Adventures of Kevin the Carrot: Christmas meal inspiration

Pulling crackers, reading bad jokes and most importantly, eating: The Christmas traditions that will never get old. Styled by BOSS Creative Nick Walsh, in the next instalment from Aldi, Kevin the Carrot explores the table at Christmas lunch.

Let's Get Diwali Started! Olivia Gartley for ASDA

BOSS food stylist Olivia Gartley worked on this spicy ad for ASDA to celebrate the festival of Diwali. We love the close ups of crushed Cardamom seeds and colourful, crunchy chillies.

See all of our Manchester-based food stylists' profiles on our website.

We're moving...

…and we wouldn’t want you to miss us! While we couldn't bring ourselves to leave our Northern Quarter home, we’re heading to a new office, closer to even more burger joints and badly lit bars. 

Pop round for a brew at our brand new building from Monday 21st November 2016 - 33 Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1DW – we’ll put the kettle on!

You can still catch us on our regular email addresses and phone number. 

Modelling scams - don’t get caught out!

After the recent reports on BBC Watchdog’s Rogue Traders feature about photographic company Kube Studios in Manchester charging people hundreds of pounds for portfolio shots, we would like to issue a word of warning.

On the programme, which aired last night, the BBC claim that Kube Studios use images they have taken of children to pressure parents into a sale with the promise of a modelling career. The company are also known as Luxe Models and The Model Factory, advertising recruitment of adult models. On the programme, the BBC show that Kube Studios charged one woman £2000 for a full set of model cards, a website and professional photos.

Our Senior Booker Lauren Mellor said, ‘There is absolutely no need to have professional portfolio photographs taken before joining a model agency. You do not need to go to a photo studio to be taken on by a modelling agency. Like any credible modelling agency, we meet models before we take them on and arrange to have pictures taken by a photographer that we recommend. We will only do this once we have agreed to sign a model to our books.’

Please be aware of modelling scams and companies such as Kube Studios. If you are ever unsure about whether a modelling agency is credible, you can check with the Association of Model Agents (AMA), their website is http://www.associationofmodelagents.org/

Boss Model Management have a junior and adults division with the opportunity to apply online at www.bossmodelmanagement.co.uk

The Taste Kitchen: Make your veg amazing with Olivia Gartley and Aldi

They are the staple that hold your roast dinner together, but vegetables are often forgotten amongst pools of gravy and mountains of Yorkshire puddings. Our BOSS Food Stylist Olivia Gartley put together some videos with Aldi to help your veg take centre stage!

A Fashion Stylist's Edit: 5 Stocking Fillers You Need for Christmas 2016

Getting ahead before the Christmas shopping rush or just writing your list and checking it twice, our fashion stylist Lucy Hallard has selected her favourite festive stocking fillers to give you a head start.

1. Stella McCartney Breast Cancer Awareness Bra and Briefs, £40 and £25.
'As Christmas is a time for giving, what better than treating your loved one to something super-sexy that raises important awareness too?'

2. Smythson Magenta 2017 Fashion Diary, £165.
'Bound in leather and lines with silk: The perfect companion for any fashion or creative friends. This diary is jam-packed with Smythson's picks for the four fashion capitals, with what to do and where to go in each!'

3. Bella Freud 1970 Candle, £38
'My favourite present to receive is a candle - I think I have a slight obsession. My new favourite is this 1970 black edition candle by Bella Freud - it smells amazing! It's the perfect gift for a friend who has everything because you can never really have enough candles. This also works well for girls and guys alike.'

4. Visa by Robert Piguet, £135
'Scent is a must at Christmas time and my long time favourite is Visa by Robert Piguet. It smells incredible and the bottle is a beautiful addition to any dressing table. This one is definitely on my stocking wish list!'

5. Doherty Evans Scott Navy Pocket Square, £55
'For the guy in your life a pocket square makes an easy stocking filler and it's a gift he can keep forever. My go-to menswear store is Doherty Evans Scott, their pocket squares have the most beautiful prints and are made from the finest silk.'

'Last Days of Disco' Styled by Sarah Hills-Smtih

We can finally start planning for party season! These looks from Glamorous were styled by our BOSS Creative Sarah Hills-Smith and we are seriously in love with them. Sequins, crop-tops and crushed velvet: What more could you ask for in a disco collection? See all the looks here.

BOSS Creatives for Oak Furniture Land

The signs are everywhere - Christmas is coming! Although we're dreading Christmas shopping, who can argue with the anticipation of a Christmas dinner? Our BOSS Creatives Lucy Hallard and Rebecca Cawthra worked on the styling and hair and make-up for Oak Furniture Land's festive ad 'Extended Family,' themed around the inevitable unexpected guests around Christmas time!

Martin McClean for Manchester Arndale

'Make A Statement' is the slogan for Manchester Arndale's AW16 fashion campaign. The bold campaign features brands from Manchester Arndale - The Centre of Everything - with hair and make-up from our BOSS Creative Martin McClean. Look out for the ads on Channel 4 and Sky today as well as outdoor screens around the city!

A Fashion Stylist's Edit: 8 Coats and Boots You Need This Season

Although we're gutted that we've seen the last of the summer sun, at least we can look forward to filling our wardrobes with some wondrous winter garments and accessories. BOSS fashion stylist Sarah Hills-Smith has picked her favourite pieces for AW16.

See Sarah's profile on our website. 

1. 'Aviator jackets are everywhere this season! inspired by the fashionista's favourite Acne Velocite Shearling Jacket, this offering from Missguided comes in at a snip of the price. It's faux fur lines so it will keep you super warm as well as super stylish'

Sarah's Top Tip: Buy a size or two bigger for a cool oversized fit.

Photo: Missguided 

2. 'A leopard print coat is a bit of a classic and the stores seem to bring out new versions every winter. Try this faux fur number from Boohoo.'

Sarah's Top Tip: Avoid the Bet Lynch effect by dressing down with jeans and loafers or an all black outfit.

Photo: Boohoo.com

3. 'A mannish coat in a neutral colour never goes out of style. This one has been given an instant update with some faux fur detailing - perfect for if you're not feeling daring enough to do the full-on faux fur thing!'

Photo: Glamorous.com (BOSS Model Millie)

4. 'This beautiful rose coloured number from Lavish Alice in brushed wool is an elegant but eye-catching option.'

Photo: Lavish Alice 

5. 'Animal print again! This time in a more subtle manner: The Dalmatian ponyhair detail on this classic black boot gives them a luxe feel.'

Photo: Glamorous.com

6. 'Velvet is another trend that seems to get pulled out of the cupboard every winter and this year is no exception. These gorgeous ankle boots in a rich berry tone have me feeling festive.'

Photo: Public Desire 

7. 'Embroidery has been massive this year, adorning everything from jackets to shoes. These beauties from Public Desire tap in to the trend and come in 3 different colour ways, The only problem is deciding which colour to choose!'

Photo: Public Desire 

8. 'Sparkle like a Christmas Fairy in these metallic, mod inspired booties. Wear them for Christmas drinks after work with a leather mini and then right through to spring with keans and a band t-shirt.'   

Photo: boohoo.com

See Sarah's full profile on our website. 

National Sandwich Day: Our Top Three Serving Suggestions

Did you know that in Britain we spend £7.5bn a year on sandwiches? It's National Sandwich Day and we've picked out top three serving suggestions from our talented food stylists at BOSS Creatives - they can make a humble bacon butty look fit for the Queen. See booking details on our website.

Styled by Nick Walsh

Styled by Olivia Gartley

Styled by Olivia Gartley

So simple but SO good - what's your favourite sandwich filling?

#BritishSausageWeek - Sausage Roll Goals from Kate Phillips

With mash, in a roll, slathered in brown sauce: It's time to celebrate the Great British sausage! Our talented Manchester-based Food Stylist Kate Phillips styled some delicious sausage rolls with a festive theme. We're drooling over her Cranberry and Stilton Luxury Rolls, Mulled Spice Rolls and Pork, Chutney and West Country Cheddar Garland!

See Kate's full profile and contact details on our website and have a look at our Pinterest board for some sausage-spiration.

Nick Walsh's Handy How-to Cooking Tutorials for Hotpoint

For quick cooking tips and impressively easy microwavable recipes for everything from roast beef to creme brulee, Nick Walsh has worked with Hotpoint to create these tutorial videos.

Using their multi-functional combination microwave oven, BOSS food stylist Nick and Hotpoint leave no reason to reach for the takeaway menu!

For Nick's booking details, visit our website. 

SAW Halloween Make-Up Tutorial

Wanna play a game? BOSS Creative Rebecca Cawthra does! This Halloween, our make-up artist went for a horror inspired look, recreating the costume from the SAW movies.

For Rebecca's booking information visit our website.

See how she got the look in this video:

'Witches Bitches' and 'Scream Queens' Styled by Sarah Hills-Smith

BOSS Creative Sarah Hills-Smith has used her fashion styling skills to create chic and glamorous witches in these mystic editorials. Look no further for your Halloween outfit inspiration!

See Sarah's full profile on our website.

A day in the life of...a Food Stylist

Nick Walsh, Food Stylist 

Visit our website for booking information. 

What I do… I’m basically responsible for preparing and displaying food for so it fulfils a brief. I normally get the brief from the client a week before the shoot so I know what’s going on depending on the job. For some jobs it’s literally styling a product that’s already there and made, for example tomorrow the client is bringing their product from their café, and then I’ve just got to style it. Other times I will have to prep the food as well. Food stylists arrange the food differently to the way a chef might do it. Quite often for the jobs the client will send over a moodboard or they give me a Pinterest link so I have an idea of what I’m working around.

When I wake up… I normally get up and my pet rabbit Boggle is waiting for me at the top of the stairs, so I feed him. I don’t normally have breakfast unless I’m on a shoot in the morning and they provide it. If I’m working on a TV commercial then call time is usually 7.30am so I have to set off quite early.  TV commercials usually run through until about 7 or 8pm at night so it can be a long day. 

If I’m on a job I normally get in my car and drive to the studio or location but I’ve got a decent sized kitchen at home so I can prep from there rather than from an office or a studio.  This week I’ve got 10 turkeys coming in for a shoot so I will probably prep them from a studio where they've got more fridge space! I think my wife would kill me if I tried to store 10 turkeys around the house. 

How I got where I am… I actually started being a chef just because my friend was a pot-washer in local pub where I’m from in Nottingham. I saw the chefs doing their thing and that’s the first time I ever really thought about it. It’s not a romantic tale: I just thought it looked really cool and I always enjoyed eating food. I always have liked trying different dishes – my favourite place to take girls on dates when I was like 15 was a Teppanyaki restaurant.

I was training Brazilian jujitsu with one of the casting bookers at BOSS and I mentioned to him that I was thinking about trying something different. He mentioned that BOSS represents food stylists in Manchester. I’d thought about food styling before but I didn’t know how to get into it and I didn’t know anyone in the business. Two weeks later I quit my job, handed in my notice and was like ‘Right, I’m a food stylist now,’ and that was it! I did a little bit of assisting but it’s been quite an easy transition for me. I’ve been doing food styling for just over a year now.

The challenges I face are…. I’ve learnt that you don’t have to season everything all the time now! I’ve gone from my whole adult life being screamed at to add more salt and more seasoning and now it doesn’t really matter. It is more about how it looks, but I do try to make it taste nice because we normally get to eat it afterwards.

The one thing that took a lot of getting used to is the waiting. My first shoot that I did on my own we took the first shot and then waiting two and half hours until it was approved and we couldn’t do anything else because the next shot was on the same background and we didn’t want to move anything or do anything in case we only needed a tiny little movement that was like a tomato up a centimetre – so we couldn’t do anything! I was freaking out because in a professional kitchen if you don’t do anything for two minutes you’re lazy so that took a lot of getting used to. But of course it’s part of the creative process and I’m getting used to it now. It feels slow to me but we always get the expected shot rate done.

Apparently I hear that a lot of chefs struggle transitioning from cooking food to styling it, especially if you’ve been a head chef somewhere and you could tell people what do and that your way is right. They might not be used to taking criticism. But for me most people that I deal with are more experienced and they’re the client so as much as sometimes I think it might not be the right way to do it I always trust their judgement.

What I love most about my job… I really love the creative side of being a food stylist. My favourite thing used to be playing with food, creating new dishes and finding new ways to present them. One of my favourite things as a chef was shopping for new plates, which is perfect for what I do now! My old boss always used to make fun of me because if I had a spare half a day I’d be out or on the internet looking at new plates we could order and how much we could get away with spending! But now my job is massively about that. The shoots that I work on all have different styles but they all want interesting crockery. I’ve been out buying roof tiles and I got a plank of wood this week to build up my own little stock. I really enjoy playing with backgrounds and sifting through antique shops.

What surprises people about my job…There’s a technique that happens with a lot of the birds like turkeys where they’re cooked at really low temperatures and then they are brushed to colour them. I’ve heard stories of people using varnish but I always try to use food products like the meat juices. The idea of doing that is to reduce the way the meat wrinkles when it is cooked properly. If you cook the bird super slow it stays in a nice shape. There’s also the use of dry ice for ice cream which obviously melts really fast normally, but if you put it in a box of dry ice for an hour it will stay frozen for quite a while, even under hot lights it will stay frozen.

When I get home... I used to be sick of cooking by the time I got home for dinner when I was a chef. I was a chef for 14/15 years before I became a food stylist. Back then I was cooking all day, every day whereas these days I’m much more open to cooking slightly more elaborate things at home. Now that I’ve got more time at the weekend my wife likes to book in friends to come round and have Sunday lunch – which is nice for them!

BOSS on the big screen

Filmed in Yorkshire, independent movie 'The Incident,' creates an uncomfortable tension that complements the dark and intriguing storyline.

A troubled teenage girl enters the life of a young couple, disrupting their otherwise orderly life in this cleverly executed British psychological drama.

BOSS Creative Martin McClean acted as the Hair and Make-up Director for the production, which will hit cinemas on November 27th 2016.

World Pasta Day

A whole day to celebrate our favourite carb-filled dish: World Pasta Day has to be a highlight of the calendar. Our BOSS Creatives style incredible food shots that make our stomachs rumble at BOSS HQ. For more information about our Manchester-based food stylists visit our website.

Styled by Olivia Gartley

Styled by Olivia Gartley

Styled by Olivia Gartley

Festive Food Inspiration from Kate Phillips

We hate to say it, but Christmas is quickly approaching. While September only seemed like yesterday, somehow, next week will bring us into November.

For those organised people out there, we have put together some festive food photos, expertly styled by BOSS Creative Kate Phillips. Whether you're starting to make Christmas lists or just need a little foospiration for this year's dinner, these ideas are a good place to start.