In a nutshell: Several of London's leading restaurants are appearing in pop-up form in Regent's Park for Taste of London 2021, an event running from 7 - 11 and 14 - 18 July.
The set up: Visitors purchase tickets to either the lunch or evening session, during which time time they can peruse the stands of the various restaurants and try the dishes that take their fancy.
Tell us more: Taste of London takes place in the open air at Regent's Park. Chefs from over 30 of London's best restaurants will be cooking upwards of 135 dishes between them, with each restaurant boasting one star dish that's made exclusively for the festival, as well as signature dishes from their menu.
Every year, Taste of London houses a number of standout stalls worth making a beeline for. Soho's Indo-Chinese restaurant Fatt Pundit (A CW favourite) will be showcasing the rarely celebrated dishes of Kolkata’s Hakka Chinese immigrants. If the momos are on the menu, they're a must. Napoli Gang, the delivery-only restaurant from the Big Mamma group (of Gloria and Circolo Popolare acclaim) will also be showcasing its wares, which may well include a chance to try the Insta-famous 10-layer lasagne and cliff-edge lemon meringue pie. Perhaps most excitingly of all, Syrian chef Imad Alarnab's brand new bricks-and-mortar restaurant Imad's Syrian Kitchen will be appearing in pop-up form – a chance to sample its dishes just two months after the launch.
The festival also plays host to a number of exclusive dining experiences. At The Fire Pit, chefs including Jack Whitehall and Marcus Petty-Saphon will demonstrate the best in open-flame cooking. Carousel’s Head Chef Ollie Templeton will be making a guest appearance, and the team behind sustainable restaurant Native will shine a spotlight on British game. 
Those keen to improve their own skills in the kitchen can head to 'Chop it like its Hot', an onsite kitchen where top chefs including Jikoni’s Ravinder Bhogal, Holborn Dining Room’s Nokx Majozi and Darjeeling Express's Asma Khan will be teaching groups of up to 40 the tricks of their trade.
The pandemic has been particularly hard on the hospitality industry, which has been forced to drastically adapt in order to stay afloat this past year. In recognition of this is a new Taste of London initiative, NEFF Cook & Connect, a scheme providing independent and underrepresented producers and chefs a platform to exhibit their produce.
Around the site there's the chance to buy exclusive produce while soaking up all the atmosphere of a summer festival. Live music stands can be found dotted throughout the grounds, while experience-led bars provide the chance to enjoy champagne and craft beer tasting, or cocktail making.
If 2020 was the year of takeaway, Taste of London is on a mission to make 2021 the year breaking (artisan) bread together again and enthusing over London's rich culinary scene.
Tickets to Taste of London are on sale from Friday 30 April. Click here to book.
| What | Taste of London, Regent's Park |
| Where | Taste of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NR | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Regent's Park (underground) |
| When |
07 Jul 21 – 11 Jul 21, 12pm - 4pm (lunch ticket) / 5:30pm - 9:30pm (dinner ticket) 14 Jul 21 – 18 Jul 21, 12pm - 4pm (lunch ticket) / 5:30pm - 9:30pm (dinner ticket) |
| Price | £TBD |
| Website | Click here for more information and to book |
