Chocolate and banana muffins

Every day at The Laine Deli is different. Sometimes we're busy - as we have been with the Labour Party Conference in town this week - and sometimes it's a little quieter, which gives us time to chat with our customers. Either way, it's all good. And occasionally there's time to try something new... which is when we created these banana and chocolate muffins!

The Sussex Food Awards

We've almost run out of cards and leaflets for the Sussex Food Awards 2009/2010, so we thought we'd mention it online again. This is the fourth year the competition has run - and as well as voting for your favourite Sussex eating experience (which is the category we're in) you can also vote for your favourite farmer, food producer, drink producer, food shop, young chef, butcher and farmers' market.

It's not entirely altruistic, either - if you vote you'll be entered into a prize draw to win two tickets to the Sussex Food & Drink Awards dinner in January 2010.

Planning for winter

Well, we passed the autumnal equinox this week, which means summer's officially behind us. And it's the last weekend in September, too. Fortunately the sun's shining today, so it doesn't feel much like autumn - and we've just heard something that's bound to lift our spirits when winter finally arrives. Apparently there are plans to bring a temporary ice rink to the Royal Pavilion gardens for Christmas. Our fingers are crossed... and we'll be heading there with a mug of hot chocolate as soon as it opens!

Calling all loyal customers

We've mentioned our loyalty card before - but we wouldn't want you to miss out, so we thought we'd mention it again. Pick one up and ask us to stamp it every time you buy a coffee. When you've collected eight stamps we'll give you your next coffee completely free. That's a free coffee every fortnight for our weekday visitors!

Vote for us in the Sussex Food Awards

We're delighted to have been nominated for the Sussex Food Awards. If you're a fan of The Laine Deli, you can vote for us online. Simply click the button below and register your name & address to vote for us in the "Best Sussex Eating Experience" category.

The closing date for entries is 16th October. Thank you for your support!

Hello, blondie

Here at The Laine Deli we're big fans of the chocolate brownie... but did you realise it has a lesser-known relative called the 'blondie'?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a 'blondie' isn't just a woman with blonde hair. It's also a small square cake that has a cream or golden colour. You'll find that a blondie has the same dense texture as a brownie but isn't usually chocolate flavoured.


And that ends today's lesson. Class dismissed!

WhiteAir 09

WhiteAir 09 takes place this weekend in Brighton. It's a festival that combines extreme sports and music on Brighton seafront. There's a good collection of local bands, including Brighton's British Sea Power... and there'll be plenty of action to watch or participate in, with the RAF Red Arrows expected this morning and the RAF Falcons parachute team arriving on Saturday and Sunday evenings.