9 Events To Book If You’re A Self-Confessed Foodie
London is boiling over with foodie events throughout the year, from summer street food pop-ups to exciting supper clubs, exclusive chef residencies to a restaurant 100ft in the sky.
If you’re a self-confessed foodie, we’ve handpicked some of the upcoming dining events to get excited about. Plus, despite what you might think we don’t assume London is the epicentre of the food world and there are plenty of cool events taking place throughout the country. Sure to all be sell-outs, book in for evenings of dining, drinking and a common interest in all things gastronomy, whether you’re in London or further afield.
Lyle’s Guest Series
One for self-confessed foodies, Lyle’s Guest Series celebrates handpicked, incredible chefs from around the globe for a couple of day’s residency at the Shoreditch restaurant.
The series returns for 2020, kicking off this week with one of Italy’s most celebrated female chefs, Agata Felluga, who has worked in some of the best kitchens in France, including the three Michelin-starred L’Astrance.
She recently stepped down from her leading role at Jour de Fete in Strasbourg and London is reaping the benefits, for two nights at least.
On Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th February, Agata will be taking the helm in the Lyle’s kitchen. Expect traditional French cuisine and exclusive access to one of the world’s most loved female chefs.
Too late to book in for Agata’s dinner? Lyle’s Guest series will be running throughout the year and next up will be Andre Patsias from Lima on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th March.
Lyle’s, Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ
Carousel
Much like Lyle’s, Carousel’s revolving creative hub and ever-changing line-up of international guest chef collaborations make it one of London’s most exciting foodie haunts.
The upcoming rota will not disappoint with current residents Omer Shadmi and Daniel Zur from Tel Aviv, who’ve risen through the kitchens of The Barbary, Pauly Saal and L28, creating stunning, colourful dishes with Israeli and Middle Eastern influences. The duo will be in the Carousel kitchen until 29th February.
Then from 3rd – 14th March, Ernesto ‘Kut’ Gómez from Vancouver will be taking the reins with a seriously creative Mexican-inspired menu.
Carousel London, 71 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London W1U 8AB
London Shell Co’s Daylight-Saving Cruise
What with Ciara and Dennis’ recent visits, thinking of spring seems somewhat preposterous,. But floating London restaurant, London Shell Co., are thankfully more optimistic than us. They’ve booked in a one-off Daylight Saving Cruise to celebrate the clocks going forward on Sunday 29th March.
The evening will begin with a welcome cocktail aboard The Prince Regent, before the boats sets off on its cruise along the Regents Canal for a night of seasonal mackerel, Loire Valley wines and what is essentially the only boat party in London that’s not naff.
Guests will take a whistlestop tour while they dine by some of London prettiest landmarks, from Regents Park to the iconic Maida Hill Tunnel and even the London Zoo.
You might lose an hour in bed, but this foodie event will be worth it.
The Daylight Saving Cruise will take place on Sunday 29th March.
London in the Sky
If you’ve exhausted all of London’s weird and wonderful food experiences you’re in for a treat this summer.
Not for the faint of heart but certainly one for thrillseekers, London in the Sky is a dining experience like no other. This summer, you can voluntarily be suspended 100ft in the sky to enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and even a ‘Sunday session’.
Menu-wise, expect everything from a three-course dinner with sommelier-selected wines while you watch the sun set over London’s O2, or start the weekend with a prosecco brunch suspended high over the iconic skyline. And if you can’t stomach a full meal, book in for the cocktails-only option instead.
London in the Sky will be open throughout May, June and July 2020. Booking is now open.
London in the Sky, The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich, London SE10 0DX
New Street Grill, 16A New St, London EC2M 4TR
www.newstreetgrill.co.uk
New Street Grill x Angie Mar
For those who think BBQing is just for the boys, shame on you! New York chef and owner of one of the Big Apple’s coolest dining spots, The Beatrice Inn, is heading over to London this March for a residency that will see her put her signature flame-grilled meats that are big on flavour to an exclusive menu at Shoreditch’s New Street Grill.
Taking inspiration from dishes served at The Beatrice Inn, expect big, bold cuts of meat, paired with delicate, fragrant herbs and fruit. Highlights on the menu include: Roast Duck Flambé with Cherry Jus and Fingerlings Lyonnaise; Poutine with a Duck Egg, Brown Gravy and Rosemary; and the unexpected pudding of Bone Marrow and Bourbon Crème Brulée.
Angie will be at the New Street Grill from Monday 9th to Saturday 14th March.
Further afield…
Bored of London’s food scene or just so enthusiastic about gastronomy you’re willing to travel for it? Check out our recommendations for foodie events and destinations outside of London – any excuse to make a weekend of it…
River Cottage
Join Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the gang at his TV famous, Devon/Dorset border cottage and farm for a wealth of foodie goings on.
From one-day cooking courses to farmhouse feasts with Hugh himself, River Cottage provides the perfect setting for those wanting to escape the city (but not good food).
The picture-perfect white cottage will have you considering the commute from Devon on the reg.
Check out the what’s on page for events taking place most weeks.
River Cottage HQ, Trinity Hill Road, Axminster EX13 8TB
www.rivercottage.net
Malton
Malton is quickly becoming Yorkshire’s food capital thanks to regular foodie and creative events, cosy coaching inns and their incredible monthly food market.
Make a weekend of it by booking into the seriously chic Talbot and make sure you coincide it with the Malton Monthly Food Market. Taking place every second Saturday of the month (except January and February), it offers 35 stalls, live music, top produce and, for Londoners, a weekend of clean air.
Malton, North Yorkshire
Check out visitmalton.com for more information or countrycreatures.com to book a stay at The Talbot.
Lucky Onion
The Lucky Onion is one of the Cotswolds’ coolest brands, owning some of the best boutique hotels we’ve ever stayed in, from No.131 to The Wheatsheaf Inn. They’re a bunch of insatiable foodies too, with plenty of events taking place throughout the year.
From No.131’s Cheltenham Preview Supper – a must for racing fans – that’s set to be a night of tips from top racing insiders paired with a delicious four-course dinner with wine pairings. There’s also the Field to Fork Menu at the Wheatsheaf Inn, which takes the very best of local, seasonal produce to create an incredible menu.
Various locations
HIX
Chef, restaurateur and food writer Mark Hix is known for his stamp on the London food scene, from the dimly lit, date-night perfect HIX Soho to Shoreditch’s Tramshed complete with Damien Hirst cow art suspended above diners’ heads.
His out-of-London projects are a little tamer in the interiors department but no less impressive when it comes to the food.
Head to Hix’s Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis for a wealth of food events such as ‘Tequila & Lyme’ in May, where Tequila and Mezcal will be paired to Mark’s Mexican-inspired fish-heavy menu
Or, the ‘Estate to Plate’ event which will celebrate the produce of Wiltshire’s Ramsbury Estate and only use food and drink from its land. The Wiltshire estate is nestled in the heart of the Kennet Valley and they grow everything, waste nothing and aspire to leave no negative impact on the environment.
