Summer, Sprautumn, whatever you want to call it, is in full swing here are Emily Rookwood’s tips for the best summer food events happening in London right now
As the weather finally begins to show signs of behaving, it is time to start thinking about the summer season. As well as the usual restaurant openings, there are a few special events happening over the next few months. Here are my suggestions for things you could get stuck in to over the next month or so:
1. Star Grazing at the London Capital Club
As much as we’d all like to escape London in the heat and find wonderful food in some rural idyll, work schedules don’t always permit such jollies. This is where the summer guest series from the London Capital Club comes in.
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To celebrate their 100th year they are bringing the best chefs from around the country to their private members club and, despite the slightly naff name, it promises to be quite something.
Chefs publicised so far include Phil Thompson at Auberge Du Lac, Brocket Hall, Hywel Jones, from leading country house hotel and spa, Lucknam Park and Andres Alemany of the critically acclaimed Purefoy Arms in Hampshire.
Rather unusually, non-members will also be able to enjoy the dinners — if they are quick enough to get a table, that is. This month you can enjoy the food of Andres Alemany on the 11th and 24th, and July brings Hywel Jones to the capital.
To book call 02077170088. www.londoncapitalclub.com
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Pictured above: LCC Dining Room
2. Taste of London
One of the bigger food festivals in London, full of top restaurants, their chefs and oodles of producers, Taste of London is a big, foodie day out and it is on as I write.
Last year’s event featured 40 of London’s top restaurants and chefs including Jason Atherton, Nuno Mendes and Wolfgang Puck, with this year sure to be similarly packed with talent.
As well as wandering around and eating your way through the restaurant offerings, you can talk to producers from all over and try their produce as well as taking part in and watching demonstrations.
The official champagne sponsor of the event is Laurent-Perrier and this year they are running a special ‘from grape to glass’ tasting event with David Hesketh, Master of Wine and MD of Laurent-Perrier UK.
David will talk you through some of Laurent-Perrier’s champagnes, the processes behind them and the correlation between aroma and taste. You also get to try the champagnes paired with food.
Your ticket also includes fast track entry to the festival, £20 worth of crowns to spend, a complimentary glass of Laurent-Perrier and use of the VIP lounge. More information is available at london.tastefestivals.com/london/
3. Improve your wine knowledge
I shouldn’t admit this, but I am not the world’s greatest wine expert. When confronted with the wine list I, pretty much without fail, defer to the sommelier. If, like me, you feel that your wine-knowledge is less than perfect, this summer the London Wine & Spirit School is running a five-day course during July.
Not only will you learn about varieties, terroir and food and wine pairing, but you will also gain your WSET Level 2 Awards in Wines and Spirits. You will then be a certified expert, something you will be able to subtly raise at every dinner party you attend from that point on. The classes are being held at Pizarro, meaning that participants also have a wonderful lunch with additional wines every day of the course.
Classes complete with wine and food — that’s surely the very best way to learn.
The course costs £695 per person and you can find more information here: www.WSETschool.com
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