Five Outstanding London Chefs Will Compete on ‘Great British Menu’

Top London chefs head for Great British Menu

Five London chefs will feature in Great British Menu’s 2019 line-up. Ben Marks from Perilla, Luke Selby from Hide and Paul Walsh of City Social will be representing the South East, while The Laughing Heart’s Tom Anglesea is representing the North East, and Sabrina Gidda of members’ club AllBright is representing the Central region. They’re among those competing to serve one of four courses at a final banquet themed around the U.K. music industry. The new series begins next week on BBC Two. London chef James Cochran won last year, with Cornerstone’s Tom Brown also making it to the banquet. [Big Hospitality]

‘Well-mannered coffee’ arrives in Flat Iron Square

The Gentlemen Baristas, known for its Borough Market presence and single origin coffees named after Victorian headwear — Boater, Bowler, Top Hat — has moved into Flat Iron Square. The new cafe is its seventh London opening — as well espresso-based drinks made with beans from The Gentlemen Baristas’ flagship Shadwell roastery, it serves breakfast, homemade cakes, and snacks. Coffee-based cocktails are in the offing, too. [Propel Hospitality]

London sites hit by Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner closures

Ed’s Easy Diner and Giraffe sites in the capital are among those that will be closed as part of the Company Voluntary Arrangement entered into by owner Boparan Restaurant Group. Affected Ed’s sites include Mayfair and Bromley, while Giraffe’s Holland Park, Blackheath and Bromley sites have also been earmarked for closure. [Big Hospitality]

New east London restaurant will serve a different tasting menu every day

Former Pidgin head chef Adolfo de Cecco’s Casa Fofó, which is set to open next month in Clapton, will be offering diners a tasting menu that changes every 24 hours.