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Description

Cooks Coaches offer good value for money short breaks and holidays, a comprehensive day excursion programme, and private and contract coach hire. We are a family business having been operating in the Southend-on-Sea area of Essex (40 miles east of London) for over 100 years during which time we have built up a reputation for reliability, honesty and courtesy.

We have a fleet of modern, well equipped luxury coaches with experienced drivers dedicated to making your day trips and holiday tours with Cooks the best and most enjoyable.

Our vehicles include

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11 Lydford Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7FF, United Kingdom

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Coach Trips and Day Excursions from Kevendys Travel in Essex; Experience the Usual Destinations and a Few New Surprises

Looking for a fantastic day trip where everything is taken care of? The day excursions available from Kevendys Travel are bound to both surprise and delight you! Treat yourself to a sightseeing visit to a new city or relax with a day trip to the seaside. We have reliable, popular excursions available throughout the year as well as a few new, surprise trips planned!

Day Excursions

Magna Carta Vintage Cruise - June 2024

27 June 2024

Hampton Court Flower Show - July 2024

7 July 2024

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway - July 2024

13 July 2024

Savill Gardens & River Thames Cruise with Ploughman's Lunch and Cream Tea - July 2024

18 July 2024

Englefield Green

Kentish Lady Cruise with Fish & Chips - July 2024

24 July 2024

Romford Dogs - July 2024

30 July 2024

RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show - August 2024

3 August 2024

Rettendon Common

Cromer Seaside - August 2024

13 August 2024

Margate - August 2024

16 August 2024

Snape Maltings & Aldeburgh - August 2024

20 August 2024

Clacton on Sea Airshow

23 August 2024

Clacton-on-Sea

Walton on the Naze

29 August 2024

Walton-on-the-Naze

Mystery Drive with Cream Tea

5 September 2024

Location is TBD

Weald & Downland Living Museum ('The Repair Shop')

10 September 2024

Hello Dolly The Musical, The London Palladium - September 2024

13 September 2024

Broadstairs Food Festival - September 2024

28 September 2024

Broadstairs

Romford Dogs Racing & Lunch - October 2024

22 October 2024

Banbury & Thenford Gardens - June 2024

3 July 2024

Forever Streisland - The Way We Were

10 July 2024

16 July 2024

Worthing - July 2024

19 July 2024

Buckingham Palace & The State Rooms - July 2024

25 July 2024

Sandringham Palace Flower Show - July 2024

31 July 2024

Sandringham

Bexhill on Sea - August 2024

6 August 2024

Hastings - August 2024

14 August 2024

Ramsgate & Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

Epping & Ongar Railway & Fish & Chip Lunch - August 2024

21 August 2024

Lewes & Alfriston

27 August 2024

Beth Chatto Gardens & Colchester

3 September 2024

Elmstead Market

Battersea Power Station

6 September 2024

Voulez Vous Abba Lunch Party Boat - September 2024

11 September 2024

Salute to the 40s Chatham Dockyard

14 September 2024

Around the World in 80 Minutes at Brick Lane Music Hall - October 2024

4 October 2024

Cockney Afternoon Matinee & Lunch - October 2024

30 October 2024

Woodbridge & River Deben River Cruise with Cream Tea - July 2024

4 July 2024

Rye - July 2024

11 July 2024

A Day on the Suffolk Coast with Fish & Chips - July 2024

17 July 2024

Bletchley Park: The National Code Centre - July 2024

23 July 2024

Sheringham - July 2024

26 July 2024

Camden Market & Regents Canal - July 2024

1 August 2024

Fish Fryday - Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway - August 2024

8 August 2024

Lydd-on-Sea

Scenic Essex Drive & Tiptree Tractor Tour

15 August 2024

Eastbourne Airshow - August 2024

17 August 2024

Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens

22 August 2024

Jimmys Farm

28 August 2024

Dunwich & Southwold with Fish & Chips - September 2024

4 September 2024

Wisley Garden Flower Show - September 2024

7 September 2024

Kent & East Sussex Railway & Ploughman's Lunch

12 September 2024

Bury St Edmunds

18 September 2024

Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace - October 2024

12 October 2024

Coach day trips with something to suit everyone!

Introducing you to Kevendys Travel day excursions & coach trips

At Kevendys Travel we have over 50 years' experience in the travel industry and have been providing exciting coach excursions and day trips for many years. We are known for our reliability and sincerity and there is a reason our clients come on day excursions with us year after year! All day trips include travel by luxury coach with professional drivers. There is always a dedicated tour escort, and our prices encompass everything so there are no hidden surprises!  

Whatever your interests are we are sure to have a coach trip and day excursion to tempt you into booking, whether you are a seasoned client or new to booking with us. We believe that travelling with Kevendys could be one of the most satisfying things you’ve ever done! We listen to all of our clients’ suggestions and comments and have spent countless hours researching our trips and destinations. We focus on providing a high level of service at all times, convenient pick-up locations and easy booking facilities. Take a look at our current day excursions, book online now or get in touch to speak to a member of our team directly.

A greener way to travel and have a great day out in the UK!

From cathedral cities to royal parks, shows and theatre to zoos and markets, our trips can cover it all!

Coach travel is becoming more popular and is a greener way to do a day trip! Take the hassle out of driving yourself or worrying about your itinerary, by choosing a day excursion from Kevendys Travel. We have a huge range of day trips available, and they run throughout the year. Explore new horizons, meet great people and let Kevendys Travel take care of you!

All our day excursions include:

• Travel by luxury coach • Professional & smart drivers • Dedicated tour escort to assist you during your excursion • Carefully planned itineraries • Kevendys reliability and sincerity • Value for money with an extra level of service and commitment to your coach trip.

Seating Plan

Kevendys Day Excursions for 2024!

Our coaches and drivers are also available for private hire

We are immensely proud to have come through the past 3 years and are now busier than ever! We would like to thank our wonderful staff and amazing clients and we look forward to welcoming you back on board for 2024, along with a few new faces too!

Relax, unwind and enjoy a fantastic day trip with UK coach excursions from Kevendys Travel in Wickford, Essex. Book online or call to find out more.

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Your Mom Could Win a Luxury Vacation and Chance to Teach a Cooking Class at Vermont’s Best Culinary Resort

Mother knows best.

There's nothing quite like mom's cooking, and The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa, knows it. That's why the resort is on the hunt for the best mom chefs as part of its Mom Makes It Best cooking contest.

On April 5, 2021, the resort is launching the month-long program that will welcome nominations of moms everywhere for a chance to win a starring role at its on-site Cook Academy along with a four-night getaway to the Vermont retreat located on 18 acres of gorgeous New England land nestled between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain.

"Being a mom is the hardest job out there," Mike McNeill, general manager of The Essex, shared in a statement. "Women can carry the weight of the world, even more so over this last year with all the new challenges and added stress of a pandemic: working in or out of the home and keeping our families and communities running. This Mother's Day, we want to celebrate everything they bring to the table — figuratively and literally. As a culinary-focused travel destination, The Essex is all about great food. But there's just something about the food moms make that will always taste better than anything you can order in a restaurant. With our Mom Makes It Best contest, we're excited to honor those mom-made dishes and all the value these amazing women add to our lives."

Following the nominations, the resort's panel of culinary experts, including the property's executive chef, executive sous chef, chef de cuisine, and pastry chef, will select one winner for baking and one for cooking.

The winners will be invited to The Essex to guest teach a class alongside one of the resort's professional instructors. Don't worry, there will be plenty of "vacation" time in there too as the prize not only includes four nights accommodations for two at The Essex, it also includes dinner for two at The Essex's award-winning Junction restaurant, one Cook Academy class for two (including classes like knife skills, sushi making, cake decorating, and Sunday brunch), and one 50-minute treatment at Spa at The Essex.

Nominations will be accepted through April 30, 2021, with winners announced on Friday, May 7, 2021, just in time for Mother's Day. See more about the contest, the resort, and submit your mom here .

Related Articles

Visit The UK’s Only All Inclusive Resorts On Your Next Coach Break

Your next All Inclusive holiday awaits at Potters Resorts, right here in the UK. Chose from two five-star resorts: Five Lakes, nestled in 320 acres of Essex countryside offering Exclusively for Adult breaks year-round, or Hopton-on-Sea, perched on the picturesque Norfolk Coast, offering breaks Exclusively for Adults and designed for families, dependent on the time of year.

Whether you want to learn something new or simply unwind, our 4 Night Midweek and 3 Night Weekend breaks offer something for everyone without any hidden costs.

Comfortable accommodation , delicious food & drink , a huge variety of activities , superb leisure facilities , and West End quality entertainment all come as standard. This exceptional value helped us to finish top in the Which? Readers’ Survey to find the Best UK Holiday Parks & Resorts , and it’s why our guests come back time and time again!

We’ve partnered with a variety of coach companies, to ensure guests can visit our resorts from all over the country. Get in touch with our coach sales team to see when we can get you booked in.

We regularly welcome coach companies to both of our resorts throughout the year. Pop in your details here to find out when your nearest coach company is visiting us.

Alternatively, give our friendly team a call on 0333 3207 475 .

Pop your details below and one of our friendly team will give you a call within 72 hours.

Get Your FREE Brochure

First visit of many

“ Wow why haven't I been here before? This place has it all in abundance. Great all inclusive food and drink. Activities all day long and high class evening shows. We liked it so much we booked again for next year before we left. ”

lasanta23, Jul 2023

UK Short Breaks have never been easier or better value! There’s so much included at Potters Resorts…

Full board dining Tuck into four meals a day with plentiful and traditional British fare

Comfortable accommodation Pick your ideal room, from coastal Bungalows to countryside Suites

Sports, leisure and activities Enjoy superb sports and leisure activities and a jam-packed activities programme

West End quality entertainment Be captivated by live entertainment and spectacular evening performances

Drinks included throughout your stay Choose from coffees, teas and soft drinks to branded beers, wines and spirits

Don't just take our word for it...

So, which location will you choose? Let us help you find the perfect match...

Potters Resorts Five Lakes Immerse yourself in 320 acres of beautiful Essex Countryside

Located on the doorstep of the stunning Blackwater Estuary National Nature Reserve, close to Colchester and Chelmsford, you’ll find Potters Resorts Five Lakes. Combining peaceful countryside surroundings, exclusive activities and all that amazing inclusive value, come and experience our newest destination for a coach break you won’t forget.

Since acquiring a second All Inclusive resort, travel companies have flocked to our Essex location as guests from all over the country have made it their coach holiday destination.

Breaks at Five Lakes are Exclusively for Adults all-year round, offering you, as well as your friends and loved ones, the chance to experience a retreat with like minded guests away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life (and the school holidays!).

Enjoy a leisurely stay with superb live entertainment and fun activities in our Garden Bar and Indoor Sports Park. Take part in craft workshops, board games, snooker, pool, darts or have a whale of a time in the Silly Games Zone. Plus, on many midweek breaks throughout the year, you can enjoy free-to-enter bridge and bowls tournaments, as well as Pro Coaching with former world champion Andy Thomson MBE, exclusive to Five Lakes.

Making the most of its vast outdoor spaces, we’ve expanded on our list of exciting activities whilst including a host of old favourites like archery and rowboats, as well of a wide range of leisurely pursuits including bird watching and nordic walking. In addition, you can also upgrade your stay by adding on a round of our 18-Hole Championship Lakes course, one of the leading courses in Essex, with a resident saving, or book a treatment and float away in our luxurious Spa.

With its own location nestled in the Essex countryside, Five Lakes presents an opportunity to experience our All-Inclusive Breaks in a unique setting.

“ Five Lakes far surpassed our expectations. The entertainments team could have been performing on a West End stage. An extra mention for Mick Dundee and Gemma who were good all rounders, funny but with excellent singing voices. Would really recommend and we will return. ”

Jenny O, Sep 2023

Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea Feel the fresh sea breeze on the Norfolk Coast

Located on the Norfolk and Suffolk border, just a short drive from the popular coastal towns of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea has set the bar in the UK holiday industry for over 100 years.

Since opening in 1920 The Potter Family have repeatedly broken the norm, reinventing and reinvesting in the Resort’s facilities to develop an inclusive product that guests continue to experience today, while offering award-winning service and delivering hospitality in the truest sense of the word.

Many of our guests visit multiple times a year, making us a firm favourite of dozens of coach companies who regularly bring guests to our Norfolk resort from all over the UK.

With a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, sports, leisure facilities and flexible accommodation, Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea offers All Inclusive breaks Exclusively For Adults year-round. During school holidays, breaks become fun-filled getaway for every generation.

At Potters, your break can be as active or relaxed as you want it to be. Stretch your legs with badminton or swimming, or stretch your mind with quizzes and learning new crafts. Relax as you marvel at incredible live performances, or sip your favourite drink as you enjoy fantastic live entertainment in our bar areas.

Fans of bowls will be at home with us too. We welcome the best players from all over the globe every January as we host the World Indoor Bowls Championships, but we also love to welcome our guests to enjoy free-to-enter bowls tournaments on many midweek breaks throughout the year. Choose from Indoor, Carpet, Short Mat Bowls Tournaments, held on different dates throughout the year. Plus, exclusively to Hopton-on-Sea, rub shoulders with a pro on our Celebrity Bowls Tournament.

Our coastal Resort in Norfolk is the perfect place for your UK coach break.

The best holiday ever

“ This place is amazing, worth every penny. The food is lovely so much choice for every meal. We came as a family of 11 and everyone said they thoroughly enjoyed their time here, so much to do. We all want to come again. ”

Jean C, Sep 2023

There is so much value packed into your All Inclusive short break

Most people think All Inclusive means buffet food, an afternoon activity, karaoke in the evening and unbranded drinks. At Potters we bring five-star quality to everything we offer so that when we say ‘all-inclusive’ we mean numerous activities, West-End quality entertainment, delicious food and branded drinks, unlike what you may have encountered elsewhere.

Food, Glorious Food

Full board 4 meals a day.

Our breaks are full board, which means plentiful and traditional British fare without expensive restaurant bills… and you don’t have to lift a finger.

Relax with loved ones and catch up with friends new and old over four delicious meals a day, starting with dinner on arrival to breakfast before you depart.

Our delicious seasonal menus provide a varied selection fit for all appetites, and are the perfect complement to an activity filled break. With a different menu each day, you’ll find plenty to tickle your taste buds.

Enjoy A Dreamy Night’s Sleep

Comfortable accommodation.

After a big day filled with activities, delicious food and stunning live entertainment, there’s no better feeling than your head hitting a comfy pillow, and drifting peacefully away…

From cosy coastal Bungalows to spacious and stylish Suites nestled in the countryside, our Resorts feature a variety of accommodation designed to meet your wants and needs.

As well as a comfortable bed, all our rooms include free WiFi, an en-suite bathroom, tea & coffee making facilities and a television with a range of channels as standard, plus complimentary toiletries and towels.

Come and Enjoy The Fun

Sports, leisure and activities.

On every break at Potters Resorts, you will enjoy a range of superb leisure facilities and a variety of sports, as well as a jam-packed daytime activities programme designed to give you the best possible time. Whether you want to stretch your mind or your legs, there’s so much to do!

At Potters you’ll enjoy a huge range of indoor and outdoor activities without paying an extra penny on Resort. After all, why should you have to pick and choose whether you take aim with archery, go nordic walking, try bird watching, learn a new craft, have a dip in the pool, play an end of bowls or fit in a round of pitch ’n’ putt?

At Potters, you don’t have to choose. It’s all included, so while you’re having fun, your pocket is taking a rest!

Spectacular Performances

West end quality entertainment.

Your entertainment is our top priority, and with a host of outstanding resident performers, artistes and larger than life comedians, nobody does entertainment like Potters.

Day and night, across multiple stages and venues in our vibrant Garden Bars, outdoor Terraces and dazzling state-of-the-art Theatres, our team is here to entertain. Our Garden Party that will kick your break off in style, and that’s just the start! Our Entertainments Team keeps the fun rolling throughout your stay with quizzes, live music, games and workshops.

Every night after dinner, the stage comes alive for showtime. The renowned Potters Theatre Company is sure to blow you away with their outstanding productions, while our light-hearted comedy acts will keep you chuckling.

Drinks Throughout Your Stay

We want you to relax while you’re with us, in the knowledge that your bank balance is taking a break too. That’s why your drinks, so often a forgotten but major additional expense on your holidays, are included on your break as standard.

Our drinks menu features a generous selection of hot drinks, including bean to cup coffees, cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolates and many more, as well as cold juices and soft drinks.

For those that prefer a tipple on their holiday, we also have a range of popular branded beers, wines and spirits too.

Don't just take our word for it, here’s what our guests say:

Wow why haven't I been here before? This place has it all in abundance. Great all inclusive food and drink. Activities all day long and high class evening shows. We liked it so much we booked again for next year before we left. The staff were extraordinary and friendly. The entertainment staff are so talented and have you smiling and laughing all day long. We also did activities we have never done before such as archery and rally karts.

lasanta23 - Jul 2023

Simply the best.

Having stayed with one of Potters' competitors for the last five years and noting their standard are sinking drastically, we thought we would try Potters Resorts on recommendation. What can I say but simply fantastic. Everyone who works at Potters does the name proud. It's unfair to single anyone out for individual credit because they all are everything you need to make the break memorable. The rooms, the food, the shows, everything is simply the best. Thank you one and all for making our break celebrating my wife's birthday one of great memories. We will be returning next year; as we loved it so much we rebooked straight away!

Steve M - Jul 2023

The best holiday in the uk.

We visited last year and were overwhelmed with the quality and service they provide. This year was no different. From the restaurant staff to the bars, the entertainment staff and the shows... everything is at such a high standard and everyone is friendly and so helpful. The food is second to none and it's advised to start the diet after the break! You want for nothing and there is always something to do whatever time of day. Well worth the cost of the holiday as I didn't need to use my wallet at all. We can't wait to return soon.

Chris R - Jul 2023

JOIN OUR OFFICIAL POTTERS RESORTS FACEBOOK GROUP

To keep up with the latest news, developments and competitions from Potters Resorts, why not give us a follow throughout our lively social media and community channels? You can also join our official Facebook group by following the link below.

The All Exclusive Podcast

Join Jack Jenkins and Henry Patterson as they chat with your favourite team members and take a light hearted look at the world around them. From what makes the perfect short break to random chats about nothing, they'll keep you entertained (maybe) with their unique perspectives. So tune in for some good laughs!

Now listed on all major podcast platforms.

The Potters Blog

Pop over to our blog for a cosy catch-up on all things Potters Resorts! From tasty tips on our dining experiences to tales of adventure around the resort, there's always something new to read about. So, grab a coffee, get comfy, and stay ‘in the know’ with resort news and entertainment updates; we love sharing these snippets with you between your visits.

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The Mama Maven Blog

NYC Mom Lifestyle and Easy Recipe Blog

Cook Academy & Camp Cook at the Essex Resort & Spa: Cooking Classes for Young Foodies (and Their Parents)

06/29/2014 by Maytal

by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman —

Making lasagna with home-made pasta, ricotta and mozzarella is something I have never attempted to make, but at Camp Cook in Vermont kids as young as 10 years old make this dish — as well as many others from scratch and on a regular basis. I recently spent a few days at the Essex Resort and Spa in Vermont to learn about Camp Cook and even participated in a class at Cook Academy – a cooking class program for adults. Here’s a re-cap of my experience plus some recipes.

Parents of kids participating in Camp Cook get a 50% discount on classes at Cook Academy, which are typically 3-hour classes for adults. Sample classes are: “Farmers Market Feast”, where participants make dishes such as Beef Tenderloin with Gremolata, Panzanella (bread salad) and Summer Berry Trifle and “Summer Good Eats”, with dishes such as White Gazpacho, Garden Vegetable Ragu and White Chocolate Pistachio Sundaes. There’s also sushi classes, Asian BBQ and Summer Seafood classes. My class was called “NOLA” – New Orleans Cuisine, with Shrimp and Grits, Jambalaya, Collard Greens and Bananas Foster.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted by Chef Anthony Spine who had set up everything for us (he also does the clean-up later). Chef Anthony discussed his background working at various restaurants and living in Italy for a while. The participants started trickling in and introduced themselves. Other than one local couple everyone seemed to be coming from afar: from Ottawa to Boston and everywhere in between. There is a total of 8 participants per class, although some classes have 12 participants and take place in a larger room.

From NOLA class at Cook Academy:

Brennan’s Bananas Foster Serves 4

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup banana liqueur 4 bananas cut in half lengthwise, then halved 1/4 cup dark rum 4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Directions:

1. Combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon in a skillet. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. 2. Stir in the banana liqueur,  and then place the bananas in the pan. 3. When the banana sections soften and begin to brown carefully add the rum. Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, and then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum. 4. When flames subside lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream and serve immediately.

Recipe is courtesy of Chefs Christine Frost, Brandy Allan and Anthony Spine

From Camp Cook:

White Bean Dip Serves 8-12 as an appetizer

1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup olive oil, plus 4 tablespoons, plus 1 tablespoon 1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh parsley leaves, roughly chopped 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin Pinch of smoked paprika Zest of 1 lemon

1. Place the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, cayenne, cumin and parsley in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until mixture is smooth, stopping and scraping down the bowl if necessary to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 2. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with the 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with the paprika. Use as a sandwich spread or dip.

Chess Pie Makes one 9″ pie

4 ounces butter, room temperature 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cornmeal 3 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 cup whole milk 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 and a half teaspoons vanilla 1 unbaked pie shell

1. Preheat over to 360 degrees. 2. In the bowl of a stand mixed fitted with a paddle, combine butter, sugar and cornmeal. 3. Add the beaten eggs and milk and stir well. Stir in vinegar and vanilla. Mix until well blended. 4. Pour into the unbaked pie crustand bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn oven temperature down to 325 and bake for additional 40 to 45 minutes or until center of pie is set.

Recipes are courtesy of Chefs Brandy Allan, Brandy Lamore and Christine Frost

Click here to learn more about Cook Academy and Camp Cook and here to see the calender.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary cooking class at the Essex Resort & Spa.

———————————————————————————————————————————————-

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post . She has been living in New York City for thirteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 7, 5 and 1) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

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Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Bykovo Manor
• Balashikha Arena
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pekhorka Park
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Saturn Stadium
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center

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What Is Induction Cooking and How Does It Work?

Induction cooking has been around for decades, but in the last few years it’s gained popularity among chefs and home cooks alike as an alternative to the gas stoves that have reigned supreme for decades. You can chalk its popularity up to a combination of factors: government mandates to electrify newly constructed home kitchens and recent scientific studies published about emissions from gas stoves posing health risks . Induction burners , which are powered by electricity but function differently than a classic coil-style electric stove, can heat faster and more efficiently than other kinds of stoves, making them an appealing option.

What is induction cooking?

As soon as it’s turned on, an induction burner sets up an electromagnetic field between the burner and the pan it’s in contact with, creating eddy currents, or swirling electrical currents, in the metal of the pan (as long as that pan is magnetic), and the resistance of the metal to those currents in turn creates heat throughout the pan and all at once. (Gas and conventional electric burners apply heat to the surface of the pan, which then requires more time to spread to the rest of the pan.)

What are the benefits of induction cooking?

According to Ari Matusiak, founder and CEO of Rewiring America, the largest pro-electrification nonprofit in the United States, a gas stove transfers only about 40 percent of its heat energy to a piece of cookware. A traditional electric coil stove transfers about 74 percent, while induction stoves transfer closer to 90 percent of their electrical energy. The result is that cookware heats as much as three times faster than electric or gas.

Induction also offers more precision, with the ability to heat cookware to a specific temperature or make adjustments with a much faster response time. That precision is something Thomas McNaughton, co-chef of Flour + Water Hospitality Group, appreciates: “Like when we’re making ricotta, we know that the milk absolutely will not boil over because we’re able to set it to cook to an exact temperature.” McNaughton and his co-chef Ryan Pollnow like induction cooking so much that they’re in the process of moving toward all-induction cooktops in their forthcoming pizza shops.

Air quality is both an environmental and safety advantage when it comes to induction, especially as compared to gas stoves. Matusiak cited several recent studies that have shown that indoor cooking with gas has comparable health effects to secondhand smoke and increases chances of childhood asthma . Gas cooking releases a chemical called benzene which is linked to leukemia and other types of cancers. Improving indoor air quality is a major motivation in the legislation aimed at moving toward induction.

There are additional safety advantages. Induction cooktops only work when there’s a pot or pan on the unit; and even with a pan on it, the glass or ceramic top doesn’t get as hot as a gas or electric-coil burner. They’re also hard to turn on accidentally, and you don’t have to worry about any open flames.

These concerns, both environmental and for their staff, have informed McNaughton and Pollnow’s move toward induction. They’re in the process of pursuing B Corp Certification, which takes into consideration their environmental footprint. Using induction allows them to significantly reduce their restaurant’s energy usage.

Induction also stands apart in terms of cleanup. Their flat glass or ceramic surface makes them easy to wipe down, and even when something boils over or spills, it won’t scorch on the cooktop because the surface doesn’t get hot enough to burn it.

What are the drawbacks of induction cooking?

You may have heard that not all pans work with induction, and that’s because for this transfer of energy to occur, the pan must be magnetic. That means that some pans, especially aluminum and some stainless-steel pans, cannot be used on induction. The good news, though, is that cast-iron pans , carbon-steel pans, and enamel cast iron are all ideal for induction. It’s okay to use pans that are larger than the induction burner, but like a large pan set over a smaller electric or gas burner, they’ll only heat up right where they’re in contact with the burner.

For tasks like finishing pasta that require lots of movement of a pan, induction can pose a problem. While gas can offer ambient heat when a pan is lifted off the burner, induction requires full contact for the electromagnetic currents to move heat, meaning that lots of lifting and moving of the pan can interrupt the cooking process. Induction also requires electricity, which means that it will not work during power outages.

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Injury-hit Kent sign Khushi on loan from Essex

Injury-hit Kent have reinforced their depleted batting line-up by signing Feroze Khushi on loan from Essex for four matches.

The club say they have nine first-team players unavailable, with Zak Crawley now linking up with England before their Test series with West Indies.

Khushi, who hit a century against Durham for Essex in April, will face Hampshire in Southampton in Kent's next game in Division One, starting on Sunday.

The 25-year-old will also be available for three T20 Blast matches but will have to sit out when Kent face his parent club in Chelmsford on Thursday, 11 July.

Kent are bottom of Division One in the County Championship, while Essex sit second behind leaders Surrey.

"With nine of our first-team players unavailable, we're pleased to have Feroze with us to give us more options with the bat at the top of the order as we wait on the fitness of our established batters," Kent's director of cricket, Simon Cook, told the club's website.

Cook added they expected vice-captain Jack Leaning to be fit in "the very near future".

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Holly Willoughby kidnap plot trial: Moment Gavin Plumb is arrested shown in court

The 37-year-old security guard, from Harlow in Essex, denies three charges of soliciting murder and encouraging kidnap and rape.

Home affairs reporter and feature writer @Henry_Vaughan

Friday 28 June 2024 17:33, UK

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A security guard told police Holly Willoughby "is a fantasy of mine" when he was arrested for plotting to kidnap the television presenter, in footage played in court.

Giving evidence for the first time on Friday, Gavin Plumb, 37, said Willoughby , 43, was "my celebrity crush" but insisted he never intended to act on his alleged plans.

In footage played at Chelmsford Crown Court, police are seen smashing through the front door of his home in Harlow, Essex , on 4 October last year, before a topless Plumb asks: "What the hell is going on?"

Stood in his bedroom, he is open mouthed as he is handcuffed, before an officer explains he is being arrested over an alleged conspiracy to kidnap the former This Morning host Willoughby while he is sat on his bed.

"I'm not gonna lie. She is a fantasy of mine," he says. "She's a fantasy of a lot of guys I expect."

Prosecutors say Plumb was obsessed with Willoughby - who stepped down from the ITV show in October last year after 14 years - and planned to abduct, repeatedly rape and murder her.

An undercover US police officer, using the name David Nelson, on Thursday told jurors he believed Plumb posed an "imminent threat" to the presenter, who hosted Dancing On Ice earlier this year.

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Plumb shared a video of his "kidnap kit" with the officer and said he would use chloroform to snatch Willoughby from her home to sexually assault her before slitting her throat, the jury has heard.

The officer alerted UK police who found two bottles of liquid, alongside items including handcuffs, rope, shackles and cable ties, at Plumb's home - but they were found not to contain the substance.

Further footage played in court shows Plumb being held in a police station holding area wearing a dark green T-shirt as officers searched his home as he says: "I can pretty much guess what they're looking for."

Plumb denies three charges of soliciting murder and encouraging kidnap and rape between 21 December 2021 and 5 October last year.

Giving evidence for the first time on Friday, he told the jury he spent his life online engaging in "wholesome chat" but also fantasising about having sex with celebrities, including Willoughby, whom he had seen on daytime TV after he became housebound, having gained weight and reaching 35.5 stone.

"She was my celebrity crush," said Plumb, who sat down in a chair to give his evidence, wearing a light grey sweater and dark trousers, after telling the judge he would not be able to stand.

Asked how many times he thought about her a day, Plumb said: "It would depend how many times I would chat about her. Some days it would be once, other days it would be four, five, six times."

But the chats became "darker" from 2021, he said, being questioned by his barrister Sasha Wass KC.

Plumb told jurors he was "sorry" for the contents, adding: "I'm absolutely heartbroken, disgusted and shocked that it has come out."

'Kidnap kit'

He admitted he found the conversations "exciting" at the time but added: "Looking back at it now it's massively regrettable because it's not the sort of chat I would normally participate in."

Plumb added: "It was kind of like gratification. It was something I knew was never going to happen."

He told the jury he had bought most of the items, in what has been described as a "kidnap kit", following a four-month sexual relationship in which he was introduced to "BDSM and rough sex", while the chloroform was to clean a "large stain next to my fridge".

Plumb told jurors his weight started to fluctuate from the age of 13, which "really affected my mental health" because he could not play sport and was often put "in the friend zone" with girls.

Attempted double-kidnap

The defendant said he has only had one serious relationship, which he described as "extremely toxic", and lasted four-and-a-half years, during which there were "constant arguments" and he was "constantly put down".

"I don't want to be in a relationship anymore," he said.

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The court has heard he has two convictions for attempted kidnap from 2006, after trying to abduct two women off the Stansted Express train, later claiming they were members of cabin crew. He had rope and an imitation firearm when he was arrested.

Plumb said he was wearing a uniform and travelling between car parks where he worked handing out tickets and although he admitted he "had a stewardess fantasy back then" he said he did it "to get out of the relationship" and it was a "cry for help".

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

He was handed a suspended sentence and in 2008 said he used a box cutter to hold two "shouting and screaming and crying" 16-year-old girls in a warehouse where he worked, taping one of their hands behind her back.

Plumb said he committed the offences to "get away from the relationship", which ended while he was in jail after he was sentenced to 32 months in prison, serving half, after admitting two charges of false imprisonment.

'Normal fantasy chat'

He told jurors once released he spent 99.9% of his life online, communicating with others about gaming, football and "normal fantasy chat" but it was "completely different" to the "dark" material he later shared.

Plumb said chats about him keeping Willoughby in a "dungeon" were "nothing more than talking", adding: "It was a rush of excitement as I knew it was online chat to get my gratification and move on".

He denied encouraging an online contact called Marc, who is believed to be based in Ireland, to kidnap or rape Willoughby, saying he never expected him or the undercover officer, whom he thought was in New York, to come to the UK.

"I knew it was never going to be anything more than a fantasy," he said, telling jurors he never acted on any of the alleged plans.

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The court heard Plumb has no driving licence or access to a car and so said he wouldn't have been able to get to her house, while his weight at the time - up to 30 stone - meant he would be more likely to trip over a small step than scale the high boundary wall.

'Violent, graphic descriptions'

But prosecutor Alison Morgan KC read out some of the explicit and degrading messages and suggested: "These are violent, graphic descriptions of what you are going to do to Holly Willoughby."

"No, because it's not going to happen," Plumb replied.

The trial continues.

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Award-winning author, Chicago-native Tomi Adeyemi dishes on newest book, movie deal

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A New York Times Best-Selling author is making Chicago Proud.

Nigerian American writer Tomi Adeyemi is known for her groundbreaking novels, Children of Blood and Bone and Children of Virtue and Vengeance. The Hugo and Nebula award-winning novelist grew up in Chicago and graduated from Harvard University with an honors degree in English Literature. After graduation, she studied West African mythology in Salvador, Brazil, which inspired her debut series.

On June 25, Adeyemi released the third and final book in her Orisha trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy. On her book tour, she returned home to the Chicago area , and sat down with ABC7 to talk about the epic finale, and the movie deal to bring her books from paper to screen.

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