. Granted, I was prompted in this, so I can't take any credit for it, but can it make any sense to repeatedly buy bottled water for the sake of wanting the bottle on the go?

Wouldn't it make so much more sense to have a reusable water bottle, that wouldn't taint the contents with plastics leeching into it and which wouldn't contribute to mountains of plastic in our landfill? I'm not ordinarily an eco-activist, but I think this idea has legs.

This April is Earth Month and Swiss water-bottle maker SIGG has teamed up with AVEDA salons to sell their co-branded 500ml water bottles to raise awareness not only for reducing plastic waste, but also to highlight the huge number of people around the world without access to safe drinking water. Additionally, they're holding an Aveda Walk for Water in London on the 22nd April. Covering five miles, this charitable walk will raise funds for the Global Greengrants Fund who provide grants for community based water projects around the world.
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Specialty Coffee Association of America

Later this month in Atlanta, Georgia, the great and the good of the specialty coffee world (i.e. the quality end of the coffee market) will meet for the largest coffee convention of its kind in the world.

Hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of America from 16th to 19th April 2009, the Symposium plays host to the finals of the World Barista Championships -- essentially the World Cup of coffee. Representing the U.K will be Gwilym Davies whose coffee cart on Whitecross Street near the Barbican in London is increasingly swarmed by devotees. Gwilym serves the same quality coffee from Square Mile Coffee that I source my own from -- it's seriously good stuff.

Representatives from all the major coffee producing countries, their unions, the Rainforest Alliance, FairTrade, not to mention the cafes, bars and restaurant which pour your coffee will be there. Not least among them, Stephen Leighton of HasBean.co.uk-- a leading importer and online retailer of coffee and equipment I'm hoping to catch up with. They'll all be discussing the latest production methods, equipment, politics and policies.

I'll be there soaking it all up and seeing what's going on -- I'll report anything and everything when I get back.
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New York, New York

Ladies and gents I'll keep this news brief -- it's simply a prelude to more extensive and, hopefully, more interesting blogs to follow in the coming weeks.

I'm off to New York City tomorrow, Wednesday 8th April for the extended Easter break. While there, I'll be checking out the lively bars and restaurants of Bedford Avenue, in hip Williamsburg, get amongst the quality beer and burgers at BLT Burger (Bistro Laurent Tourondel) in West Greenwich, the food shops of Soho (including browsing uber-pricey Dean & Deluca), living it up in the Meatpacking District and generally getting amongst all the food and drink New York can throw at me. I'll be drinking Brooklyn Lager at every available opportunity and seeing exactly how far my increasingly worthless British Pounds will carry me.

On my return, expect food and drink news galore. Feel free to let me know of any recommendations of where I should go, what I should visit -- this is my third time to New York, but there's always something new to see and do. Let me know by e-mailing me info@craigbutcher.co.uk or following me on Twitter here.

In the meantime, Happy Easter.
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How to Buy A Knife

"Jay Patel of the Japanese Knife Company gives us the lowdown on how to buy a blade."

Click here to read the second of my features for the Channel 4 food website which offers top tips on buying kitchen knives. Read More......

Jay Patel: The sharpest knife in the drawer

"Chefs at Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck and 40-50% of all UK Michelin-starred chefs buy their knives from just one Englishman who spent eight years in Japan learning the trade."

Click here to read my latest feature for the Channel 4 food website. Read More......