Author Archive | Nellie

O’Briens has proved to be a remarkably successful franchise operation since Brody Sweeney started the business in 1988. High time for a visit from Nellie Nichols, in search of Irish magic. It’s that very Irish time of year again. St Patrick’s Day under the wonderful freezing cold, bright blue sky at Cheltenham races when if […]

Christmas sandwiches have become an important addition to the culinary calendar, with retailers pulling out the stops to produce innovative offerings and packaging. Nellie Nichols looks back at the ‘crackers’ and the ‘turkeys’ Well that’s Christmas then. After an impressive buildup starting in October here we are the other side of it in January; the […]

What makes a good 21st century sandwich: how important is innovation in a maturing marketplace? ‘Me too’ sandwiches have become endemic to the industry, resulting in increasing consumer menu fatigue, said Nellie Nichols in the keynote presentation at the BSA’s Taste Experience event. The way forward is for sandwich producers to strive for individuality in […]

There are outstanding ingredients and sandwich recipes at the new Roast to Go venture, the sandwich satellite of the famous Roast restaurant in Borough Market, London. But in all other respects there’s a whole lot of polishing that needs to be done before the concept can be rolled-out, says Nellie Nichols. I feel like I’ve […]

When I left London in August for a fortnight’s holiday we were in a ridiculous heat wave. When I got back it was grey, overcast, all the blackberries were out and the high street was full of ‘back to school’ promotions. How time flies, autumn has arrived and Pret has just celebrated its twentieth anniversary. […]

It’s not often that we get a batch of recommendations for one outlet, so our interest was aroused when Pure California, a new healthy food, smoothie and juice bar in Soho, kept being name dropped. Its stated aim is to provide fresh, natural, healthy and delicious food and drink for people on the move. Nellie […]

In the first of a new series focusing on independent sandwich bars, Nellie Nichols visits Amano, a stone bake oven flatbread concept. The most wonderful part of being an independent must be starting with a blank sheet of paper. Find a good site, add a sound and creative template and this should lead to bearing […]

“Food & Drink Expo proved to be a fantastic venue for new food launches, as Nellie Nichols discovered.” I am a massive fan of food exhibitions and this is one of the best for showcasing new innovation. My show rules are these: overtake the aisledawdlers, circumnavigate absolutely anyone dressed up as something ridiculous (giant animals, […]

Self-confessed Waitrose groupie Nellie Nichols checks out the sandwich offer and finds that the expanding quality chain is ‘missing a big trick’. The Scottish must be in seventh heaven. Firstly smoking is banned and now after thirty three years of John Lewis trading in Scotland, Waitrose is to open there, initially with two shops in Edinburgh. […]

Paris in Piccadilly. Wonderful sandwiches, shame about the fuchsia pink surroundings. Nellie Nichols visits the new flagship of Maison Blanc. I need convincing there’s a need for yet another new sandwich concept in the main stretch to Leicester Square. The cartel is well established here, endless Prets and Starbucks, not to mention Costa and Coffee […]