London. One of the world's most celebrated food cities. In the last five years, the city has changed with local farmers markets, pop-up restaurants and events, young food entrepreneuers and start-ups. Discover more about some of London's best: 

• PIDDINGTON JAM: We follow Catherine Piddington down the rabbit hole to discover a world of jams and marmalades with a wicked twist. READ MORE
  
• SHEPHERDS MARKETS: In London, everyone knows of Shepherds Markets. Champions of fine foods and local producers, we speak to John Shepherd. READ MORE
  
• WORKSHOP COFFEE: London is full of great coffee shops but Workshop Coffee stands out from the crowd. We go behind the scenes to find out more about this pioneer roaster, READ MORE
  
• PROVENANCE: Provenance has found its home in the village of Notting Hill. Erin Hurst talks about the importance of provenance, grass-fed wagyu, and what’s in her London larder. READ MORE
  
• LIVI GOSLING: With her unique style and passion for food, it’s hardly surprising that Livi Gosling spends most of her time illustrating food and wine. READ MORE
  
• CHAZWINKLE'S: No longer a simple condiment, modern preserving has elevated chutney and pickles to the star of the show. We talk to Charli Giles about Chazwinkle’s. READ MORE
  
• BRIXTON CORNERCOPIA: Brixton Cornercopia is no ordinary store. It's a place where local stories are told and recipes shared; where the produce for sale is all locally grown and made. READ MORE
  
• WILDES CHEESE: Phillip Wilton of Wildes Cheese takes us for a trip on the wild side with tales of cheese dipped in chocolate, the anti-bland, and the joy of cheese-making. READ MORE
  
• FIENDISH & GOODE: Fiendish & Goode is the purveyor of British delectable dainties. Baker Frankie talks about the art of the miniature, great British bakes, and where to find the best croissant in London. READ MORE
  
• COBBLE LANE CURED: Co-owner Matt Atkinson talks about British charcuterie working with British producers, London’s food markets, and how to eat beef jerky. READ MORE
  
• NEWTON & POTT: Kylee Newton of Newton & Pott talks about home preserves and why Londoners can't get enough of her tamarillo chutney. READ MORE
  
• LONDON POP-UPS: Founder of the website London Pop-Ups, Dan Calladine shares his thoughts on London’s food scene and the role played by social media.  READ MORE
  
• CO&CO: We interview Connor Friesen about the art of making chocolate, the differences between alchemy and storytelling, and his current inspiration - the Hindenberg. READ MORE
  
• KATH'S CAKES: Kath Dickerson talks about her memories of childhood baking, her favourite recipes, and what makes London such an exciting food city.  READ MORE
  

Home is where the heart is and for The Hampstead Butcher and Providore it’s NW3. This butcher, delicatessen, charcuterie and wine merchant is a true local favourite, offering quality produce and home-away-from-home meals in this area of leafy London. At its butcher, pride in provenance means that you’ll find meat sourced from the best of English farms. All of its meat is free-range, traceable and ethically reared like its pork that comes from St Margaret's Farm in Suffolk. For convenience, meat can be ordered by the box and home delivered. We like the Butchers Block Special for Two and the summer perfect, BBQ Feast box. Ready-meals make for the perfect night-out at home. It’s the closest we’ve found to home cooking. The wine list is considered making this providore and butcher, a true neighbour - always there just when you need them for a meal and bottle of wine or two.

Address: 56 Rosslyn Hill, NW3 1ND 
Hours: Mon - Sat 9.00 - 19.00; Sun 09.00 - 18.00
Tel orders: +44 (0)20 7794 9210
Online: You can order on line here. 
Home delivery: Yes but check for details and pricing.

Inspired by the inventiveness of the Victorians, Catherine Piddington draws upon the culinary world and herbaceous border in her range of jams and chutneys that are nothing less than surprising.

Just like Alice when she fell down the rabbit hole, in the world of Catherine Piddington jams taste like Cornetto strawberry ice cream and Turkish delight.  Hers is a world of the possible, where playful and whimsical combinations transform classic jams and marmalades with a bit of mischief. “I’m trying to find combinations that inspire a childlike glee — that mischievousness you experience when you find something special.”

Inspiration comes from her vast collection of cooking and gardening books but it is the experimental age of the Victorians that have inspired her most, even down to her packaging. 

“Theirs was an age of invention. I love the style, the effervescence and the real Britishness of it. But also the satire, the fun, the colours and the design.” This same spirit of inventiveness led to her first jam experiment — classic strawberry with vanilla. “I could almost hear my brain whirring as it searched, found and heard all the ridiculous concoctions it could... “

There is nothing better than an English summer. The sun is shining. It's strawberry and asparagus season. The city's parks and gardens become one large picnic ground. It's fabulous. There's no better way to celebrate summer that with a classic G&T.  So you'll understand why we are so completely enamoured by The Travelling Gin Company. A pop-up drinks project by Ed Godden & Joe Lewis that serves G&Ts and other delights from bicycle bars. Pure genius. All we can say is "have gin,will travel". You can track them down via their website. 

Folklore has more than earned a strong following for its ecological approach to design and home wares. Its philosophy is a simple one that "better living is possible through design". Over the last two years, it has crafted a considered selection of home-ware, apothecary, lighting, lifestyle products all made from organic, recycled or found materials. We love the European linen cushions as well as the stoneware Maiko fruit bowl for its sheer simplicity. Proving that its commitment to ecology is more than an aesthetic one, Folklore donates 15% of its profit to a different not-for-profit organisation each year. You can find them at 193 Upper Street N1 1RQ, Tel 0207 3549333 or online.