Restaurants help the homeless with StreetSmart
Across the country, hundreds of restaurants are taking part in a two-month campaign run by the charity StreetSmart which raises funds for homeless and vulnerable people in the UK. Restaurants such as The Kitchin (Edinburgh), Gymkhana (London) and Adam's (Birmingham) are taking part by adding an extra £1 to food bills in November and December.
Food and Drink Report predicts surge in west African food
The Waitrose & Partners Food and Drink Report, published this week, touts West African food as 'the next big thing' for 2019, saying 'the vibrancy of the cuisine is astonishing'. The Good Food Guide features west African restaurant Ikoyi in London's St James's. Meanwhile, the report notes the ongoing rise in vegetarian and vegan eating, citing that one in eight Brits now chooses to go meat-free. Read the full report here.
Texture names new head chef
Texture in Marylebone has appointed Karl O'Dell as head chef. Karl worked previously as senior sous-chef at Gordon Ramsay's Pétrus and Artichoke in Amersham. 'We are delighted to have Karl join us here at Texture. Karl has worked in some fantastic kitchens, and I am confident he will use his experience and skills to the benefit of the entire team', comments Aggi Sverrisson, chef patron at Texture.
Trullo ups its game
Italian restaurant Trullo, in Islington, is celebrating the best of the game season with a special feast on Sunday 18 November. The £40 menu (£70 with matching wines) features dishes such as mallard arancini, chopped raw venison, pappardelle with grouse ragu, and roast partridge all provided by the Dumnaglass Estate in Scotland which has supplied the restaurant for the past four years. Tickets can be purchased by calling Trullo on 020 7226 2733 or emailing enquiries@trullorestaurant.com.
Coal Drops Yard opens in Kings Cross
The long-awaited Coal Drops Yard opened in Kings Cross this week and it features some familiar faces. The Harts group will have five restaurants including its largest ever Barrafina and Casa Pastor, a bigger version of Borough restaurant El Pastor. There's also a chocolate shop from Alain Ducasse and the long-awaited Hicce from ex-Murano chef Pip Lacey.
