‘Table for one? Yes, please’ – the joy of eating alone

More of us are cooking or eating solo – it’s time to break free from the stigma of dining alone

Tofu Vegan, London: ‘Bring on the big hitters’ – restaurant review

With fresh, vibrant flavours at every turn, even old-school carnivores will be happy at Tofu Vegan, says Jay Rayner

Ainsley Harriott’s secret ingredient: allspice

The chef and broadcaster on his mum’s versatile kitchen favourite

Vick Hope: ‘At Cambridge, I came through like Nigella just because I could make noodles’

The Radio 1 presenter on student food, fighting with her brothers over fish eyes and her mum’s lockdown Nigerian food Zoom classes

Forgotten how to have a dinner party? Here are three rules to ease you back in

Step one: don’t try out a new recipe…

The Compasses Inn, Crundale, Kent: ‘Wherever they go, I will follow’ – restaurant review

‘In a shady corner of this pub, some sanity was restored to 2021’

Bechamel is the classic recipe I can never get right

Everyone has a dish that defeats them – no matter how often they try to make it

Gay Hussar art: grandees who struck a pose for a free lunch

Cartoonist Martin Rowson captured the giants of Westminster as they dined in the famous London restaurant. Now the 63 sketches that once adorned its walls are heading to the National Portrait Gallery

The Pigs, Norfolk: ‘Lives up to its name’ – restaurant review

If you like all things piggy, then you will feel right at home here, says Jay Rayner

Marugame Udon, London E1: ‘It’s a bit Wagamama meets Ikea cafe’ – restaurant review

‘The tempura egg has become one of my feelgood hits of 2021’

Mangal 2, London: ‘It’s brave and compelling and properly delicious’ – restaurant review

A Turkish grill in Dalston, east London could have been like so many others… but the Dirik boys had different ideas. By Jay Rayner

Pick Up Pintxos, Folkestone: ‘We were spared the life story of the Galician cow’ – restaurant review

‘Can the food culture of San Sebastián ever translate to a sit-down restaurant in Blighty?’

The GPO, Liverpool: ‘They’re trying to work all the angles’ – restaurant review

Is it a post office, is it a shopping mall? Liverpool’s GPO may be first-class once it sorts itself out, says Jay Rayner

From the Thames to the Tyne: what to see and do on five of Britain’s great rivers

Instead of the coast, try a leisurely trip on our great rivers, for memorable sights, activities and food along their banks

Kysty, Ambleside, Cumbria: ‘A classy jewel’ – restaurant review

‘I adore it when Michelin-starred chefs say they’re doing something “relaxed”, because they’re the least relaxed individuals ever’