Hidden beneath a shopping centre in Taipei, Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles delivered one of my most memorable meals in Taiwan — incredible handmade beef noodles, even better dumplings, shared tables with strangers and an accidental second main course. 🏆🇹🇼
Category Archives: General
What is a Bravas Fest?
Since the first edition in Valencia in 2024 when more than 30,000 people attended, more than 7 tons of potatoes had been cooked and 9,000 liters of Mahou beer had been served, the 2025 edition was awarded a win to La Ruta by Thacks Awards.
A 30 hour Irish Assignment: Guinness and Chipper Food at the cliffs of Ballycotton – PART II
By John Thackray So, I touched down in SUNNY Cork at 19:00 local time, dashed to get my hire car and the upgrade to a brand new Jeep with 4,000km on the clock was a nice start though I didn’t have time to faff to get the radio working… I checked into my accommodation justContinue reading “A 30 hour Irish Assignment: Guinness and Chipper Food at the cliffs of Ballycotton – PART II”
A 30 hour Irish Assignment: Guinness and Chipper Food at the cliffs of Ballycotton – PART I
The greatest thing about living in Europe is that budget airlines exist – so you can find a return flight to another country less than 3 hours away for under €60. You can fly to Venice for a day to fill up on genuine pasta, or skip over to Morocco for a few hours toContinue reading “A 30 hour Irish Assignment: Guinness and Chipper Food at the cliffs of Ballycotton – PART I”
Spanish Wine Outings
Just an hour outside of Valencia… Valencia was often known for its cheap bulk wines, but it has already blossomed into one of Spain’s most interesting wine regions. Rehabilitated long-forgotten local grapes like the red Mando and the white Verdil are coming back to life, with the rediscovered use of amphoras. You will find interestingContinue reading “Spanish Wine Outings”
Eurovision 2024 Predictions
Although Thacks Awards is mostly about food, drink and travel, herewith a beginners guide to something different: Eurovision. Panelist John had a look at all of the 2024 entry videos on YouTube and brings you this guide and intro… Just in case you need a random happy distraction from anything traumatic. Sometimes you do needContinue reading “Eurovision 2024 Predictions”
2023 was an up and down year
2023 was an exciting year in terms of destinations. And finding things different to your expectations. The seven panelists travelled to far-flung destinations like Japan, Columbia, Canada, Brazil, the USA from their bases in Spain, Austria, Cyprus, the UAE, Australia and South Africa. They also revisited foodie favourites like Italy, France and Germany. Some previousContinue reading “2023 was an up and down year”
Eurovision 2023 Predictions
Although Thacks Awards is mostly about food, drink and travel, herewith a beginners guide to something different: Eurovision. Panelist John had a look at some of the 2023 entry videos on YouTube and brings you this guide and intro. Just in case you need a random happy distraction from anything traumatic. Sometimes you need aContinue reading “Eurovision 2023 Predictions”
Qatar Airways: Best product in the sky, but lacking service/functionality?
Although Qatar Airways offers the most-awarded and we agree a ‘best Business Class offering’; and it has been a favourite airline for even the Thacks Awards panelists (Qatar’s inflight offering won a 2021 Thacks Award; and it came out tops in comparisons with KLM, Turkish Airlines and Etihad), there are some definite shortfalls. Loyalty toContinue reading “Qatar Airways: Best product in the sky, but lacking service/functionality?”
2022 Top 5 Winner: THE ROYAL OAK, Balmain, Australia
A perfect Sunday afternoon chill session – more than a pub but one of Balmain’s oldest and best-known pubs. For the perfect setting to recharge for the week ahead, look no further than The Royal Oak in Balmain.It’s no secret that Australia has a fantastic pub culture, but the challenge to finding the best pubContinue reading “2022 Top 5 Winner: THE ROYAL OAK, Balmain, Australia”
