What's On

After an extra special, unique event to impress your loved ones? Candlelight Concerts make for an evening to remember, as Pulse writer Emma-Rose Norris found out last month when visiting Northampton’s historic Delapré Abbey. If you’re not sure what a concert by candlelight entails, think serene surroundings bathed in the warm glow of flickering candlelight - Fever’s Candlelight Concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations around the globe. Candlelight began by making the finest works of classical music accessible to all, and today this remains their mission. Thus, you’ll always find tributes to renowned classical composers,..

Leicester’s award-winning independent children’s publisher, Sweet Cherry Publishing, is delighted by the success of a recent school visit with debut author Red, the creative mind behind Ho Ho Ho! A Pirate’s Christmas for Me. All images courtesy of Steph Loake Photography This engaging event took place at Hanslope Primary School, Milton Keynes, and captivated students in years 1 to 4 with an author talk, a reading and even an interactive activity! The visit was particularly special for Red, who remembers running through those very halls when she herself was a Hanslope pupil. Now a published author, she was honoured to..

Last month, I had the pleasure of an invitation to a dining experience that has long been on my bucket list: Allium Dining. Allium at Manor Farm in Bourton is a celebration of all things local and delicious – two aspects that are of great importance to me as an avid consumer of all things edible. Situated in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, Manor Farm in Bourton is home to this gastronomic event lead by the culinary wizard that is Andy Tomlinson. As a huge fan of their daytime offering, The Larder Café, I knew that this was going..

Good Times Café Instagram: @goodtimesuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodtimescafeuk “Give me a good sharp knife and a good sharp cheese and I’m a happy man.” – George R.R. Martin Who are Good Times? Next up in Pulse’s ‘Street Food Sensations’ series are the 2022 ‘MK Street Food of the Year’ winners, Good Times Café. Good Times serve up an array of cheese-based products and a vast selection of hot drinks and local, handmade treats. Specialising in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, barista-brewed coffee and home bakes, their delicious creations are all served with a smile from their retro pistachio-green, classic Citroen HY Van...

The Rub BBQ Instagram: @therub_bbq Website: https://www.therubbbq.co.uk/ “A recipe has no soul; you as the cook must bring soul to the recipe” – Thomas Keller. The Rub BBQ is a Milton Keynes street food institution. It was founded due to the owner’s love for wood-smoked meats (especially ribs) and authentic American-inspired BBQ sauces. The inspiration he took from Stateside led him to create his own BBQ dry rub and so ‘The Rub BBQ’ was born! All The Rub’s rubs (!), marinades and sauces are made from scratch; the ingredients are often wood-smoked to create their own unique depth of flavour..

Early on this month, Pulse Magazine’s food writer Emma-Rose was invited down to try out the offerings at The Centre:MK’s new opening – ‘Pho.’ The group of restaurants was founded in 2005 after Stephen and Juliette Wall had travelled to Vietnam and fell in love with the food. They made the decision to open a restaurant serving phở while sat on high stools, slurping pho bo, in Ho Chi Minh City. Now, 18 years later, Pho is small group of restaurants dotted around the country, serving great value, healthy and fresh Vietnamese food. In fact, every product in every dish..

You better hurry because Father's Day is fast approaching! We here at MK Pulse know that Milton Keynes is a truly vibrant city – it is host to a plethora of fantastic independent businesses, shops and sellers. From delicious meals, drinks and discounted experiences, this year's local Father's Day offers are not to be missed. We’ll walk you through some of the best deals, ensuring that your Dad has a Father's Day to remember! Experiences The Shack MK Home to all things BBQ, the Shack MK is a fantastic Father’s Day find; hosting a variety of day-classes, treat the special..

If you weren’t already aware, National Doughnut Week is an annual event that aims to raise funds for The Children’s Trust. National Doughnut Week 2023 spans 20th–28th May this year, and what better way to raise awareness of the day than to look at some of the wholly (or, should I say, *holey*) delicious local doughnut sellers we have in and around Milton Keynes. Amazing Grains of Olney First up is a place that I, quite frankly, want to keep secret because it’s just such a hidden..

Get ready for an experience like no other! Join us on Sunday 3rd September at Bradwell Abbey for a street feast hosted by Sophie etc., Toybox and MK City Discovery Centre. Sophie’s Street Feast will bring together an eclectic and exciting mix of local street food vendors, offering an array of delicious dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, with something for everyone to enjoy. Proceeds from the event will support some of Milton Keynes’ fabulous small charities including Toybox, St Marks Meals and Girl Pack MK.    Sophie Neal, blogger for Sophie etc. says: “Having worked closely with..

Milton Keynes may now FINALLY be a city, but it is absolutely littered with beautiful countryside trails. As we (hopefully!) approach the warmer, clearer weather, check out MK Pulse’s handy guide to six-of-the-best local walks, courtesy of the AllTrails App, to try out this Spring. Trail One – Ampthill and Mauldon Circular The first trail takes you through the gentle rolling landscape of the Bedfordshire Hills, providing superb views of the countryside throughout. The circular walk starts from the ruins of Houghton House, said to be the inspiration for House Beautiful in John Bunyan's ‘The Pilgrim's Progress.’ This 8.5km trail..

Pancake Day. Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras. Whatever you decide to call it, one thing is for sure – it's a day of fun, festivities...and, most importantly, food! Here are some local gems that come HIGHLY recommended this pancake day. French Affaire, Stony Stratford One of my favourite brunch-time locations, French Affaire is a French-inspired restaurant, buried in the heart of Odell’s Yard in quaint Stony Stratford. Founded by Anca and Razvan Marcu, their intimate and elegant restaurant concept came to life from their love of French produce and their visits to family in the Campagne-Ardenne region. Although in the evenings..

Are you thinking of saving up those precious pennies and celebrating Valentine’s Day at home next week? Here are three fail-safe and easy-to-follow recipes to impress your loved one with on February 14th this year. Middle-Eastern Style Shakshuka Serves 2-3 Ingredients: -1 Tbsp of Olive Oil -2 White Onions -4 Cloves of Garlic -2 Bell Peppers -2 Tins of Plum Tomatoes -2 Tbsp of Tomato Purée -1 Tsp Cumin -1 Tsp Coriander -1 Tsp Chilli Powder -1 Tsp Ras El Hanout -1 Tsp Rose Harissa Paste -1 Large (or small,..

Why not save a little bit of money this month and celebrate Valentine’s Day at home? If it’s your first or your fifty-first Valentine’s Day with your beau, February 14th is the perfect occasion to crack out that cocktail shaker hidden at the back of your cupboard. Whether it’s an intimate 3-course dinner or more of a casual occasion, swap out your usual Mojito or Passionfruit Martini for something a little bit more special this year. Local cocktail designer and enthusiast Sunday Cocktail Club has created 3 bespoke recipes for you to try out and enjoy this year. Despite looking..

Great Gelato Last week I took a trip to one of my Stony Stratford favourites, Great Gelato. Until the end of January, they are offering a ‘BOGOF’ offer on their thick, traditional original Italian hot chocolates. We got 2 giant cups of what I can only describe as the very BEST hot chocolate I’ve ever had in the UK for £3.50 in total: an absolute steal! If you fancy something different, every week Great Gelato have a whole host of different options including: daily specials, gelato, cookies, brownies, pizza slices and more. All their products are freshly made on site,..

itsu has finally landed in Milton Keynes, having celebrated the opening of their first location in Buckinghamshire last Wednesday. The Asian-inspired, healthy fast-food restaurant brand opened inside Centre:MK in Milton Keynes at 11am on Wednesday 14th December. The healthy haven of fast, nutritious, beautiful food will offer local residents and businesses alike a delicious range of hot & cold dishes to takeaway, dine in with their friends or be delivered to local offices as a fresh meal option. “We’re looking forward to opening our first branch in Buckinghamshire while creating new career opportunities for locals on the lead-up to Christmas...