About Time: You Discovered London’s Best November Foodie EventsBy Alicia Grimshaw
There’s some cracking foodie events taking place across the capital this month, and we’ve discovered ten absolute bangers. If you’re a fan of Spanish grub, head to Pilgrim’s pop-up, or if you fancy getting trollied and tucking into some doughy delights – travel to Greenwich for a pizza and prosecco festival. Get your diary out – it’s time to plan:
Foodie Events: Pop-Ups
1. For a Chef Residency: Great Guns
What: Food writer and chef, John Gregory-Smith is heading to recently opened Great Guns Social restaurant in Borough for a four night residency from Wednesday (15th November). Over the course of the dinners, diners will journey through Morocco; from the Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic coast and through the royal kitchens of Fes, through a menu of dishes John learned and created during his travels of the majestic North African country.
The Lowdown: Tuck into a series of meze starters from the Atlas Mountains, where John spent time living with local tribespeople, learning their unique methods and recipes. An optional second course from the Atlantic Coast, sees charred squid, served with preserved lemon dipping sauce, before the piece de resistance is served – a main course of M’Hamer – royal lamb tagine, straight from the magnificent royal kitchens of Fes.
Price: Tickets are available here
Where: 96 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0EF
2. For a Taste of Spain: Pilgrim
What: Following their successful first pop-up, the Pilgrim team are back with a second instalment and a brand new menu. Combining the finest Spanish ingredients from the UK’s most reputable farmers, butchers and fishmongers, Pilgrim aims to bring a fresh take on the way food is served and delivered in London by giving each course a story.
The Lowdown: Returning on 16th November for two weeks, Head Chefs, Dave Bone and Anthony Power, have created a menu which will take customers on a culinary journey via key regions on the Camino. Highlights from the last pop-up included salt-baked scallop; cider-braised Iberico short rib; and the decadent St. James’ tart with olive oil poached apple.
Price: Tickets cost £45 available here
Where: 103B Dalston Lane, London E8 1NH
Foodie Events: Charitable Causes
3. For a Supper Club: #CookforSYRIA
What: On Thursday (9th November), Petersham Nurseries will host an exclusive Syrian inspired charity supper club, to celebrate the first anniversary of the #CookForSYRIA appeal. The evening will take place in Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond and will be beautifully lit by candlelight. Guests will be joined by Clerkenwell Boy, Unicef’s NEXTGeneration London and friends of #CookForSYRIA.
The Lowdown: The four-course banqueting feast will showcase many of the dishes from the bestselling #CookForSYRIA recipe book like the roasted poussin with couscous, fennel and parsley salad, pomegranate and pistachio, nigella flatbreads and yoghurt, and the olive oil and pistachio cake with yoghurt sorbet, barazek shortbread, fig and orange blossom jam, #cookforsyria toasted almond and honey ice cream.
Price: Tickets are priced at £100 and all proceeds raised will be donated to Unicef’s efforts in Syria.
Where: Church Lane, Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AB
Photo Credit: Helen Abraham
4. For a Series of Events: ShelterBox
What: This November is all about getting together with friends to enjoy candlelit feasts, according to UK disaster relief charity, ShelterBox. The charity – which currently has a team on the ground helping those made homeless by Hurricane Irma and Maria – is launching its Shine for ShelterBox winter campaign on Monday (6th November). Get involved and join a host of famous faces including Rick Stein, Shappi Khorsandi, Konnie Huq, Sharon Horgan and more who are supporting the campaign.
The Lowdown: If you can’t host a supper at home, there’s also the option of heading to one of the restaurants in London that are supporting the campaign by running pop-up events. Enjoy a host of different candlelit dinners, including an amazing collaboration between Dan Doherty, Rovinder Bhogal and Tom Oldroyd at London’s award-winning Magpie, a gourmet burger feast at Mac & Wild, and a very special Burmese dinner at the London Cooking Project.
Price: Full event listing and tickets here
Where: Multiple locations across London
5. For a One-Off Dinner: Auction Against Hunger
What: Auction Against Hunger is back this autumn and this year it will be hosted at an exciting new venue, London’s iconic Borough Market. On Tuesday (7th November), the world-famous Market Hall will house some of Britain’s top chefs along with a selection of its most loved traders under one roof, for one night only.
The Lowdown: Hosted by model Daisy Lowe and fashion designer Henry Holland, this year marks the 5th annual Auction, which has raised more than half a million pounds since it began in 2012. These funds have helped support Action Against Hunger’s work saving the lives of malnourished children and providing families with access to safe water and good nutrition.The menu will feature incredible dishes by ten top chefs who will step out of their kitchens to cook alongside some of Borough Market’s best-loved traders: Anna Hansen (Modern Pantry), Neil Rankin (Temper), Pascal Aussignac (Club Gascon), Damian Clisby (Petersham Nurseries), Shaun Searley (Quality Chop House) & Shaun Henderson (Henderson Seafood), Tom Hunt (Poco) & Gill Meller (River Cottage), Asma Khan (Darjeeling Express) and Asimakis Chaniotis (Pied a Terre).
Price: Tickets can be purchased here.
Where: Borough Market, Borough High St, London SE1 9AH
Foodie Events: Masterclasses
What: Kick start your journey to become an oyster connoisseur with Galley’s informative and fun oyster masterclass series, guided by oyster specialist Head Chef, Marcel.
The Lowdown: During the 90 minute class, attendees will learn how to shuck like a pro and explore different oyster varieties and sample new and exquisite oyster creations. And if you’re partial to a dressed oyster, Marcel will also teach you how to create their homemade salsa garnish – the perfect accompaniment to any oyster.
Price: £30 per person. Tickets here.
Where: 105-106 Upper St, London N1 1QN
7. For a Boozy Education: Minnow
What: This November, Clapham Common’s neighbourhood restaurant, Minnow, will be throwing open their doors every Tuesday evening, inviting guests behind the bar to shake things up and try their hand at mixing some cocktails. Hosted by Minnow’s resident cocktail expert, Marco Giovanelli, every week will focus on a different cocktail inspired by a Clapham landmark or a famous Clapham character including The Temperance Fountain and Natsume Sosēki.
The Lowdown: Kicking things off on 14th November will be ‘The Natsume’ made with sakè, green tea syrup, lemon juice, ginger and egg white. The following week will be themed around The Grieg, made with dry vodka, organic sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, seawater and smoke, and the final masterclass will round things off with The Minnow, made with rum, chestnut liquor, lime, egg white, pear purée and ginger.
Price: Tickets are £15, including the masterclass, a cocktail and a bar snack. For reservations please call 020 7720 4105 or email info@minnowclapham.co.uk.
Where: Minnow, 21 The Pavement, Clapham Common, SW4 OHY
Photo Credit: Jade Sarkhel
Foodie Events: Festivals
8. For Carbs and Booze: Pizza and Prosecco
What: The Pizza and Prosecco Festival is popping up at Building Six at The O2 in Greenwich to host the London leg of its twenty-date national tour. From 1pm on Saturday (25th November), everyone can gather to enjoy a choice of over 20 different Proseccos, including a variety of sparkling cocktails, while tasting home-cooked pizzas from a range of much-loved local traders.
The Lowdown: The Tiny Tipple Van will be on hand to ensure that every slice of pizza is matched to the Prosecco, and upon entry, ticket-holders will be handed a free Prosecco cocktail as well as the Pizza and Prosecco Bible, to test their knowledge. Pizzas available are all lovingly prepared by hand with bespoke doughs and creative toppings, and gluten-free and vegan options will be available.
Price: Tickets here
Where: Building Six, The O2, London SE10 0DX
Foodie Events: Chef Collaborations
9. For a Family-Style Feast: Patty & Bun x Claude Bosi
What: For Patty & Bun’s third and final collaboration of 2017, chef Claude Bosi of iconic two Michelin-starred Bibendum will be showcasing his skills – family style. For one night only, on Monday (20th November), Claude will embrace his Lyonnaise roots for a truly unforgettable evening. Expect one seating, shared dishes and shared tables.
The Lowdown: Highlights from the menu include duck and pork scratchings; Boudin Noir quiche; chicken liver cake and crayfish sauce; sabodet and potatoes Lyonnaise; Îles flottantes; and Bugnes Lyonnaise. Since Beaujolais Nouveau Day falls on the Thursday prior to the event and Beaujolais borders Lyon and is a fine match for Claude’s menu, wine consultant and restaurant writer Zeren Wilson has sourced a keg of Beaujolais Nouveau and produced a list of several older Beaujolais bottles for sale on the evening.
Price: Tickets here
Where: 2, Arthaus Building, 205 Richmond Rd, London E8 3NJ
10. For Food and Drink Pairing: Andi Oliver x Miquita Oliver
What: Working together for the very first time, chef Andi Oliver is joining forces with her daughter Miquita to host The Tanqueray Table – a supperclub with a difference. This is the first time ever that the pair has worked together, and it will also be TV presenter and DJ Miquita’s first foray into life on the other side of the bar – turning her creative flair and love of cocktails to create a series of new gin serves.
The Lowdown: Opening on Friday (17th November), The Tanqueray Table supper club has been designed to bring an array of tastes and flavours to the table, all of which will evoke the passion and ingenuity behind Tanqueray London Dry Gin. Attendees at this unique twist on a supper club will enjoy a menu of Miquita’s specially-created cocktails, accompanied by a botanical-inspired food menu served straight from Andi’s kitchen.
Price: Tickets here
Where: TT Liquor, 17B Kingsland Road, London E2 8AA
