Latest news with #CelebrityChefs
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
An unforgettable day out for less: Save 40% on tickets to the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival 2025
Foodies, rejoice! One of London's most mouthwatering weekends is back, and there's a delicious deal you won't want to miss. The National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival returns to London's Business Design Centre on 19–20 July, promising a feast of flavours, global tasting experiences and celebrity chef encounters. And for a limited time only, readers can save 40% on General Admission tickets in an exclusive flash sale. Simply use the code 'MAIL40' when booking online before 11.59pm Sunday 13 July to claim your discount. But be quick - tickets are going faster than a tray of warm canapés. The festival at a glance Flash Sale: Save 40% on General Admission tickets with code MAIL40'.* 20 free masterclasses from chefs and experts representing destinations from Ecuador to Indonesia. Wine & Spirits Theatre experiences - guided tastings with top sommeliers and distillers. Tasting sessions on everything from chocolate to cheese — from just £6. Photography workshops led by National Geographic Traveller (UK) contributors — from just £6. Limited-edition VIP tickets for priority entry, lounge access, fizz on arrival and a luxury goodie bag. Where & when: Business Design Centre, Islington, London | Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm. *Valid from 8am, 11 July to 11.59pm, 13 July). Big names, bold ideas This year's line-up includes some of the most exciting voices in food right now. Expect inspiring conversations and cooking demos from Yotam Ottolenghi, Andi Oliver, Asma Khan, Karan Gokani, José Pizarro and more — each bringing their own take on ingredients, storytelling and the way food connects us. It's a rare chance to see these trailblazers live, and it's all included in your ticket. Live masterclasses from around the world Step into the Saffron and Cinnamon Theatres to watch global culinary talent in action. With live demos and storytelling from chefs representing Barbados, Greece, Georgia and more, you'll get insider tips, culture-rich context and maybe even a taste. Masterclasses are free with your ticket — just arrive early to grab a seat. Sip and swirl through the Wine & Spirits Theatre Go on a global drinking tour — no passport required. The Wine & Spirits Theatre offers 45-minute sessions exploring bold reds, crisp whites and craft spirits from destinations like Portugal, Ecuador and Japan. Each tasting is led by industry pros and costs £10 — perfect for levelling up your palate. Bookable tasting sessions: Taste your way around the world Whether it's artisan cheese, heritage chocolate or innovative cocktails, tasting sessions bring together big flavour and expert insight in a relaxed, small-group format. With tickets for just £6, it's the best-value edible escape you'll find this summer. Master food photography with the pros Want to take food shots like a National Geographic Traveller (UK) contributor? Sign up for a photography workshop, where professional photographers will guide you through styling, lighting and mobile or DSLR techniques. It's the perfect way to capture your culinary adventures — or elevate your socials. Go VIP: Lounge access, bubbles & a luxury gift Treat yourself to the ultimate food-lover weekend with a VIP pass. Enjoy fast-track entry, priority session booking, a glass of fizz (and wine!) and access to an exclusive lounge. You'll also receive a handpicked goodie bag packed with premium products. VIP tickets are limited and selling fast. Here's how to book 1. Save 40% on General Admission tickets during the Weekend Flash Sale with code MAIL40. Offer valid from 8am, Friday 11 July to 11.59pm, Sunday 13 July. 2. Choose your add-ons — tasting sessions, photography workshops and Wine & Spirits Theatre experiences (from £6-£10). 3. Plan your visit and get ready to experience the tastes, aromas and stories of the world in one weekend. Explore diverse dishes, drinks and the people behind them. MailOnline may earn commission on sales generated from this article, but this never influences our editorial independence. Prices and availability are correct at time of publication. Flash-sale discount applies to adult general-admission tickets purchased between 08:00 BST on 11 July 2025 and 23:59 BST on 13 July 2025. Tickets are sold subject to the festival's terms and conditions. For full FAQs, visit the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival website.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Celebrity Chef Scott Conant To Open Swanky New Italian Restaurant At Baha Mar
Leola is set to open at Baha Mar this fall Scott Conant, the two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, celebrated cookbook author, and television personality is making his way to Baha Mar, one of the Caribbean's leading luxury resorts in The Bahamas, with an original culinary concept: Leola. Leola is the newest restaurant at the expansive Baha Mar resort, where it joins a slew of other celebrity chef hot spots including Marcus Samuelsson's Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, Daniel Boulud's Cafe Boulud, and Dario Cecchini's Carna. Plus the recently opened casino floor concept — Jon Batiste's Jazz Club. 'Bringing Leola to life at Baha Mar is something I've dreamed about for a long time,' says Conant. 'I'm tremendously honored to have the opportunity to open a restaurant in such a special place. I really love the culture of the team at Baha Mar and it's inspiring to see everything they've accomplished over the last five or six years since its opening.' Scott Conant The name Leola is Conant's playful twist on leone, the Italian word for lion. 'I like the way it sounds coming off the tongue,' explains Conant. 'There's an elegance and an inherently Italian feel to it.' It also serves as a heartfelt nod to his grandfather who often used the word affectionately throughout Conant's childhood. 'When they asked what I envisioned for this concept, I told them I wanted a very swanky Italian joint,' says Conant. And swanky is exactly what he got as one step in and you're transported to a bygone era through rich velvet furnishings, gilded detailing, ornate chandeliers, and warm, ambient lighting, creating an atmosphere that combines timelessness and modern sophistication. Set within an expansive 8,800 square foot space, the restaurant will offer a refined culinary experience featuring a 106 seat main dining room, an intimate cocktail lounge, a private dining room, and a very spacious 130 seat outdoor terrace that will feature its own bar. Leola's outdoor bar The new outdoor bar will serve as a gathering place for those who want to grab a quick bite and a drink or two, and will be the perfect spot to hangout while waiting for a table. 'We want to make sure the experience is engaging as soon as guests walk through the door,' says Conant who explains he likes to consider thoughtfulness as a key factor in the concepts he creates. Conant has partnered with Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality to oversee the operations for all of his restaurants, including Leola. 'I'm over the moon to be working with these guys,' says Conant. 'I feel like I've leveled up in all aspects since working with them and it's very exciting to see what they are bringing to Leola.' Aiming to create a restaurant that will fulfill that expectation of the resort's clientele, Conant explains it makes sense for him to lean into the Italian style of food he's been known for over the span of his career. 'There will be a version of my Pomodoro that I'm excited to put on the menu,' says Conant. And fans of his famed polenta will be happy to know it will make its way to Leola in a new and delicious format as part of an 'Ossobucco' roasted pork shank served with saffron polenta. Additionally, Conant plans on using as much local product as possible and will feature some dishes that are inspired by the Caribbean. Leola The beverage program will offer an extensive selection of Old World wines with an emphasis on Italian Barolo vintages in addition to an exciting cocktail menu. "Baha Mar continues to define culinary excellence throughout the Caribbean, thanks to our outstanding restaurants and world-class chef partners," said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. "For many years, Scott Conant has been a passionate champion and valued friend of Baha Mar and we're honored to officially welcome him and his talented culinary team into our dining portfolio.' The restaurant aims to open early this fall, which is perfect timing for the fourth annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival that will take place from October 22nd to 26th. Conant will be present and hosting three different events — with a few of them taking place inside Leola — including Tasting Tuscany with Scott Conant, Signature Chef Hosted Dinner with Scott Conant & Amanda Freitag, and Coconuts & Cocktails with Marcus Samuelsson, Scott Conant & Marv '
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Chef James Martin drops out of Yorkshire Dales food festival
Celebrity chefs James Martin and Galton Blackiston have pulled out of this year's Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival, it has been chefs informed fans via social media that "circumstances outside my control" meant they would no longer be able to attend the event at Skipton's Aireville Park later this performers Brutus Gold's Love Train also announced their withdrawal "due to the organiser's failure to meet contractual obligations".Festival organisers Cocker Hoop Creative Ltd denied the claim and assured ticketholders that suitable replacements would be arranged for the cancelled appearances. The three-day festival, which was founded in 2015 and previously took place at Funkirk Farm in Skipton, features street food and pop-up restaurants as well as masterclasses with celebrity was cancelled last year after the company behind it, Events by B3 Ltd, went into liquidation, with Cocker Hoop Creative later acquiring the festival's assets and intellectual property. In almost identical statements, posted on social media, James Martin and Galton Blackiston said they would no longer attend this year's event, which takes place from 18 to 20 July."Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of my control, I will no longer be appearing at the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival," the statements said."Please contact the organisers if you have any questions."Cocker Hoop Creative's managing director, Jon Arrowsmith, said they were "gutted" about the withdrawal, explaining they had been unable to reach a compromise with Martin."Galton cancelling we didn't even know about," he said, adding that an update would be issued at a later date once new chefs for the line-up were confirmed. 'Challenges' "When we took this festival on, we knew there were going to be challenges," Mr Arrowsmith said."We didn't realise how much was going to come against us but as a team and working with the council and all the local businesses working together, we're going to get this right. "We're going to give you a weekend you're going to love."The current line-up includes celebrity chefs Rosemary Shrager and Simon Rimmer and would have seen Brutus Gold's Love Train provide musical the group said on Wednesday it had withdrawn from the event, citing "the organiser's failure to meet contractual obligations, including non-payment."Mr Arrowsmith disputed the claim, stating that the entertainers were dropped due to members of the group allegedly being "abusive and rude".Brutus Gold's Love Train declined to comment on the allegation. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
