Latest news with #RenaeSmith
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The best ice cream parlours in the UK, according to a top food critic
The hottest day of the year this week - which had Brits sweltering in temperatures that had sunseekers basked in searing 34.7C across some parts - signalled that summer well and truly is here. Many across the UK will be getting their shades, SPF and portable fans out to deal with the scorching heat - but there's nothing better to cool down with than a tasty, sugary ice cream, and here, a travel writer has shared her favourite parlours across the country. A Mr Whippy and Calippo can do the job just fine, but some days call for a proper vendor that delivers on both creaminess and flavour. Speaking to FEMAIL, food critic Renae Smith, revealed her top 20 picks for the sweet treat, featuring locations everywhere from London to Edinburgh. The expert, who is also the host of What Chefs Want on Channel 4 in Singapore, unveiled the best places to go for; and there's something for everyone, whether you're after a classic gelato or an experimental foodie concoction. Top of the list is Chelsea and Bermondsey based Ice Cream Union, where Renae reccomends the Fiordilatte with dulce de leche ripple. Elsewhere, she is also fond of the Espresso Martini flavour at Moomaid of Zennor in Cornwall. And for those further up north, the pro praised Brucciani's - a Morecambe Bay staple... Speaking to FEMAIL, food critic Renae Smith, revealed her top 20 picks for the sweet treat, featuring locations everywhere from London to Edinburgh. Pictured, Mary's Milk Bar in Edinburgh 1. Ice Cream Union – Chelsea & Bermondsey Small-batch kings with a cult following in the chef world. They treat ice cream like fine dining, everything's handcrafted with freaky precision. Renae's pick of flavour: Fiordilatte with dulce de leche ripple and chocolate-coated biscuit chunks. Like a luxury McVitie's in gelato form. 2. The Dreamery – Islington A whimsical wine bar meets boutique gelato lab. Expect fig leaf sorbet, oolong & prune, and the sexiest scoops served in vintage silver bowls. Renae's pick of flavour: Pear & verjus sorbet, bright, tart, elegant. Very 'London with a secret' 3. Chin Chin Dessert Club – Soho & Camden Nitro-frozen theatre with a mad flavour lab twist. Think Michelin dessert meets street snack. Renae's pick of flavour: Burnt butter caramel with truffle crumble and pandan whipped cream. It's a full-sensory sugar trip. 4. Oddono's Gelaton – Multiple London Locations Proper Italian gelato made fresh daily, using natural ingredients and zero fuss. A London mainstay for good reason. Renae's pick of flavour: Pistachio. No gimmicks, just textbook perfection. 5. Happy Endings – Bow + stockists The UK's reigning queen of ice cream sandwiches. A little naughty, very nice. Renae's pick of flavour: The Malty One, malted parfait, oaty biscuits, magic malt crumb, dipped in luxe milk choc. Pure filth. 6. Bilmonte – Soho Boutique gelateria with a love for texture and experts of the slow melt (perfect for hot days). Italian heart, Soho soul. Renae's pick of flavour: Milk chocolate, old school done the right way. 7. Swoon Gelato – Bristol, Bath, Oxford Award-winning, artisan gelato that's all about creamy elegance and seasonal creativity. Renae's pick of flavour: Amarena Cherry Cheesecake. Tart, sweet, decadent, dangerously addictive. 8. Jack's Gelato – Cambridge Micro-batch madness. The menu changes constantly, and every flavour is a conversation starter. Renae's pick of flavour: Miso Blondie. Or Passionfruit & Gochujang Sorbet if you're feeling chaotic. 9. Gelato Gusto – Brighton BAFTA-winning founder turned gelato obsessive. Now focusing on wholesale, but you can still score a scoop of greatness in Brighton. Renae's pick of flavour: Truffle & honey, fancy but friendly. Farm-made ice cream with ocean views and Cornish sass. Renae's pick of flavour: Espresso Martini. Not for kids, and that's the point. 11. Morelli's Gelato – Broadstairs Gelato since 1932. Think marble counters, pastel sundaes, and heritage scooping. Renae's pick of flavour: Kilimanjaro Coffee, like espresso but sexier. 12. The Ice Cream Farm – Tattenhall, Cheshire Theme-park energy with proper dairy credentials. Great for kids, nostalgic for adults. Renae's pick of flavour: Whatever's made that morning from their own herd, usually divine. 13. Snugburys – Cheshire Three sisters, one barn, 300k scoops a year. Local legend status. Renae's pick of flavour: Raspberry Pavlova. Summer in a scoop. 14. Snowflake Gelato – London Artisan gelato using Jersey milk and Michelin-grade ingredients like Valrhona chocolate. Renae's pick of flavour: Raspberry Sorbetto. Supreme Taste Award-winner, and you'll see why. 15. Mary's Milk Bar – Edinburgh Gelato made daily by Mary, who trained in Bologna. Rotating flavours. No repeats. Renae's pick of flavour: The Spaghetti Sundae, just trust me. 16. Alandas Gelato – Edinburgh Award-winning Scottish-Italian scoop shop using East Lothian dairy. Renae's pick of flavour: Whisky Caramel. You're in Edinburgh, when in Rome… 17. Parisella's – Llandudno, North Wales Proper seaside parlour since the '50s. Classic cones and nostalgia by the scoop. Banoffee. Tastes like childhood. 18. Brucciani's – Morecambe Bay Art Deco darling of the north. Go for the design, stay for the knickerbocker glories. Seventy five years and counting. Estuary views, homemade scoops, and major retro charm. Vegan soft-serve made from almonds and cashews that gives full-fat Mr Whippy energy.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Superannuation tax time move giving Aussies $80,000 cash boost in retirement: ‘Beneficial'
Australians who top up their superannuation before the end of the financial year could boost their retirement savings by thousands and lower their tax bills. But experts are warning that there are only a few weeks left to take advantage of one important tax deduction. Carry forward rules allow Aussies to use up any unused concessional contribution amounts from the last five years and claim them as a tax deduction this financial year. It currently goes back to the 2019-2020 financial year, but once we hit July 1, that financial year will be gone. Vanguard chief of personal investor Renae Smith told Yahoo Finance carry forward rules applied if an individual had a total super balance under $500,000 as of June 30 last financial year. RELATED Superannuation trick to avoid ATO taxing $150,000 of your inheritance ATO, Centrelink warning over $100 million Powerball lottery win Centrelink cash boost coming from July 1 for millions of Aussies 'For example, if an individual contributed $15,000 in employer and personal concessional contributions in 2019–20 when the annual cap was $25,000, they may be eligible to carry forward the unused $10,000 and add it to their concessional contributions this financial year,' she explained. 'With the current annual concessional cap at $30,000, this means that person could contribute up to $40,000 this year by using the carried-forward amount.' The concessional contributions cap includes any mandatory contributions from your employer. It's worth noting that exceeding the cap could lead to paying extra extra superannuation contributions can help lower your taxable income and top up your retirement savings. For example, Vanguard found that a 30-year-old earning $80,000 who made a $1,000 voluntary super contribution and claimed a deduction would receive a refund of $320 when they lodged their return. After accounting for the 15 per cent contribution tax, $850 would be added to their superannuation. If they were able to make this $1,000 contribution every year for 15 years, it could increase their super balance by $79,856 by the time they reach retirement age at 67. Super contributions are taxed at a favourable rate of 15 per cent, so the strategy may suit people who have higher marginal tax rates than this. 'Voluntary super contributions can be especially beneficial for Australians on average or higher incomes, as they may be eligible for tax deductions that reduce their taxable income,' Smith told Yahoo Finance. Smith noted that Aussies earning less than $60,400 could also benefit from making extra super contributions due to the government's super co-contribution. This is an incentive where the government adds up to $500 to a person's super when they make an after-tax contribution. While making extra super contributions can have benefits, it's important to consider your overall financial situation and goals. 'There are several things to consider. For example, some Australians may have high-interest debts like credit cards or personal loans, and it may make sense to prioritise paying those debts off first before adding to super,' Smith said. 'It's also important to think about the possibility of needing accessible funds in the short term, and to be mindful of contribution caps and any tax implications. To claim a tax deduction, you'll need to complete a 'Notice of intent form' and send it to your super fund before lodging your tax return. If you are making a lump sum contribution from your take-home pay, Smith recommended doing it at least a week before June 30 to allow time for processing. It's worth checking what's already been paid into your super, so you don't hit the concessional contributions cap. 'You can view and manage your concessional contributions and carry-forward concessional contributions by accessing the ATO's online services, and logging in to your myGov website account,' Smith in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tensions flare at Loudoun County School Board meeting amid Title IX investigation
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. - Emotions ran high at Tuesday night's Loudoun County Public School Board meeting as a crowd of parents and community members gathered to address a range of concerns — chief among them was a controversial Title IX investigation involving three high school students. Hundreds make comment More than 130 people signed up to speak during public comment, with 117 appearing in person. Due to the volume of speakers, each was limited to just one minute. Loudoun County School Board Chair Melinda Mansfield issued a stern warning ahead of the meeting, reminding attendees not to name students or staff or make personal attacks — rules that were challenged repeatedly throughout the evening. At the center of the controversy is Policy 8040, a guideline adopted in 2021 that permits students to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity rather than their biological sex. Some parents are now calling for the policy to be repealed. The backstory Their concerns stem from an incident currently under Title IX investigation, in which three male students are accused of sexually harassing a transgender student—who is biologically female but identifies as male—in the boys' locker room after gym class. The transgender student recorded video as they entered the locker room, it shows a black screen at first while capturing audio of classmates questioning why "a girl" was present and one student expressing that he felt "uncomfortable." The student filming then positioned the phone where the camera could see some of the students in the locker room. While it is illegal to record inside locker rooms, a Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) official confirmed that no individuals appeared in compromising positions in the video. As a result, it was determined that no privacy laws were violated. What they're saying Parents of the accused students spoke to FOX5, voicing frustration over the policy and how the investigation is being handled. "The school system has failed everybody," said Renae Smith, mother of one of the accused students. "Who felt safe in this situation? The answer is no one. No one felt safe, no one felt respected, and no one left that locker room with their dignity intact." "We're trying to define where the line is drawn between student rights and policy enforcement," added Seth J. Wolfe, another parent. "We feel our children's rights are being taken away because of these policies." Big picture view Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has since requested that the Attorney General launch an independent investigation into how LCPS has managed the situation. Meanwhile, the families of the accused students have retained legal counsel and are awaiting further updates as the school system continues its inquiry.
