Contributor Competitions, Food & Drink, Food Topics & Trends, Guerilla Chilli Growing, News, Our News, Recipes & Cooking Tips, Supplier Articles, Uncategorized

Tips from the Chilli Expert #2 Repotting your plants

So, you’ve planted your seeds, waited with baited breath and crossed your fingers, and all of your dreams have come true – Your chilli seeds have sprouted! But before you get ahead of yourself, just hold on a second, you’ve got to make sure you look after them well if you’re going to be rewarded with precious fruit. In the second of our installment of Chilli Expert videos, our guru grower talks you through repotting your plants to ensure you get an even growth. Over to you Craig…

When your chilli seedling has developed its second set of leaves, it is time to pot it on to another pot.

A mistake that some people make at this stage is to repot it straight into a huge pot, thinking that this ok. If you do this, all that will happen is that the chilli plant will grow to fill the pot, but concentrate on producing foliage, but no flowers. If the plant does not produce flowers, then you will not get any chillies!

As a general rule of thumb, your chilli plant should be potted on to a larger pot when the roots start to appear out of the bottom of the current pot. Personally, I pot on plants from a 3 inch to a 5 inch and eventually to a 7 inch pot.

Keep an eye on your plant and water it if the compost looks as if it is drying out. Again, the idea is to keep the compost moist and not drenched. In the colder months, you will find you only have to water every two or three days, but as the weather heats up, you will probably need to water every day.

When flowers start to appear on the plant, you can give it a helping hand by adding liquid tomato feed to the water. It should be diluted at half of the recommended ratio for tomato plants.

Alternatively, you could use one of the feeds that are specifically designed to be used with chillies.

In the next video, I’ll be giving you tips about how to make sure that all the flowers on your chilli plants turn into lovely chillies. See you then!

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Contributor Competitions, Events at Wahaca, Our News

Calling all designers! Your chance to design the new uniforms for Wahaca Soho

To mark the launch of our new restaurant in Wardour Street, Soho, we are launching an exciting competition to design our staff T-shirts. Not only is this a chance for you to show off your creative side, but the winning designer will be treated to 12 months free food at our Soho restaurant!

Designs should be inspired by “Mexican market eating”. Good designs will be fun, stylish and above all capture the spririt of the restaurants. The winner will be chosen by Co- founders Mark Selby and Thomasina Miers. To see the existing uniforms and for more inspiration, pop into the restaurants or take a look around our facebook and flickr pages.

Key notes:
Consideration shoud be given to the fact that the final design will be printed onto a brown t-shirt.
Unisex t-shirts to be worn by both male and female staff. Designs should be sized to fit on an A4 page (297mm x 210mm).
Designs should be applied to this template and submitted digitally as a high resolution jpeg (300dpi) using the submission form below.
Deadline for entries is the 30th September. Winner will be announced shortly after this date via the blog.

 

Competition entries

name *

email *

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FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS “Soho t-shirt design contest”

1. Open to all UK, CI, IoM & ROI residents
2. Closing date for receipt of all entries is 30.09.10
3. To participate, entrants must submit their design digitally as a high res jpeg via the blog http://blog.wahaca.co.uk
4. One entry per participant.
5. Entries must be the original creation of the participants.
6. Entries must not contain copyrighted material owned by third parties.
7. The winner will be selected by the promoter based on what they feel would be best for the soho t-shirts .
8. The Prize: The winner will design the t-shirts for the new restaurant and these will be printed by the promoter and worn by their staff. The winner will receive a years worth of meals at wahaca up to the value of £1200. This amount must be used in the Soho restaurant and will expire a year from an agreed date with the promoters.
9. The design must be the original creation of the winner.
10. All designs entered to the competition become the property of the promoter.
11. The winners design will become the property of the promoter
12. The Promoter’s decision in all matters is final.
13. Winners agree to take part in any publicity that may be required resulting from this promotion without further recompense.
14. The Promoter does not warrant the use of, or access to the site, will be uninterrupted by error or virus free nor shall it or its licensors have any liability for damages caused by hostile software which may affect or infect your computer equipment or property as a result of your use or browsing of this site.

Promoter: Wahaca, 66 Chandos Place, London. WC2N 4HG

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Contributor Competitions, Food Topics & Trends, Guerilla Chilli Growing

Tips from the Chilli Expert #1 Planting your seeds

There’s been huge excitement around Wahaca all week at the thought of the launch of our first ever Chilli Expert video, and we’re pleased to say that the wait has come to an end!

You may remember back in May we started our search for the Wahaca Chilli Expert, and much tweeting, blogging, filming and soul-searching later, we found our man in none other than Craig McNight (It was his increadibly cool surname that confirmed him as our winner!). Since then Craig (or @wegrowourown to his twitterarti) has been busy filming for us, and here is his first video and blog post. Take it away Craig…

Hi and welcome to the first of my ‘Chilli Expert’ videos for Wahaca. In this video I’ll be showing you how to make sure that your chilli seeds have the best chance of germinating, and growing into lovely big chilli plants.

Ideally, the best time to start planting your chilli seeds is January or February. The reason for this is that it will give your seeds and plants a good head start, so that you can enjoy lots of lovely chillies throughout the summer months.

There are a few bits of basic equipment that you will need. You’ll need a plant pot, some multi-purpose compost, a spray bottle, and obviously your seeds!

First fill your pot with the compost and firm it down. Spray the compost with the spray bottle, but the idea is keep the compost moist, rather than drenching it.

If you are using the Wahaca chilli seeds, snap off the matchstick carefully and plant it point end down into the compost to the mark on the matchstick. However, if you are using your own chilli seeds instead, just place them on top of the compost, cover them with another 0.5cm of compost, and then lightly spray it again with the water spray.

Now what your chilli seeds need are heat and moisture. You can help them along by covering the pot with clingfilm and putting it somewhere warm like a windowsill over a radiator, or an airing cupboard.

Check the seeds every day, and spray the compost again if it seems as if it is too dry. Remember the idea is to keep the compost moist and not wet!

Also if you have put the seeds in the airing cupboard to help them along, take them once they have germinated, otherwise you will end up with weak, leggy plants which is a big no-no!

You can also plant the seeds directly into compost in a heated propagator, which you can pick up for a few pounds online or at your local gardening centre. If you’re doing this, plant the seeds about 5-6cm apart.

Also, be aware that different varieties of chilli seeds take different times to germinate. On average they can take up to 3 weeks to germinate, but some hotter varieties can take up to six weeks, so just sit on your hands and be patient!

In my next video, I’ll be showing how to make sure that your just germinated seeds grow into lovely large chilli plants. See you then!

You can read more from Craig on his own blog, www.wegrowourown.co.uk

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Links Roundup, News, Staff observations, Street Art, Wahacos, What's Happening

Photos from an Oaxacan

Last week we were lucky enough to get a visit from Daniel Molina, who came in to sample our wares. He’s a potographer from Mexico, Oaxaca to be precise.

Keen to support those from the area that has supported us so well, we thought we’d share some of the brilliant work he’s done, with you good people.

The selection below is taken from his gallery of pictures entitled, “This is not London”. Now, not wanting to be pedantic, but I’ve had a hard look, and I’m pretty sure it is, I guess that’s just the Mexican sense of humour. Anyway, we’ll let you decide.

If you like this small foray into Daniel’s work, then be sure to check out his website for more of the same. And indeed if you know of any other up and coming Mexican photographers or artists, please let us know by commenting below. We’d love to make it a regular feature on the blog.

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Contributor Competitions, News, Our News, What's Happening

Meet Oliver Stone at “South of the Border” Film Premiere

We had a visit from the team promoting Oliver Stone’s new documentary about South American revolutionaries, “South of the Border” last week. They are running a competition for 5 lucky winners to go to the London premiere on the 19th July. We thought it would be fun so we’ve entered, and because we’re the kind of people who like to share, we thought we’d let you know about it too.

So if you want to be in with a chance of winning yourself some serious red carpet time, then head on over to southoftheborder.dogwoof.com and register. Good luck (Well atually, bad luck, because if you win, that means we won’t. In fact, sorry, ignore this and go about your business. Nothing to win here. Thank you.)

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Banter at the Bar, Cocktails, Events at Wahaca, Uncategorized, What's Happening

Murray Mound? Give Me Murray Mescal Bar any day

The sun is out and the summer screen in Canary Wharf has got to be hard to top as the best place to watch the tennis this weekend, especially if you’re in the Wahaca terrace bar sipping one of Sammi’s Margaritas, or sampling some of the great mescals.

The Canary Wharf Sumer Screen, conveniently located just opposite Wahaca in Canada Square Park, will be showing all of the remaining matches at Wimbledon. It’s free for anyone to come along and show the nations favourite Scott a bit of support.

For details on how to find us in Canary Wharf, check out our website, or head to the bottom of the really big pointy building – It’ pretty hard to miss.

To spice things up a bit, we’re giving you the chance to win a free drink at the Canary Wharf bar on Sunday during the final – all you have to do is correctly guess the final score in the last set of today’s Murray Vs Nadal semi final, and leave it as a comment below. So if Murray’s going to win 6-0 (wishful thinking) then just post “6 – 0 Murray” below. Entries have to be in before the beginning of the final set in today’s match. For full terms and conditions email loswahacos@wahaca.co.uk.

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News, Our News, What's Happening

Free food at Wahaca goes through to the next round!

There were a couple of nervous faces around Wahaca yesterday lunch time, but we kept our faith and were dancing between the tables when we heard that Mexico had gone through to the knockout stages of the world cup.

Image courtesy of Sussepudim on Creative Commons

So, to celebrate Blanco and the boys’ progress so far, we’re extending our offer of free food for anyone who comes in to Wahaca wearing an authentic Mexican football shirt on Sunday, when Mexico take on their next opponents, Argentina. Whoever they are…

For more details about the offer, click here

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Events at Wahaca, What's Happening

Mexican football fever at Wahaca

Calling all Mexican football fans!! The best summer entertainment is nearly here…

To celebrate the World Cup and to show its support for the Mexican team, Wahaca is giving free food to all who wear a Mexican football shirt on the days of the Mexican matches.

All you have to do is come to Wahaca on either of Mexico’s big match dates, wear the real Mexican football shirt and enjoy free food at Wahaca on us!

Dates for the Mexico Matches kick off with South Africa on Friday 11th June, France on Thursday 17th June and Uruguay Tuesday 22nd June. We look forward to seeing you on these days.

This is a great opportunity to try some of our new dishes from wahaca’s summer menu. Highlights from the new menu include grilled cactus tacos with courgette and cheese, as well as the Chile Relleno – a mouth watering softened chile ancho, stuffed with refried beans and topped with a sweetening mix of caramelised onions, fresh thyme and sour cream.

terms & conditions

This offer will only run during the World Cup Matches on 11th/17th/22nd June.

There will be no screening of the match at Wahaca

Complimentary food is offered only to those wearing authentic Mexican football shirts, on days that Mexico play.

No drink is included in this offer.

It will be the managers discretion as to how much complimentary food each person orders (if they feel this offer is being abused).

Restaurants

Covent Garden, 66 Chandos Place, London WC2N 4HG

Westfield, 1074 Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, Lodnon W12 7GB

Canary Wharf, Park Pavillion, 40 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5FW

Opening times

1200-2300 Monday – Saturday

1200-2200 Sunday

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Events at Wahaca, Food & Drink, News, Our News, What's Happening

Burrito Burrito Burrito!!!!! Wahaca launches takeaway exclusively for Canary Wharf

Wahaca Canary Wharf today launches their exciting new take-away service for all those living and working in the local area to enjoy.

Using the soft tortilla as a base, burritos originated with wives bringing farmers their mid-day meals by using tortillas as wrapping. Now Wahaca does the same for busy customers who want fresh fast food. A meal in itself, a burrito gives the body everything it needs for the day, perfect for lunch on the go.

Pop in to Wahaca Canary Wharf and pick up a burrito or call 0207 516 9145 to pre order.

The full take-away menu is available to see by clicking here.

What bloggers say about our burritos:

“The pork was incredible and was wrapped with pink pickled onions. The tart, sweet crunch of the onions meant that the pork wasn’t too overwhelming and kept it fresh tasting.”

from londonburritomadness.blogspot.com

“It was great trying the range of burritos at Wahaca and I was surprised by just how nice the toasted ones tasted!”

from londonburrito

“We thoroughly enjoyed each one we tried, but were most impressed with the char-grilled steak burrito with

chipotle salsa and grilled spring onions.”

from londonist

“Favourites…included chargrilled steak and slow cooked pork.”

from onemilliongoldstars.com

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News, Our News, What's Happening

Mexican football dreams!

We’re all getting excited about the friendly match tonight between England and Mexico. A few of the Wahaca team are all heading down with a mixture of Mexican and English supporters.. luckily its a friendly match.

This made Julio, our Wahaca football captain, give his insight on the big games and chances Mexico will have this summer in South Africa.

With the world cup around the corner, Mexico smells like a safari, our black warriors are sharpening their boots, to achieve the dream of a nation, to play the fifth game in the southafrican land.

“La seleccion” are ready with their new striking black uniform to fly to the southern hemisphere, the hope of a country with 200 years of Independence placed in the feet of the 23 players. Preperations have been intense since the last world cup in Germany, exporting players to some of the most important leagues in the world like the Premier League where Carlos Vela plays at Arsenal, after being champion in the sub-17 and Guillermo Franco star of West-Ham Utd.

With a very solid defence and players that belong in the Bundes Ligas and la Eredivisie, our captain Rafael Márquez leads a formidable team. The creative midfield have a couple of young promises from TRI, with the likes of Andrés Guardo and Giovani Dos Santos, the star of the local league Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the terrific unstoppable duo that is Vela and “El Chicharito Hernández”, recently named by F.I.F.A. in the top six attacking duos in the world cup. The blacks are ready to get some leon tacos in the inaugural match against the host nation and intend to start on the right foot, and why not maybe they will play the final in the same Stadium?

Mexico is ready for the challenge that this presents them, and to show off a true Mexican wave to the opposing teams this world cup. Viva Mexico!

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