CULINARY EXPERT DISCUSSES HIS JOURNEY AND TOP TIPS
COOKING has been the most popular pastime during lockdown, and many have gone online for inspiration.
One of the most popular culinary experts is master Indian chef and cool content creator Sanjyot Keer. His fabulous Your Food Lab venture has many millions of followers across different social media handles seeking healthy recipes, top cooking tips and food inspiration.
The former food producer for MasterChef India was surrounded by a family of fantastic cooks growing up and was encouraged by them to start a culinary journey as a 12-year-old, with pav bhaji being his first dish. He saw cooking as a superpower because it put smiles on people’s faces and used that expertise to help millions across the world.
Eastern Eye caught up with Sanjyot Keer to discuss his food journey and to get some top cooking tips.
Describe your connection with food.
I don’t think everyone likes to cook, but everyone does love to eat. I feel blessed to curate recipes, create content revolving around food and put it out for people to try those recipes at home. My relationship with food is something I can’t describe in words. Whether professionally, shooting or at home in my kitchen, I love to cook. Food is therapeutic for me. I feel it is the best moment of my life when I’m in the kitchen cooking for someone else.
Did you imagine being so successful?
Imagining something and believing in your dream are two different things, but yes, I did believe in my dream to be a successful chef. I worked hard towards my goal. I have tasted success as a chef, but I am still on the journey with lots more to do. I’m still working towards that every single day.
How do you decide what recipes and dishes to share online?
You need to understand your audiences and what they want to cook. There are a lot of factors to consider such as seasons, festivals and different kinds of audiences. A lot of thought goes behind what I want to create, which is a lot of street food inspired fusion food. Whenever I’m stuck, I go out, eat a lot, travel and understand more flavours. That is how I create new recipes.
Mini snowman pizza
Did people become even more connected to you during lockdown?
The Your Food Lab community has been constantly growing since its inception in 2016, but
yes, we surely saw a spike during the pandemic in 2020. I feel lockdown gave people some time to cook more frequently at home. You understand as a creator that lockdown gave the people ample amount of time to try new recipes.
Would you give key cooking tips for beginners?
If you’re starting out as a beginner, the first thing you need to overcome is fright. It is not difficult and difficult at the same time. So overcome that fright to enter the kitchen and try simple recipes, and I’m sure you will ace it. Understand and taste your ingredients, then you will know what will happen when you add it to your cooking. Go step by step and taste as you go. There is no set formula, so whether it is salt, spices or chillis, taste as you go and adjust accordingly. That is one top tip I’ll give beginners and to everybody else.
Vada pav bites
How important is it to understand spices?
It’s a very vast topic to cover in an interview, but I’m also still learning spices. As a chef, I don’t feel I understand spices completely, but I learn every day. I go through a lot of literature and do a lot of experiments and trials when I’m cooking. You need to understand your spices really well. But if you understand the basics, a few spices will give you that earthiness, aroma, flavour, and body in your recipe. Every spice has a different characteristic and role in the recipe. Learning about spices will happen when you use them in your cooking and taste them yourself.
What are the common mistakes people make?
A common mistake while cooking is people follow recipes as a formula. A recipe is not a formula, it’s a guide. If a recipe calls for one tablespoon of red chilli powder, it does not mean that if you add one tablespoon of red chilli powder, it’s going to be perfect. You may like your food more or less spicy. So don’t follow recipes blindly. Follow a recipe according to your palate profile. What kind of flavours do you like? And you’ll never go wrong with cooking. You will always keep exploring and you’ll understand your ingredients better.
Butter chicken
What according to you is the secret of preparing the perfect meal?
There’s no secret to preparing a perfect meal. I think the secret is that there are no shortcuts., I feel shortcuts and hacks kill that vibe of cooking. If you want something quick, the best option is to call for a takeout meal. If you want to cook something, give it more time. Do it wholeheartedly and your recipe will come out great. Whenever you’re cooking, just feel that you want to have the perfect meal and it will turn out good. The moment you try to avoid steps, you will find shortcuts. It’s not going to turn out good. So don’t run after hacks. That’s one secret to preparing the perfect meal.
What inspires you as a chef?
The whole fact about working with food professionally and being a chef. Being able to create something from a few raw ingredients and serve it is like a blessing. That inspires me a lot to create something from scratch. The whole process of it just mesmerises me as a chef. My dream is that I’ll be able to reduce malnutrition around the world. There are a lot of kids in India who are suffering from malnutrition. I want to help them and reduce the number of deaths in young kids. And food is a blessing. Everyone has to eat and belonging to a profession with food is a blessing. That inspires me to do better every day.
Annabel Croft spotted courtside in statement Gucci trainers during Wimbledon
Paired the footwear with a pleated blue dress by Boss for a sporty yet polished look
The platform sole offered subtle height without compromising on comfort
White trainers remain a key smart-casual trend, suitable for a wide range of outfits
Annabel Croft embraces sporty style at Wimbledon
Former tennis player and current presenter Annabel Croft made a notable appearance at Wimbledon this weekend, combining elegance with comfort through a smart-casual ensemble. Dressed in a pale blue pleated dress by Boss, she completed the look with Gucci platform trainers, blending classic tennis aesthetics with modern fashion.
The knife-pleat design of the dress referenced traditional tennis skirts, while the fitted T-shirt silhouette gave the outfit a distinctly athletic feel. Her trainers featured Gucci’s red and green web stripe, offering a designer twist on the classic white trainer trend.
Statement trainers with added comfort
Annabel’s shoes included a platform sole, providing extra height while maintaining the comfort expected from trainers. This style aligns with the ongoing sports-luxe trend, which combines fashion and function, and shows how white trainers can elevate polished outfits without relying on heels.
White trainers, in particular, have become a wardrobe staple, known for their versatility. Their neutral base makes them ideal for dressing down occasionwear or adding a casual element to otherwise formal outfits.
How to replicate the look
Annabel’s exact pair is the Gucci Ace Sneaker with Web, featuring a sleek white base and the brand’s signature red and green stripes. While her specific version includes a platform sole, Gucci offers several variations:
Gucci Ace Leather Low-Top Trainers: A timeless option with the same colour detailing and classic silhouette.
Gucci Re-Web Supreme Canvas Trainers: A subtle alternative with the brand’s stripe on the tongue and a sportier profile.
For similar looks at more accessible prices, other options include:
Reebok Club C 85: A retro-style low-top trainer with subtle red, white and green accents.
Gola Mark Cox Tennis Trainers: With off-white and green tones, this pair reflects a traditional tennis shoe aesthetic.
Veja Urca Trainers: Sustainable and minimalist, featuring the brand’s signature “V” for a pop of colour.
Fairfax & Favor Alexandra Platform: A more understated take with navy and tan detailing on a crisp white base.
White trainers: a year-round staple
White trainers continue to dominate fashion trends in 2025, especially as a go-to for smart-casual dressing. Their clean look pairs effortlessly with summer dresses, tailored trousers, or casual denim.
Although Croft’s Gucci pair makes a bold statement, the predominantly white design remains understated enough to be worn with a variety of outfits. The key to maintaining the look is regular cleaning and proper storage, as worn-in trainers can undermine their smart appeal.
Whether for a day at the tennis or a relaxed weekend outing, Annabel Croft’s Wimbledon footwear choice reinforces the timeless versatility of white trainers.
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Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance
Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.
Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.
Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/
A Ralph Lauren moment with a Bridgerton nod
Charithra arrived at Wimbledon 2025 in a look that paid homage to her Bridgerton roots while firmly placing her among fashion’s rising stars. Wearing a sleeveless green cashmere sweater layered over a crisp white shirt, she paired the look with tan lambskin shorts and sleek white Nappa pumps, giving preppy summer chic a polished, modern upgrade.
She styled her hair in soft vintage curls, writing on TikTok that her look was “Edwina inspired,” referencing her breakout role in the hit Netflix period drama. She later posted the outfit on Instagram, captioning it, “Repping @wimbledon green with @ralphlauren. Wouldn’t be summer without it.” The post quickly gained traction, with fans and fashion watchers alike praising her effortless charm.
— (@)
Fans say she 'stole the spotlight' from Hollywood A-listers
While Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro were seated directly in front of her, and even made headlines for their courtside chemistry, many online noted that Chandran quietly stole the moment. One user tweeted, “Charithra Chandran is so beautiful, I didn’t even notice Andrew Garfield.” Another added, “Serving face, grace and Wimbledon-worthy class.”
Reddit threads lit up with praise for her presence and look, with several fans highlighting how refreshing it was to see a dark-skinned South Asian woman at the centre of attention at such a high-profile event. The comments ranged from “She should be a Disney princess” to “That’s the definition of quiet luxury.”
Style with substance: why Chandran’s fashion matters
Chandran’s choice to embrace a look so rooted in vintage elegance and British tailoring also mirrors her own journey. She is an Oxford graduate who brings intelligence, poise, and presence both on-screen and off. As a brand ambassador for Ralph Lauren, she has consistently delivered looks that nod to heritage while adding her own contemporary vibe to it.
In a media landscape that still underrepresents South Asian women in luxury fashion spaces, Chandran’s presence at Wimbledon in a leading designer’s box, and in their outfit, felt quietly radical. She wasn’t just there; she belonged there.
Charithra’s look was inspired by her character Edwina Sharma from BridgertonInstagram/charithra17/
From Bridgerton to fashion’s front row
While Charithra Chandran is best known for playing Edwina Sharma in Bridgerton Season 2, she’s no stranger to reinvention. Recent credits include Dune: Prophecy and the upcoming season of One Piece, where she plays Nefertari Vivi. Off-screen, she’s rapidly becoming a name to watch in the fashion world, with red carpet looks that bring together tradition and trend with striking ease.
Whether she’s portraying a royal on screen or sitting in the royal box in real life, Chandran’s presence is part of a larger shift towards a more diverse, intelligent, and graceful representation in both fashion and film.
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Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members
Amazon Prime Day runs until 11 July, with major savings on electronics
Apple AirPods Pro 2, iPad 11th-gen, and MacBook Air M4 hit all-time low prices
Samsung Galaxy phones, Sony headphones and Fire TV devices also see deep cuts
Prime Day is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, but free trial users can also access deals
Biggest electronics sale of the year
Amazon’s four-day Prime Day 2025 event has delivered a flood of deals on popular electronics, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones and more. Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members, though new users can sign up for a 30-day free trial to access the discounts.
As part of this year’s event, several top-rated products from Apple, Samsung, Sony and Amazon itself have seen some of their lowest-ever prices. According to The Independent’s senior tech critic Alex Lee, “Apple discounts are notoriously rare — but this Prime Day is a clear exception.”
Apple’s best Prime Day deals
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Was £229, now £179 – Amazon.co.uk These premium earbuds feature upgraded audio quality and adaptive noise cancellation. Tech reviewer David Phelan described them as “the best AirPods yet”, noting their impressive environmental awareness features.
Was £329, now £284 – Amazon.co.uk Launched in March 2025, this model comes with an A16 Bionic chip, USB-C charging, and 128GB of storage. It’s considered the best-value iPad currently on the market.
Was £999, now £849 – Amazon.co.uk This slimline laptop is praised for its fast performance, long battery life and sleek design. Phelan called it “Apple’s best MacBook Air yet”.
Ultra 2: Was £799, now £659 Both watches include health tracking features like sleep monitoring, ECG, and fitness metrics. The Ultra 2 also includes a double-tap gesture and two-day battery life.
Was £99, now £55 – Amazon.co.uk Praised by reviewers for sound quality and noise cancellation at a budget price. Which? rated them one of the best mid-range earbuds.
Was £289, now £179 – Amazon.co.uk These over-ear headphones offer top-tier noise cancellation and comfort. Suitable for frequent travellers or remote workers.
Was £79, now £53 – Amazon.co.uk A favourite alternative to AirPods, with long battery life and reliable ANC.
Tips for tech shoppers
Check price history – Use tools like CamelCamelCamel to confirm whether a deal is genuinely at its lowest price.
Compare with high street retailers – Currys, Argos and John Lewis may match or beat Prime Day prices.
Watch out for Lightning Deals – Some electronics deals are time-limited or quantity-restricted.
Sign up for alerts – Use the Amazon app or wishlists to get notified as soon as your favourite products drop in price.
Read expert reviews – Publications like The Independent, TechRadar, and Wired offer trusted opinions.
Prime Day 2025 has proven to be a massive event for electronics, with major savings on Apple, Samsung, Sony and more. From flagship phones and MacBooks to OLED TVs and noise-cancelling earbuds, this year’s sale includes some of the best prices seen in months. With the sale ending at 11:59 pm on 11 July, time is running out to make the most of these deals.
Whether you're after new headphones, a smartwatch, or a tablet for work or leisure, the Prime Day sale offers plenty of compelling options — but only while stocks last.
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The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction
The original Hermes Birkin bag sold for £7.4m at Sotheby’s Paris.
It belonged to British actress and singer Jane Birkin.
The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction.
It ranks as the second most expensive fashion item sold globally.
A record-breaking sale
The original Hermes Birkin handbag, once owned by British actress and singer Jane Birkin, has been sold for £7.4 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, setting a new world record for the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction.
The sale, held on Thursday, saw the iconic fashion item exceed all expectations, with Sotheby’s calling it “a startling demonstration of the power of a legend.” The bag is now also the second most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction, following the £24 million paid for Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz in 2024.
The origin of the Birkin
Jane Birkin, a celebrated figure in French and British cinema from the 1960s onwards, inspired the creation of the handbag during a chance encounter in 1981. She was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, then artistic director at Hermes, on an Air France flight. Using a wicker basket as her carry-on, Birkin remarked that handbags at the time were too small for her needs.
In response, Dumas began sketching potential designs with Birkin on the back of an airline sick bag. Hermes introduced a prototype in 1985 and asked for Birkin’s permission to name the new style after her. The design quickly gained traction and evolved into a status symbol within the fashion world.
Cultural significance and celebrity appeal
Since its launch, the Birkin bag has been associated with luxury and exclusivity. It has been carried by global celebrities including Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Khloe Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.
Speaking about the sale, Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, said: “It is a startling demonstration of the power of a legend and its capacity to ignite the passion and desire of collectors seeking exceptional items with unique provenance.”
Previous record and global recognition
Before this auction, the highest-selling handbag was the Hermes white Himalaya niloticus crocodile diamond retourne Kelly 28, which sold for £380,000 in 2021. The sale of the original Birkin now marks a defining moment in both fashion history and the luxury collectibles market.
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This is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play
The doll features a glucose monitor, insulin pump and CGM app
Created in collaboration with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D
Part of Mattel’s broader push for inclusivity and representation in toys
Barbie with type 1 diabetes joins inclusive fashionistas range
Mattel has launched its first diabetes Barbie doll, designed to represent children with type 1 diabetes and promote greater inclusivity in children’s toys.
The new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line comes with realistic medical features including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump to help manage her blood sugar levels. She also carries a smartphone with a CGM app to monitor glucose throughout the day, and a bag large enough to store snacks and other essentials.
Designed in partnership with Breakthrough T1D
The diabetes Barbie doll was developed in collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, a global not-for-profit organisation supporting people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The autoimmune condition typically develops in childhood and requires patients to monitor their blood glucose and take insulin regularly.
Krista Berger, senior vice-president of Barbie and global head of dolls, described the launch as “an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation.”
“Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love,” she said.
Karen Addington, CEO of Breakthrough T1D UK, welcomed the collaboration: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Barbie now includes a doll with type 1 diabetes. For children with T1D who don’t often see themselves represented, this doll will be a powerful role model, celebrating their strength and bringing recognition, inclusion and joy to their play.”
A growing legacy of inclusive design
Since the original Barbie’s debut in 1959, the brand has evolved to reflect greater diversity. The first Black Barbie dolls were introduced in the 1960s, followed by Hispanic dolls in the 1980s. From the 1990s onwards, Mattel expanded the range to include Barbies in under-represented careers such as astronauts and scientists.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Barbie dolls with visible disabilities were introduced. Since then, Mattel has launched more than 175 diverse Barbie looks as part of the Fashionistas range, which now includes dolls with hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, vitiligo, and Down’s syndrome. A black Barbie with Down’s syndrome and a blind Barbie are also part of the line.
The diabetes Barbie doll continues that trend, offering children with the condition a chance to see themselves positively reflected in their toys.
Industry-wide shift toward representation
Barbie is not the only toy brand prioritising diversity. UK-based brand Lottie includes dolls with autism and Down’s syndrome, while Lego offers a variety of inclusive minifigures, including characters with physical and non-visible disabilities.
Arjun Panesar, founding chief executive of Diabetes.co.uk, praised Mattel’s decision, stating: “Representation matters – especially in childhood. Seeing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes helps normalise the condition, reduce stigma and show children that they are not alone.
“It’s a positive step forward in building confidence, inclusion and understanding around living with diabetes.”
Promoting empathy through play
The launch of the diabetes Barbie doll is not just about inclusion—it is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play. The company says the goal is to encourage children to engage with experiences beyond their own, helping them to understand the challenges others may face.
As Barbie continues to evolve, the inclusion of realistic medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes signals a more inclusive future for toys and the children who play with them.