* The Good Food Guide, published by Waitrose, is calling on diners to nominate their favourite local eaterie for its Readers’ Restaurant of the Year Awards.

The coveted awards honour the very best independent restaurants, pubs and cafés from around the country, with a special focus on menus which champion regional or local produce where possible.

The annual awards are based on public nominations with a panel of Good Food Guide judges choosing the most outstanding for their overall winner.

Last year more than 30,000 nominations were received.

Restaurants can encourage their diners to nominate them at thegoodfood guide.co.uk/feedback, or by making official postcards available in their restaurants during the nomination period until May 11.

The 10 regional winners and the overall winner of The Waitrose Good Food Guide Readers’ Restaurant of the Year 2016 will be announced in July 2015.

Winners of the Readers’ Restaurant of the Year awards will feature in the 2016 edition of The Waitrose Good Food Guide, published in September.

Restaurants wishing to participate can download and print nomination postcards to give to their diners at thegoodfood guide.co.uk/awards.

* Under fives go free for Mother’s Day lunch at Eynsham Hall with a traditional Sunday carvery for the whole family.

Set in stunning rolling parklands, entertainment for the children including balloon modelling and a magician, might mean it’s relaxing too. Booking is essential on 01993 885200.

* Demolition has begun for the overhaul of the Westgate Shopping Centre, kicking off its £440m redevelopment.

Over the next two years, the scheme will add 100 new shops, a five-screen cinema and 25 cafes and restaurants to the site.

So far the developers are remaining tight-lipped about which eateries we can look forward to, so watch this space.

* As part of this year’s Thame Food Festival, Raymond Blanc has organised a lunch and a summer garden tour at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons on Wednesday, July 1, at an exclusive price.

You’ll arrive at Le Manoir at 10.30am where delicious homemade biscuits and coffee await you, before heading off in small groups for the garden tour, with expert gardeners by your side.

Lunch will be in La Belle Époque private dining room, where you’ll enjoy a superb four-course lunch, using seasonal produce from the garden.Each course will be matched with selected wines and afterwards coffee will be served while you sit back and relax.

Tickets cost £195 each and can be booked at thamefoodfestival.co.uk/garden-tour-and-lunch-at-le-manoir

The Thame Food Festival takes place on Saturday September 26.

* The Oxford Kitchen, fast becoming one of the most talked about restaurants in Oxfordshire has launched a Prix Fixe Set Menu, two courses for only £15.50, available from Monday to Saturday between noon and 2.30pm and, in the evenings from Monday to Thursday between 6pm and 7pm – perfect for your pre-theatre treat.

It has also introduced a new Tasting Menu – five courses – served on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for £49 per person and, for an additional £21 per person, pairing each course with a glass of the perfect wine to match each dish.

Including such delicious dishes as slow cooked fillet and braised presse of beef, Mayan gold potato, cauliflower, watercress and black winter truffle, indulge.

Call 01865 511149 to book your table.