Cross-country cooking with El Pirata de Tapas and medieval menus with Peckforton Castle

Cross-country Tapas Revolution​

Omar Alibhoy, head chef at London's El Pirata de Tapas in Westbourne Grove, is motorcycling his way across England to demonstrate Spanish tapas skills to those consumers living within a 'T' route running from Anfield to Grimsby, and from Barnsley to Cowes. Anyone living within the mapped 'T' can contact Alibhoy at bzne@gncnferibyhgvba.pbz​ and request he stops by their town or city for a demonstration of how to use local ingredients in Spanish cooking.

Knights and maidens​

Peckforton Castle Nr Tarporley, Cheshire has created a “knights and maidens” menu for children to coincide with the unveiling of its new £1.7m facilities. The family-friendly hotel consulted with local children to seek suggestions for kid-friendly dishes that could be made using local, seasonal produce and would be fit for knights and maidens, no less. The menu is available in both the castle’s 1851 Restaurant and the 2010 Brasserie.

Indian Barbeque​

Indian bar and restaurant Vari in Sittingbourne, Kent, has opened purpose-built barbecue facilities to offer grilled Indian food this summer. Dishes for the barbie include chicken breast, marinated in a ginger and garlic paste; baby back lamb ribs, marinated in a ginger and garlic paste and soaked in red wine; and tilapia fillet, marinated with mustard paste. The Vari barbecue is open at weekends in the summer with prices starting from £10.

Kitchen party service​

Notting Hill’s newest gastropub, The Mall Tavern, has launched Kitchen Table, a bespoke lunch and dinner-party service from chef Jesse Dunford Wood. Set on one side of the pub’s large first-floor kitchen, the table seats up to eight people. Each reservation comes with a consultation where you can decide on lighting, table settings and special ingredients. Prices start at £25 for a simple three-course lunch or dinner with wine.