Abby Lee’s secret ingredient: gula melaka

The Malaysian version of jaggery, its butterscotch flavour is great in dressings, curries or even a sticky toffee pudding

The new kitchen gardens: meet the UK chefs and restaurants growing their own

From rooftops in the middle of cities to the grounds of top-class restaurants, chefs are taking back control of their ingredients

‘He does it with love’: the 32-year-old chef rejoining Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir

Nearly 40 years ago, the French chef helped pioneer garden-to-table cooking at his Oxfordshire restaurant. Now he is welcoming the return of Luke Selby

The Empire Café, Leeds: ‘Doing the good things’ – restaurant review

The reborn Empire Café in Leeds does God’s own country proud

I thought the best place for French food was Britain. Then my holiday breakfast arrived…

I long to believe the French eat better than everyone else. And, for one morning at least, it seemed to be true

Tom Allen: ‘As a teenager, I threw formal dinner parties for friends – very awkward for everybody’

The comedian and Bake Off: An Extra Slice presenter on napkin folding, drunk gardening and life as a waiter

Sourdough or sliced white? Gin or vodka? Pick a side – and yes, you will be judged

Think carefully about your answers – because food choices can speak volumes

Lisbon Tapas, Wrexham: ‘A place that is genuinely pleased to see you’ – restaurant review

This small Portuguese restaurant has a big heart – and serves fantastic seafood

Secret restaurant costs: is it outrageous to charge €2 to cut a sandwich in half?

An Italian cafe has gone viral after slapping a surcharge on a patron who wanted to share his lunch with his girlfriend. But there’s more to it than mere effrontery

Vanilla slice, banh mi and fried ice-cream: Adam Liaw and Poh Ling Yeow on seven Australian dishes worth travelling for

The cooks and MasterChef alumni share their favourite destination meals and snacks, from a small-town vanilla slice to Top End laksa

Pavyllon, London: ‘Serious drama, both on the plate and off’ – restaurant review

Prices will be sky high here courtesy of superstar chef Yannick Alléno, unless a fire alarm intervenes. By Jay Rayner

Planning a UK mini-break? See how the price has gone up – from hotels to fish and chips

That seaside staple is up by more than 50%, while car hire is up 75% … add an item to our visual tool to see how costs have risen in the past five years

The Botanist, Chester: ‘I should say, Wow!’ – restaurant review

Unimpressed by a novelty hanging kebab, Jay Rayner owns up to being a food snob when it comes to novelty dishes

Sharkbait & Swim, London: ‘Rock oysters here are plump and pert’ – restaurant review

For a smart original take on great seafood, visit a railway arch close to the Thames in Deptford

‘It’s not just the food we missed’: three writers remember beloved restaurants that closed down

From student haunts to a first ‘proper’ meal out, why we mourn the places where we ate that are no longer with us