Various venues

Forget the same old, same old. The annual Future Of Food Festival, hosted by the culinary hotspots of Regent Street and St James’s, has got events galore that are all about the newest, most exciting, and most sustainable bits of the restaurant industry. Join panel talks with industry experts to get some insight into where food is heading in the coming years, tuck into some unique dining experiences and meet some of the most innovative chefs, restaurateurs and suppliers in the country. This year, there’ll be exclusive dining experiences from chefs including Alex Dilling and Rafael Cagali, an 11-course seafood fiesta at Bentley’s Ocean’s Eleven, masterclasses from sustainable booze brands including Sapling Spirits, and On-Street Feasts where you can dine outdoors, enjoying dishes from four different restaurants at the same time. Across the whole of September, the area will be a treasure trove of promotions, with select restaurants offering discounts, while the Discovery Zone will take you on a journey via taste, smell and touch to find out what the future of food is.

South London's much loved literary knees-up is back this October with a stellar 10-day line-up packed with events from over 100 speakers. Big names including Rupert Everett, Jung Chang, Irvine Welsh, Lemn Sissay, Jay Rayner, and Anthony Horowitz will make an appearance, ready to hobnob with their fans in intimate talks. There'll also be an emphasis on politics and misinformation this year, with experts including Tim Berners-Lee and Nick Clegg. Plus, a partnership with Lahore Literary Festival will showcase South Asian creatives, with speakers including broadcaster Reeta Chakrabarti, Women’s Prize shortlisted authors Nussaibah Younis and Sanam Mahloudji.