If there's one thing the titular character of popular Apple TV show Ted Lasso would ask you to do, it's to "believe". Now, one eagle-eyed developer is asking us to do the same, as he thinks he's deciphered the series' protagonist's famous shortbread recipe.
The award-winning show tells the story of Ted Lasso, a loveable American sports coach who flies to the UK to manage a struggling London football team, and in it he uses these buttery biscuits to win over Rebecca, the club's owner.
Every day, Lasso presents her with a small pink box packed with shortbread biscuits, which we later discover he's been baking himself.
Much to her own chagrin, Rebecca loves them.
See a clip in which Ted Lasso gives Rebecca some biscuits here:
At the end of Apple's Spring Loaded event, which was held last week, there was a "little easter egg", writes developer David Smith in a blog post titled Following the Shortbread Crumbs.
"Apple teases that they are about to reveal Ted Lasso’s secret shortbread recipe. Just as it is about to scroll into frame it cuts off," Smith writes.
"This sounds like an internet treasure hunt to me, which I’m always here for."
As Ted would say… I gotta believe
Smith was able to read the fractional letters and make out the following:
1 1/2 cups / 340 grams cold unsalted butter cut into 1/2 inch pieces plus more for greasing pan
He then Googled the phrase, to find it matches a The New York Times recipe for bittersweet brownie shortbread by Melissa Clark, although it's slightly different to Lasso's.
"No other instances of that exact string seem to exist that I could find," says Smith. "So this has to be the recipe that they were referencing. Although, this is a two-part recipe and only the first part seems to be what Ted would make."
Smith then documents his attempt at making the shortbread himself. "I wouldn’t say that I am particularly proficient at baking… but as Ted would say… I gotta believe."
Thankfully, Smith says the result of his attempts in the kitchen "tasted delicious".
"Even though my baking skills would certainly get me relegated from the ‘Premier League’ of Baking, I was able to pull this one off. 10/10, would recommend."
At the event, Apple also debuted the new trailer for the second season of the show, and it has been viewed more than three million times since.
The new season will be released on Friday, July 23.
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
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Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
