It's always the small things that make the biggest difference, and that's why watching top chefs preparing their signature dishes – and picking up their tips along the way – can go a hell of a long way to improving your cooking at home. We should know, we once saw Tom Kerridge dice an onion and it changed our life. Speaking of Tom Kerridge, the chef-patron of The Hand & Flowers will be one of those taking to the stage for AEG's Taste Theatre. And if you think your cooking really needs help, try an AEG's Taste Taste Further session, where you'll be able to try out a host of recipes under the expert guidance of The Cookery Schools from Daylesford and School of Wok. You'll be knocking together Michelin-worthy meals in no time... Maybe.
Looking for gifts for food-loving friends? There'll be pop-up shops from more than 100 artisan brands for you to peruse, like Joe and Steph's gourmet popcorn, a stall showcasing Portuguese produce, and Sticky Pickles', er, pickles. There's everything from food to drink to utensils – you're sure to find something, even if it's just for yourself (we won't tell, promise).
If being able to sample food from top chefs wasn't enough, you'll also have access to dishes that have been created especially for Taste. That means you'll never get to try them again anywhere else, ever – so you obviously have to try them all. Good luck fitting it all in, though, as there are a fair few to choose from, with burgers from the likes of our favourite fusion maestro Peter Gordon, to Oldroyd's prawns in blankets and Kurobuta's octopus donuts. Time to loosen the top button on your jeans...
The craft beer movement just continues to grow and grow, and there's never a better place to get your tastebuds round it than at Taste's craft beer trail. You'll get the chance to sample some of the best brews around, from the Moncada Brewery to Gipsy Hill Brewing, amongst others. And just to make sure things don't get too wild, each beer is paired with a unique food item that'll elevate the flavours in each pint. Cheers to that.
Taste isn't just all about food – there are drinks aplenty, too, from the unusual brands like Pirate's Grog, which imports its serve straight from the Caribbean. The brand will be holding an Espresso Rumtini masterclass, and showcasing its new Black Ei8ht Coffee Ru, Elsewhere, if gin's your tipple of choice, Ragnarokin Gin will be putting on a cocktail-making masterclass that'll help you create your own signature drink.
17-20 November. Tobacco Dock, Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, E1W 2DA; tasteoflondon.co.uk
