Fortnum & Mason

A huge thank you to everyone in Team Fortnum's who took part in the Future Frontiers coaching and mentoring programme for local school children recently. Organised by Future Frontiers Transition Manager Iola Manville, and Fortnum's Head of People Business Partnering, Dawn Douglas.MCIPD Douglas - over several weeks volunteers from across the business offered their time to go through a series of activities and exercises, with students from a nearby school in North London, to discuss future career choices. All were DBS checked, and had to go through preliminary training before taking part in the Lunch & Learn coaching programme, which everyone found incredibly rewarding. Including the students, who were able to speak 1-2-1 to nominated interviewees already working in their chosen fields and careers, via video calls in the final session, before handing thank you cards back to their allocated coaches. Iola said: "Congratulations to everyone who finished the Future Frontiers programme. Every single member of the Fortnum's team made a significant impact on their pupils, and I felt so grateful for their dedication to the students' experience on the programme. It was brilliant to run and seeing the pupils' engagement and openness when working with everyone was fantastic." Future Frontiers is an award-winning education charity, and believe that 'Where you start shouldn’t affect where you end up.' Their mission is to provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the guidance, networks and opportunities they need to fulfil their potential at school, in further education and in employment. As a result they support young people aged 14-16 in the lead up to their post-16 transition. At the GCSE stage of their lives 75% young people from low income families will not achieve a strong pass grade in English and Maths, while 10 years after GCSEs 3 in 4 will earn below the real Living Wage. One of our participants, Concierge Marketing & Business Development Manager Cherrie Lo, summed up what being involved meant to her. "Teenagers are at a stage filled with possibilities, yet they often feel uncertain and confused about what comes next. I saw this opportunity and knew instantly I wanted to get involved to play my part and help." Our thanks to Future Frontiers and to everyone involved. Sebastian Cowan Future Frontiers Cherrie Lo 盧曉婷 #future #education #mentoring #coaching #teamfortnums #facesoffortnums

We always like to surprise our guests at Fortnum & Mason, and Jay Blades MBE, famous for much loved BBC One show The Repair Shop was no exception. While touring London's West End in search of local revelations, for Channel 5's 'The West End Through Time', he stopped by to discover a very surprising fact. Our deputy archivist Louise Woof was on hand to share a key moment in Fortnum's history, the invention of the scotch egg in 1738. In last night's broadcast he proceeded to sample an iconic product from our foodhall. "So...the scotch egg was invented in the West End? I never would've believed that!" he joked. Jay also asked Louise to confirm that this most famous of snacks was in fact not created in Scotland. "Originally it was called 'scotched' rather than scotch and it was to do with how they were made," said Louise. "Because it was an egg covered with meat and breadcrumbs on top, it was seen as the perfect travelling food that would fit perfectly into your hand and it would be very nourishing and filling as well." Jay also tried some of our world famous tea, with Louise advising on some "lovely floral woody notes" to look out for, with Jay replying: "I'm not good at this, I'm just used to a builder's tea." In the programme Jay also explores the fascinating history of The West End, visiting local culturally important landmarks, as Louise shared more about the history of our flagship store at 181 Piccadilly. Thank you to our retail, security and visual merchandising teams who helped facilitate the filming so brilliantly. #jayblades #scotchegg #foodie #channel5 #piccadilly

Congratulations to Fortnum’s Concierge Team who have been shortlisted as a Best Corporate Gifting Supplier finalist at The PA Show Summer Supplier Awards. 🎉🎁 The team have been recognised again for their knowledge and experience, but also their ability to meet the needs of every customer through their own unique backgrounds and personalities.   As well as hosting a number of inspiring events throughout the year, the Fortnum's team is always on hand to support with customers gifting needs - whether it's something special to treat a hardworking team member, for a valued client, or a deserving person in your life. We wish the team success in the final! 🗳️ In the meantime you can vote for them here: https://lnkd.in/eP7XUn_7 Go team Fortnum's! #teamFortnums #concierge #customerservice #awards2024 #team

Feasting, the joy of Comte, and mixing work and pleasure - just three foodie themes from a packed summer programme in our mouthwatering events schedule. Since it opened in Spring last year, our Food & Drink Studio is a space dedicated to the search for extraordinary experiences, whether it's unmissable masterclasses, intimate dining experiences or live demonstrations from the most exciting names in food and drink. On Tuesday this week, July 16th, guests can enjoy spending time with award-winning author, food historian and London-based chef Monisha Bharadwaj, who will be hosting a delicious dinner and conversation about the roles of feasting and fasting in Indian culture. Although these themes are relevant throughout the year, Monisha is hosting her dinner during Śrāvaṇa, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. This is a month of fasting – every Monday to Shiva, every Tuesday to Parvati and/or to Lord Visnu on Thursdays – in a bid to create a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul and closeness to God. Discover more as you enjoy a 3-course meal prepared by Monisha. On Friday this week, July 19th, you can join Sam & Shauna, who will be discussing the trials and tribulations of being a couple who work together - mixing work and pleasure - while preparing a delicious Welsh/American lunch. As the Welsh duo behind the restaurant ‘Hang Fire’ they have been a couple for 23 years, and working together since 2012. Shauna was a social worker and Samantha was a graphic designer, but after falling in love with America's Deep South on a road trip in 2011, they gave their old lives up to pursue their passion for barbecue food, music and travelling. Or how about Friday dinner? Guests can join us for an evening with internationally acclaimed chef, broadcaster, podcast presenter, and award-winning food writer Gizzi Erskine. Gizzi will be hosting a supper club, celebrating the exquisite Comté, an Alpine cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, near the Swiss border. While Comté cheese has become increasingly popular on cheese boards, many people are still hesitant to cook with it. Comté is characterised and loved for its surprising aromatic richness. Chef Gizzi will create a unique indulgent, modernist French menu (served with Fortnum's wines) featuring courses that hero different ages of Comté cheese. We think this sounds like a mouthwatering line up! All events above will take place at our Food & Drink Studio on the 3rd Floor at 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER. For a full list of upcoming events (and timings) visit: https://lnkd.in/esB7bixU #foodie #indianfood #londonevents #cheese #supperclub #barbecue

A Q for any loyal Fortnum's watcher. What is: Zitronenaufstrich? Also known as - Spread op basis van citroen, other EU labels include, Crema spalmabile al limone or Pâte à Tartiner au Citron. Any guesses?   Elzette Hope from our Food Tech & Sustainability Team ensures that everyone knows it as our iconic Lemon Curd. As Lead Snr Category Technical Manager, she works collaboratively across Fortnum's.   "I love working with our Technical team, but also suppliers, our in-house Buyers, Hospitality, Marketing and Merchandising. Our role covers food compliance checks, meeting country specific regulations for our products, but also ensuring accurate translations on our packaging. What we had to avoid on Lemon Curd, was having it described as 'Lemon Cheese', as we know that definitely doesn't exist!'   Elzette's responsibilities, alongside our Food Technologists, includes looking after the supplier base for own brand products. "We carry out food safety audits and ensure the correct practices are in place. We monitor customer complaints and look after anything that can affect food safety and our legal requirements."   Elzette joined us in 2021, initially joining as a consultant to assist on the changes needed due to Natasha's Law. She also worked closely with our Hospitality team on calorie information on Fortnum's menus, due to new legislation in 2022.   Growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, Elzette studied food science at the University of Pretoria, where she met her boyfriend - now husband - before moving England. "I got my first job in the food industry, working for Bakkavor in Park Royal in London. After 3 years there I went to Selfridges where I met Sasha Notley (now at Fortnum's as Food Technical Director), who employed me. My colleagues Elizabeth Morgan and Joseph Piddington were there then too. After that I joined Bidvest - a Food Service supplier, and was a Technologist there for 2 years. I also spent 6 years at Hovis, looking after their M&S account. Up until I joined Fortnum's, I always felt I was learning my trade, but now I feel I'm at a stage in my career where I have good experience and real knowledge to apply to this role."   Elzette has a young family at home, consisting of her husband and two boys - Nathan 8, and 6 year old Owen. "All of a sudden my son is starting year 4, and the toddler phase has gone!" She spends her spare time taking them to football, rugby, swimming 'and parties', and is also a qualified make-up artist, with an interest in skin care.   What do you enjoy most about your job? "For me it's the feeling that I can make a real difference. When I started improvements to our processes that could be made, that's been the most enjoyable part for me. Working collaboratively with suppliers, internal departments, building relationships and working together to create lasting change. Also, I do love a process, in fact I'm never happier than when I've got a flow diagram in front of me!" #facesoffortnums #teamfortnums #food

Mind the crumbs…! Your delicious journey of discovery starts here. Not long after we first opened the doors of our Piccadilly home back in 1707, tea became one of the first things we sold. And now three centuries (and countless trips around the world in search of the planet's finest leaves) later - we're as besotted as ever with the delicious art of making tea... just don't forget the biscuits. We love it when people visit us here in 181 Piccadilly, but equally know that not everyone can, so how about tea, biscuits and a Fortnum's preserve – all delivered to your door each month? If your postie delivers anything half as lovely, half as often, we’ll eat our hats. After the jam and biscuits, of course. Delicious proof of our never-ending pursuit of teatime perfection, it’s our absolute pleasure to welcome you to The Tea Post – an ever-changing monthly parcel of three creations from our Piccadilly home, each handpicked to add a dollop of signature Fortnum’s joy to your day. And whether you prefer a little jam on your breakfast toast, a mid-afternoon pot of tea or a late-night biscuit, a delicious journey of discovery starts here… Perks will include free UK Delivery for refills, and our customers will be able to save on regular prices. So what are you waiting for, it's a slam dunk...or should be, once you get the kettle on! Launches today - 4th July - exclusively online via our website: fortnumandmason.com #timefortea #teatime #online #fortnums

🍦🏖️☀️ NEW! Fortnum’s Summer Windows 🍦🏖️☀️ Barbecues, beach balls and sandcastles, oh my! Discover the details of our brand-new summer windows for yourself... on display now and brightening up all of Piccadilly! #Summer #Windows #WindowDisplays #Piccadilly #Fortnums

A huge thank you to everyone in team Fortnum's who joined our London Pride Parade Picnic yesterday in St James’s Park. The team brought food and drink, but also enjoyed some bubbles and Fortnum's treats which were shared with all, as they were joined by our famous redcoats. They also brought friends, family, and not to mention glitter! Director of Merchandising and member of our Belonging Network, Robert Pooley said: "It was a fabulous afternoon. Our Chefs did an amazing job with the Fortnum's food, and there were also sports and activities. Virgilia and Zoe organised volleyball and karaoke, while Katy was an expert at face painting. Kat also brought along her two dogs, who definitely stole the show! All in all it was a lovely afternoon, and so nice that it had such a family vibe, which we shared with friends, a few pets and several scones. It really was for everyone." Here are just a few pictures of our team, having just rolled out the picnic blankets. Happy Pride, to all. #teamFortnums #facesofFortnums #PrideMonth #Pride2024 Katy Griffiths Joshua Neville Victoria Merryweather

☕ 🥂 It's National Cream Tea Day! Who knew? Now the nation has rekindled that most timeless of debates - cream or jam first? - in honour of the 10th anniversary of NCTD, we are paying homage in our own way. Jam-packed with teatime essentials including Brut Champagne, Strawberry Preserve, Clotted Cream, Miniature Scones and more, The Cream Tea selection is a delicious fusion of two Fortnum's favourites... picnics and Afternoon Tea! How are you celebrating? ☕ 🥂 #CreamTea #Scones #NationalCreamTeaDay #FortnumsAfternoonTea #fortnums #picnic

"I'm from Taiwan". Last week’s Breaking Bread shop floor presentation was expertly hosted by Nola Sheng, our Hospitality Training Manager, who introduced us to her home country, its history, its traditions and its food. Taking place before opening time on the Ground Floor at our 181 Piccadilly flagship store, following the morning presentation our people enjoyed Taiwanese cuisine for lunch later in the day. Nola talked about the country of her birth in 4 distinct themes: Nature; Food; Technology, and; Democracy. Nola has been in London for 22 years, "...and this year will mark the moment when I have been here longer than the time I spent at home!" But she still visits home once or twice a year. Situated between Japan, China and the Philippines - "Taiwan is about the size of the Netherlands, and in UK terms about the size of Wales - but with a population of 23 million people", she told us. "Taiwan is also more populous than three-quarters of the world’s nations". On Nature Nola said: "Taiwan has really high snowy mountains right next to the beach, but also specific animal species that only exist there because of this special landscape. No matter where you look there is always a mountain in Taiwan. I say to my English friends - the sky is so open and broad!" On Food: "I love food, and as a nation in Taiwan we are obsessed with food. Following some turbulent years in and around World War Two, we were heavily influenced by China, as after WW2 many people came to Taiwan. We were influenced by America, but also Japan too. Food is the top priority in Taiwan, and it is famous for its fruit, vegetables and animal welfare. Everyone eats out, we don't tend to eat much at home. The Hospitality and food & drink industry is very vibrant and creative." On Technology: "Taiwan used to make bicycles, shoes and zips (YKK was a big manufacturer there historically). In the 1960s and 70s it was described as the 'factory of the world', making audio parts and textiles, but in recent years we've been famous for semi-conductors and micro-chips for computing. So many shop tills and laptops all over the world over will contain microchips that are made in Taiwan. It's also a leading country powering the world's AI industry currently. In our Metro system the lost & found system is serviced by a robot. You contact them, they locate your item in the system, and on arrival at the desk a robot will retrieve this in 30secs, as opposed to the average time of 8mins it would take a member of staff to recover." On Democracy: "Taiwan was the first Asian democracy to legalise same sex marriage. There is a need to be open-minded to different cultures, behaviours and beliefs, due to an immigrant population from so many different nations." Thank you Nola, and to everyone who attended or watched this session back. #teamFortnums #facesofFortnums #breakingbread #hospitalitycareers #taiwan