* One of our favourite contributors The Oxford Pantry in Little Clarendon Street has closed down and shut up shop, which we are very sorry to see because it was such a fabulous kitchenware shop and we loved it.

* For anyone who enjoys a good foot stomping, thigh slapping night out, Bavaria is making a return to Oxford in the form Oktoberfest at the Tree Hotel in Iffley on Saturday, September 27.

After its inaugural triumph last year, guests will this year again be able to enjoy authentic German food including sausage and bretzels, as well as sampling German beer, while having a dance to some traditional German Oompah music.

Managing director Kavita Pal said: “Last year’s guests were entertained with old-favourite Bavarian songs, learnt to ‘seat sway’, played games and danced the night away with many in lederhosen or a Dirndl dress.”

Oktoberfest runs from 6pm. Tickets cost £5 (with food) and are available on 01865 775974. The event is suitable for over 18’s. See iffley.treehotel.co.uk/

* The America’s Wine Dinner is being held at Fallowfields tonight at 7pm, hosted by Tom Cloke, the European Director for Charles Smith Wines, to showcase their wines from Washington State USA, alongside a wine from California and two from South America.

Award-winning chef Matt Weedon has created a Tasting Menu, with each course designed to match a different American wine. The price of the evening is £80 per person.

Call 01865 820416 or email stay@fallowfields.com

* The OxfordOxford festival being held in South Park this weekend has lined up a great mix of of food and drink traders all of which are based or originate from the local area. Wychwood brewery’s Hobgoblin truck, Missing Bean Coffee, G & D’s ice cream, Made of Dough Pizza, Joseph Perk hot dogs and many more will be keeping bellies full all weekend. See OxfordOxford.co.uk n Demijohn in Little Clarendon Street is running a special event on Friday, October 3, offering a great chance to try the new Wild Bullace and Limoncello Liqueurs as well as offering a little Christmas spirit.

Based on the liquer shop’s standard Tasting Evening, the event will run from 6.30-7.30pm, starting with a Demijohn Cocktail or two and include a hosted tasting of many of the unique products. The £5 tickets can be used towards to the cost of any purchase on the night.

* Great news for gin lovers, ahem, The Cotswolds Distillery has been distilling a single malt whisky from organic Cotswolds barley, and a Cotswolds Dry Gin; a traditional London dry style with a Cotswolds, twist both available from mid September.

See cotswoldsdistillery.com

* The team behind the long-awaited re-opening of The Chester would be wealthy people if they had a pound for every time they’d been stopped over the past six months and asked “When are you opening?” So I’m pleased to announce they’ve finally flung open the doors to welcome locals wanting to sample their locally-sourced fayre, fully stocked bar and wonderful wines... and it was well worth the wait. Tucked away on a sunny corner just off Iffley Road, the much-loved family-friendly OX4 local has already established itself as a hub of the Iffley Fields community and this Sunday afternoon they’ll mark the end of summer with a hog roast and a few pints of guest ale Atom from Abingdon-based brewery Loose Cannon.

For details seefacebook.com/thechesteroxford

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