I know the weather has been pretty dire of late, but let’s all hope that warmer days are ahead and summer’s around the corner. 

As well as the pleasure of dining al fresco and some new restaurants opening, summer means festivals!  And if, like me, you’re a foodie, there are a number of treats in store for us soon:

FOODIES FESTIVAL

Foodies Festival returns to Syon Park, London, from 25th–27th May, with a star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs and chart-topping music stars, including: Blue and Sister Sledge. 

One of my favourite festivals, known as ‘Gastro-Glastonbury’, the three-day event features live cooking demonstrations from TV celebs and chefs from MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu. These include: MasterChef champions Tom Rhodes and Dhruv Baker, MasterChef: The Professionals champion, Alex Webb, MasterChef 2023 finalist, Omar Foster, Great British Bake Off finalist, Sandro Farmhouse, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch bread expert, Jack Sturgess, Dipna Anand and Omar Allibhoy aka The Spanish Chef. 

Throughout the 3-day weekend, visitors enjoy a packed schedule in the interactive live theatres.

There’s a Kids Cookery School,  making cooking fun, where young guests prepare things they can take away and enjoy.

Masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre include tutored Champagne, Beer, Cider, Cocktail and Wine-tasting – presenters include BBC, ITV and Channel 4 drinks experts.

Day tickets from £4 (child) and £21 (adult); Weekend tickets from £38 (3-day) On sale now at www.foodiesfestival.com

TASTE OF LONDON

In mid June we have Taste of London; the capital’s largest and longest running food festival returns Regent’s Park for its 20th Anniversary from 12th to 16th June.

The five-day festival line-up will see highlights from Japanese Robatayki restaurant Roka, Urban rotisserie and grill restaurant Oblix and Italian Big Mamma Group along with plenty of Taste newcomers and London’s most loved dining spots 

Tickets available now at tasteoflondon.com 

PUB IN THE PARK

Later in June we can look forward to another great event, Pub in the Park Chiswick (28th – 30th June)

 Pub in the Park, one of the UK’s best food and music festivals, from Tom Kerridge, has top chefs and restaurants taking part. This year it’s happening in Marlow, Chiswick, Reigate and St Albans.

well as stellar musical acts, including: Busted; Sam Ryder; Van Morrison; Paloma Faith; Olly Murs, and McFly, the festival offers world class food and beverages

In addition to their classic food offering, restaurants will introduce an elevated dish: The ‘Pub Special’,  a dish that brings something a little extra special. Expect bold flavours and premium ingredients as chefs create completely new dishes or rework house favourites.

At Chiswick, you can visit Jack Blumenthal’s Ginger Wings with The Multi-Award Winning Same but Different Bao & London Caviar Dollo.   New to the lineup is Temper serving Pork Belly Bite Tacos, Smoked Lamb Tacos and Coal Roasted Sweet Potato.  The Orange from Belgravia will be serving up pizzas, including its Pub Special topped with iberico pancetta, roasted pineapple, pickled red onion, gorgonzola and chilli.

Ticket prices are from £40 for adults, £25 for children (under 5’s free) and available no at tickets.pubintheparkuk.com

MARZAMEMI

There’s a new event this year coming to Richmond in July, the Marzamemi will pop up in Old Deer Park on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July for a weekend of Italian food, music, stylish interiors and homeware and more.

Bringing a slice of Sicily, Marzamemi will celebrate the rich culture of Italy, from its quality cuisine, to the vibrant spirit of its people.

Featuring a feast of Italian delights, from take home deli goods by Lina Stores, freshly shucked oysters by The Oyster Society, pizza by West London’s Napoli on the Road, savoury goodies from Crosta & Mollica and arancini by Arancina – known for its artisan pizzas, Granita and Gelato by The Sicilian Deli, mouth-watering pasta by The Original Carbonara, authentic Italian coffee and sweet treats, including Sicilian cannoli and cassatine, by Etna Coffee and many more.

Adding a taste of the Amalfi Coast to Marzamemi, Malfy Gin will be serving up special cocktails, including Limoncello Spritz, Gin & Tonics and Negroni Bianco’s and The Little Orange Van will arrive to serve up Aperol Spritz all weekend.

With a line-up of live musicians and DJs, you can watch a live performance by UK Garage royalty Sweet Female Attitude. There will be sets by some UK’s most in demand DJs.   

Ticket prices are from £40 per adult and £15 per child, with SUPER! VIP tickets starting from £75.

More information and tickets at www.marzamemi.co.uk. Open from 10am-10pm on Saturday 6th July and 10am-8pm on Sunday 7th July 2024.

SCOTT’S TERRACE

Scott’s Richmond has recently opened its riverside terrace.

The picturesque terrace, open for lunch or dinner reservations and available for private hire, welcomes groups of up to 25 seated (or 40 standing for exclusive events).

You can indulge in deluxe plateaux of fruits de mer and English oysters by the dozen, complemented by a bottle of the finest champagne, while enjoying the (hoped-for)  sunshine, with the River Thames as a backdrop.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Head Chef Tom Fraser’s menu is packed with seafood classics inspired by the original recipes of Scott’s Mayfair, alongside specialties that pay homage to Scott’s Richmond’s riverside location.

Menu highlights include: Baked Spiced Crab with garlic and herb toast; the Scott’s Apple Smoked Salmon with pickled cucumber and baked brioche bread and the iconic Scott’s King Prawn Cocktail served with Marie Rose sauce.  To secure a table on the terrace, ensure you select the ‘Outdoor’ option when making an online reservation.

STICKS ‘N’ SUSHI RICHMOND

And  Sticks’n’Sushi’s newest UK restaurant, in Richmond, opens Sunday 5 May. 

It will be a welcome addition to Richmond’s foodie community with its unique combination of sushi and yakitori-sticks.

To celebrate, those signing up on the website will access the soft opening days, offering 50% off food between the 2-4 May.

Sticks’n’Sushi is the sushi restaurant that’s ideal even for those who don’t eat fish, with the menu catering for all tastes including plant-based options. The extensive Kampai menu includes signature house cocktails, wine, beer, spirits and sake.

As with all Sticks’n’Sushi restaurants, Richmond will embody the traditional Japanese concept of Omotenashi, which is wholeheartedly to look after each and every guest.

NOCI RICHMOND OPENS 6 MAY

Richmond is about to get a new modern pasta restaurant, Noci, opening its doors on bank holiday Monday, 6th May 2024, situated at the old Fat Badger site near the Odeon.

Bringing fresh, seasonal pasta dishes, Sicilian-street food-inspired snacks, and cocktails, Noci’s laid-back design, quality pasta and affordability should make it a great spot to have on our doorstep.

Dishes are made with ingredients from producers and artisans across Europe and the chefs have taken inspiration from their heritage and travels throughout Italy to design a menu of classics, with a focus on seasonality that comes through in the fresh pasta and small plates.  Signature dishes include the silk handkerchiefs, a Noci staple that gets a seasonal twist, and the veal and pork Genovese ragu with Monks’ head cheese, which is served tableside.  Noci’s signature brown butter cacio e pepe ziti, a foodie’s favourite, sits alongside dishes like the Tiger prawn gnochetti with roasted red peppers, orange and tarragon.  
And we’re going to be reviewing it very soon, so watch this space!