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It's not too late for you to pick up the perfect Christmas present for the foodie in your life (including you!). All these gifts can be bought instore or ordered online in time for the big day. Let's start with a plug - snap up my Noodle Secret Weapons Cookery Kit from Sous Chef - last orders for standard delivery at 3pm today! You'll find a whole range of fantastic gifts for the amateur or professional chef, and express delivery is available till the 22nd  http://www.souschef.co.uk/noodle-secret-weapons-cookbook-set.html   Gorgeous macarons, sumptuous marshmallows, luxury nut brittle and more from Macarons and More - last orders 23rd Dec!  http://www.macaronsandmore.com/macarons-online Run to Brompton Food Market in South Kensington. Tell them your budget and throw yourself upon their mercy or opt for one of their set Hampers - I've got my eye on the Best of Brompton  http://www.bromptonfoodmarket.com/ How adorable is this hedge...

Snowman noodles So it's that time of year when you're thinking,  "I can't possibly get Mum a gift of smellies again",  "I've no idea what to get for Dad!",  "Would Gran want another scarf for Christmas?",  "What am I meant to get for my brother this time?" Rudolf eating tamen Here's the perfect Christmas present solution for my readers in the UK - a signed copy of my book NOODLE! Your friends and family will love you, and you'll reap the benefits as they lavish noodle dish after noodle dish upon you. As for the book itself, not only will it have my beauteous signature inscribed on it, I will even draw you an exceedingly shabby Christmas-themed doodle inside! Ever wanted a picture of Rudolf eating ramen? Or Frosty the Snowman wistfully eating summer rolls? Just let me know what you want (awful puns and all)! And for a limited time running up to Christmas, post and packaging is free , so you...

Then let us pray that come it may, (As come it will for a' that,) That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth, Shall bear the gree, an' a' that. For a' that, an' a' that, It's coming yet for a' that, That Man to Man, the world o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that. ("Is There for Honest Poverty" - Robert Burns) Wherever you stood on the question of Scottish independence , whether you were able to vote or not, a democratic decision has been made that the Union will continue. Let's hope that real change will come now, as has been promised , so that the 45% of Scotland's population who said "Yes" to independence might be convinced that we really can be better together : O let us not, like snarling curs, In wrangling be divided, Till, slap! come in an unco loun,  And wi' a rung decide it! Be Britain still to Britain true, Amang ourselves united; For never but by British hands Maun British wrangs be rig...

If you're a fan of Japanese food, fashion, art, books, film, music, pottery, video games, technology or culture, or interested in visiting the land of the rising sun for yourself, Hyper Japan is the event for you. Starting next Friday and on till Sunday at Earls Court, it's a huge showcase of all things Japanese, but with a definite slant towards to popular culture, although traditional Japan is well represented too .   Each year is bigger and better - you can attend the Sushi Awards  and the Sake Experience , sing along to a J-Pop concert  , and even watch a bunraku puppet opera starring the legendary Vocaloid. There are also smaller events running each day where you can learn to make sushi, watch a sword fight, see geisha dance, try calligraphy or origami, or download new video games for your DS . You cam also stuff yourself silly with all the gorgeous food on offer, and load up on all things kawaii  at Hyper Kawaii or uniquely Japan at the Hyper ...

© Tim Anderson Last month, I held a book launch for  Noodle!  at the Drapers Arms in Islington.  It was an amazing night, and I was surrounded by so many lovely people, that I wanted to share some photos and say thank you to everyone who made it such a success. The Drapers Arms - the beautiful venue © Ozzy Beck / Karohemd Photography © pp gettins / Gettins Images Let Thohk Sohn - Burmese Rainbow Salad © Ozzy Beck /  Karohemd Photography © Martin Stirrup Food Urchin as barman © Uyen Luu Gary Fenn ( Big Spud ), Kavita Favelle ( Kavey Eats ), Catherine Phipps , and James Ramsden © Ozzy Beck /  Karohemd Photography Bombay Mix Shots © pp gettins /  Gettins Images Jason from Feast to the World and me ©  Uyen Luu © Ozzy Beck /  Karohemd Photography Chef Tim Anderson and me with our lovely Laimon Fresh Matcha from Japan Centre Mini Ramen Burgers and Bombay Mix Shots Edd Kim...