Close students of Saturday Kitchen and other daytime delights will have become used to the sight of Mark Sargeant, Ramsay’s right hand man, cooking for the TV audience. As one of Gordy’s team for 13 years he first came to our notice in the original Hell’s Kitchen,where he could be often seen quietly helping the contestants get over their roughing up by Ramsay and steering their dishes back on course

The award-winning Whites Bar & Kitchen at the White Horse in Steyning has recently announced the appointment of their new Head Chef, Stuart Dove. With a menu and wine list full of locally sourced produce if you are conscious about food miles and carbon footprints, maybe you should try Whites.

At £4.50 a bowl the hot soups are hot, filling and good value but both need a bit more spicing up – basically if my nose aint running, they aint working. The prawn croquettes are great and the mushrooms are ok, but could be better with some work.

The Butchery Classes for Beginners, which Allens pioneered in 2007 have become hugely popular since they launched and they are now taking bookings for their 3^rd season, starting in January 2010. Indeed, we went on one and found it fantastic.

Until 4 December 2009, Royal China Club will be holding free afternoon Chinese Tea appreciation lessons with the renowned Hong Kong Tea Master, Shek Kwai Sim. With 20 years of experience, Shek Kwai Sim is a master of presenting the Chinese tea culture and the nutrients that each tea provides.

At the new fish! Kitchen, Tony Allan will continue to adhere to his founding fish! principles – freshness, sustainability and good value for money. Fish and Chips has never tasted so good. Allan offers his customers top quality fish cooked in a multitude of different ways, from the classic Fish and Chips, to unique twists on traditional fish dishes loved throughout the UK.

For those American cousins who can’t make it home for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year, Babylon Restaurant at The Roof Gardens in Kensington could be the next best thing.

On Tuesday 24^th November, the White Horse Pub in Parson’s green will be hosting a seven course beer and chocolate influenced tasting inconjunction with the Beer Academy. Guests will have the opportunity to discover some fantastic savoury and sweet chocolate creations alongside nine brilliant beer matches

This Christmas, Natalie Allen’s Sweet Things Cakery in Primrose Hill’s quirky range of festive cakes include a Giant Chocolate Christmas Pudding Cupcake – shaped and decorated like a traditional Christmas pudding, it is in fact a chocolate cupcake made with the finest Belgian chocolate filling and butter icing

National Curry Week 2009 is set to start. Running from 22nd to 28th November, throughout Britain, it has the dual aims of promoting the cuisine and culture and raising money for the less advantaged around the world.