Latest news with #AndrewCooper
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Middlewich: Long-awaited Cheshire bypass gets green light
A key new bypass in Cheshire that has been in the works for almost a decade has been given the final go-ahead by the Department for Transport has confirmed funding for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass as part of various road and rail projects.,The case for the bypass was made in 2017 with planning permission granted two years later but the scheme stalled after the government rejected the council's previous business case for the Cooper, the Labour MP for Mid Cheshire, said the decision meant the "tide is turning in Middlewich" after a 40-year campaign for the road. The bypass is due to be a 1.6 mile (2.57 km) single carriageway road which would include new bridges over the Trent and Mersey Canal and the nearby railway has previously been estimated the road would cost about £95m, with the Department for Transport asked to contribute about half the costs. Preliminary work had already started when the business case was rejected in 2024, amid concerns about value for local MP Andrew Cooper previously said he "remained hopeful" about the plans, and a new revised business case was prepared and Cooper said this decision followed "an awful lot of meetings and lobbying" as well as a campaign with fellow Labour MP Sarah Russell to change Treasury rules on infrastructure spending."The campaign to build the bypass has been running for over 40 years," he said."We may have got this over the line, but this victory belongs to everyone who wrote a letter, signed a petition, and campaigned hard for so many years to get this on the government's agenda."The tide is turning in Middlewich, the forgotten town no longer." Russell, MP for Congleton, added: "For the sake of our residents and the connection between our two constituencies I'm glad we can finally confirm that the project is happening."I appreciate every conversation that I've had with residents regarding this, and to everyone who campaigned long before I was elected MP. This is in no small part down to you."The government said it had approved the scheme to support local journeys and that the bypass, along with other schemes, were "vital to connecting and growing communities".Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "These vital investments are long overdue, will transform local communities and improve living standards across the country." See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular 138 year old bread maker that's sold in Morrisons, Tesco and Asda to axe 250 jobs
We've explained what your rights are if you're made redundant JOB CUTS Popular 138 year old bread maker that's sold in Morrisons, Tesco and Asda to axe 250 jobs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR 138 year old bakery is set to axe 250 jobs following two very difficult years. Roberts Bakers, which supplies products to major supermarkets like Asda, Morrisons, and Tesco, is set to slash its workforce at its factory in Cheshire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Roberts family has owned the business since it started in 1887 Credit: Alamy 2 Supermarkets sell the bakery's loaves for as little as £1.35 Credit: Roberts Bakery The decision follows two years of tough challenges, including a devastating fire in 2023 that severely disrupted operations. The bakery, which employs around 700 people, said it had lost two-thirds of its bread production capacity for over a year after the fire. Supermarkets sell the bakery's loaves for as little as £1.35. Despite efforts to recover, bread sales have not bounced back as expected, with customers turning to alternative suppliers during the downtime. The firm also cited wider pressures, including rising energy bills, higher ingredient costs, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Turnover has dropped sharply, falling from £96million in 2023 to £76million, despite the company reporting a pre-tax profit of £20 million this year. Roberts said it has no choice but to restructure its operations to secure the future of the business. A consultation period lasting at least 45 days will begin soon for affected staff at the Rudheath site. Employees at Roberts' other factories in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and Winsford will not be impacted. The Roberts family has owned the business since it started in 1887. Major UK pub chain announces sweeping closures & job losses The Roberts family said the decision was "the hardest" in the bakery's 138-year history. The company said: "We've faced unprecedented challenges, including Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, and rising costs. "The fire was another blow, and rebuilding has been incredibly tough," the company said. "This step is necessary to safeguard the bakery's future." Local MP Andrew Cooper called the news "devastating" for the community. He told BBC News: "It's more than just a business, it's a local institution that generations have worked for, and taken pride in." "My thoughts are with every employee and their family at this very difficult time." Roberts Bakery's statement in full "Roberts Bakery first began serving its community of Northwich in 1887 and throughout these 138 years has been deeply rooted in that community. "As a family we have shared a strong set of values and have been immensely proud of our connection to the people we serve. "Our bread has been a part of daily life for many, making its way into homes across the UK and beyond through major supermarkets. "Today we are faced with serious challenges that mean, with sadness, we are today announcing a significant reorganisation of its operations. "This difficult but essential step, which includes redundancies, is being taken to secure the future employment and long-term sustainability of the bakery to ensure it can continue to serve the community. "Like many businesses, Roberts Bakery has faced severe challenges in recent years. We have navigated the global impact of Covid-19, the economic pressures from Russia's war in Ukraine, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, which we know has impacted families everywhere. "These factors have had a direct impact on our energy costs, ingredient prices, and the everyday budgets of our customers. "Adding to these difficulties, in 2023 a major fire at our bakery in Rudheath completely shut down a large part of our operations for a prolonged period of time. Getting back on our feet after the fire has been incredibly tough, requiring a huge effort from our team, which we are incredibly grateful for, tremendous support from the community and the understanding of our customers. "Despite our best efforts, the combined weight of these challenges has led us to make an incredibly difficult decision." Which other businesses are cutting jobs? Clarks has slashed 1,200 jobs in a bid to cut costs. Its sales dropped by nearly £100million last year, and the company lost £39.2million before tax. High costs from closing stores and property expenses have made things worse. Meanwhile, Nissan is getting rid of 250 jobs at its Sunderland factory. This comes after the car maker reported losing £4billion last year. Meanwhile, Pizza Hut is introducing digital ordering screens in all 136 of its dine-in restaurants. This change means 120 front-end staff will lose their jobs. The company employs 3,000 people across the UK and says the cuts are part of a plan to modernise its business.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
I Asked 7 Chefs for the Secret to the Juiciest Grilled Burgers, and They All Said the Same Thing
With the yard games going and the drinks and conversation flowing, it can be easy to phone it in when grilling burgers. Humans have been cooking meat over a flame for centuries, so it doesn't require a lot of attention, right? Sure, the best burgers don't require a lot of fuss. But a few minutes—and a handful of seemingly minor decisions—make all the difference to separate juicy, rave-worthy results from hockey puck-like patties. Chef Todd Bohak believes 'life is too short for bad burgers.' We wholeheartedly agree, so as summer cookout season kicks into full gear, we asked the pros to share the most common burger mistakes we should try to avoid. Then stick around, as the chefs dish up their top tip for juicy burgers. (The answer was unanimous!) David Arciniega, executive chef and beverage director at Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas Todd Bohak, chef de cuisine at Shoreside at Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, California Andrew Cooper, executive chef at La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California Christian Pasco Diaz, chef de cuisine at Mamey at THēsis Hotel in Miami, Florida Michael Denofrio, chef de cuisine of Breeze Ocean Kitchen at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida Peter Nye, chef de cuisine at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Samantha Taxin, multi-unit manager of The Cherry Cricket in Denver, Colorado Before we dive into all of the burger banter, we want to share a bit more about who we're trusting to help us make top-notch patties. We didn't just ask any chefs to chime in here. Each of these seven culinary pros works at a kitchen that slings 105 to 4,000 (!) burgers per week. Clearly, this is not their first red meat rodeo. According to Nye, "a perfect burger has a crispy brown sear. The juices should glisten." The grill marks should be prominent, and the patty should have a caramelized crust and edges. If it's cooked to medium (our standard for the purposes of this guide), the beef should have a warm, slightly pink center. Besides the appearance, your nose knows, says Diaz: "The burger should have a rich, smoky aroma from the grill. That smell alone can clue you in that it's going to be good." Coming to the table with decades of experience coaching new cooks and attending backyard barbecues, the chefs agree that these are the top three most common mistakes: Starting with a cold grill. Regardless of whether you're cooking on a gas, electric, or charcoal grill, it's best to preheat the grill before adding the patties. "If the surface isn't hot enough, the burgers cook unevenly and lose a lot of their juices," Diaz says, "which makes them dry and tough. You want that initial sear to lock the juices in." Pressing the patties. It can be tempting to use your spatula to press down on the patties, especially if you're a fan of smash burgers. But on the grill, where the fat and moisture drain through the grates, this is not a wise move, says Taxin. "Never press the burger! The juices run out, and you're basically pouring the flavor out onto the grill," she says. "Not only will your burger probably end up dry, but this can also trigger flare-ups on the grill, which may burn the outside of the patty before the inside is cooked enough." Overcooking the meat. Skipping the meat thermometer and accidentally cooking a burger above your desired doneness will leave you with dry beef. That said, even if you're meticulous with your temp checks and grill the burgers to the exact temp you desire, the patty can end up overdone, Nye says. Just like steaks, burgers experience a little "carryover cooking" after being removed from the grill. (Burgers will typically continue to rise in temperature by 5 to 10 degrees F, the chefs note.) "It's best to cook to just below the desired temp, and then gently rest for a few minutes to let the meat reabsorb the juice and fat," Nye adds. Now that you're well-versed in what not to do, let's discuss the most important thing to do. And it's unanimous in this case: All seven chefs agree that the best, juiciest grilled burgers start with the right beef blend. 'Fat content is the most critical element for achieving that perfect juicy bite,' says Cooper. For Taxin, the minimum fat content must be at least 20 percent. 'Fat adds richness, flavor, and keeps the burger from drying out,' she says. 'The 80/20 ratio strikes the perfect balance: rich, juicy, and tender, yet still able to hold its shape without falling apart.' A blend that's too lean, say, 95/5 or 90/10, tends to dry out on a toasty grill and 'gets tough quickly,' Nye adds. Once you invest in some 80/20 ground beef (as freshly ground and high-quality as you can find, Nye suggests), it's time to fire up the grill. The chefs have a few parting tips to help you grill the best burger: Handle the meat with care. The more you mix the beef, the tougher the burger gets. 'Overhandling breaks down the fat and muscle structure, which kills tenderness. Gently form the patty and leave it a bit loose,' Taxin recommends. Size wisely. A 6- to 8-ounce patty gives you enough surface area for a nice sear and is much easier to cook evenly without drying out compared to tiny or supersized portions, Diaz says. Strive for about 3/4-inch patties. Cook over medium-high to high heat: Medium-high to high heat is key for that appetizing sear. About 375 to 400 degrees F (190 to 200 degrees C) is ideal. 'You want to hear that sizzle when the patty hits,' Arciniega says. Don't fuss. Another essential step to lock in those juices and score that caramelized crust: letting the burger cook. 'Flipping the burger too much will stress out the meat, causing the juices to seep out and end up with a dry burger,' says Denofrio. Strive to flip just once halfway through. For half-pound burgers over medium-high to high heat, this ranges from approximately 3 minutes (medium-rare) to 4 1/2 minutes (medium-well) per side. Watch the temp. 'Unless you're grilling dozens of burgers per day, trust a meat thermometer,' Arciniega adds. 'It ensures accuracy and helps you avoid under- or overcooking.' The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for food safety, which falls within the well-done range. Medium is generally categorized as 140 to 145 degrees F (60 to 63 degrees C). Choose based on your personal preferences and risk tolerance level, keeping in mind that the burgers will rise 5 to 10 degrees F after you remove them from the grill. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
The Guardian
06-06-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Horse racing: Oaks day opens Derby festival, Epsom ground news and more
Update: Date: 2025-06-06T10:00:33.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Good morning from Epsom racecourse on this first day of this year's Derby meeting, where racing professionals and a scattering of early punters alike are staring anxiously at the skies and wondering how the ground will be riding for both Friday's Oaks and the Derby itself in a little over 24 hours' time. There is plenty of blue sky above the track at present but there was rain earlier and it has already been one of the trickier run-ups to the Classic meeting in Andrew Cooper's 30-year tenure as clerk of the course. 'I've never known such a prolonged dry period from March, April and through into May, so it's been challenging,' Cooper told the draw ceremony in a local cinema on Wednesday. 'It hasn't been great for grass, it's been constant irrigation just to get us to where we want to be. 'There was 3.5mm of rain on Tuesday, which was forecast, but it's very localised and Sandown [eight miles away] didn't get any at all. It's unsettled for sure, and in terms of the volume of rain on a race day, when you're racing over the ground, it really doesn't take a lot to start shifting things quite quickly.' The Jockey Club's live update page for Epsom was reporting a total of 4.8mm since midnight at 9.30am today, and 11.4mm over the previous seven days. As a result, the going at Epsom is now good to soft, good in places, having been good all over two days ago, though as yet there is little impact on the Oaks betting, where Desert Flower, the 1,000 Guineas winner, remains a solid favourite at around 6-4 despite the nagging doubts about whether she will see out the 12-furlong trip. Whirl, one of three runners from the Aidan O'Brien yard, is a drifter this morning, however, out to 6-1 from around 9-2 overnight, while Minnie Hauk, the mount of O'Brien's No 1, Ryan Moore, is a solid second-favourite at around 5-1. The main supporting race on the Classic card is the Coronation Cup at 2.40pm, for older horses over the full Derby and Oaks trip, and the very likeable Calandagan, who has finished either first or second on his last eight starts, will be favourite here to get an overdue first Group One win on the board. You can read my full preview of today's TV races here. The card is under way at 1.30pm with the Surrey Stakes over seven furlongs, and all the news and results from Oaks day will be here on the blog within seconds as the afternoon's action unfolds.
Tom's Guide
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 shows like 'Your Friends and Neighbors' to stream while you wait for season 2
The first season of "Your Friends and Neighbors" has come to a close, and while we wait to see what Andrew Cooper steals next (and from whom), there's a very specific hole left in our watchlists. The Apple TV Plus series introduced us to Jon Hamm's Andrew, a freshly fired hedge fund manager who decides to spend his free time breaking into the homes of his rich neighbors — not out of desperation, but more like curiosity, boredom and maybe a touch of existential spite. With its deadpan voiceover and sharp commentary on the absurdity of wealth, "Your Friends and Neighbors" makes it weirdly easy to root for a guy rifling through someone else's medicine cabinet. While we wait for season 2 to sneak back into our lives, here are a few shows like "Your Friends and Neighbors" that scratch the same itch. In this FX drama, an Irish Traveller family decides to take up residence in an upper class neighborhood when they're involved in a car accident that kills a wealthy family named the Riches. On the run from their clan, from whom they've just stolen a large sum of money, they have little choice but to assume the identities of the Riches, struggling to fit in within a WASP-y community of hedge fund managers and high-powered attorneys. Starring Suzy Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver as Rich parents and Noel Fisher, Shannon Marie Woodward, and Aidan Mitchell as their three children, "The Riches" benefited from the strong performances and bonds between its central cast. Watch on Hulu Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Andrew Cooper on "Your Friends and Neighbors" wasn't the first TV character to engage in nefarious, illegal goings-on beneath the surface of an otherwise picture-perfect suburban neighborhood. Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker) preceded him by a number of years on "Weeds," when she — a mother with two boys to provide for whose husband has recently died — starts a lucrative side hustle as the local marijuana dealer. "Weeds" was a satirical take on the typical family drama, and it ran for eight seasons on Showtime from 2005 to 2012. Along the way, it earned 20 Emmy nominations, including several for Parker as well as Elizabeth Perkins as Botwin's neighbor. Watch free on Plex This may sound familiar: A typical family man whose marriage is on the rocks finds himself in the midst of a crisis and, determined to provide for his wife and kids, begins working as a freelance criminal. Initially, he tells himself it's a means to an end, but before long, he starts to relish his life of crime, and what's more, he's good at it. This could describe Andrew Cooper in "Your Friends and Neighbors," but is just as easily applied to Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in "Breaking Bad." After White, a mild-mannered high school teacher, is handed a devastating cancer diagnosis, he realizes that he can make enough to keep his family comfortable after his death by opening a meth lab. But that's just where it starts. Before long, he gets deeper and deeper into the criminal world, until he's virtually unrecognizable. Breaking Bad was a hit series on AMC, earning four Emmys for Cranston, three for Aaron Paul, and two for Anna Gunn. It also generated a popular spinoff, "Better Call Saul," which offers up an origin story for White's shady lawyer, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). Watch on Netflix It can be easy to justify a little light larceny when you find you and your family in dire financial straits. This is certainly the case in "Good Girls," when a trio of suburban mothers decide to turn to robbery when they each, for different reasons, fall on hard times. Beth (Christina Hendricks) is reeling from a recent divorce after her husband cheated on her. Ruby (Retta) needs money to pay for her child's medical treatments. And Annie (Mae Whitman) is about to become embroiled in an expensive custody battle. They're all more or less justified in looking for not-so-legal side hustles, which they find when they decide to team up and rob a local grocery store. Surely they'll just commit one robbery, get away with it, and then that'll be the end of it, right? Watch on Netflix Set in Palm Beach in 1969, this comedy-drama feels a little bit like a mash-up between "Mad Men's" period aesthetics and the criminal antics of "Your Friends and Neighbors." It stars Kristen Wiig as the ambitious Maxine, who is determined to do whatever it takes to join the high-flying members of Palm Beach's most exclusive country club. Her increasingly absurd antics only prove the lengths she's willing to go to accomplish her goals, as she clumsily manipulates seemingly everyone in town to earn a coveted spot among their elite. Wiig is in fine form in Palm Royale, showcasing her deftness with both comedy and drama. Palm Royale was renewed for a second season in 2024, so we should be getting more social-climbing dramedy in the near future. Watch on Apple TV Plus
