Life

Matthew Jukes has been in the wine business for more than 30 years, writing 14 books and a long-running column in the Daily Mail. When SLMan asked him for ten wines under £12 to see you through this year, he went through thousands of his own tasting notes and came up with these… Trust us when we say if Matthew has recommended them, you’d be justified in ordering them.

Lockdown has given us the time to take on some of the home improvements we never quite get around to… And there’s nothing like fresh paint to transform a room, but doing the job properly isn’t as simple as having the right brush and wearing overalls. Here is your idiot-proof guide to painting like a pro.

Ibiza regular DJ Stace has put together another lockdown playlist for SLMan. Before you dive into it, find out how he’s built his life as a DJ, where he finds new music – and why his mum has been the biggest influence on his career.

The weather’s been great, there’s a bank holiday coming up and the smell of barbecues is in the air. It’s time to get organised. SLMan chatted to Adam Brown of The Smoke Guys to get the lowdown on the best BBQs to buy – and how to get the most out of them once you’ve got one.

Joshua Rylah is deputy harbour master at the Port of London Authority. From managing Tom Cruise on top of Blackfriars Bridge to giving the green light for the New Year’s Eve fireworks, here’s what a harbour master really does – and how Josh came to be one.

Chopped tomatoes might be a kitchen cupboard essential, but they don’t always inspire creativity when cooking. That’s why the team at catering and events company Searcys is here to show you how to make this hero ingredient more exciting…

For lots of us Ocado is not much more than a distant memory at the moment, but there are plenty of other food delivery services that are ready, willing and able to supply households with top-quality produce. From restaurant-worthy veg, meat and fish boxes to knockout ready meals for special occasions, here are 14 of the best…

Still not making the most of all the extra time? There’s plenty of motivation to be found on MasterClass, the US-based online platform that lays on video tutorials from leaders in their field. Take out an annual subscription and you can pick up tennis tips from Serena Williams, work on your poker game with a World Series champion, or enhance your creativity with David Lynch. Here are ten of our favourite classes…

In just a few short weeks, offices around the world have come to rely on Zoom. But you’ve probably already noticed that looking professional on camera takes a bit of work. Whether it’s an internal catch-up or a crunch client meeting, here’s how to present the best version of yourself, remotely…

Alex Claridge is chef-owner of The Wilderness, where he cooks modern British food with the aim of surprising, delighting and sometimes provoking his customers with flavour combinations that capture the soul of Birmingham. He’s come a long way from his first foray into black olive tapenade…

What happens when one of London’s most esteemed chefs shuts his doors and isolates? Adam Byatt – proprietor of Clapham’s Trinity and Bistro Union, and chef-director of Charlie’s at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair – explains what he's done with his business, how he’s adapting to life at home, and how he is planning a knockout lamb dish on Sunday…

You’re working from home; the kids are off school; and you’re all only allowed out once a day. For parents, life under lockdown requires a whole new balancing act. SLMan asked Matt Farquharson – aka Papa Pukka – how he’s coping…