TJ Worrall Thompson launches dining series promoting up-and-coming chefs

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Olly Oakley (Photo credit: Instagram)

TJ Worrall Thompson, son of chef Antony Worrall Thompson, is to launch a dining series that aims to champion up-and-coming culinary talent in the capital.

Called ROOT, the project has been set up with the intention of uncovering London’s finest chef’s under the radar and giving them the platform to display both their talent and culinary creativity.

“Understandably much of the focus in London’s diverse range of restaurants is on the amazing head chef’s across the city," says Worrall Thompson.

"But there is so much talent not yet in the spotlight, so through our series of pop-up events, ROOT will showcase the finest up-and-coming talent set to shape the future of the capital’s culinary scene."

The first ROOT event will take place on Thursday 15 July at Archie’s in London's Highgate, and will be the first pop up for chef Olly Oakley, who has previously cooked at the three Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm, Sweden, which is currently ranked at 21 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Oakley's curated set menu will combine 'refined flavours and techniques' influenced by both Spanish cuisine and his time at Frantzén, with a focus on local and seasonal produce. 

There will be a hand-picked wine list to accompany the menu, as well as a selection of cocktails.

"It’s really exciting to be involved in such a refreshing project like ROOT. Giving a platform to young chefs is rare in this industry so I’m relishing the opportunity to be able to cook my own food and get stuck into the whole creative process that goes with it," says Oakley.

The event will mark the beginning of a series of events that Worrall Thompson, who works as assistant manager at Bao Soho, will run under the ROOT banner.

Tickets for the first Archie's event, which takes place from 7pm to 11.30pm, will go live on 1 July at 10am through a link on the ROOT Instagram page.