A SUMMER EVENING OF BIG FLAVOURS, GOOD VIBES AND PLENTY OF TEMPTATION

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon

Taste of London returned to Regent’s Park this week. And, naturally, I was already planning my eating strategy long before I’d even made it through the gates. Bringing together some of London’s biggest restaurants, drinks brands and foodie discoveries, it’s basically five days of temptation in festival form. Having visited before, I knew arriving hungry was non-negotiable. There’s so much to see, do, eat and drink once you’re through those gates. It’s one of those events where you can spend hours wandering around and still leave with a list of things you didn’t get around to trying.

The weather was absolutely on our side for the Friday evening session, which always gives an outdoor event a boost. Sunshine, a glass of Prosecco on arrival, live music, and hundreds of fellow foodies wandering between stands with plates in hand. Despite being busy, it never felt overwhelming. The festival site is so large, and there are so many vendors spread throughout the park that queues stayed surprisingly manageable for most of the evening.

COCKTAILS, JELLY SHOTS AND A FEW FUN DETOURS

Before diving into the food, we spent some time exploring the various brand activations around the festival. Our first stop was the Taste Cabana Club, which felt like a little oasis away from the crowds. With covered seating, drinks flowing and laid-back beach club vibes, it’s a great spot to regroup between food stops. They also had a free photobooth. Given I’ve never met a photobooth I didn’t like, there was absolutely no chance of me walking past without getting involved… twice!

Seeing the words “jelly shots” meant there was absolutely no chance of us walking past Wibble without stopping. They were launching their new cherry flavour and, at 12.5%, they definitely pack more punch than they first appear. And did I mention they’re vegan, so everyone can get involved in the fun.

Another exciting launch was TRASH, who were making their Taste debut with their upcycled superfruit water made from rescued cacao fruit. I’ll admit, “upcycled superfruit water” wasn’t something I’d expected to get excited about. But it was surprisingly refreshing and a nice reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavour.

We met the team at Flawsome!, who were serving samples of their juices, made from wonky and surplus fruit. They also treated us to a vodka cocktail using their own range, which was chef’s kiss. Another stop off on our drinks tour was Ultimate Provence, where DJ Mel was bringing the vibes. The music, sunshine and rosé crowd created exactly the sort of summer atmosphere you want from an evening festival.

THE DISHES THAT STOLE THE SHOW FOR ME

Of course, the food is the main event at Taste of London. One of our stops was Harry’s Dolce Vita, where we tried the Polpette Alla ‘Nduja and Calamari Fritti. The meatballs were excellent. Soft, full of flavour, and packing a noticeable kick from the ‘nduja. The combination of rich tomato sauce, cheese, basil and lemon worked beautifully together. The calamari was enjoyable too, although slightly crispier than I would personally choose.

One of my standouts came from Orion by Alex Webb. Their Lobster and Prawn Toast was absolutely delicious. I was initially unsure about the black sesame topping, but after the first bite I was completely sold. As someone who would happily eat prawns every day and considers lobster a proper treat, this was always likely to be a winner. In fact, if someone had handed me a second one immediately afterwards, there would have been no complaints from me.

Another highlight was the Miso Barley Black Cod from Chai Wu. The cod was beautifully flaky and practically fell apart. The addition of the honey and champagne foam elevated it even further and created something that felt genuinely special. It’s the sort of dish that stays in your mind long after you’ve finished eating it. I’d order it again without hesitation, and quite frankly, I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

We also stopped by Big Mamma for their Mafaldine al Tartufo. If you’re a truffle lover, this one will be right up your street. The truffle flavour is bold and unapologetic, making it a real love it or leave it dish depending on your relationship with truffle. And honestly, these are just a handful of highlights. With so many restaurants taking part, there were plenty of other dishes catching my eye as we made our way around the festival.

WINE, CHEESE AND A SURPRISING MICROWAVE DISCOVERY

Taste of London is more than just a chance to indulge and try new food. Throughout the festival, there are demonstrations, workshops, tastings, and experiences that allow you to learn something new alongside all the eating. I would recommend checking out the schedule to see if there’s anything that catches your eye to elevate the experience. If you get excited by a wine pairing or consider cheese a personality trait, then you’d love what we attended.

On the Prosecco and Grana Padano stand, we attended the tasting session hosted by chef Danilo Cortellini and wine expert Neil Phillips. Alongside tasting different Proseccos and Grana Padano cheeses, we also tried a pesto pasta dish and discovered what happens when you microwave a piece of Grana Padano rind. Spoiler alert: it puffs up into something resembling honeycomb. Topped with whipped cheese, it’s something I’d love to attempt (big on the attempt) to recreate at home.

SO, IS TASTE OF LONDON WORTH IT?

If you’re a foodie, you definitely need to have Taste of London on your festival list. It can get a little spenny, so do go in prepared for that. But that’s also part of the experience. You’re getting the chance to try out different menus without having to commit to a full booking at each one. Where else can you go from lobster and prawn toast to truffle pasta to a wine tasting all in the same evening?

Would I go again? Absolutely. The atmosphere was brilliant, the food was excellent, and there were still loads of dishes I never got around to trying. Just make sure you arrive hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and maybe set yourself a budget before you start wandering because… temptation is quite literally EVERYWHERE.

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