Guy Garvey: ‘Diana Rigg was so brave – and she was a hoot. Camparis at three every day’

Elbow’s frontman on his mother-in-law’s death, the upside of therapy – and finally learning to love sushi

‘I put it on absolutely everything’: top chefs’ secret ingredients – from malt extract to Lea & Perrins

Tom Kerridge, Anna Jones and Giorgio Locatelli are among the big names revealing the little things that make their dishes sing

An ex-plumber, a pie maker, a pair of pioneers: Jay Rayner picks his rising stars for 2022

Six chefs whose careers you should follow this year, as tipped by the Observer’s restaurant critic

Zahter, London: ‘The best baklava I have ever eaten’ – restaurant review

Leave room for dessert at this fine new Turkish place in Soho, says Jay Rayner

Uyen Luu’s secret ingredient: coconut water

The food writer on the depth of flavour this common Vietnamese ingredient adds to sweet and savoury dishes alike

Ed Gamble: ‘I was a little human dustbin as a child. I’d eat every morsel’

The comedian and new Great British Menu judge on the horror of the children’s menu, a surprise encounter with Jamie Oliver’s pants and a lockdown barbecue obsession

There’s a new till-free Amazon Fresh shop near me – so I popped in for spring rolls and simmering despair

Capitalism’s great trick is to make us long for the useless and unnecessary. Under the bright lights, I felt that itch starting up

Carmel, London NW6: ‘Exudes a twinkly joy’ – restaurant review

‘The real flavours are in the smears, the yoghurts and the dressings’

There’s nothing worse than a restaurant that makes you feel like an old git

Give us over-50s a menu we can read, grownup waiters and the chance to hold a conversation. It’s not too much to ask – and it makes business sense too

Manteca, London: ‘Genuine verve and originality’ – restaurant review

Huge flavours and exciting ideas mean this Italian punches above its weight

Bibo, London EC2: ‘Louder than a nightclub at midnight’ – restaurant review

‘It may be a sophisticated Spanish restaurant, but the food seems secondary’

Sarap Filipino Bistro: ‘Many of the dishes are real showstoppers’ – restaurant review

This new Filipino venture has much to entice you – but bring a party of six for the best dish of all

The Maine Mayfair, London W1: ‘Sometimes, you just get a bad feeling’ – restaurant review

‘It’s so faux-posh that Nicky Haslam has probably already added it to his “Things that are common” list’

Restaurant review: ‘It’s been a year of highs – and high prices’

From an XL golden cheese toastie to a gold-leaf steak: Jay Rayner on 2021’s eating out highlights

Port, sherry, whisky – Christmas drinks are all about the wood

When alcohol is aged in oak barrels, magic happens. And the nights between Christmas and New Year are the best time to sit and sip