Taste London - showcasing the best gastronomy the capital has to offer.

Taste London returned to Regent’s Park this June for it’s ninth year and whilst this food festival is well established and firmly marked in the calendar of London and out of towner foodies alike, attendees can always guarantee each edition will feel new and exciting with the promise of some of the best chefs, culinary people of note and producers alike.

This year was no different as crowds gathered under blue skies to witness the likes of Big Zuu and Ben Tish demo BBQ skills, sample goods from two Michelin starred chef Henrique Sa Pessoa, enjoy offerings from some of the capitals best restaurants including STK, Hoppers and Macceleio plus masterclasses and workshops.

Taste is a one stop shop for both experienced food lovers and those just starting out in their ‘holy moly I think I’m a foodie’ journey to come together and experience the best the capital has to offer. London is known for its culinary innovation and creativity and Taste manages to break down barriers and ensure some of the best chefs are accessible to everyone. Restaurants with long wait lists and high price tags allow everyone to sample their wares.

I have always championed the notion that food is more about than what is put on the table, it is about bringing people together, sharing plates, grunting at each other in sheer joy as morsel after morsel is consumed, discussing favourite bites and personal preferences and nothing showcases this better than Taste London – sitting and watching the crowd gently sway from one vendor to the next, trying samples, sipping drinks, taking a pew on an inflatable avocado whist pondering the next restaurant to hit. Everyone is there for the same reason, to rejoice in some of the best gastronomy our fair city has to offer.

The diversity on display at Taste is part of what makes the festival so magic – this year’s highlights included Visit Portugal showcasing some of the countries best chefs along with live fire masterclasses at Flames of Portugal Churrasco Cook School, Korean American Iron chef Judy Joo, vegan Caribbean specialists Likkie Dutch Pot plus and the OG Ramen slingers, Bone Daddies to name but a few.

Winning the title of best plate for me personally was the Hoppers Goat Taco which two weeks later, I am still thinking about – pulled goat shoulder sitting on top of a roti ‘taco’, garnished with gram crisps, herbs and pickled onions – it was a sensation!

After an amble around the park and a lap to pin point all the places we wanted to try, we walked to the VIP garden, arms laden with plates of the aforementioned taco, pork ribs, Korean wings and cocktails of Kulfi Colada slushis and Punjabi punch and here we sat, sated and watching the sunset over one of London’s best events, safe in the knowledge that London still remains king pin when it comes to food.