The Dew Drop Inn, Oxford is re-opening on Wednesday May 4 following a huge refurbishment. The proper pub in Summertown will be offering an exciting new menu alongside a fantastic range of draught beers, local cask ales, quality wines and ciders.

Open for lunch and dinner the delicious menu includes pub classics, Sunday roasts and quirky bar snacks.

The Thatch in Thame has been named the Best Pub in Oxfordshire at the inaugural National Pub & Bar Awards 2016, earning the popular gastro pub the chance to go forward to the grand finals next month and be a regional or even national winner, one of only 94 from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to earn the accolade of being best in their area.

The Thatch manager Evelin Rae will be off to London's iconic BAFTA theatre on Tuesday May 24 to the Grand Final, when 12 regional winners and one overall National Pub & Bar of the Year will be announced.

"It's a great honour," says Evelin. "With so many fine hostelries on our doorstep, we know there's a lot of stiff competition out there so it's fantastic to be recognised by being a finalist.

"In the eight years we've been at the pub, we have invested a lot into it, bringing a new look and feel to the place, seasonal food and a quality drink offer served by people who've been well trained and who like me, love working here. We are proud of what we have achieved and even prouder at being able to represent the county at the awards," she says.

The panel looked at everything from perfect service to product range, aesthetic design to entertainment schedules in selecting its finalists.

The Thatch is at 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340. www.thethatchthame.co.uk

Cogges Kitchen has been asked to do the catering for Sophie, Countess of Wessex’s visit to celebrate Cogges Heritage Trust 5th birthday on Thursday May 19. The countess can expect standing drinks and canapes including Kelmscott cocktail sausages, Southdown farm feta, cucumber & olive kebabs, marinated in balsamic, honey & mint, mini topped sourdough canapés, plus canapes of free-range Cotswold chicken breast, chorizo & paprika mayonnaise, Upton smokery salmon & lemon zest cream cheese, Southdown farm goats' cheese, spiced chutney & wild rocket, and award-winning royal Bampton sausage and free-range egg mayonnaise, in a marquee in the grounds.

Miyuki’s Kitchen is launching The Cotswolds Japanese Canteen in May offering authentic home-cooked Japanese food. The informal pop-up eatery aims to satisfy Chipping Norton and Witney’s hungry residents once a month at different venues. The four women behind the kitchen are all Japanese, passionate about genuine Japanese home-cooking and share an interest in the recent revival of authentic cooking methods and traditional ingredients with their associated health benefits. The Canteen will offer a set menu that typically consists of sashimi of the day, a meat or fish dish a tofu dish, a vegetable dish, rice, miso soup and pickles with Ryokucha green tea or Hojicha tea with small sweets. Future venues to be confirmed. See miyuki@miyukiskitchen.co.uk

Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill in Jericho has unveiled its biggest menu change in its 25-year history in a bid to make top quality seafood and shellfish more accessible to everyone.

The new summer menu, launched next week, is a major shake-up of the restaurant’s previous offerings. A new ‘in a roll’ section boasts a mouth-watering crab and lobster burger with cocktail sauce (£16.95), a crispy prawn roll with mayonnaise (£9.95) and a fish finger BLT with tartare sauce (£9.95).

‘Mussel Madness’ on Tuesdays offers unlimited mussels and a drink for £15, with a choice of nine different flavours of mussels including Thai red curry, mussel mac ‘n’ cheese and korma mussels. On ‘Fish and Fizz’ Fridays, guests can grab a voucher from the Loch Fyne Facebook page and get fish and chips for two and a bottle of Prosecco for £25. www.lochfyneseafoodandgrill.co.uk/locations/oxford