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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I visited the ultimate foodie heaven at a London park and left sunburnt but smiling'
I spent my Saturday in a proper foodie paradise. Pub in the Park rolled into Gunnersbury Park for the first time, and I was there for the daytime session. If you like top-tier pub grub, decent live music and a strong cocktail under the sun, it was absolutely the place to be. This was my third time at Pub in the Park, but my first visit to this new London location. Gunnersbury turned out to be an ideal setting. Open and green, well kept, easy to get around, and just far enough from traffic to feel like a proper escape. The sun turned up too. Let's talk food. That's what you're there for. Dozens of top pubs and restaurants dishing up small-plate versions of their signature dishes, served fast but cooked with real care. The idea is you don't just have one meal – you try a few, compare notes, and eat your way across the field like a very lucky critic with no deadlines. First up for me was The Pig's Ear's crispy buttermilk chicken with coronation crème fraîche. It sounded a bit experimental but completely nailed it – crisp coating, juicy meat, and a sharp, creamy sauce that somehow didn't feel out of place. (Image: Amy Clarke) My friend picked the Madras-spiced cauliflower from Guy Ritchie's Lore of the Land. Topped with lime pickle mayo and a poppadom crunch, it had serious depth. We followed that with a chicken tortilla from Tom Kerridge's. Simple, solid, and just what we needed to reset the palate. Dishes weren't huge, but that's part of the experience. You're not sitting down to a Sunday roast. You're roaming, tasting, mixing it up. READ MORE: We caught Simon the Butcher at the fire pit stage doing a live demo. Proper knives, proper heat, and a good bit of showmanship. Over in the M&S Food Village we stumbled into a tomato cooking session, focused on Isle of Wight varieties. I had an incredible whiskey cocktail from a stand called Monkey Shoulder – strong, well balanced, and ice-cold. Plenty of craft options, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic alternatives dotted around. The music kicked off gently. I caught the end of Pandora's club classics set – think 90s and early 2000s floor-fillers. (Image: Amy Clarke) Norman Jay followed with a smooth run of soul and funk that suited the weather perfectly. Soul II Soul were the big draw, and they didn't disappoint. The field in front of the stage filled up fast, and when Back to Life dropped, everyone got involved. The crowd was spot on. A proper mix of ages. Families with kids running around the fairground rides, groups of mates chasing cocktails, couples sunbathing between sets. A few very relaxed dogs. No aggro. No posing. Just happy people eating, drinking and making the most of the sunshine. I had a VIP pass this year, which meant access to a quieter seating area, a decent view of the stage, and a couple of extras like private tastings. Nothing too fancy, but it gave us a good base to regroup and rest our feet. At one point, I realised I'd forgotten sun cream and was already going a bit pink. I asked one of the security staff if they had any – they didn't, but about half an hour later he found me again with another member of staff who handed some over. (Image: Amy Clarke) That kind of gesture says a lot. Friendly, thoughtful and not something you get at every big event. Before heading out, we hit the dodgems which were surprisingly brutal. Easily one of the most fun bits of the day. There was also a vintage Ferris wheel and plenty of fairground stalls, adding to the old-school summer fair feel. By the time we left in the late afternoon, we had spoken to a number of people who had decided they were going to stay for evening session but for me, the daytime slot was enough. I'd eaten well, danced a bit, learned a few things about tomatoes and wine, and had a brilliant day in a corner of London I rarely visit. Pub in the Park knows what it's doing. The food's the star, but the festival around it creates this perfect summertime atmosphere. I'll be back next year, with a hat, sun cream and even more appetite.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taste of London is back for 2025 and you can buy your tickets now
Tickets are on sale for London's most anticipated food festival, Taste of London. The five-day event will take place from June 18 to June 22 in Regent's Park. The festival will feature a variety of culinary experiences, including Japanese and Korean restaurant Akira Back, Guy Ritchie's Lore of the Land, The Campaner, and Empire Empire. Festival features top restaurants, live demos, and exclusive dishes (Image: Mike Tsang) Tickets for the festival can be purchased on the Taste of London website. The festival will feature exclusive dishes, BBQ bites, and gourmet delights from some of London's best chefs. There will also be masterclasses and interactive experiences, where attendees can watch chefs in action, participate in cooking experiences, and attend live demos. Interactive experiences include the Taste Fire Pit and K-Food BBQ Cook School (Image: Joshua Atkins) Cecile Rebbot, vice president of culinary, arts, and entertainment at IMG, said: "As we mark the 21st edition of Taste of London, we're excited to once again transform The Regent's Park into a culinary playground, celebrating the vibrant and diverse food scene that makes London a global gastronomic hub. "This year, we're bringing together an extraordinary lineup of chefs, restaurants, and immersive experiences, offering food lovers the chance to taste, discover, and interact like never before. "From exclusive dishes to hands-on masterclasses, Taste of London 2025 will be a true feast for the senses, uniting the best of the capital's culinary talent in one unforgettable festival." The festival will feature more than 120 dishes, including some exclusive, never-before-tasted eats. Newcomers include Guy Ritchie's Lore of the Land and TĪNG at The Shard (Image: Joshua Atkins) New to the festival for 2025 is Guy Ritchie's gastro pub, Lore of the Land, which boasts up to a year-long waiting list for their Sunday Roast. Other new additions include Shangri-La at The Shard's Asian restaurant, TĪNG, and Pan-Pacific fusion restaurant Los Mochis. Returning favourites include Le Petit Beefbar, The Shard's Oblix, Roka, and Chai Wu. The festival will also feature a variety of live experiences, chef-led demonstrations, interactive masterclasses, and educational workshops. The Taste Cook School will be back, featuring a lineup of chefs sharing their tips and tricks in the kitchen. The Taste Fire Pit will also return for 2025, hosting flame-fuelled demonstrations with some of the city's top talent. The festival will also feature the K-Food BBQ Cook School, where guests can discover the heritage and modernity of K-Food in London. There will be a variety of talks, tastings, and demonstrations focused on sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and nature. Prosecco DOC and Grana Padano PDO cheese will be offering masterclasses, cooking shows, and tastings. Illy will be sharing a world of coffee enrichment with interactive masterclasses hosted by its Università del Caffè. The exclusive VIP Lounge will be back, offering a complimentary snack bar, live entertainment, and garden games. For the first time at Taste of London, Diageo will be bringing the "What's Your Cocktail?" Bar, powered by FlavorPrint AI. El Jimador Tequila will also be on hand to dish out refreshing cocktails and Latino beats. Jack Daniel's will be bringing a taste of Tennessee to The Regent's Park for the second time, where guests can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, live acoustic music, and complimentary cotton candy in the relaxed picnic-style lounges.
