London Restaurant Festival

Attending the London Restaurant Awards several years ago, Evening Standard restaurant critic Fay Maschler decided it could be done better (no offence, Giles Coren). The London Restaurant Festival is the result, an altogether more celebratory and all-encompassing food affair, showcasing a huge variety of events at venues across the capital. The annual festival takes place during October and will incorporate over 800 different restaurants from around the capital. From festival menus to a range of one-off dining events, those who are in touch with London's foodie scene will certainly not go disappointed. At the Covent Garden Piazza, a range of famous London restaurants will take part in the Supplier's Market, where they will showcase their flavours, cooking techniques and individual flair as well as selling their produce to hungry consumers. Previous years have also included the highly popular Gourmet Odyssey, which took diners across the city to three top restaurants to sample a different course at each. And for those to enjoy their food with a view, the London Eye transformed a single capsule into a ten-seat 'pop-up' restaurant, with each night hosted by one of London's most celebrated chefs. With esteemed names such as Gordon Ramsay and Richard Corrigan on previous line-ups, guests can be certain of a top class, once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. Note: The complete programme for 2012 is still to be announced, see the official website for more information.