What dishes made Henry VIII’s tummy rumble? If that’s a question that tingles your imagination, there is a way to find out in November and December, through a series of Tudor Cookery masterclasses organised at Hampton Court Palace. There, History chefs will prepare a banquet fit for a king, recreating in front of visitors some actual recipes served to the Royals in the 16th century. For the last few years, the Palace has been home to a research project run by food archeologists who regularly bring the kitchens to life, experimenting with traditional recipes, ingredients and cooking methods, in the actual space that was used to cook the royal feats in. Visitors have therefore a unique access to the kitchens where historic meals are created live in front of them, and where they can question the staff and join in the debate that is experimental archaeology. read more

Launched by The Evening Standard’s food critic Fay Maschler in 2009, to raise the profile of the 800 restaurants involved -from high-profile Michelin-starred establishments to neighbourhood bistrots-, London Restaurant Festival 2012 is back this year between the 1st and 15th of October. Good news for the gourmets, who will be able to sample some attractively priced menus and to participate in unusual events involving not only gourmet food but also cinema, theatre or pub games. Here is a small selection of some appetising activities.

The Gourmet Odyssey For one evening, participants are taken on a gastronomic tour of some London’s hippest hangouts, enjoying each course in a different place. The three odysseys this year include a trendy tour of the East End, the classic masters of the gastronomy scene and the newer restaurants (such as Novikov and Brasserie Zedel)  shaking up the capital.

Graze With this new concept, people are offered a restaurant-hopping experience in some of the most vibrant food streets in London, such as Charlotte Street, Bermondsey Street or Marylebone High Street, where they can sample signature dishes from each of the restaurants involved. read more

If you’ve ever wondered what the first class passengers of the doomed Titanic had for their last supper, now is your chance to try it for yourself. Available at Selfridges from the 10th to 29th April, the Titanic Centenary Menu was created by acclaimed restaurateur Mark Hix, based on the original tasting menu printed on 14th April 1912, just before the Titanic’s maiden voyage ended in tragedy.

After the films, the series and the exhibitions comes… the food. Created by Mark Hix, the Titanic Centenary Menu, which offers a selection of nine of the 20 dishes offered to the first class passengers on the night when the Titanic sank, includes retro delicacies such as Duck liver parfait with toasted brioche and Kingston Black jelly and Waldorf Pudding with cider brandy ice cream.

The menu is also a celebration of the best of Irish and British products, in honour to the doomed ship, built in Belfast and launched in Southampton: “The idea came from a meeting we had with some of our artisan Irish producers, explains Ewan Venters, Selfridges Food and Restaurant Director. Hix has added his usual twist but the dishes are as close to the original as possible.” An interesting alternative for all those fascinated by the Titanic or just interested in a bit of culinary history. read more

Winter has definitely arrived and with it, our collective dream to decamp to sunnier places. But for us poor Londoners who aren’t travelling to warmer climates, there might be a culinary escape from the cold in the form of Suka at Sanderson. The restaurant has just launched a “pop up” street-food menu that aims to capture the energy and flavours of the Malay food scene, with plate sharing, spices aplenty and an exotic twist on the West End dining experience…

Granted, the Sanderson restaurant, with its minimal India Mahdavi-designed decor and buzzing sound system, might not exactly be reminiscent of the crowded streets of Kuala Lumpur- but its new menu definitely is. Available for a limited time only, the new concept, created by contributing Malaysian Chef Ahmad Shuib, aims to provide a culinary journey through Malaysian streets, with lots of spices and dishes to share between friends (or with a date).

Options include dishes such as the kapitan kambing, a Portuguese influenced spicy lamb with coconut curry and baby potatoes, the itik wonton soup, a Chinese influenced soup of duck dumplings, shitake mushrooms, spring onions and baby bokchoy, traditional laksas and some Malaysian inspired desserts such as the pineapple carpaccio and basil sorbet. Added bonus: it is great value for money is such a swish location, with dishes ranging from £8 to £15. Nice… read more

Loaves are rarely described as “chic”- except in the case of “Pain Poilâne” that is, the delicious bread beloved by generations of distinguished Parisians and international fans past and present; including Salvador Dali, Frank Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, Man Ray, Steven Spielberg and Robert de Niro. The renowned bakery, opened in Paris in 1932 by Pierre Poilâne, was transformed into an international bread empire under his son Lionel, exporting loaves all over the world and opening a bakery in London in 2000. After his tragic death in a helicopter’s accident in 2002, the business was taken over by his elder daughter, Harvard graduate Apollonia, now 27. Chic-Londres caught up with the young bread tycoon at the recent opening of Cuisine de Bar, an informal, affordable and very yummy all-day dining concept in the heart of Chelsea.

What is the concept behind Cuisine de Bar? It is about creating a simple meal which doesn’t necessitate specific preparations or the presence of a chef. We serve garnished toasted bread, known in France as “tartines”, with a seasonal salad.

How did you get the idea to open a café? I first wanted to open a second bakery shop in London and this is how I discovered this address at 39 Cadogan Gardens. The place couldn’t have a bread oven but when I saw it, I immediately thought about opening Cuisine de Bar. The concept was formed in 1995 by my father, when he opened one next door to our Parisian bakery in 8, rue du Cherche-Midi. read more

After having trained as a chef and worked as a Michelin restaurants inspector for twelve years, Rebecca Burr (41) was appointed editor of the Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Guide last year, becoming the first woman to hold this post since the British edition was created 101 years ago. The 2012 edition sees 151 Michelin stars awarded by the Guide -including 55 in London- as well as the first British pub, The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, to be awarded two stars. Here, Rebecca talks to Chic-Londres about the British food scene.

How has the British food scene evolved over the years? It has evolved beyond recognition. Now London has established an international reputation as a world gastronomy capital, with 55 stars awarded this year, out of a total of 151 stars over Britain and Ireland. This number has increased every year, from 25 in 1974 to 153 last year, both because new establishments have opened and because the existing ones have improved so much. The other major change is the evolution of the British pub industry, with 13 pubs this year being awarded Michelin stars, which confirms our view that pubs serving good food are the ones that continue to thrive. Generally speaking, the British diners are much savvier nowadays- they are much better informed and interested in food, so the food culture has changed. read more

There are worse things to do than spend your day tasting some of the world’s best produce, cooked by some of the world’s best chefs, on the elegant grounds of the Hurlingham Club. If the concept appeals, you might want to book a ticket for Quintessentially Epicure, a two-day luxurious gastronomic event taking place next Friday and Saturday.

This epicurean event, set in the oh-so-exclusive Hurlingham Club in Fulham, will offer guests the chance to experience demonstrations from a selection of Michelin-starred wonder chefs, including Marcus Wareing from The Berkeley, Hélène Darroze from The Connaught and Giorgio Locatelli from Locanda Locatelli.

Gourmets with a sweet tooth won’t be forgotten, as pâtissier extraordinaire Pierre Hermé and fine chocolatier William Curley will also be present- so expect exquisite macarons and some of the finest cocoa creations. read more

Yes… Your eyesight hasn’t betrayed you: to mark its 146th birthday, luxury hotel The Langham is offering guests for one day only its award winning afternoon Tea for the original price it was served in 1865: seven pence instead of £38.

On 10th June 2011, guests at The Langham will be able to experience the afternoon tea at the original price it was sold when the hotel was opened in 1865 by HRH The Prince of Wales- not bad given the luxurious surroundings of the Regent Street hotel and the fact that its Wonderland Tea, normally priced at £38, received the 2010 Top London Tea Award from the Tea Guild.

Guests are invited to submit their table reservation request on-line at www.palm-court.co.uk/1865.html, from 8.00am Tuesday 10th May 2011 until Midnight on Tuesday 31st May 2011. Guests’ names will then be chosen at random and the lucky recipients will receive their reservation notifications by e-mail by 3rd June 2011. NB: while it is an “afternoon tea”, it will only be served at 11.30 am on that day. read more

Getting a bit tired of all the Royal Wedding hysteria? Not too keen on stuffy tea rooms with chintz decor and elevator music? Whatever the case, you can release your inner punk rock rebel by heading to the Met Bar, which is offering an An-Tea Establishment Afternoon Tea combining a punk rock playlist, Sex Pistols inspired cocktails and a retro menu of the British classics.

Move over Kate & Wills- the Met Bar is celebrating Sid & Nancy instead! Paying homage to British punk rock icons of the past, its an-tea Establishment afternoon tea combines the elements of a quintessential British occasion but with a distinct and rather irreverent twist- so you can have your rebellious cake and eat it! Highlights include Punk cupcakes, “quiche à la Fergie”, “strawberries & cream” mini macaroons and a “God Save The Queen” cocktail inspired by the 1977 Sex Pistols scandalous song. Not very Buckingham, but fun -and oh so British- nonetheless… read more

You probably know the name and the eponymous restaurants, now comes a unique opportunity to meet the man himself: in February, Nobu Matsuhisa -the most famous Japanese chef in the world- is flying in to London to host an intimate unique dining experience, where guests will have the chance to see him talk about his cuisine whilst experiencing an innovative tasting menu.

With 23 restaurants to his name -including two in London- and a hord of celebrity clients, Nobu Matsuhisa is undoubtedly the most famous Japanese chef in the world, having drawn upon his classical training at sushi bars in Tokyo and his life abroad in Peru and Argentina to create a new innovative fusion cuisine. Now some lucky few can come and hear Nobu speak in person about the tradition, design and creation of his world class cuisine, whilst enjoying a ten-course tasting menu, which includes such delicacies as Chilean sea bass with truffles and a lobster and shitake salad. read more

The 2011 edition of the ultimate foodie guide, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its UK version this year, has just been revealed today- and with 53 stars out of a total of 143 going to London (a record), the British capital proves that it has truly become one of the best places to eat out in the world.

When Joël Robuchon recently declared in the London Evening Standard that “London is very possibly the gastronomic capital of the world”, he might have raised a few highbrows in France. However, the famous French chef was definitely right, and no one can argue the incredible metamorphosis of London into a true foodie capital over the past 15 years or so.

“This centenary edition underlines the UK’s greatest strength which is the rich diversity and variety of its restaurants, remarked the guide’s editor in chief Rebecca Burr. The country embraces all kinds of restaurants and every type of cuisine and the public’s appetite shows no signs of abating.” The guide found 12 new one star establishments and awarded 26 new Bib Gourmands to restaurants particularly appreciated for their moderate prices. read more

For the second consecutive year, Mayfair restaurant Sketch has created a pop up patisserie and café at the Royal Academy of Arts for the festive season. Opening from 2nd December 2010 to 30th January 2011, it will run alongside the Royal Academy’s new exhibition, GSK Contemporary- Aware: Art Fashion Identity, which focuses on how artists and designers examine clothing as a mechanism to communicate and reveal elements of our identity.

Art, fashion and good food all make for a good recipe, especially when it involves such names as artist Dinos Chapman, Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire and designers Mawi and Linda Farrow. The result is rather inspiring, with bespoke tables covered in layered materials to form a patchwork of textures and colours, fashion-inspired cakes in the shape of shoes and clothes and photographs by artist Dinos Chapman featuring supermodel Claudia Schiffer- plus the possibility for one customer each week to win a piece of Mawi jewellery from the display. For the gourmet who likes to double as a culture vulture and fashionista, the Royal Academy’s new exhibition “GSK Contemporary-Aware: Art Fashion Identity” aims to explore the relationship between individual and social identities, with work by Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Yoko Ono, Grayson Perry and Yohji Yamamoto, amongst others. Smart, beautiful and tasty: there are worst combinations than that… read more

Fancy a taste of the Annabel’s experience but don’t have a membership? Fear not… Those eager to own a piece of the London’s famous private club -which can claim to be the only one ever visited by the Queen- can now buy into its exclusivity through its very own hamper, launched by The Mount Street Deli. Maybe not as fun as strutting your stuff on its sparkly dance floor, but quite chic nonetheless…

With a price tag of £200, the Annabel’s Christmas hamper is certainly not cheap, but it is luxurious, and will provide a nice gourmet treat or gift for those who can afford it. The selection includes Annabel’s chocolate truffles, Sicilian pistachio biscuits, foie gras de canard, Torroni Baci nougat and panettone, as well as a book explaining and illustrating some of the club’s secrets, with contributions from Lady Annabel Goldsmith and Sir David Tang, and recipes from the club’s chefs, past and present. The Mount Street Deli’s limited collection of hampers also includes The Club at the Ivy’s Christmas hamper, for those more tempted by a taste of the Covent Garden celebrity hangout than by the Berkeley Square aristo nightclub. read more

The private club launched in 2008 at the top of Centre Point has recently opened its restaurant and bar to the public, offering what is arguably the most glamorous view across London.

When it comes to enjoying a cocktail with a view (French Rock’n Roll with absinthe is a personal favourite), there are not many places that can beat Paramount, the private members club launched in 2008 by French entrepreneur Pierre Condou (owner of Century in Soho) which is now opened to the public.

Located on the 32nd floor of iconic Centre Point, the modernist building designed in 1966 by architect Richard Seifert, it offers 360-degree viewsacross London, and a stylish interior by Tom Dixon, including a very impressive grand copper bar. Pure panoramic glamour… read more

The historic company founded in 1600 by queen Elizabeth -which brought tea, spices, chocolate and coffee to Britain and once employed a third of the British workforce- is re-launched with the opening of a luxury food store in Mayfair on 14 August. Modelled on the house of a Georgian gentleman officer, this gorgeous store draws on the East India Company’s heritage as the first global luxury brand, to offer a range of exotic luxury gourmets treats, infusing flavours from the East with western favourites

Few companies can boast such an impressive pedigree as the East India Company, originally established in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth I. This “Honourable Company of Merchants” -once responsible for half of the world trade and employing a third of the British workforce- not only brought tea, spices, chocolate and coffee to Britain, it also influenced the world we live in today.

As the world’s first multi-national company, complete with its own army and currency, it founded trade outposts such as Singapore and Hong Kong, and was granted the island of St. Helena by the Crown, thus being in charge of looking after Napoleon Bonaparte when he was exiled there. While the French emperor’s praise of the company’s local coffee launched its fashion in Paris, the decision by the East India Company to abolish slavery on the island in 1832 paved the way for a ban in the rest of the colonies, with the law being adopted by Parliament one year later. read more

Created in the 17th century thanks to the process of doubly distilling the white wines produced in the area surrounding the town of Cognac, this French brandy has enjoyed over the last decade a remarkable increase in popularity. Moving from its traditional image as the liquor of choice for cigar chomping businessmen, it has been adopted by the world of hip hop (P Diddy, Jay Z, Missy Elliott, Eminen have all extolled the beauty of « yak »), while its use has evolved from traditional digestif to contemporary cocktails and frozen shots. Here, Alexandre Quentin, UK ambassador for Rémy Martin, a house founded in 1724 and ranked first in the market’s premium category, gives Chic-Londres a little lesson on cognac.

What do the terms found on cognac bottles -VS, VSOP and XO- mean?Those are the official quality grades of cognac according to the BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac), which are used to determine how old the brandy is. Funnily enough, they don’t mean anything in French as they were originally created by the English, who were the first big consumers of cognac. “VS” means “Very Special” where the youngest brandy is stored for at least two years in cask; “VSOP” means “Very Special Old Pale”, where the youngest brandy is stored at least four years in cask, and “XO” means “Extra Old”, where the youngest brandy is stored for at least six, but usually much longer. From 2012, this designation will move to at least ten years. read more

Chocolatier William Curley (38) trained in England with Michelin stared chefs Pierre Koffman, Raymond Blanc and Marco Pierre White in England, as well as Marc Meneau in France, before becoming Chef Patissier at The Savoy Hotel, where he met his Japanese wife Suzue, also a respected chef. Together, they founded the William Curley brand and opened their first shop in Richmond in 2004, followed by a second one in Belgravia in 2009. William was awarded the “Best British Chocolatier” award by the Academy of Chocolate in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

What makes a really good quality chocolate? The key, as in anything else in food, is the quality of the ingredients. I always use the Italian brand Amedei as my couverture chocolate (i.e. a very high quality chocolate with at least 32% of cocoa butter), some good Normandy butter, a good local English cream, while all the flavoring is made using only fresh and natural ingredients, such as lemon and thyme. Just as important is the work ethics, which means that everything is not only handmade, but also produced by real chefs, as opposed to untrained people. read more

At last, the French “Picasso of Pastry” has arrived in London! Pierre Hermé’s legendary collections of gourmet macaroons and chocolates are now available for the first time in the UK, where they can be found at Selfridges. Rejoice!

The fabulous macaroons much loved by Gossip Girl’s Hollywood starlets can now be bought exclusively at Selfridges, while plans to open the first Pierre Hermé Paris boutique in London are scheduled for later this year.

This is good news for Londoners, who will at last be able to sample the design pastries artistically created by Pierre Hermé -nicknamed “The Picasso of Pastry” by American Vogue- without taking the Eurostar.

“It has always been a dream of mine to open in London, as many of our devotees in Paris are from the UK, says Pierre Hermé. The energy of London is recognised throughout the world and I am simply delighted to be here at last.” So are we… read more

British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes has always been renowned for her colourful and eccentric touches. This London Fashion Week, the ever-innovative artist has brought her palette to the palate, with an edible diffusion of fashionable mini éclairs.

These ready to eat treats have been intricately decorated with images of Zandra Rhodes’ latest diffusion line, using an innovative process of moulds from Paris and art magnetic technology from Germany and Switzerland, with transfers decorative prints and images on the cakes made with edible ink.

And the designs are of course tailored to taste, with flavours such as Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Jelly, Cheese Fondant with Parmesan Crisp, Passion Fruit & Mango and Mint & Chocolate Chip. The éclairs cost £2.50 each and are available exclusively at the Arch, Marble Arch’s newest hotel, until 31 March. read more

Originally from Toulouse and having trained under Guy Savoy, Pascal Aussignac (41) opened Le Club Gascon near Smithfield market in East London in 1998, in partnership with Vincent Labeyrie, himself a descendent of a well-known foie gras distribution company. Strengthened by the success of the restaurant, featuring speciality dishes from South-West France and holder of a Michelin star since 2002, they have since opened several bars and restaurants. Here, the chef gives Chic-Londres the lowdown on foie gras and offers an original take on this delicacy served as pudding from his recipe book Cuisinier Gascon.

Foie gras: a brief history

“Foie gras is one of the culinary treasures of France’s south-west and has always has been considered a luxury, its consumption usually associated with celebrations. For instance, because of its one-time seasonality, it used to be bought in the greatest quantity at Christmas time.

Until quite recently, it was eaten in France at the end of a meal, presumably when the sweeter wines were served. Nowadays it has become an introduction to a meal, but still with a sweet white wine such as Sauternes. I also like to serve it marinated in a particular spirit, with a shot glass of that same spirit. Otherwise, a good Champagne or port would be ideal accompaniments. read more