Just in time for Thanksgiving and the festive season, Allens, the traditional Mayfair butchers will be bringing out their free-range bronze turkeys in mid November. These superior quality birds are raised on Allens farm in Tenterden, Kent and will be supplied fresh with giblets and a jar of Allens own Cranberry sauce (Allens Bronze Turkeys RRP £12.50 per kg). For the first time, Allens customers will be able to order these birds online for nationwide delivery on Allens newly launched website.

Having been responsible for making butchery popular among Londoners with their sell out master classes, Allens now bring their finest quality meat, poultry and game to the masses with allensofmayfair.co.uk. Alongside an excellent selection of fresh beef, lamb, pork, veal, poultry, game and the full range of Allens sauces, customers can order seasonal products and specials such as the fantastic Steak Box, which contains the finest range of Scottish beef from farms in the Cairngorm National Park.

http://www.allensofmayfair.co.uk

A magnificent centrepiece and a talking point for any dinner party, Artisan du chocolat launches the Opulence Pyramid. The striking gold and brown pyramid-shaped box is made by hand and covered in an intricate print. When opened, the box cleverly sits on its lid, displaying three or six tiers filled with an amazing selection of Artisan’s hand made chocolates. This incredible range of chocolates includes the famous liquid sea salted caramels, created for Gordon Ramsay’s Claridges restaurant in 2003, to pearls, truffles, Artisan’s couture collection and many more.

The three-tiered box weighs at 850g and contains 110 chocolates and retails at £100, while the impressive six-tiered box contains 300 chocolates, weighs at 2.3kg and retails at £299.

http://www.artisanduchocolat.com

This year, Brunello at The Baglioni Hotel celebrates the finest Italian cooking in a very special collaboration with some of Italy’s best chefs and restaurants.

This special year long series of Italian guest chef events at Brunello has already seen the chefs from world renowned Enotecca Pinchiorri in Florence in May and the two Michelin starred Rosellini’s restaurant from Palazo Sasso on the Amalfi coast in March. Future events will include Michelin starred Antonello Colonna from Rome cooking at Brunello on the 27th September and Don Alfonso 1890 restaurant in Sorento taking over the kitchens from 4th to 6th November.

http://www.brunellorestaurant.com

Local Wandsworth Town hero Doukan, renowned for its authentic take on home-style Moroccan cooking and recent finalist on Gordon Ramsey’s F Word launches two exquisite new tasting menus featuring some of its best-loved dishes.

Since its launch back in early Autumn last year, Doukan has become a destination for lovers of true home-style Moroccan cooking. Doukan is the brainchild of Head Chef/Owner and founder of Nomades, Moroccan food purveyor, Khalil Abdesselm. Khalil is quickly becoming the UK spokesman for his homeland cuisine and recently co-hosted a food and travel series with Sophie Grigson for UKTV. Khalil also makes regular appearances on cookery programmes and slots, cooking and commenting on authentic Moroccan faire.

“Degustation” is a classic tasting menu allowing the diner to sample a good selection of Khalil’s signature dishes while the “Zerda” Feast menu makes the perfect choice for first time visitors to Doukan who want to try a bit of everything.

http://www.doukan.co.uk

A brand new terrace installation at Fifth Floor Harvey Nichols for the summer in collaboration with Tanqueray No. Ten gin. The new terrace provides the ultimate martini cocktail experience for the summer as the classic drink is interpreted in several new and exciting ways. The Harvey Nichols bar team have created a new drinks list for the terrace, while Jonas Karlsson, the executive chef has devised some new dishes inspired by the botanical notes of the gin.

The sleek monochrome styling of the space reflects the elegance of the classic martini cocktail, with the luxurious white Martini cocktail booth being the focal point. To book a table, please contact Harvey Nichols reservations team on 020 72355250

http://www.harveynichols.com

Gascoyne Place opened in the heart of Bath just over a year ago and in the past twelve months the restaurant and bar has become a cornerstone on the Bath eating and drinking scene. Situated in a stunning Grade II listed Georgian town house, originally built into the City walls and located on the edge of one of Bath's finest squares, Gascoyne Place is the brainchild of architect Wayne Taylor and former theatre Director Marty Grant. Together, they have created a diverse offering, encompassing a traditional bar, lounge, elegant dining rooms as well as an informal eating space.

The menu changes often to make the most of local suppliers from Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Highlights from Head Chef Richard Hughes's current menu include: Pan seared Cornish Scallops with crispy pork belly and a caramel chilli sauce or Roast field mushrooms with garlic, wilted spinach and Wyfe of Bath organic cheese to start; Rainbow Wood sirloin steak with home-cut chips, roast root vegetables and thyme jus or Pan fried calves liver and bacon with sage mash and red wine jus for mains.

http://www.gascoyneplace.com

This September, Harvey Nichols chefs celebrate their local suppliers with a series of unique events taking place across the country. Handpicked by Harvey Nichols will see the chefs taking their customers back to farms and fisheries for a special, back-to-basics lunch with a Harvey Nichols twist, to meet the producers and learn about where some of the food on restaurants’ menus comes from.

Tickets for the Handpicked by Harvey Nichols lunches are strictly limited. Priced at £75 per person, the tickets include transport to and from the lunch and all drinks. Restaurants taking part:

OXO Tower Restaurant Brasserie and Bar
Forth Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols Edinburgh
Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols Manchester
Fourth Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols Leeds

http://www.harveynichols.com

Hawksmoor, the restaurant that reignited London’s love affair with steak, is opening a second site in Covent Garden this autumn. Situated in the old Watney-Combe brewery on the corner of Langley and Shelton Streets, Hawksmoor Seven Dials will have 120 covers in the restaurant and a further 50 in the bar. Will Beckett and Huw Gott, Hawksmoor co-owners, have set the opening for mid October.

The offering at Hawksmoor Seven Dials will be very much in keeping with what’s made the Spitalfields restaurant so popular – an unpretentious, quality obsessed steakhouse serving exclusively British beef alongside an award-winning drinks list.

http://www.thehawksmoor.com

To celebrate the welcome heat of the mid Summer sunshine and the long balmy nights, the talented team at Le Bouchon Breton in the heart of Old Spitalfields Market launches Le Palais du Glaces, a stunning range of gigantic ice cream coupes, perfect for sharing on the lovely Breton terrace.

Breton’s pastry chef has devised a list of classic French style sundaes that pull out all of the stops and certainly guild the lily in every way possible. The Breton coupes are ideal for an afternoon treat in the sunshine and make the perfect end to the ultimate alfresco lunch or dinner.

http://www.lebouchon.co.uk

OXO Tower Brasserie has just launched a brand new, fabulously indulgent Not Afternoon Tea menu served on the famous OXO terrace from Monday, 5th July. Beautifully presented, Not Afternoon Tea menu features a range of four tasting dessert plates, each paired with a matching cocktail. OXO Tower’s Pastry Chef, Penny Wabbit has worked closely with the OXO Tower Bar team to create these sophisticated pairings, which range from a light plate of summery fruit desserts to a whimsical take on afternoon tea.


Not Afternoon Tea menu will be available daily from 3-5.30pm from Monday, 5th July, priced at £19.50 per pairing. To book a table, please contact OXO Tower Brasserie on 020 7803 3888.

http://www.harveynichols.com

Prism Brasserie in the City has two brand new, quintessentially Engilsh afternoon tea offerings: Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea and Traditional Afternoon Tea. Featuring Rare roast beef, horseradish and rocket and Smoked salmon, watercress and cream cheese sandwiches on the Traditional Afternoon Tea menu or Artisan baguette with warm salt beef, Colman’s English mustard mayonnaise and gherkins and Home made Scotch egg, piccalilli and watercress salad on the Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea Menu. Deliciously nostalgic cakes such as Victoria sponge and Profiteroles feature on the Traditional menu alongside Rhubarb crumble tart with crème chantilly on the Gentleman’s Tea menu. Both afternoon tea offerings are priced at £19.50 per person or £29.50 including a glass of Champagne.

http://www.harveynichols.com

Situated in the Quakers Friars quarter of the Cabot Circus development in the heart of Bristol, the Second Floor Restaurant and Bar occupies the top floor of the new Harvey Nichols store. Open for all day dining, from 10am to 11pm, from weekend brunch to post-shopping cocktails and dinner, the space is modern and striking.

In the Restaurant, soft and shimmery gold dominates giving off a warm and lustrous glow. It is a fantastic space to showcase the talents of Second Floor Restaurant’s Head Chef Louise McCrimmon, whose style is based on classic techniques, pure flavours, great textures and indulgent ingredients.

The Second Floor Bar is an intimate space, clad in silver and with a long glowing onyx bar. With its great range of signature cocktails, it is the perfect spot for a post-shopping drinks or an aperitif before dinner.

http://www.harveynichols.com

Natalie Allen, founder of the award-winning Sweet Things Cakery in Primrose Hill has launched cupcake classes. Fun and informative, Natalie’s classes are a great way of spending a Saturday afternoon with girlfriends. Armed with a wooden spoon and a bowl, cupcake expert Natalie holds classes for groups of eight or more people, to enjoy the whole cupcake making experience from getting the ingredients mix right, to tips and advice on baking and finishing with a celebratory cocktail after each person has decorated their own cakes.

The classes last for an hour and a half, are priced at £45 per person and include all the ingredients for vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, buttercream icing and decorations, as well as cocktails or tea and coffee. After the class is finished, everyone gets a presentation box of their own decorated cupcakes to take away. To book, please contact Sweet Things on 020 7722 2107 – Classes are held in Primrose Hill but Natalie can also run them in other locations.

http://www.sweetthings.biz

The Mall Tavern, Notting Hill’s recently opened and critically acclaimed pub has just launched its charming Kitchen Table with a bespoke lunch and dinner party service from bright young thing and Head Chef Jesse Dunford-Wood.

Set on one side of the pub’s large first floor kitchen, with wall-to-wall windows overlooking the leafy Kensington street below, the Mall Tavern’s Kitchen Table sits up to 8 people. Breaking the barriers somewhat, the Kitchen Table is a unique dining experience in the heart of a working pub kitchen but with more of an eclectic and informal, yet distinctly British style rather than the formal experience of Chefs tables in Michelin starred restaurant kitchens.

To make an appointment to meet up with Jesse and his team or just for any further information please call the reservations team at The Mall Tavern on 020 7229 3374.

http://www.themalltavern.com

Beth Coventry’s pub-with-food in Hampstead is a firm local favourite. Situated between the Heath and Hampstead Village, the Georgian building has three dining rooms on the first floor, seating 10, 16 and 20, which lend themselves perfectly to private dining and events. The main bar downstairs is a comfortable space, suitable for eating, drinking and regular events and there is also plenty of outside seating, ideal for warmer months.

On 15th October, The Wells will hold Restaurants Against Hunger Charity Quiz, hosted and created by John Spiteri, much loved restaurant manager, currently residing at Bentley's.

Tickets are priced at £50 per person and include a three course dinner and half a bottle of wine with a £30 charity donation. Supper from 7pm, the quiz will start at 8pm

http://www.thewellshampstead.co.uk

Having worked in the PR industry for over ten years, Irena has extensive experience across all areas of consumer and lifestyle public relations. She has worked in fashion - representing Preen and Olivia Morris amongst others and with consumer brands such as Bandai toys and Take Two Interactive computer games. Lifestyle clients have included the launch of the Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection book. Since 2001, Irena has found her niche, specialising almost exclusively in food and drink, launching the Hope and Greenwood confectioners and working with some of London's most popular restaurants, such as Zuma, The Cinnamon Club and OXO Tower

irena@kitchencommunications.com

Henry started his career in the kitchens of The Savoy Group, as an apprentice chef. This included working in the kitchens of Claridges, The Savoy Grill and The Connaught under the legendary Michel Bourdin for three years. After having satisfied his culinary curiosity, Henry temporarily changed direction and joined The Moving Picture Company, London's foremost post production company as a junior producer. Two years later he moved into on-line production, and worked on various commercials and pop promos around the world. Unable to resist his passion for food and drink, Henry joined Jori White PR where he headed the restaurant division. Henry worked for Jori White for three years and his client portfolio included The Cheyne Walk Brasserie, Kai Mayfair, The Jessen Group and Embassy.

henry@kitchencommunications.com