London Restaurant Week 2008
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
EARLIER this week, a host of celebrities turned up to show their support for the launch of lastminute.com’s London Restaurant Week which, this year, actually runs for two weeks – from April 14.
The launch, which took place at Covent Garden’s media-haven The Hospital, was attended by former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, IT Girl Tamara Beckwith, TV presenter Gail Porter, BB starlet Aisleyne and many others.
And with Sarah Harding’s boyfriend DJ Tom Crane on the decks, partygoers hit the dance floor and helped themselves to some fine British food, while celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli – the official face of lastminute.com’s second London Restaurant Week – judged and then announced the winner of the lastminute.com food photography competition.
Novelli commented: “I am thrilled to be part of such a great event. lastminute.com’s London Restaurant Week opens the world of fine dining to everyone, making it a great opportunity to experience fantastic food in superb restaurants…London is the best place in the world to hold such an event, as it offers some of the best restaurants and such a variety of cuisines…I encourage everybody to make the most of lastminute.com’s London Restaurant Week.”
lastminute.com’s London Restaurant Week, in association with MasterCard, has been extended following the phenomenal success of last year’s event – an event that offers people the opportunity to experience fine dining at a fraction of the cost.
Up to 150 leading London restaurants – including over ten Michelin star establishments – will take part, offering two-course lunches for £15 and three-course dinners for £25 a head. Restaurants include Richard Corrigan’s Lindsay House, Daphne’s, Almeida, Tamarind and Quilon, which recently received its first Michelin star.
For the second year running, lastminute.com has partnered with radio station Capital 95.8’s Help a London Child, with 20p from each booking going to the charity.
Money for the charity will also be raised through a celebrity photograph auction. Stars – including singing sensation Amy Winehouse, Harsh and Novelli – have each taken pictures of their favourite foods and the signed prints will be sold to the highest bidder via eBay.
Tables at some of the Capital’s most exclusive establishment can be secured exclusively on www.lastminute.com/londonrestaurantweek, which also has a full list of participating restaurants.
Gallery of stars attending the launch