Eating out in Oxfordshire is always a treat - because we are positively spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, pubs, cafes, bistros, delicatessens, and foodie outlets of all kinds.

And the foodie scene is an ever-changing one, with new kids on the block at every turn, while others who can't stand the heat do unfortunately have to get out of the kitchen.

Oxfordshire is, of course, the home of Raymond Blanc's two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, while in the south of the county TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson, who has a string of restaurants in London, owns The Lamb at Satwell, near Henley-on-Thames. And next month the nation's favourite, Jamie Oliver, is opening his first 'Jamie's Italian' in the centre of Oxford. Another Italian pasta master' Antonio Carluccio often drops in at his the Oxfordshire outposts of his empire, Carluccio's at Oxford Castle and Bicester Village.

In Oxfordshire there's always somewhere new to try out innovative concepts and dishes, or stick to the tried and trusted favourites, where you know you can rely on getting a really good meal.

In Oxford city centre you have a massive choice of places to eat, including a whole host of 'chain' restaurants at the Oxford Castle development such as Carluccio's, Tootsies, La Tasca and The Living Room. I was pleasantly surprised by a meal I enjoyed last week at the Oxford outpost of the Las Iguanas empire. I enjoyed some delicious chicken fajitas, and my friend praised the authentic chilli - all at a very reasonable price, and accompanied by Brazilian Caiprinha cocktails - highly recommended.

If you prefer to patronise independent restaurants, then Oxford is positively heaving with them - serving every kind of food, from every nation.

Out in the Oxfordshire countryside brilliant foodie pubs and restaurants abound. The Feathers Hotel in Woodstock always provides a very good meal - with special offers lined up this summer - and Hackett's restaurant in Witney is a great addition to the dining scene in the town centre, with a cocktail bar too.

I visited two White Harts recently - at Fyfield, near Kingstone Bagpuize, and at Wytham, just outside Oxford - and they were both excellent, serving well-cooked local produce in innovative ways.

The excellent Peach Pub Company has two pubs in Oxfordshire - The Fishes in North Hinksey and The Fleece in Witney. These buzzy pubs serve consistently good food, in a very pleasant atmosphere.

If you don't mind travelling further afield, then just over Oxfordshire's borders are a wealth of great eating spots, often in hotels - so you can splash out and stay overnight too if you wish. My particular favourites include the Lords of the Manor at Upper Slaughter and the Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden, both in Gloucestershire, Danesfield House Hotel and The Compleat Angler, both in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Fawsley Hall, near Daventry, in Northamptonshire, and The Vineyard at Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire.

Or why not dine at home - the range of companies offering ready-to-cook, or ready cooked, meals delivered to your door continues to grow. This year Classic Swedish, offering genuine smorgasbord, captured our imagination, as well as Tapas in a Box, and the wonderful home catering of Croxfords, in Upper Heyford.

I've given you but a taste of what's available - it's all out there for you to seek out, and enjoy!