Food

Culinary Heritage: Recipes That Have Been Passed Down Through Your Culture.

Food is a central aspect of every culture, yet it remains one of the most underrepresented areas in the culinary world today. Here are a few recipes that celebrate diverse cuisines and will awaken your palate. My Mother’s Lazy Nasi Lemak   I was born in Malaysia and came here to the UK when I was 6 years old. Growing up, I had always wondered what … Continue reading Culinary Heritage: Recipes That Have Been Passed Down Through Your Culture.

Contributing Writer
Culture

Parasocial Relationships: Helpful or Harmful?

In recent years, an overconsumption of media, mainly among younger generations has led to a rise in parasocial relationships. In these unrequited and one-sided relationships, members of the public obsess over influencers and celebrities, who are clueless about their followers’ existence. These relationships have sometimes proved helpful in providing a sense of community. ‘Swifties’, for example, are a massive fandom united around their shared love … Continue reading Parasocial Relationships: Helpful or Harmful?

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Literature

Advocating for Literary Freedom: An Interview with Cardiff University Book Club

In the face of growing censorship and threats to literary freedom worldwide, Cardiff University Book Club is leading the charge. By hosting engaging discussions and raising funds for PEN International, the club is committed to championing the right to read, write and share ideas. Krisha (President), Christine (Social Secretary), and Khalid (Reading Group Coordinator) discuss their insights and aspirations. What does the term ‘literary freedom’ … Continue reading Advocating for Literary Freedom: An Interview with Cardiff University Book Club

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Beyond

Sasha Nugara: The Cardiff Grads Journey to The Times and Beyond

In the cutthroat world of property journalism, Cardiff Alumni Sasha Nugara is already making her mark.  After graduating in 2021 with a BA in English Literature, Nugara joined The Times as an apprentice in 2021, immediately showcasing her talent for storytelling. Thanks to her evocative first person travel piece on Sri Lanka, Nugara earned a finalist nomination for the TravMedia Awards’ Rising Star of the … Continue reading Sasha Nugara: The Cardiff Grads Journey to The Times and Beyond

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A Sunday roast with carrots, Yorkshire pudding, broccoli and gravy
Food

The Sunday Roast: Dos and Don’ts  

Plating the Perfect Sunday Roast What makes the perfect Sunday roast? For me, it’s all about balancing flavours, textures, and colours on the plate. Let’s start with some sweet, tender carrots and parsnips. A staple of British winters, root vegetables add a natural sweetness, which pairs beautifully with the more savoury elements of a roast. I love roasting carrots and parsnips. Roasting deepens their flavour, … Continue reading The Sunday Roast: Dos and Don’ts  

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Interview, Music

In Conversation with Blue Violet

Ahead of the release of their second studio album Faux Animoux, I caught up with Sarah and Sam Gotley of alternative, electronic rock duo Blue Violet to talk inspiration, the human race, and their upcoming UK tour. Let’s start with the new album’s writing process. Was it always such a conceptual piece of work, or something more pieced together? We really like to write a collection of … Continue reading In Conversation with Blue Violet

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Culture

Act One’s Twelfth Night: An Elaborately Tangled Web of Displaced Desire

The lights dim and the familiar opening twangs of ‘Love Story’ echo out across Cardiff’s Temple ofPeace. It is through this unexpected fusion of the Swiftian and Shakespearean that Act One DramaSociety’s production of Twelfth Night transports us into the mystical realm of Illyria. Directed byAmelia Quarm and produced by Luke Knights, the production premiered in February for a three dayrun; starring students across years, … Continue reading Act One’s Twelfth Night: An Elaborately Tangled Web of Displaced Desire

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A cozy Cardiff cafe
Food

Tasting Cardiff: A Culinary Journey Through the City

My secret Cardiff spot As much as I love a pint and a gossip at the Woody, or orange VKs at YOLO, it isn’t what Cardiff means to me. In years to come, I will remember a spot nested in the centre of Bute Park that is surrounded by greenery and wildlife. A place that shares its name with a Frances Hodgson Burnett book – … Continue reading Tasting Cardiff: A Culinary Journey Through the City

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Culture

Student Drag Show Review: Sly’s Self-Conscious Slay Was An Elitely Executed Lesson in Camp

A night of naughtiness, raucous laughter and pure queer joy, Student-run drag show Sly landed with a bang on the 25th of April in the Student’s Union. The university’s first-ever drag show and held in support of Mind Mental Health Charity, Sly’s triumph represented a landmark feat for Cardiff’s queer communities. Creative polymath Josh Salisbury created, hosted and performed as a part of Sly. Since … Continue reading Student Drag Show Review: Sly’s Self-Conscious Slay Was An Elitely Executed Lesson in Camp

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Culture

Behind the magic: an Interview with Oliver Tabor

Distinguished magician and producer, Oliver Tabor is celebrated for his captivating performances and innovative contributions to the world of magic. His flagship production, West End Magic, is London’s longest-running magic show. This theatrical spectacle combines mesmerising illusions, comedy and a diverse lineup of talented performers. From being president of the IBM British Ring or FISM Champion, in this interview, he shares insights into his journey … Continue reading Behind the magic: an Interview with Oliver Tabor

Charlotte Hardie-Watts
Cardiff cake: the bike lock
Food

Cardiff’s Bike Lock: a review

The doorstep toast While searching for a Cardiff cafe, I was stopped by the phrase “doorstep toast” and knew I needed to visit whatever establishment served this. So off I headed to The Bike Lock, with its miss matched tables and chairs and mellow lighting. All which emulate cosy, Gilmore girl vibes, and the pleasantness of everyone makes it one of the friendliest cafes around. With a system for storing bikes … Continue reading Cardiff’s Bike Lock: a review

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Fashion

Galliano and McGrath: Weird Girl Couture

The 2023 ‘clean girl’ has been pierced. Make-up influencers are putting down their sad beige palettes, and painting themselves in layers of colour and gel face masks. From aloe-vera, honey, vaseline, to even egg-whites, make-up lovers have been experimenting in an attempt to achieve Pat McGrath’s iconic shiny finish. This collection marks a dramatic semantic shift for what we once thought of as ‘glass skin’, … Continue reading Galliano and McGrath: Weird Girl Couture

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Music

Pale Waves: In Conversation with Hugo Silvani

Ahead of the release of their fourth studio album Smitten, I had the opportunity to speak to Pale Waves guitarist Hugo Silvani. We spoke about the inspirations of the new album, the writing process, and discussed Silvani’s passion for the sonic side of the musical world. We then delved into details of the upcoming 2024 Smitten tour. Talk me through your writing process as a … Continue reading Pale Waves: In Conversation with Hugo Silvani

Jemima Lake
Culture

That’ll Be The Day: The Review

Words by: Bhamini Khandige & Charlotte Hardie-Watts Following our opportunity to get press tickets to the theatre show That’ll Be The Day, as the editors of the Quench Culture section, we have each provided a run-down of our experiences of the show. As well, we were fortunate enough to have been able to interview the show-runner and performer, Trevor Payne. Happy reading! Bhamini’s Opinion I … Continue reading That’ll Be The Day: The Review

Charlotte Hardie-Watts
Fashion

Nepotism Babies in the Fashion World

When I first jumped on this pitch, I actually had to have a serious think about what my opinion on nepotism really was, especially as I work quite a bit in the fashion industry – where the general attitude towards so-called nepo-babies is so negative. The unfairness of individuals succeeding in a highly competitive industry because they are the child or close relative of someone … Continue reading Nepotism Babies in the Fashion World

Contributing Writer
Festive Fashion: What To Wear This Holiday Season
Fashion

Festive Fashion: What To Wear This Holiday Season

The holiday season is soon upon us, and with that comes the plethora of events; from Christmas dinners to course balls, there are so many outfits to plan. Any excuse to dress up immediately gets me going through Pinterest for an endless scroll of outfit inspiration. When it comes to holiday parties, there are some classic trends like velvet, emerald green or burgundy, knit dresses … Continue reading Festive Fashion: What To Wear This Holiday Season

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Creative Writing

Amelia Wollacott – Short Story Collection.

Amelia Wollacott is currently pursuing a master’s in English Literature at Cardiff University. Amelia submitted a portfolio containing a series of short stories and flash fiction pieces. All of these pieces were written during her undergraduate degree. Here are a couple of pieces that we have selected to give you an insight into Amelia’s literary prowess. Sierra Nevada. The car engine sang to the open … Continue reading Amelia Wollacott – Short Story Collection.

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The words "Are we shagging safely?" Surrounded by various illustrations of condoms, all on a green background
Love

Sexual Health Resources at Uni: Are We Shagging Safely?

Each studentÔÇÖs experience with sexual health differs entirely, however, it is evident that practising safe sex isnÔÇÖt necessarily everyoneÔÇÖs priority. In a 2021 study done by┬áYouthSight, for the Higher Education Policy Institute, it was found that 56% of sexually active students had never had an STI test. This could be due to a variety of reasons, for instance, a lack of high-quality sex education provided … Continue reading Sexual Health Resources at Uni: Are We Shagging Safely?

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