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    Erling Haaland prepares for Saturday’s Champions League final by feasting on his favourite Chinese takeaway

    FOOTIE ace Erling Haaland prepares for Saturday’s Champions League final by feasting on his favourite Chinese takeaway.The Norwegian striker took advantage of a couple of days off following Saturday’s FA Cup final win over Man United to jet to his hometown of Byrne.
    Footie ace Erling Haaland prepares for Saturday’s Champions League final by feasting on his favourite Chinese takeaway
    While there the 22-year-old goal machine popped into Chinese restaurant Wen Hua House which has been a haunt of the Haaland family ever since Erling was a youngster.
    He happily posed for pictures with owner Hui Zhu Wang after enjoying sweet and sour chicken and Peking duck.
    The City ace has previously signed autographs for fans during visits and donated signed shirts to the eaterie, delighting locals and tourists alike.
    Haaland is not the only City player who loves Chinese food.
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    Earlier this season Jack Grealish told how he loves to gorge on a slap up £52 takeaway from posh Chinese restaurant Wings in Manchester after a game along with a side of chips.
    Grealish told fans earlier this season: “Yeah I love Chinese man. After every game I get one. I go to Wing’s in Manchester, I usually get a takeaway.
    “I have Singapore chow mein, I have egg fried rice, I have salt and pepper chips, salt and pepper prawns, and then curry sauce.
    “And then mix it all in, and have a big free for all in there.”
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    City can win the treble on Saturday if they beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final. More

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    I visited Lewis Hamilton’s vegan burger chain and tried the plant-based patties – they take pole position over McDonalds

    VEGAN substitutes for fast-food favourites have become a booming market over the last decade.Millions of hungry health and animal-conscious people around the globe have made the decision to do away with meat and eat ethically-sourced replacements.
    Sir Lewis Hamilton and acting great Leonardo DiCaprio invested in Neat Burger – which has branches in the UK and USACredit: Getty
    The F1 legend stopped eating meat in 2017 and invested in a plant-based burger chain in 2019Credit: REX
    Neat Burger substitutes traditional burgers with patties made of mung beans, quinoa, and chickpeasCredit: Getty
    SunSport recently visited the Canary Wharf branch of Neat BurgerCredit: SUNSPORT
    As such, the market for vegan fast food alternatives has exploded over the last few years.
    Several celebrities and athletes have embraced the plant-based lifestyle, including Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton – who stopped eating meat in 2017.
    And the Stevenage speedster drove headfirst into the market at breakneck speed four years ago with a major investment in a meat-free burger chain – Neat Burger.
    Hamilton – along with Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio – invested a huge amount of capital in the London-based chain to “make plant-based eating more accessible to everyone.”
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    And it’s now valued at a whopping £80MILLION following investment from former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
    Neat Burger’s alternatives to your regular burgers have received rave reviews.
    So much so, that I – perhaps the biggest meat-lover on the planet – thought I’d see what all the hype was about.
    So I popped along to the chain’s Canary Wharf branch on my lunch break to broaden my horizons and my pallet.
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    I was immediately impressed by the look of the restaurant, which had a colour scheme straight out of Miami Vice.
    In keeping with the new age of fast food restuarant, Neat Burger has done away with traditional waiters in favour of electronic self-service menus.
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    And it was there I was able to select what looked to be the closest thing to a double cheeseburger – my go-to when I want to indulge in a burger.
    That came in the form of the ‘Smash Daddy’ burger, which is comprised of two ‘Neat’ patties, onions and is covered with melted cheese.
    The burger – which I upgraded to a meal deal for a reasonably priced £11.99 – was topped off with a generous slathering of Neat, mustard and stack sauce.
    The brightly-coloured dine-in area served as the perfect distraction from the questions swirling through my head as I patiently waited for the arrival of my first-ever order of vegan food
    Why am I trying this? What I ordered looks like a burger, but will it taste like one?
    And, most importantly, will it live up to the hype?
    It didn’t take long – less than ten minutes in fact – for my questions to be answered.
    The presentation of the burger and chips were better than that of most fast-food chains.
    And much to my surprise, the taste was exactly the same – if not better than most traditional burgers.
    My maiden venture into the world of vegan food saw me try Neat Burger’s ‘Smash Daddy’ burgerCredit: SUNSPORT
    I was skeptical but excited to try the plant-based pattyCredit: SUNSPORT
    I was hit with a wave of flavours after sinking my teeth through the brioche bunCredit: SUNSPORT
    I was pleasantly surprised by the taste and consistency of the burgerCredit: SUNSPORT
    As a once regular frequenter of McDonald’s to cure my hangovers of yesteryear, I know a thing or two about fast-food burgers.
    So I’m very well placed to say it blows Maccies’ iconic and beloved cheeseburger out of the water – and then some.
    A tidal wave of flavours hit me seconds after my gnashers cut through the delectable brioche bun and pierced the soft and tender patty.
    To get a true taste for the patty – the combination of mung beans, quinoa, and chickpeas – I broke off and nibbled on a small sauce-less morsel.
    That small and soft bite accentuated the wave of flavours and amazing texture I experienced just a few moments earlier.
    I went into my maiden indulgence of vegan food adamant that no plant-based alternative could ever replicate the taste of a ‘real’ burger or convince me to consume less meat.
    But I’ll happily admit that I’ll no longer pigheadedly – pardon the pun – close myself off to vegan alternatives.
    Read More on The Sun
    My only complaint, however, was the amount of salt on the skinny fries which accompanied the delicious burger – although that’s easily rectifiable.
    For those of you who have dedicated yourself to the vegan lifestyle, or if you’re a burger aficionado who wants to switch things up, I can safely say the Hamilton-backed burger joints are the ideal pit stop for some quick grub. More

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    Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris in shock career change as he becomes boss of new venture in stunning setting

    HUGO LLORIS has had a shock career swap after becoming the boss of a beach restaurant in France.The Tottenham goalkeeper is one of the new bosses of the restaurant La Javanaise in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
    Hugo Lloris is one of the new bosses of the restaurant La JavanaiseCredit: BackGrid
    The restaurant is located between Nice and MonacoCredit: BackGrid
    It is quite a career change for the Tottenham goalkeeperCredit: BackGrid
    The seaside commune sits on the French Riviera’s stunning coastline between Nice and the Principality of Monaco.
    The restaurant has two other areas at its disposal, the lounge and access to the beach.
    The food on offer for its guests pays tribute to the Mediterranean with some specialities from star chef Jean-Philippe Blondet.
    However, meals are not cheap as some main meals are priced well over £30 each.
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    The grilled lobster is the most expensive item on the menu and will set back guests £77 per serving.
    The business move could fuel rumours of an exit from Tottenham for Lloris, 36, as he has been tipped with a summer move.
    The Frenchman was linked with a move to nearby Nice and admitted that he is still “attached to the city”.
    He recently told radio station BFM Nice Cote d’Azur: “I am very attached to the city of Nice, as you know.
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    “I can’t speak about concrete things. The club has to finish the season first.
    “There are two goalkeepers of high quality, including one that I’m good friends with in Kasper Schmeichel.
    “You can understand that it’s difficult to speak about these kinds of subjects.
    “I’ll let fate handle things.”
    The 2018 World Cup winning goalkeeper joined Spurs from French club Lyon way back in 2012 and has one more year left to run on his contract.
    A great servant to the club, Lloris has played 447 games for Spurs, and was named captain by Mauricio Pochettino in 2015.
    He has the most Premier League appearances in the club’s history. More

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    F1 star Lewis Hamilton’s vegan burger chain hits staggering valuation after Thibaut Courtois investment

    FORMULA ONE legend Lewis Hamilton has seen the valuation of his vegan burger chain rocket after an investment from Thibaut Courtois. Hamilton in 2019 launched his own meat-free restaurant called Neat Burger and he now has eight locations in London.
    Lewis Hamilton has seen the valuation of his vegan burger chain rocketCredit: Getty
    Thibault Courtois at the Monaco GPCredit: Getty
    And following their first move into America, the Financial Times say Neat Burger is now valued in excess of $100million (£80m).
    The latest round of financing raised an additional $18 (£14.5m) and Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois was among those to invest.
    Hamilton, 38, went vegan in 2017 and at the time he claimed his fitness levels improved as a result of the diet change.
    The racer – who is also part of the ownership group of the NFL franchise the Denver broncos – is currently fourth in the F1 standings.
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    Reigning champion Max Verstappen has already raced to an early lead after just six races gone.
    But Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has thrown his support to Hamilton, who is chasing a record-breaking eighth world title win.
    Wolff told F1 ‘s website: “It’s so difficult because we were in the mix with Aston Martin and with Ferrari I would say.
    “But we really need to be careful, we need to go to Barcelona and collect more data.
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    “It’s a new baseline. I don’t expect us to be clearing Aston Martin and Ferrari [there].
    “It is more about understanding what does this car do now, how to set it up and we are really good at grinding away.
    “Even with the old package which wasn’t that great, or was terrible at the start of the season, we managed to win a race in Interlagos [in 2022] in a dominant way. So we’re going to get there.”
    Lewis Hamilton in 2019 launched his own meat-free restaurant called Neat BurgerCredit: Getty More

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    Inside Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant as diners slam eye-watering prices with £40 pasta & £30 chocolate football

    LIONEL Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant has been slammed by diners over its eye-watering prices.Footy supporters have blasted him for charging £18.30 for a plate of macaroni.
    Lionel Messi, seen here during his recent Saudi visit, has opened a Salt bae-style restaurantCredit: Instagram
    Salt Bae poses with beaming Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba at his Dubai restaurant in 2018Credit: Instagram
    Spanish influencer Monica Moran tucks into the Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert which costs £30.90Credit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
    Monica’s TikTok video of the restaurant went viral, picking up 13.8m viewsCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
    Messi’s new restaurant is in the five-star MiM Hotel in AndorraCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
    The Argentine World Cup hero’s ravioli is £39.20 albeit it is filled with lobster.
    The 35-year-old PSG ace also sells a £30.90 Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert.
    Fans said they’d only pay for it if the former Barcelona great was serving it up.
    Spanish influencer, Monica Moran visited his Hincha – which translates as a supporter – restaurant in the five-star MiM Hotel, in the tiny principality of Andorra.
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    Monica shared a clip of her trip with her 9.4million TikTok followers.
    The video went viral with 13.8m views.
    Monica said: “We ordered a pizza to share and it was really good.
    “They came to show us the meat they were going to make us, and the truth is that it was 10 out of 10, incredible.”
    Most read in Football
    To finish, the group decided to order the football shaded pud in honour of his record seven best football in the world titles.
    Monica described the sweet treat as “a very strange mixture”.
    She added: “Although it was very pretty, inside it was just cream, peanuts, popcorn, and marshmallow.”
    But fans were left bemused by the prices.
    One said: “The macaroni is £18 (€21)… Is Messi coming to prepare it? Hahaha.”
    Samir remarked: “If Messi doesn’t bring my food to the table and sit down with me to eat.
    “I don’t want anything.”
    Alejo wrote: “I’m going to sell my grandmother’s house, but I’m going, I’m going.”
    Another fan joked that it would cost “two kidneys, eight lungs and two hearts.”
    Unearthed footage of Messi visiting Salt Bae’s Dubai restaurant emerged following the outlandish Turkish chef’s World Cup final stunt last year.
    The celebrity chef was slammed for pestering Argentina’s talisman for a selfie on the pitch in an embarrassing display following the nailbiting shootout in the tournament.
    The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was filmed grabbing Messi by the shoulder at least twice.
    Messi tried to shrug him off before finally agreeing to pose for a picture.
    However it was not the first time they had met.
    Video shows Messi eating at Gökçe’s Dubai steakhouse with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and a pal in November 2018.
    Barcelona forward Messi gives the chef a hug and shakes his hand as his table gets the full VIP treatment.
    After theatrically slicing their steak, Salt Bae invites Messi to sprinkle salt over it.
    Then other diners cheer and clap as the chef feeds a slice of meat into Messi’s mouth using the tip of his knife.
    He also grinned while posing for a picture with Gökçe and former Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba, who dined there the same night.
    At the time the two stars were on a break from international duty.
    Another video showed them deep in conversation – sparking transfer speculation as Pogba urged Messi: “We have to play together”.
    Salt Bae’s restaurants are known for their exceptionally high prices, particularly their steaks.
    Read More on The Sun
    Guests will fork out an astonishing £1,350 for a Golden Giant Striploin and £1,450 for a Golden Giant Tomahawk at his Knightsbridge eaterie.
    A Golden Burger sells for £100 each.
    Messi previously imitated the chef’s famous salt sprinkling gimmick in DubaiCredit: Instagram
    Argentina captain Messi eventually relented and posed for a selfie at the World Cup finalCredit: instagram More

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    I quit my banking job to start my own business – it’s so successful even Premier League legend Raheem Sterling loves it

    A WOMAN quit her high-flying banking job to start her own business – and it’s so successful even Raheem Sterling loves it.Mariam Jimoh went from working in the banking industry to starting up a digital supermarket focussing on African and Caribbean foods.
    Mariam Jimoh started a digital supermarket that Raheem Sterling has invested in
    The Premier League legend has invested in Mariam’s brand, OjaCredit: Oja
    The successful entrepreneur, from a Nigerian household, recalled not always being able to find traditional Nigerian food such as yams, plantain and okra in her local grocery shops.
    Mariam had to visit her parent’s home or source out Afro-Caribbean markets if she wanted a taste of home.
    This is what sparked her to leave her established role in the corporate world in 2018 to make the food she loved at home easier to access for herself and others.
    The business woman told MyLondon: “The only time I could really get groceries was by ordering online or in advance but there was just a group of products that I didn’t have access to: my oxtail, plantain, and okra – it just made me think about why it is so hard to find these.”
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    The woman had reached out to several people asking where she could find the food items online but no one had any answers for her.
    This is when Mariam started her brand Oja – meaning “market” in Yoruba, a nod to her Nigerian roots.
    It is the UK’s first digital supermarket that focusses on African and Caribbean foods.
    Mariam believes that locating these very specific items in the physical market can be extremely difficult – as world food isles are not as varied as they could and should be.
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    She said she “wanted to streamline that process and find a way to deliver products to you when you need them fast”.
    Mariam recalls having waves of positive responses from customers when she launched Oja in 2020 – and even said the website crashed due to the amount of people trying to use it.
    Oja has since expanded beyond a single London postcode and now covers the entirety of Greater London.
    The service now also caters for cultures ranging from Nigeria to Somalia to North and East Africa as well as the Caribbean.
    Oja now offers a Halal range and beauty and haircare products too.
    Premier League legend Raheem Sterling also invested in the business.
    Sterling said: “There is such a natural connection with Oja for me. I can get my favourite home comforts, like Biggas and plantain chips, and having access to these products at short notice is amazing!”
    Marian recalled meeting Sterling for the first time and bonding over meals that their mums cooked them as well as the connection with classic foods from home.
    Sterling has invested in Oja alongside LocalGlobe- showcasing their strong beliefs in the brand and what it stands for.
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    It comes after a woman set up her own business after taking a £12 Wowcher course and now runs a successful brand.
    And Rachel Laryea revealed how she made an extra £119,000 after turning her childhood passion into a thriving side hustle.
    Oja is the UK’s first digital supermarket that focusses on African and Caribbean foodsCredit: Oja More

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    Man City slammed for tiny portion of £10 scampi as fans say ‘they had to pay for Haaland somehow’

    FANS have slammed Manchester City for the price of a tiny portion of scampi and chips.The grub has been priced at £10, with many suggesting that it is the Citizens’ way of being able to afford Erling Haaland.
    Man City are charging £10 for this portion of scampi and chipsCredit: https://twitter.com/FootyScran/status/1651621901490429969?s=20
    Some fans argued the price is set so the club can pay for Erling HaalandCredit: Getty
    The meal consists of a few bits of scampi, some chips, and a small pot of mushy peas.
    One match-goer pictured it ahead of Man City’s win over Arsenal in the Premier League earlier this week.
    Many fans suggest that while the food looks good, the price is a bit fishy.
    However, some have voiced their theories about the high price.
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    One fan said: “£10 is pretty standard for fish n chips these days but poor on portion sizing.”
    A second joked: “Making a judgement call on how much is there, based on an assessment of the size of the chips.
    “Scran, but not at that price. Has Pep Guardiola’s influence resulted in them selling tapas-sized portions?”
    A third wrote: “Ten whole pounds for that???? Well, I suppose they have to cover Haaland’s wages somehow.”
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    A fourth said: “Erling Scranland right there.”
    While a fifth added: “That small a portion for £10, no way, not even their liquid football could save that monstrosity.”
    The Norwegian striker earns a weekly wage of £375k at the Etihad and is the joint-highest earner at the club alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
    Despite the high wages, Haaland has proved value for money with his form this season.
    The former Borussia Dortmund star has netted 49 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions this season.
    This includes 33 in 29 Premier League games alone, just one shy of Andy Cole’s record of 34 for a whole season. More

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    Fan raves about £1.50 mushy peas sandwich served at football ground – but supporters are seriously divided

    A FOOTBALL fan has sent the internet into meltdown after posting a photo of a mushy peas sandwich. The fan, known as the Oldham Groundhopper, took a visit down to Marske United.
    The mushy peas sandwich caused a stir onlineCredit: The Oldham Groundhopper/Facebook
    And during their visit to the North Yorkshire club, the fan surprised everyone with a post of mushy peas in a sandwich.
    The fan wrote on Facebook: “Mushy peas and a bit of bread at Marske United! £1.50. I’ll allow this one to be slated 🤣 😂.”
    They later joked: “Other food was available.”
    And the meal was far from a forgone conclusion on whether it was a trick or a treat.
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    One fan commented: “Oh. My. God. I’d pay [£]1.50 not to have to look at this.”
    A second typed: “Yeah, I’ve produced that on a pavement at 1am…”
    “Mushy peas are food of the Gods and a meal in themselves. Cracking food and great value. There is a stall on Norwich Market that just sells mushy peas and it does a roaring trade,” countered a third.
    A fourth declared: “Can’t beat a mushy pea buttie with some mint sauce or vinegar on.”
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    Following the viral post, TeesideLive got in contact with the Northern Premier League Premier Division side to enquire about the menu at Mount Pleasant Avenue.
    In response, Marske United club secretary Mark Hathaway said: “We have a fairly extensive menu to be honest! We have steak pies, mince pies, sausage rolls, hot pork buns and hot beef buns.
    “We also have things like chocolate bars and crisps.” More