During the southernmost continent’s darkest, coldest days, scientists and researchers turn to food for comfort<ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/newsletters/2019/oct/18/saved-for-later-sign-up-for-guardian-australias-culture-and-lifestyle-email?CMP=cvau_sfl">Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email</a></li></ul>Throughout his career, Al Chapman has spent several months cooking “on ice” – that is, in Antarctica. During the summer of 2021-22, the chef was one of three kitchen crew stationed at Scott Base, New Zealand’s only Antarctic research station. The dining hall was the hub of social activity, serving breakfast, morning tea, lunch and dinner for up to 85 people at its peak. It’s like working in a restaurant, Chapman says – one where you can sometimes see penguins from the kitchen.Speaking of penguins: Chapman is adamant they aren’t eaten, unlike in the early days of Antarctic exploration. Not just because they’re protected under the Antarctic treaty, or that starvation is no longer a serious concern; Chapman says it’s important to serve food people like, especially when they’re working in such an isolated part of the world, in extreme conditions.<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/newsletters/2019/oct/18/saved-for-later-sign-up-for-guardian-australias-culture-and-lifestyle-email?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/24/antarctica-base-camp-scientists-food-chefs-cook-on-ice">Continue reading...</a>

ألان تشابمان، طاهٍ يعمل في قاعدة سكوت في القارة القطبية الجنوبية خلال صيف 2021-22، قضى عدة أشهر في الطهي في ظروف قاسية، حيث يقدم الوجبات لما يصل إلى 85 شخصًا. تعتبر قاعة الطعام مركزًا اجتماعيًا، ويؤكد تشابمان على أهمية الطعام المريح خلال أقسى أيام القارة، مشيرًا إلى أن البطاريق لم تعد تؤكل لأنها محمية الآن.

Al Chapman, un chef que estuvo en la Base Scott en la Antártida durante el verano de 2021-22, ha pasado meses cocinando en condiciones extremas, proporcionando comidas para hasta 85 personas. El comedor sirve como un centro social, y Chapman enfatiza la importancia de la comida reconfortante durante los días más duros del continente, al tiempo que señala que los pingüinos ya no se consumen, ya que ahora están protegidos.

Al Chapman, un chef stationné à la base Scott en Antarctique durant l'été 2021-22, a passé des mois à cuisiner dans des conditions extrêmes, fournissant des repas pour jusqu'à 85 personnes. La salle à manger sert de centre social, et Chapman souligne l'importance de la nourriture réconfortante pendant les jours les plus durs du continent, tout en notant que les manchots ne sont plus consommés car ils sont désormais protégés.

Al Chapman, a chef stationed at Scott Base in Antarctica during the summer of 2021-22, has spent months cooking in extreme conditions, providing meals for up to 85 people. The dining hall serves as a social hub, and Chapman emphasizes the importance of comfort food during the continent's harshest days, while also noting that penguins are no longer consumed as they are now protected.

A tent, an electric stove and -40C temperatures: the chefs who cook ‘on ice’ in Antarctica

Christchurch now at the centre of the country’s fastest-growing region as lower house prices, job prospects and thriving cultural scene entice people to the cityFrom 2010, New Zealand’s second-largest city, Christchurch, became inextricably linked with crises. The city, which had been known for its gardens, gothic architecture and monochromatic culture was rocked by a decade of tragedy – devastating and fatal earthquakes, wildfires and a terrorist attack on two mosques that killed more than 50 people.But in recent years, the city of crises has taken a surprising turn – shrugging off its once-conservative reputation and rebuilding from tragedy to become one of New Zealand’s most appealing cities. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/24/christchurch-new-zealand-most-vibrant-city">Continue reading...</a>

تحولت كرايستشيرش، ثاني أكبر مدينة في نيوزيلندا، من مكان مرتبط بعقد من الكوارث—بما في ذلك الزلازل، والحرائق، وهجوم إرهابي—إلى أن تُعرف كأكثر المدن حيوية في البلاد، حيث تجذب السكان بأسعار المنازل المنخفضة، وفرص العمل، ومشهد ثقافي مزدهر.

Christchurch, la segunda ciudad más grande de Nueva Zelanda, ha pasado de ser un lugar marcado por una década de desastres—incluyendo terremotos, incendios forestales y un ataque terrorista— a ser reconocida como la ciudad más vibrante del país, atrayendo a residentes con sus bajos precios de vivienda, oportunidades laborales y una floreciente escena cultural.

Christchurch, la deuxième plus grande ville de Nouvelle-Zélande, a évolué d'un lieu marqué par une décennie de catastrophes—y compris des tremblements de terre, des incendies de forêt et une attaque terroriste—à celui reconnu comme la ville la plus dynamique du pays, attirant les résidents grâce à ses prix immobiliers bas, ses opportunités d'emploi et une scène culturelle florissante.

Christchurch, New Zealand's second-largest city, has transformed from a place marked by a decade of disasters—including earthquakes, wildfires, and a terrorist attack—to being recognized as the country’s most vibrant city, attracting residents with its lower house prices, job opportunities, and a flourishing cultural scene.

After more than a decade of tragedy, Christchurch emerges as New Zealand’s most ‘vibrant city’

Former Uruguay prop has praise for new World Cup format but wants more help for developing nationsHow did Pablo Lemoine, Chile’s head coach, react when they were drawn with Australia and New Zealand for the 2027 Rugby World Cup? The answer is perceptive and somewhat&nbsp;surprising.“When countries like Chile play in a World Cup, you need a general vision,” he says. “Thinking only of sport it’s fantastic, it’s awesome. But thinking of the real impact Chile needs: development programmes, political impact, social impact … for our fans, it’s much more difficult to find tickets when you play the All&nbsp;Blacks or Australia.” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/dec/23/the-breakdown-chile-head-coach-pablo-lemoine-rugby-is-in-trouble-even-in-countries-like-wales">Continue reading...</a>

أعرب بابلو ليموين، مدرب منتخب تشيلي للرجبي، عن قلقه بشأن التحديات التي يواجهها الرجبي على مستوى العالم، وخاصة بالنسبة للدول النامية، بعد سحب قرعة كأس العالم للرجبي 2027، حيث سيتنافس تشيلي ضد فرق قوية مثل أستراليا ونيوزيلندا. وأكد على ضرورة وجود رؤية أوسع تشمل برامج التنمية وتأثير اجتماعي يتجاوز الرياضة نفسها.

Pablo Lemoine, el entrenador de la selección de rugby de Chile, expresó su preocupación por los desafíos que enfrenta el rugby a nivel global, especialmente para las naciones en desarrollo, tras el sorteo de la Copa Mundial de Rugby 2027, donde Chile competirá contra potencias como Australia y Nueva Zelanda. Destacó la necesidad de una visión más amplia que incluya programas de desarrollo y un impacto social más allá del deporte en sí.

Pablo Lemoine, entraîneur de l'équipe de rugby du Chili, a exprimé ses préoccupations concernant les défis auxquels le rugby est confronté à l'échelle mondiale, en particulier pour les nations en développement, après le tirage au sort de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2027, où le Chili sera confronté aux puissances que sont l'Australie et la Nouvelle-Zélande. Il a souligné la nécessité d'une vision plus large qui inclut des programmes de développement et un impact social au-delà du sport lui-même.

Pablo Lemoine, the head coach of Chile's rugby team, expressed his concerns about the challenges facing rugby globally, particularly for developing nations, following the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, where Chile will compete against powerhouse teams Australia and New Zealand. He emphasized the need for a broader vision that includes development programs and social impact beyond just the sport itself.

A tent, an electric stove and -40C temperatures: the chefs who cook ‘on ice’ in Antarctica

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