IMG_4968Britain is accustomed to the odd watery spell or downpour that seemingly last for months on end, blending every season into an indistinguishable monsoon. Unlike anything we’ve ever experienced, the media has been rife with warnings that we, Great Britain, were going to experience our first hurricane!

Battering its way through America and dominating over beautiful Bermuda, Hurricane Joaquin bellowed its way towards Britain. But before you grab your wellies and begin boarding up your house (the most efficient way across the pond to saving you windows; and selves), Joaquin made a ‘turn for the best’ and has decided against visiting the Isles.

Though we expect and anticipate the UK’s notorious wet weather, more often than we’d like to admit, we do get caught out! Forgotten your brollie? Not to worry, as a guest @ thestudio, we endeavour to keep your head high and dry with our complimentary umbrellas! Ensuring your spirits aren’t dampened.

If you were lucky enough to be around Birmingham last week you may have seen quite a few events kicking off, not just the long awaited England Vs. Wales match (well done to Wales), but the unveiling of Grand Central, the opening of John Lewis and the activity packed Birmingham Weekender!

With lots of exciting events now behind us, it is hard to imagine there’s much life left in September, but you’d be surprised! As the month comes to an end and autumn slowly draws in, turning the leaves and even the Moon red… We’d like to introduce our new menu!

As fall bares a whole host of ripe treats to the table, a change of seasons truly wouldn’t be the same without the studio menu tasting which also takes place every quarter. If you’re interested in joining our taster panel then Tweet us @studiovenues to get on the guest list! The more the merrier.

If you we’re able to join us this Monday you’ll have been able to feast both your eyes and tummies on our alluring autumnal selection. From heart-warming Beef Bourguignon to Heritage Carrot Tart Tatin served with red onion marmalade and treats like “Snickers” Eaton mess, what’s not to love?

We hope that you’ll be able to join us in our next gastronomical journey.

 

With the remnants of the British summer slowly dying away, it won’t be long till the luscious green hues of spring and summer fade into a pile of crispy leaves. It’s almost time to dig out the cosy jumpers, gloves and boots! As appealing as that sounds you’d be forgiven for feeling like 2015 is nearly done and dusted. Thankfully there are some great things yet to come before we bid farewell to 2015!

There are quite a few exciting events still in this year’s pipeline and one of which seems to be edging closer and closer is our third venues’ grand opening in Leeds.

Speaking of grand openings, Grand Central – Birmingham’s newest retail destination will launch on 24th September perfectly timed to co-incide with the Birmingham Weekender Event taking place in key locations around the city. If you’re thinking about steaming ahead with your Christmas shopping you can enjoy the exciting arrival of the largest John Lewis outside of London.

With Autumn approaching thoughts turn to “back to school” and from the 1st Sept onwards we’ll be making a £10.00 contribution to Wood Street Mission for every booking made in Classroom, one of the 10 vibrant event spaces we have in our Manchester venue, for more details on Classroom take a look here.

Like us, we bet you’ve got some great memories of school; we hope all children feel as though they are able to have the same opportunities and can create some smashing memories like we all did. The proceedings will enable Wood Street Mission to gear our next generation with supplies and resources to encourage a brighter future, with everything from P.E kits to stationary. Now that’s what we call a great start to the academic year! (more…)

Interested in a great migration? Well, Birmingham is experiencing an influx of Giant Owls! Perching all over the city, from the centre to the outskirts, these vibrant birds will definitely catch your eye. Running from the 20th July – 27th September, these feathery friends will be on display to help raise awareness for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Your last chance at birdwatching will be from 10th-11th October, they’ll be flying the nest soon after as they are being auctioned off in order to raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital… what an ingenious way to support a great cause!

Hoot your favourite owl design @studiovenues #thebighoot2015

Walk this way…

In total there are 200 wise owls dotted about Birmingham, the Ozzy Owl being the wisest of course (rock on). This exhibition is in perfect timing with both the school holidays and the lovely British summer, so if you fancy a fun, free, day out why not trek through the concrete jungle on The Big Hoot Trail! thestudio team have managed to snap up quite a few… as you can tell! (more…)

Only stopping in its tracks because of the World Wars, La Grande Boucle or as we know it, The Tour de France is an iconic, jam-packed, action filled, world class event in the annual sporting calendar, with teams from all over the world all vying for the highly acclaimed top spot and that yellow jersey.

Well known for putting the strongest athletes to the test, challenging them both mentally and physically, this race is not for the faint hearted. In fact, it is so gruelling that in 1919 only 10 individuals managed to complete the course!

The #TDF2015, running from Saturday July 4th to Sunday July 26th 2015, is the 102nd tour and is made up of 21 stages covering a total distance of 3,360 kilometres: 9 flat stages, 3 hilly stages, 7 mountain stages including 5 summit finishes, 1 individual time trial, 1 team time trial and just 2 rest days – phew!

Follow the leader…

British cyclist Chris Froome seems to be the favourite to win (go Britain!) riding as the general classification contender (going all out for the yellow jersey!) with the ever impressive Team Sky. (more…)

emma

Ever heard of Pitchfest? No, not Pitch Perfect, Pitchfest! This is a collaborative event spear headed by Aston, Birmingham and Warwick Universities to deliver a day at the NEC brimming with opportunity for businesses and investors. Over 80 West Midlands companies attended, allowing businesses to compete, network and learn more about local industries. With such an event so close to home, of course thestudio were eager to enter.

Only 15 businesses got to the final and studio were delighted to be in the final 5 for the growth category. These finalists went on to present or better put “pitch” their plans for the future to a board full of potential investors and a room full of other businesses and potential new clients.

Our Director Emma Jennings commented: “Reaching the finals of Pitchfest is a great way to end another fantastic year of growth at thestudio. After recent expansion in Birmingham, Pitchfest provided an excellent opportunity to meet with several investors to talk through future plans for thestudio and its plans to grow into other major UK cities and any opportunity to showcase to new customers is always a winner!” (more…)

IMG_2816Now that summer has firmly planted its feet on British soil, it’s not hard to guess what yearly event is underway… so grab your shades it’s time for Wimbledon! We’ll be showing matches on our main screens so you won’t miss a thing…

Tweet your tennis favourite @studiovenues #Wimbledon2015

Younger than the world’s oldest tortoise, Adwaita who lived until he was (speculatively) a whopping 255 years, Wimbledon is a timid 138 years of age… Funnily enough the rules have virtually stayed the same since its conception!

Did you know that over 27 kilos of strawberries will be consumed during the tournament? Hence our inspiration to commemorate Wimbledon with a Strawberries & Cream Cake! Have a break and grab some cake @studiovenues. Cake not your thing? Then why not check out Colmore Business District Food Festival! Running from the 3rd– 4th July, it offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in the summer sun. (more…)

The time to dust off those BBQ’s has finally arrived; 21st June marked the official beginning of the long awaited British Summer! With the change of seasons it’s now time to get ready for the gastronomical delights @ thestudio’s quarterly menu tasting!

Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it this Monday, there’s 2 more seasons left to taste this year! Just let us know and we’ll add you to our special tasters list.

Being genuine foodies, we really value our ingredients and the dishes we create to incorporate a menu that truly embraces all the fresh, lovely produce summer offers.  Not to mention how much we enjoy reading your views on our culinary creations, this is one place your feedback is always welcomed!

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IMG_2644Allons enfants de la patrie,

Le jour de gloire est arrivé!

Contre nous de la tyrannie

L’etendard sanglant est levé! (bis)

Wondering why we are singing the French national anthem @thestudio? Well, it only seemed fair to pay homage to the Gods of patisserie; especially as they created the dessert we are celebrating today… Happy National Éclair Day! Though the day was officially celebrated yesterday, we strongly believe it’s better late than never, especially when it comes to food!

Tweet your favourite pastry @studiovenues (it would give us more than a reason to celebrate it’s National Food Day)

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IMG_2523Oh fudge, here comes another National Food Day!

Smothered in chocolate or crammed with cranberries, fudge is a delicacy made for all, with a huge variety of flavour combinations it shouldn’t prove too difficult to find one to fall in love with.

Don’t be a chump, grab a chunk! Come celebrate with us this day of fudge!

Tweet your most savoured fudge combination @studiovenues we love hearing about food.

Everyone remembers those school trips to the sea side, the fresh air complimented by the lovely summer breeze and not to mention the souvenir shops packed to the brim with different types of handcrafted regional fudge … isn’t this making you reminisce and mouth water? (more…)