BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
In England, you would describe British cookbook authors Henry Firth and Ian Theasby as the kind of lads you'd take home to meet your mother. They're both polite, affable and laid-back – and, while they've built a successful business out of being vegan, they're not interested in preaching to the public. They simply want to cook some tasty comfort food for people. That much was clear when the pair, known collectively as Bosh!, hosted a vegan supper club at this month's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
Firth and Theasby met years ago in Sheffield, the city in northern England where they're both from. Theasby, in a bid to be healthier, went vegan first, something Firth initially found a bit strange. But after watching Kip Andersen documentary Cowspiracy, Firth was all in.
It was a cause that captured their hearts from an environmental perspective and they set about creating a project that would allow them to spread the message. Now, the duo are often described as the Jamie Olivers of the vegan world, or the vegan popular British TV duo Ant and Dec, as their well-made videos have caught the attention of many on social media. When they posted their first in June 2016, it received 3.5 million views within a week. Today, they have about three million followers across Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. Their first cookbook, Bosh!, published in 2018, became the fastest-selling title of its kind, outselling every other cookbook that year. They've released three more books since then and even have their own vegan cooking show, which launched this year on UK TV channel ITV 1, called Living on the Veg.
It's safe to say, they've done pretty well for themselves. But they're still as down to earth as ever. "The very fact we're sitting here in Dubai is crazy," says Theasby when asked about his reaction to the international interest.
"It's an absolute pleasure," says Firth. "We didn't plan for it and we're super grateful for it. We're just grateful on the whole, full stop, for getting to live this life and getting to do something that we wholeheartedly believe in and basically campaigning for change, which is what we're doing in a subtle, chilled-out way."
The upward trajectory of their career somewhat matches the exponential increase in interest in veganism, not only in their home country but across the world. While they knew there was an appetite for plant-based cuisine, Firth says they've still been pleasantly surprised by how much it's grown. "There was a statistic that 25 per cent of all food products launched in the UK last year were plant-based," he says. "When you weigh up the amount of people who eat vegan or plant-based food, it's a lot smaller than that.
"We're moving away from that world where vegans are marginalised and seen as grumpy, laborious people who you don't want to hang out with," he says, with a laugh. "Now it's a progressive way to eat from time to time, or all the time."
That being said, the perceived polarisation of vegans versus non-vegans portrayed in the media has not escaped them. "It doesn't make a good news story when people are hanging out and just being friends," says Firth. "It's great there's a fight and it makes for lots of clicks, but the reality is most people who are dabbling in veganism and dipping their toe into plant-based food are just, like, getting along."
The pair were dragged into the UK media's push for debate last year when they faced Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain to talk about whether plant-based foods could be given meat or dairy monikers, such as "sausage", "milk" or "cheese". When asked about this appearance, they both laugh. "Brands like Linda McCartney have been around for like 30 years and they've been selling vegetarian sausages for that long," says Theasby. "It's only recently, since the vegan movement has exploded, that farmers and meat producers have kicked up a fuss. I think it's ridiculous, really. A sausage is a sausage, it's not a part of an animal, it's a tube of meaty protein."
Firth, naturally, agrees. “Stephen Fry has spoken about this and he said peanut butter is not butter, quince cheese is not cheese, and try as dairy farmers might, history and the evolution of language will decide.”
While some people argue fake meat and dairy substitutes aren't healthy, the duo use them in their recipes, which focus on making vegan meals easy, quick and cheap to put together. They are big proponents of an 80:20 ratio – "80 per cent good, 20 per cent naughty". "It's good to eat a lot of vegetables and keep your diet – not necessarily raw – but colourful and veg-focused, but, you know, we humans do like comfort," says Firth. "We didn't give up meat because we didn't like the taste of it. So, every now and again, it's nice to have a Beyond or Impossible burger, or any of the new options that are now available, to remind yourself of that."
Theasby is certain the quality of other vegan products, such as faux cheeses, will soon catch up with the proliferation of meat substitutes. "It's a lot better than it was four years ago, but four years from now it's going to be really good and it'll melt beautifully, it'll have that same mouth feel, it'll smell good, it'll satisfy every urge a cheese lover has," he says. "Just as with the whole of the vegan movement, it's waiting for the next innovation – and there are innovations almost daily."
During the supper club, the pair showed a sold-out audience how to make their crispy Buffalo cauliflower bites, then sat down to enjoy a three-course meal of their recipes prepared by the chefs at InterContinental Dubai Festival City, alongside their UAE fans. Diners got to taste their Ultimate Chilli, a crowd-pleasing recipe from their first cookbook that Theasby says every non-vegan should try first. Also served were the mushroom Wellington, a version of their famous "mezze cake", which incorporates layers of classic Middle Eastern starters, and crunchy but fluffy churros with chocolate dipping sauce.
This might be their first professional visit to the UAE, but future trips certainly aren't off the table as their empire expands. "We're smart and … in the beginning we knew social media was international and we knew that if we made the right videos and the right vibe, it could do well," says Firth. "But it was a pleasure to see it pay off. And what a joy it is to go around cooking vegan food for people all over the world."
And what a joy it is to eat it, too.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Sunday's fixtures
- Bournemouth v Southampton, 5.30pm
- Manchester City v West Ham United, 8pm
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
SPEC%20SHEET
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
AL%20BOOM
%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BDirector%3AAssad%20Al%20Waslati%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%0DStarring%3A%20Omar%20Al%20Mulla%2C%20Badr%20Hakami%20and%20Rehab%20Al%20Attar%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20ADtv%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
