JOB ALERT: We're seeking two delivery drivers

Are you over 25? Do you have a clean UK driving licence? And, most importantly, are you a good driver and a good people person?  If yes then you could be exactly who we’re looking for.

Due to recent company growth Simply Nectar and What On Earth are seeking two hardworking and confident delivery drivers.  We have one day driver role and one night driver role available.

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Loading, unloading and moving goods
• Daily picking – including working in the industrial freezer
• Completing daily log books
• Overseeing vehicle and warehouse maintenance: reporting faults and checking vehicle brakes, controls and fuel content on a daily basis
• Communicating with the Logistics & Warehouse Manager on changes to the delivery schedule, any customer questions and/or issues; preparing driver notes as needed;
• Maintaining all relevant financial, HACCP and organic certification records
• Adhering to organic certification rules, as well as food hygiene, health and safety regulations
• Cooperating effectively with the Logistics & Warehouse Manager, Logistics Supervisor, General Manager and Office Administrator
• Liaising with other drivers and warehouse staff; maintaining good working relationships with all colleagues
• Promoting a positive working culture and good working ethics: timekeeping, positive approach, appropriate behaviour, politeness, being calm under pressure
• Reducing overhead costs through conservative use of company resources

Who we are looking for: 

• Must be over 25 years – for insurance purposes
• Must have clean UK Driving Licence and a forklift licence
• Able to start immediately 
• Must have some flexibility for Saturday work 
• Must be able to speak and write good English 
• Must have the ability to multitask, manage time and work autonomously 
• Have good attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure 
• Good customer service skills 
• Have at least 12 months’ experience as driver
• Must be able to carry and move heavy goods , including when working in freezing temperatures in the freezer
• Good knowledge of London and the ability to read maps and use technology

Pay & Hours:

• £7.35 per hour
• 40 hours per week 

If you are interested in the role please apply by sending your CV & covering letter to Tara Gussain (tara@whatonearth.co.uk) for immediate consideration.  We are an equal opportunities employer.

We get a high volume of applications for roles at What On Earth/Simply Nectar and unfortunately we are not able to respond to them all.  Sorry about that.  If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks please consider your application as unsuccessful.  

International Mother Language Day

Happy International Mother Language Day!

Today is the day that we can celebrate languages across the world.  International Mother Language Day was introduced by UNESCO in November 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, and since February 2000 it has been celebrated annually.  The day celebrates the variety of languages across the world, and observes the human right to use those languages.  It also remembers events such as the killing of four students on 21 February 1952, because they campaigned to officially use their mother language, Bengali, in Bangladesh.

Here at Simply Nectar we have people from across the world working with us. They all converse in English at work, but they each have their own mother languages as well.  It's fascinating really.  And today is a great day to appreciate all those languages in their beautiful form.  We have members of staff from the following countries speaking the following languages:

• Poland - Polish
• Latvia - Latvian
• Albania - Albanian
• Ireland – Irish and English
• Estonia – Estonian and Russian
• Sri Lanka – Tamil, Sinhala
• India – Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi
• Brazil – Portuguese
• Malaysia - Malay
• Russia – Russian
• England – English

Join us in celebrating International Mother Language Day.  Speak your own language, speak other languages and learn about different languages in general.  We'll give you a little head start by telling you some fascinating language facts:

• It is estimated that up to 7,000 different languages exist in our world
• 90% of these languages are used by less than 100,000 people
• 2,200 languages can be found in Asia and just 260 can be found in Europe
• There are 46 languages that have just a single speaker 
• At least half of the world's popular are bilingual or multilingual
• Russia (population 148 million) has the highest number of languages spoken on its territory - between 130 to 200, depending on criteria
• All pilots on international flights identify themselves in English
• Many languages in Africa include a clicking sound that is pronounced at the same time as other sounds. You must learn these languages in childhood to do it properly
• Somalia is the only African country in which the entire population speaks the same language - Somali
• around 200 artificial languages have been created since the 17th century

(Fact sources: bbc.co.uk, factmonster.com, edl.ecml.at)

So there we go - ten fascinating language facts.  Now you can go and amaze your friends with your new knowledge :)  

Happy International Mother Language Day once again.  Goodbye, adios, ciao, elveda, afscheid, नमस्ते  

Simply languages, 

Simply Nectar

Put the kettle on and enjoy English Tea Shop teas

If you're anything like us then you'll probably like tea.  Actually no, you won't like it, you'll LOVE it!  Who doesn't?!   Tea solves everything.  It answers all problems, mends all broken hearts and stops all those tears from falling.  It is wonderful stuff, and we Brits love it. We drink it day and night, in all sorts of places and for all sorts of reasons.  Come to think of it we put the kettle on at every given opportunity – during a tea break at work, when a friend comes round for a cuppa and even when disaster strikes and we need time to collect our thoughts.  The water boils, the mugs come out and the tea is made.  Well, it certainly happens that way here at Simply Nectar!

Our love for tea meant we were very excited to hear that our friends at What On Earth have formed a distribution partnership with English Tea Shop.  This means that What On Earth is now a supplier of these delicious tasting teas.  The company will supply more than 20 different flavours of English Tea Shop teas, both in envelope and silken pyramid tea bags.  The selection of teas will include favourites such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green Tea, Peppermint, Black Tea Chai and Superberries.  

If you haven't tried English Tea Shop teas before then you really should.  The company sources the finest, tastiest ingredients to create genuinely lovely teas.  English Tea Shop is based in the UK but has its manufacturing facility in the heart of Sri Lanka.  The company deals directly with farmers and producers from all over the world and has some of the most experienced tea blenders, formulators and tasters in the industry.  The company has spent hours blending, tasting and sampling different tea blends, which is why they all taste so good.  We should know, we've tried many of them.

Like Simply Nectar and What On Earth, English Tea Shop is a very green company that cares about the environment.  It purchases most of its teas and ingredients from small producers in the third world, and they take great care in selecting their suppliers.  The company’s factory has lots of green certification and its tea is certified organic by Soil Association. Some teas are also Rainforest Alliance Certified and some have Ethical Tea Partnership Certification.  The factory in Sri Lanka is also on its way to becoming carbon neutral and all the teas used are from certified ‘Ozone Friendly’ plantations.  English Tea Shop is a key Fairtrade player and has international licensing to market Fairtrade products in more than 25 countries.  Fairtrade not only helps farmers to achieve a sustainable livelihood but rewards and encourages farming and production practices that are environmentally sustainable.

Photo Sura Nualpradid / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you want to find out more about What On Earth visit www.whatonearth.co.uk.  If you want to find out more about English Tea Shop then visit www.etsteas.co.uk.  

Simply tea,

Simply Nectar

Drink away your January blues with Simply Nectar

It's January, the days are short and to make it worse it's snowing.  A depressing opening statement I know, but these are the groans of so many people.  I know because I hear them every day and I see them across social media sites.  January is not an enjoyable month for so many people.  To add insult to injury a lot of people are short of money because of Christmas, and many are having a 'dry January', so they can't even drink away their blues.  That is there own choice though!

Has that made you feel worse than you did already?!  Apologies if it has.  But don’t fret, we can offer solace in the form of some of our Simply Nectar.  Why?  Because our Simply Nectar is available in Apricot and Peach – two fruits that naturally help beat depression and improve mood.  We’re not making it up!  It’s been proven. I'll tell you the science behind it so you can see for yourself.

Apricots and peaches are rich in potassium, fibre and tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is best known for being a precursor for serotonin.  Serotonin helps the body regulate appetite, mood, relaxation and sleep, so it is important to keep your serotonin levels steady.  You can easily do this by drinking Apricot and Peach simply Nectar.

Apricots and peaches can also help more than just depression too.  The fruits are excellent sources of beta-carotene and vitamins A and C - antioxidants that help combat the effects of free radicals.  Free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.  It has been shown that antioxidants tie up these free radicals and take away their destructive power. Vitamin A is also essential for vision and for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. 

Photo courtesy of Bill Longshaw / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Simply Nectar Apricot contains 50% of apricot pulp so by drinking just one bottle you’re getting lots of apricot goodness.  What’s more we don’t add any refined sugars to the drinks so you can be sure that every sip you take is a healthy one.  The other 50% of our drink is water (to liquefy the pulp) and a dash of grape juice to naturally sweeten it.  See, Simply Nectar contains only natural ingredients.

Our Peach Simply Nectar is the same.  It contains 50% peach pulp so once again the drink can offer lots of goodness to those who choose to drink it.  The other ingredients are water, grape juice and a dash of lemon juice to keep it tasting its best.

Photo courtesy of Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So now you've seen how good apricots and peaches are for you, what are you waiting for?  Get some Peach and Apricot Simply Nectar down your neck and start smiling through dull, dark and cold January...and the rest of the year.

Simply healthy,

Simply Nectar

Non-alcoholic cocktails for a dry January

If, like us, you are attempting to have a dry January, and you’ve also made a New Year’s resolution to stay healthy, then you are going to love this post.  Why?  Because we have pulled together eight different non-alcoholic (and healthy!) cocktail recipes – one for every flavour of Simply Nectar.  You can call them mocktails, not-tails or even virgin cocktails.  Whatever you call them you can be safe in the knowledge that these drinks contain no alcohol.

The non-alcoholic cocktails drinks will have you feeling fresh, happy and hydrated, and they’ll certainly help you stick to that healthy diet.  Plus they won’t leave you craving alcohol as they will keep you full and satisfied.  In fact, they may even whisk you away to far away shores.  The exotic flavours will make you think you’re sipping cocktails on a sandy beach under the blazing sun.  Well, until you open your eyes and look out the window of course. 

Photo courtesy of Kongsky - FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

We hope you enjoy our suggestions.  Good luck with the resolutions!

  

Winter Delight

• 250ml Pear Simply Nectar 
• 50ml Cranberry juice
• 30ml Citron Pressé Simply Nectar
• Slice of lemon
• Cinnamon stick

Take a cocktail shaker and fill half of it with ice.  Pour over the Pear Simply Nectar, cranberry juice and Citron Presse Simply Nectar. Shake the cocktail well and strain martini glasses.  Pierce a round slice of lemon with a cinnamon stick and lay across the top of the glass.

 

Safe sex on the Beach

• 150ml Orange Simply Nectar
• 150ml pineapple juice
• 50ml Peach Simply Nectar
• Juice of half a line
• Wedge of lime
• Orange peel

Add the Orange Simply Nectar, Peach Simply Nectar, pineapple juice and lime juice to a cocktail shaker that is half filled with ice.  Shake the mixture and strain into highball glasses.  Top with ice and garnish with a lime wedge and orange peel.

Photo courtesy of Carlos Porto - FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Passion for Mangoes

• 250ml Mango Simply Nectar
• 100ml Orange Simply Nectar
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• Juice of one lime
• 50ml soda water

Add the Mango Simply Nectar, Orange Simply Nectar, lime and honey to a coktail shaker that is a quarter full with ice.  Give the mixture a good shake and top with soda water. Stir the drink and strain into highball glasses.  Top with ice if desired.

Apricot Dream

• 85ml Apricot Simply Nectar
• 70ml white grape juice
• 30ml ginger ale
• 1/4 tsp ground clove

Pour the Apricot Simply Nectar, white grape juice, ginger beer, and most of the ground clove into a cocktail mixer.  Top with ice and shake.  Strain the mixture into a martini glass and sprinkle the rest of the ground clove on top of the drink.

Virgin Bellini

• 60ml Peach Simply Nectar
• 1 teaspoon grenadine syrup
• 60ml soda water
• Fresh raspberries

Add the Peach Simply Nectar to a champagne flute followed by the teaspoon of grenadine.  Top the flute with soda water, garnish with fresh raspberries and serve.

Sucking bitter lemons

• 200ml Citron Pressé Simply Nectar
• 200ml ginger ale
• 1 tsp grenadine syrup
• 1 dash bitters
• Orange slice

Add the Lemon Simply Nectar, grenadine and bitters to ice-filled highball glasses.  Top with ginger ale and garnish with a slice of orange.

Raspberry Sunset

• 200ml Raspberry Simply Nectar
• 100ml Peach Simply Nectar
• 50ml Guava juice
• 50ml soda water
• Fresh raspberries

Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the Raspberry Simply Nectar, Peach Simply Nectar and guava juice.  Shake the mixture well and top with soda water.  Stir the drink and strain into glasses.  Top with ice (if required) and garnish with fresh raspberries.

Simply mocktails,

Simply Nectar

Christmas 2012 in (rather embarrassing) photos

It’s December, the weather is dire and Christmas is just around the corner.  This can only mean one thing...the Simply Nectar and What On Earth work Christmas party.  Oh yes!  And what a night was had. Are you sure you're ready for this blog post?!

This year we decided to go all Mexican.  I'm not entirely sure why this was the theme but everyone seemed happy with it.  I personally think it was just the excuse we all needed to wear fake moustaches, eat lots of burritos and drink lots of tequila....and Corona, and Sol, and wine...!  So that is what we did.  Oh and we played some piñata.  If you're brave enough to look below then you can see exactly what went on at the party.  Hopefully the following photos will get you giggling - they certainly did us!  Enjoy.

Here are the sensible pics:

Mexican decorations

Mariachi in an impressive stance

Beers

TEQUILA!!!!

Lots of delicious dips made by Sergei

Yummy Indian food made by Ekta

And now for the fun pics:

"The boys, the boys..."

What a handsome bunch

Piñata!

Ekta turns into the piñata!

So there we have it - a brief insight into the delights of our Christmas party.  If you want to see more head over to our Facebook page and take a look at the full album: www.facebook.com/SimplyNectar.   There are certainly a few more embarrassing pictures in there!  Don't forget to 'like' our Facebook page while you're there.

We hope your work do is/was just as fun as ours.

Simply Christmas, 

Simply Nectar.

Our foodie friends are helping cut food waste

We're proud to announce that our friends at What On Earth are providing 29kg of organic chopped tomatoes for the Alternative Christmas Banquet, which takes place from 6-9 December 2012.  This event is being held in conjunction with the inspirational food charity, FoodCycle, and Tom Hunt’s Forgotten Feast, a fantastic restaurant that supports ugly, unwanted and unloved food that would normally go to waste.   The event will be held at the Brunel Museum in London and will be based on the idea of having a ‘Forgotten Feast of 7 Fishes’.  For vegetarians there is also the option of an Italian Vegetarian Banquet.  The Feast of 7 Fishes’ is eaten on Christmas Eve in Italy and traditionally 7 or 13 dishes were served after the seven sacraments and the 13 apostles.  The idea was to bring lots of people together to eat.

Logo courtesy of foodcycle.org.uk

Photo courtesy of tomsfeast.co.uk

Renowned eco chef, Tom Hunt, will be cooking the dishes for the event and will source wild foods, misshapen vegetables, unusual cuts of meat and fish that are often neglected or not normally seen on British menus.  The feast will include options such as carpaccio of scallop, risotto nero with cuttlefish, pumpkin and sage risotto, forgotten fish stew and garbanzo stew with borlotti and glut tomatoes.

Photo courtesy of foodcycle.org.uk

What On Earth’s Organic Chopped Tomatoes will be used within the feast and we are extremely proud of the company for donating this food.  Both Simply Nectar and What On Earth are very eco-friendly companies so we’re always keen to help the environment in any way we can.  By contributing products to the event What On Earth is able to cut food waste, which is a growing problem.  As a country we throw away around 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink from our homes every year, which costs us around £12 billion.  Also, according to FoodCycle, an estimated 400,000 tonnes of surplus food can be reclaimed each year from the food retailer industry to be made into healthy and nutritious meals.  These are shocking statistics and we are happy to help in any way possible.

The Forgotten Feast of 7 Fishes is set to be a fantastic event and we encourage anybody who hasn’t already got tickets to try and get their hands on the remaining few.  Tickets are available from £35 and all proceeds will go to FoodCycle, which helps serve meals to people at risk from food poverty.  It also aids the creation of more Forgotten Feast events.  For those who attend the event on the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th December, there will be an extra treat.  Guests will be offered an excluded guided descent into the underground Grand Entrance Hall of Brunel’s Thames Tunnel.  Closed to the public for over 140 years, this was the first tunnel under a river anywhere in the world and is one of the great wonders of the Victorian Age.

Photo courtesy of IanVisits.co.uk

As well as buying tickets, volunteering options are available.  Please see the event website for more details. The delicious menu for the event is as follows:

Forgotten Feast of 7 Fishes Menu

- An Italian inspired Christmas feast -

 Due to the sheer volume of food surplus we are able to pick the highest quality ingredients. As we are sourcing surplus food the menu is subject to change.

Antipasti

Carpaccio of scallop frills and megrim sole

Baccala mantecato - salted dab pate with saffron

Salmon trim fish cakes with aioli verde

Primi

Risotto nero with cuttlefish

or

 Pumpkin and sage risotto with a foraged salad

Secondi

Forgotten fish stew of gurnard, pouting and red signal crayfish with cheeky bacon

or

Garbanzo stew with borlotti and glut tomatoes

Served with

Sorrel salsa, buttered chard, caramelized fennel, roast tomatoes

Cleo the sourdough

Dolce

Clementine chocolate fondant with Salcombe dairy ice cream

For more information please visit:
What On Earth - http://www.whatonearth.co.uk / @whatonearthfood
FoodCycle - http://foodcycle.org.uk/   / @foodcycle
Forgotten Feast - http://www.tomsfeast.com/restaurants/forgotten-feast/
Tom Hunt - http://www.tomsfeast.com/   / @tomsfeast
Brunel Museum - http://www.brunel-museum.org.uk / @BrunelMuseum

We hope some of you can make it along to the event and we hope you enjoy all the food...especially What On Earth's Organic Chopped Tomatoes!

Simply tomatoes,

Simply Nectar