Gordon Fong: Food, drink, restaurants, reviews and life in general. #southbourne #bournemouth

The amazing 2025 You Are The Media Creator Day

Here is a video of the fun we had across the pre-event of Failed Nights with Matt Denyer and then the Creator Day itself at Poole Lighthouse. All followed by a morning swim at Sandbanks and even a live podcast recording.

This doesn't include a Hall of Fame event that I hosted that was added as a pre-pre-event.

This video below also includes some photos from the Hall of Fame event I hosted on Tuesday afternoon. It was very well received by the businesses in the room as my aim was to celebrate the businesses that have been doing well for decades, who don't grab the limelight.

Kirita Japanese Noodle Laboratory in Funchal, Madeira

When I saw the name Kirita Japanese Noodle Laboratory, I was very intrigued. Originally, I had wanted to go to the nearby place called Restaurante By The Sea because that was somewhere we went to on our very first trip to Madeira. I wanted a seafood festival of my own before going home, but a laboratory of Japanese noodles, well that deserves a visit.

After a week of Madeiran food and Nepalese momos, my body told me it was missing the rice and noodles.

Only slot we could get was 8pm on a Saturday night. You need to book. There are not many covers.

Madeira Rum Festival 2025

This was our four visit to Madeira and our third year running going to the Madeira Rum Festival.

Most of you won’t have heard of Madeira rum, hence me writing this to spread the word of a new category for you to try.

Many rum clubs and aficionados will say the likes of Kraken, spiced rums and stuff like Bacardi aren’t even rums. I’ve heard people say they don’t like rum, or like white rums but not dark rums. Rum clubs will say that colour has nothing to do with it and it should be about flavour and how it’s made.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gI03S5Spt6M

Larder House back on form with Agave theme night

The drinks theme nights that the Larder House used to put on are like mythical times that people speak of. Loads of drinks, great food and some education from drinks experts. I can remember a gin night, a world of whiskey night, an American whiskey night just to name a few.

Recently James created another theme night. This time it was centred around agave, so Mezcal and Tequila featured heavily. There was even a takeover of the Library bar by a team from Ojo Rojo, who are a Mexican restaurant in Bournemouth town centre.

I've created a quick video to capture moments from the night.

Army Cyber Spartan event with student engagement was a great success

The British Army, in the shape of the 13th Signal Regiment, held a large-scale training cyber exercise on the Dorset Innovation Park at the BattleLab facilities last week.

Major Mansel Thewlis shared that there were 34 teams, with over 350 exercise participants, drawn from the Field Army, Army Reserve, UK Law Enforcement, the NHS and most welcome partner nations from Europe to South America.

Furthermore, the Army generously asked X-Net to extend an invitation to local businesses and education providers to take part. Over 40 people signed up, and we saw mini-buses of students arrive from Bournemouth and Poole College, and Bournemouth University arrive and take part for three days.