Food editor Katherine MacAlister's weekly food goss 

Café Wolseley is opening at Bicester Village by the end of the month. Boasting spectacular interiors, impressive culinary offerings and the meticulous service that the British institution, The Wolseley, is renowned for, the new Café Wolseley, which opens in late June, combines British heritage with European grandeur.

Oxford Mail:

Those familiar with the celebrated Piccadilly institution will recognise the signature features from the London flagship restaurant. The design – including the smart black-and-white chevron floor, hand-painted Chinoiserie murals and double-volume vaulted ceiling will host the concept of all-day café dining in a European style. The menu will feature classic Wolseley favourites, as well as a takeaway counter. See bicestervillage.com and the wolseley.com

The Dodo Pub Co. has introduced the ‘Holy Guacamole’ vegan burger to its menus at The Rusty Bicycle in East Oxford and The Rickety Press in Jericho, alongside their popular ‘Simply Red’ vegan pizza. Executive chef Andy Holland said: “Over the last couple of years we’ve seen a steep rise in demand for more flexibility and diversity when it comes to our food offerings. People are demanding plant-based options as alternatives to meat and we need to reflect that in our menus. It’s taken a lot of taste testing and fine-tuning but this is an absolute corker.”

Oxford Mail:

The new burger consists of sweet potato, black bean and quinoa patty, smothered in homemade guacamole, with tomato, lettuce, and pickled onions all with a vegan chipotle mayo, nestled in a chunky potato bun. See dodopubs.com

Thame Food Festival’s very first bursary has been awarded to Tess’ Brilliant Bakes near Banbury. Set up by Lisa Hartwright in 2017, the concept was initially a sideline business selling to friends and family. The bursary includes £1,000, a free pitch at this year’s Thame Food Festival (Sept 29- 30), and high profile food festival mentors Adam Johnson, Chris Wheeler, and Nick Downie. See thamefoodfestival.co.uk

Worton Organic Garden and Cafe in Cassington brings you its first ever theatre performance on Saturday, June 30. Gerald Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, will enact two of Charles’ one-act plays: The very moving story of Dr Marigold and The Signalman.

They will be accompanied by a three-course meal in the Glasshouse (or outside) from 6pm. It costs 40 per head including dinner.

See wortonorganicgarden.com