This Friday, there’s an extra special reason to go out celebrating – it’s International Women’s Day! There are lots of talks, demos, workshops, festivals and seminars to attend, but where do you go to eat and drink after? The answer is below.
Judy Joo, chef of JinJuu Soho
What A dinner collaboration between some of London’s most intriguing female chefs to celebrate the female forces behind the capital’s food scene. Judy Joo, who heads up Jinjuu, is inviting neighbouring chefs Asma Khan (of Darjeeling Express, and you might have caught her on Netflix’s Chef’s Table) and Mira Manek (of Chai by Mira) to cook a three-course meal.
Where Jinjuu Soho, 15 Kingly Street, W1B 5PS
When Friday 8 March, 6pm
How much £35pp, which includes a chai cocktail on arrival, a three-course meal and a goodie bag from The Organic Pharmacy. The dinner will be a mix of Judy’s Korean cooking and Asma and Mira’s Indian influences.
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What A celebration of women in the wine industry with a specially designed #WINEISAGIRL menu of ten wines produced solely by women and created by Duddell’s sommelier, Izabela Pi. She said: “I wanted to show that women are a strong and growing part of the wine industry, being influential as consumers and producers.” Make your way through the list while lining your stomach with the restaurants’ Cantonese dim sum.
Where Duddell’s, 6 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY
When Friday 8 March
How much From £6 per glass
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Appreciate all things femme at Kaizen House pop-up with Elizabeth Haigh at Wander
Elizabeth Haigh helped secure a Michelin star for Hackney-based Pidgin
What A dinner to support a set of girls at Wander who work hard to operate in a largely male-dominated profession. On Wander’s website it says: “Having spent 10 years working 16 hour days in macho, male dominated, aggressive kitchens, she [Alexis Noble, chef and owner] wanted to open a restaurant that allowed her and her friends to create, inspire and have fun, whilst listening to Childish Gambino.” For the pop-up, Noble is collaborating with chef Elizabeth Haigh (nee Allen), who won Masterchef 2011 and then went on to secure a Michelin star for Hackney based restaurant Pidgin. The seven-course menu features favourites such as burrata with rhubarb and pomello, aged sirloin with caramelised cabbage and pickled potatoes. Go on, be a Wander Woman and get booking!
Where Wander, 214 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU
When Friday 8 March and Saturday 9 March
How much £40pp with an optional wine flight of £30pp
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READ MORE: Our review of Pidgn
Farm girl, Caroline Wheatley-Hubbard, with her pigs
What A collaboration between D&D London and Caroline Wheatley-Hubbard, a certified farm girl, to bring awareness and champion women in the farming industry. This will happen over a three-course dinner with wine pairing (all from female wine-makers), where Caroline will speak on her experiences. Expect proper farm-promoting dishes such as curried pigs head terrine with crackling apple sauce, pork belly with black pudding hash and Josper grilled hispi cabbage, and chocolate truffles with salted caramel fudge.
Where New Street Grill, 16a New Street, EC2M 4TR
When Monday 12 March
How much £25pp at 6.30 pm (including three courses and wine pairing)
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Anthracite's Lost in Translation cocktail
What Nothing says female empowerment more than cocktails and pudding, right? Great Northern Hotel will be highlighting women’s achievements and calling for a more gender-balanced world throughout the hotel all throughout March (it is Women’s History Month anyway). For instance, if you order one of the signature desserts in the restaurant, Plum + Spilt Milk, £1 will be donated to the hotel’s charity partner, Womankind Worldwide. Likewise, in the newly opened cocktail bar Anthracite, £1 of each bespoke Womankind cocktail will be donated. Adding an Instagram incentive to the mix as well, florist Early Hours London will be creating a floral arch at the hotel entrance.
Where Great Northern Hotel, Kings Cross St Pancras Station, Pancras Road, N1C 4TB
When Friday 8 March
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READ MORE: These are 19 of our favourite chefs (who happen to be women)
Bad-ass Monica Galetti, who heads up Mere and judges MasterChef The Professionals
What Name a more delicious way to celebrate IWD, we’ll wait. Jason Atherton’s celebrated pizza joint is teaming up with MasterChef The Professionals judge and chef of Mere, Monica Galetti. As guest pizza chef (a monthly series at the restaurant), Monica will be dishing up a sourdough pizza of San Marzano tomato, fresh mozzarella, roasted aubergines, anchovies and oregano. £1 of every pizza sold will be going to Hospitality Action, a charity that helps disenfranchised people in the hospitality industry.
Where Hai Cenato, 2 Sir Simon Milton Square, SW1E 5DJ
When Friday 8 March
How much £17
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READ MORE: We interviewed Monica Galetti. Read the piece here
Clare Smyth in her newly-awarded two Michelin-starred restaurant Core by Clare Smyth
Icon, Anne-Sophie Pic
What A collaboration between two of the world’s most celebrated chefs, who happen to be female. Anne-Sophie Pic is one of the most decorated Michelin-starred chefs on the world with seven stars across her four restaurants and is the only female chef in France to hold three Michelin stars. Clare Smyth, likewise, is the only female chef to have operated a three Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK (and was recently named World’s Best Female Chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants). We don’t need to tell you, you’ll be in for a treat this evening. they will each showcase a selection of signature dishes as part of the five course dinner, interacting with guests throughout the evening.
Where La Dame de Pic London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, EC3N 4AJ
When Monday 11 March at 6pm
How much £135pp with an optional and additionally-priced wine pairing
Book now
READ MORE: Core by Clare Smyth was awarded SquareMeal's Restaurant of the Year 2018, and read our interview with Clare here