Thumbs up:We recently reviewed a pie (steak and stout) from Pie Kitchen and gave them five stars. And we were not the only ones who were taken by them.

The company's lamb and rosemary pie has been awarded gold by the Great Taste Awards based in the UK. It is the second Great Taste award the Pie Kitchen has won, having scooped silver for its root veg and cheddar last year.

Plug for the planet

Thumbs up:Seeing that so many of us are too lazy to turn things off, the launch of a new device aimed at stopping energy being wasted by gadgets left on standby is to be welcomed. The SMJ Energy Saving Plug Adapter has its own remote control, which cuts off power at the mains. It is being sold in selected Currys stores in Britain for £9.99 (€15) and should be on sale here shortly. In the meantime you can do your bit for the planet by simply plugging things out.