Tasting The Best Of British Cuisine On A London Food Tour

Scotch eggs at Scotchtails, Borough Market

Flavoursome salami from Sussex and Wales, English sparkling wines that compete with the best champagnes, and traditional pies filled with indulgent fillings – this London food tour is a reminder that British cuisine shouldn’t be overlooked!

First things first, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room. Yes, England may be mocked internationally for its cuisine, with people assuming it’s all about greasy fry ups, meals soaked in gravy and overcooked meat… but right now there’s a food revolution going on.

As we pay more attention to where our food comes from and what’s in it, our relationship towards eating has changed. If we had all the money in the world, no doubt we’d buy free-range, organic everything and be on first name terms with our local butchers and fishmongers. We’d have gardens and grow plenty of our own ingredients too. Yet, this is becoming harder and harder as huge supermarkets are our main providers of our daily food.

However, this is not the case in Borough Market. Under one historic roof you’ll find freshly baked focaccia, ethically sourced meat, the most colourful (and organic) fruit and veg, sustainable seafood, stinky Swiss cheese, Indian dosas, Spanish chorizo and adorable macaroons. It’s a feast for the senses: a place where India mingles with China, Ethiopia, Argentina, France and England. It’s foodie heaven, and without a doubt one of my favourite places in London.

READ MORE: London’s Best Food Markets

Borough Market
Borough Market

It’s also the starting point for the Best Of British Food Tour – something I was excited to experience on assignment with Viator and Lonely Planet. Over four hours I’d be taken on a tour of Borough Market, then on to a few foodie hotspots who were flying the flag for British cuisine. I couldn’t wait!

Lonely Planet London Guide
Reading up on Borough Market in my Lonely Planet London Guide

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REVIEW: Curry Cooking Class at L’Atelier Des Chefs, London

REVIEW: Curry Cooking Class at L'Atelier Des Chefs, London

Time for a curry cooking class with a professional chef at a top cooking school in the heart of London. Plus, if you fancy a trip yourself, scroll down for a cheeky discount code!

*Unfortunately this cookery school has now closed, but if you’re looking for other Indian food activities in London, I’d recommend this Indian food tour.*

I absolutely adore the flavours of Indian food. The spices, the aromas, the powerful blend of ingredients and of course the heat! Since travelling, my chilli tolerance has grown a lot it. From fiery chillies in Mexico, to Caribbean hot sauce and the delicious spices in Indonesia, I’ve worked my way through some punchy, flavoursome cuisines. One of my favourite meals always has been (and probably always will be) curry! Whether it’s a trip to my fave curry house or mum’s homemade concoctions, it’s one of those meals I always look forward to.

When it comes to cooking curry, I’ve gone through phases. I own a lot of spices, including a special Indian spice set. Yet, without a permanent home these days, it’s gone into storage. More often, I use a couple of spices and then add a shop-bought paste, but I’m totally aware that is pretty generic and a bit of a cop out! I also discovered that my partner cooks a mean curry, and so we decided that I’m the ramen queen and he’s the curry king!

So when we had the opportunity to visit a cooking school in Central London for a two-hour curry cooking class with a professional chef, we jumped at the chance. We hoped to learn some new techniques and hopefully add some new dishes to our repertoire.

L’atelier Des Chefs is a top cookery school with two branches – one in London’s Oxford Circus and the other in St Paul’s. They offer classes from 30 minutes to 4 hours, and last year taught over 30,000 people how to cook. They cover everything from knife skills and bread making to sushi and macaroons.

L'atelier Des Chefs, St Paul's, London
L’atelier Des Chefs, St Paul’s, London
L'atelier Des Chefs, St Paul's, London
L’atelier Des Chefs, St Paul’s, London

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San Francisco Food Tour (And Discount Code!)

Gelato pops at Sixth Course, Mission District Food Tour, San Francisco

Want to know more about taking a San Francisco food tour? They’re the perfect way to explore the city’s buzzing foodie scene… even better when it’s with a local from the uber-cool Mission District! Find out more about my experience. 

I met Sean from Avital Tours outside The Women’s Building in the heart of San Fran’s uber cool Mission District. Incase you didn’t know, it’s the place the hipsters hang out, with trendy bars and boutiques lining the streets, colourful murals adorning the walls, and of course – a top notch foodie scene. That’s what I was MOST interested in.

The Women's Building, Mission District, San Francisco
The Women’s Building, Mission District, San Francisco

On this San Francisco food tour, we’d spent three hours enjoying some of the area’s most unique places to dine, while learning more about the district, the history and the art that makes it one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

There are plenty of different San Francisco food tours, which will introduce you to various parts of the city via its cuisine. You can head to Chinatown for dim sum, explore the Ferry Building, or take a gourmet walk through North Beach.

I’d already explored Chinatown and North Beach (which is primarily Italian), but The Mission had a distinctly Mexican feel with plenty of no-frills taquerias. While many Mexicans had crossed over the border and set up shop, there were plenty more offerings from other cuisines waiting to be discovered.

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A Delicious Helsinki Food Tour With Heather’s Helsinki

Helsinki Food Tour

Considering booking a Helsinki food tour? Find out what to expect, the kind of foods you’ll sample and more about why it’s a great way to see the city. 

I’ve said it time and time again on this blog, but my favourite way to get to know a new place? Straight through my stomach! So what better way to understand what makes Helsinki tick than on whistle-stop tour of some culinary hotspots on Heather’s Helsinki Fork In Hand food tour?

We met our Helsinki food tour guide Heather under the Stockmann clock in the centre of the city. Heather’s not a native. Originally from Tasmania, Australia, she’s lived in Helsinki for 15 years. In some ways seeing the city through the eyes of someone who had moved there gave us a better understanding of its quirks. Rather than growing up with them, she’s experienced them as a newbie – making them easier to identify.

Helsinki
Helsinki

Helsinki Cathedral
Helsinki Cathedral

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Santiago Cooking Class With Uncorked Chile

Pears poached in red wine, Uncorked Chile cooking class, Santiago

It’s time to take a food tour and cooking class in Santiago, Chile with Uncorked Chile!

Crates of fresh strawberries, seven varieties of perfectly ripe avocados, and enormous sea creatures with tentacles reaching out towards me. Welcome to my first day in Santiago, Chile!

Fresh Strawberries in La Vega Market, Santiago
Fresh Strawberries in La Vega Market, Santiago

I’m a strong believer that the best way to get to know a new place is to get stuck into the cuisine. I’ve said this several times now. My love of food (and in particular food tours) has taken me from hidden tapas bars in Barcelona, to street vendors in Istanbul and pasta makers in Milan.

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