Prepare your tastebuds and give your palate a pep talk, because they’re about to have the feast of their life. On the (hopefully) sundrenched summer week of June 15-19 you can follow the drool-inducing aromas of freshly-cooked food, the clinking of champagne glasses and the harmonious chorus of satisfied ‘mmmmm’s to Regent’s Park, as food festival Taste Of London is back for its 18th year.
The festival will once more transform the emerald expanse of Regent’s Park into a foodie’s paradise, promising London’s latest and greatest eats, refreshing summer drinks and a festival atmosphere – minus the muddy fields and rowdy teenagers. Not only will top chefs from London’s best restaurants be offering taster-sized portions of their signature dishes and engaging demonstrations, but oodles of mouthwatering stalls will be serving over 100 different kinds of food and peddling the finest artisanal ingredients around.
The 2022 lineup will feature over 120 dishes from London’s top restaurants. This includes a variety of festival newbies bringing their delicious dishes to Taste Of London for the first time. You’ll be able to crunch into crispy buttermilk fried chicken at James Cochran’s latest concept Around The Cluck, soak up the culinary artistry of Louis Ashok’s redefined African dishes at Technique and dig into authentic Japanese yakitori from (the usually Marylebone-based) Junsei. With more due to be announced soon!
Of course, you’ll also be able to reignite all your favourite food memories from previous visits to the festival, with some of London’s most beloved dining spots back for another year. This includes Hoppers, Dumplings Legend, Sartoria, Cinnamon Club, Flesh and Buns (I personally still vividly remember devouring the gloriously sweet and sticky pork ribs under the summer sun of 2019) and Big Mamma’s irresistibly Instagrammable Italian trattorias. Try saying that last one fast once you’ve had a few cocktails.
Speaking of, you can expect some equally delicious liquid accompaniments to your food throughout the day. Whether it’s a Grey Goose Spritz – pick from three new flavours infused with fruit and botanical essences – a refreshing Cuvée Rosé from the Laurent Perrier Club House, or a tempting tequila cocktail from PATRÓN, which you can make yourself at one of their bespoke masterclasses.
Like the sound of that last one? There’ll be lots of opportunities to get stuck in and experience food like never before. The Accor Live Limitless exclusive private dining experience and Meet the Maker masterclasses are delivered by top chefs and mixologists from their hotels, promising flavour-packed food and world-class culinary wisdom.
There are literally hundreds of things to do over the course of the festival’s residence, so you really don’t want to miss out. In between the munching and sipping, you can unleash your competitive side with a spot of crazy golf at Taste Tee, before paying a visit to Taste Skillery to brush up on your skills in the kitchen and scrubbing up on sustainable cooking at the Diners Club Cook School – a Taste fest favourite, this time around they have partnered with Diners Club International to provide enlightening classes with a focus on food waste and sustainability.
Plus, it wouldn’t be Taste of London without the festival’s famous sizzling Fire Pit. It’ll be pretty easy to find on the day – just look out for the plumes of smoke and the gathering of a curious crowd as DJ BBQ and Simon The Butcher grill, sear and smoke their wares over open flames with special guests. It’s gonna be lit.
If you’re feeling extra peckish, grab a spot at the Diners Club VIP Lounge, where you get exclusive dibs on food, garden games, access to masterclasses and even fast-track entry to the festival.