* The White Hart at Minster Lovell has been taken over by Mandy and Brian Barker once more, after an eight year absence.

The pair are relaunching the kitchen and restaurant from Friday, September 26, and offering a new seasonal menu in the freshly refurbed restaurant.

Call 01993 778629.

* The Great Taste Nigel Barden Heritage Award has been presented to Womersley Fruit and Herb Vinegars of Chipping Norton for its Golden Raspberry and Apache Chilli Vinegar.

The award, presented to a producer who uses rare breeds or heritage varieties of fruit and vegetables, was created to encourage and reward food producers who celebrate and uphold traditional flavours and characteristics.

The award was presented to Rupert Parsons, managing director of Womersley, in front of more than 300 guests from the world of fine food at the Great Taste Golden Forks Dinner in London this week.

Call 01608 646445 or see womersleyfoods.co.uk

* K is for Kitchen is the new place to head for cookware in Watlington, offering ‘things to eat and kitchen design’.

The brainchild of Amanda Hinton, the brand new kitchen shop has taken months of hard work, many late nights and plenty of white paint, but has all been worth it judging by the positive feedback from its customers.

You’ll find stylish cookware, delicious Cook ready-meals and authentic Italian ice cream.

You’ll also find a working kitchen complete with a baby Aga and a beautiful Tomas kitchen.

Expect food demos and kitchen design consultations because everything is set out like a real kitchen – open up drawers and cupboards to discover new products and try out the kitchen gadgetry.

And there are plenty more exciting developments to come – from cooking demonstrations to its own gelateria.

K is for Kitchen is at 2 High Street, Watlington. Call 01491 598580 or see kisforkitchen.co.uk

* Vale Brewery in Brill and sister brewery the Aylesbury Brewhouse Co (ABC) are getting ready for this year’s Thame Food Festival by offering one local ale fan the chance to be a brewer for the day and learn all about the alchemy of brewing.

The lucky winner will get to spend a whole day with brewer Hayden Overton finding out how he crafts Limited Edition Beers using the finest English malt and hops from around the world.

After arriving at the brewery early in the morning, the winner will get to brew, with hands-on experience of every stage of the brewing process from mashing and fermentation to racking a finished ale.

There will also be time to taste the beers and tuck into a hearty lunch at The Hop Pole, the Vale Brewery Tap where ABC is located.

All ale drinkers have to do to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize is order a pint of Vale’s Thame’In of the Brew, a great locally brewed beer created especially for the Thame Food Festival, which is on the pumps in The James Figg, The Thatch, The Birdcage and The Black Horse in Thame from now until the end of September. Pick up an entry form when ordering a pint, fill it in and return it to the bar staff.

You can also have a pint at the festival, either at The James Figg and The Thatch pop-up pub or to take home from the Vale & the ABC stall on the day itself, Saturday September 27.

For more information, go to thamefoodfestival.co.uk before September 30.

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