* Have you been watching Great British Menu on BBC Two this week?

The show, in which professional chefs fight it out for the chance to cook at a banquet (this year marking 100 years of the Women’s Institute), features Emily Watkins, a 2014 winner, owner and head chef at The Kingham Plough, as judge in the South West Region heat of the competition.

The competing chefs in this region are Josh Eggleton, Dominic Chapman and Jude Kereama.

“I was thrilled to be asked to come back as a veteran for GBM this year,” said Emily. “We will be holding our own Great British Menu dinner here at The Kingham Plough on Monday, August 31, at which myself and our three regional heat chefs will be cooking, so anyone interested in sampling our cooking that day should get in touch.”

See thekinghamplough.co.uk or call 01608 658327

* Try some gin at Mother’s Ruin Tasting Club next Thursday from 6.30pm at The Oxford Wine Company, Botley Road.

The event, under the guidance of Aljoscha Wright and Emily Searle, costs £10 per person (£5 back when purchasing gin after the tasting).

Numbers are limited so call 01865 249500 to book or email emily@oxfordwine.co.uk and leave your contact phone number and name.

* Top chefs are gearing up for the eighth annual Thame Food Festival on Saturday, September 26.

There’s a stellar line-up of celebrity chefs including Raymond Blanc OBE, who makes the short journey every year from Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons to support the festival and delight visitors with his passion for cooking with fresh, seasonal produce. He will be joined by Sophie Grigson who has recently opened Sophie’s Kitchen at the Story Museum in Pembroke Street, Oxford.

Breton baker Richard Bertinet will be sharing the secrets of his sell-out bread making classes at The Bertinet Cookery School and the festival’s first ever cookery demo devised especially for children will be with BBC One’s MasterChef winner 2013 Natalie Coleman.

The festival takes place from 9am to 5pm. For information or to book for any events go to thamefoodfestival.co.uk