Feasting season is upon us, so here is a list of some of the most exciting collaboration dinners and lunches for November – from a wine-drenched Tuesday afternoon in Farringdon to Korean funk in East London, this month has it all, writes Carys Sharkey
Merlin Labron-Johnson at Spring (Saturday 31st October)
Before bowing out to colder, darker November, October has one final treat in store. On Saturday, 31 October, Spring hosts Merlin Labron-Johnson, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Osip, for the latest instalment of The Shared Table. Labron-Johnson’s farm-to-table linen-clad restaurant in Somerset is one of the UK’s best – so a chance to try his cooking in the comfort of Somerset House is a hot ticket. The one-off lunch will celebrate seasonal, produce-led cooking and a shared respect for nature, reflecting both Merlin’s approach at Osip and the ethos championed by Spring’s late founder, Skye Gyngell. Taking place from 12pm – 3pm, the four-course lunch will be priced at £95 per person, including a welcome drink.
Quality Wines x Les Clos Perdus (Tuesday 10th November)
Quality Wines is holding a “very special luncheon” to celebrate the wines of Les Clos Perdus. Australian ballet dancer/choreographer-turned-vigneron, Paul Old makes wines near Narbonne in the south of France. Chef Nick Bramham has put together a menu worthy of Languedoc-Roussillon, with dishes of salt cod brandade and Coupétado (bread pudding). Paul will talk through winemaking and farming in the region. Lunch, including wines, is £55. To hell with midweek.
[Sold out] Anglo Thai x David Thompson (Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th November)
Marylebone restaurant AngloThai is turning two, and is raising a toast with David Thompson, an Australian chef and walking encyclopedia on all things Thai cooking. Thompson opened Nahm in London back in 2001 and it became the first Thai restaurant to win a star. His Bangkok spin off is where he crossed paths with John Chantarasak, whose AngloThai won its own star when it opened last year. A collab for the ages.
Mambow x Dongnae (Sunday 15th November)
Mambow in Clapton is hosting Kyu Jeon and Duncan Robertson from Dongnae as part of its ‘Sunday cookout’ series. Dongnae is one of Bristol’s most loved restaurants, so expect an excellent lunch blending Korean cooking with Mambow’s Malaysian influence. Kimbap, fried chicken and bulgogi all feature on the menu. Tickets cost £65.
Stay in the know
Three daily briefings with the key market moves and top business and political stories.
SUBSCRIBE HEREChefmaxxing at Caia with Valentin Raffali (Monday 16th November)
Caia, the intimate bistro on Golborne Road, kicks off Chefmaxxing in November: a new monthly series from executive chef John Javier. Valentin Raffali, chef at Paris’ newly reopened Bus Palladium and co-founder of Marseille cult favourite Livingston, is first up with six dishes on his pigeon-leaning à la carte menu. The line-up is stacked, with the likes of Oslo-based Halaigh Whelan-McManus, Adejoké Bakare of Chishuru, KID’s Sertaç Dirik and Seb Myers of Planque featuring in the series. Chefmaxxing indeed.