From pitches to pies: Top chefs lead Lord’s Cricket Ground’s debut food event The Home of Food

Lord’s Cricket Ground is set to host a gourmet food and drink event this summer. The Home of Food  – echoing the nickname of the venue, Home of Cricket – marks the first time the iconic stadium opens its grounds for a non-sport related event. The initiative hopes to attract more visitors and further enhance the venue’s appeal.

Taking place over the weekend of 9^th and 10^th September, this culinary extravaganza is the brainchild of chef Tommy Banks, acclaimed for his Michelin-starred restaurants The Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots in York, as well as The Edrich, located at Lord’s Cricket Ground itself.

A treat for gastronomes, The Home of Food will showcase a diverse range of UK’s finest chefs and food trucks. Attendees can anticipate sumptuous creations of Gareth Ward of the two Michelin-starred Ynyshir in Wales; Richard Corrigan of Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill; author and chef Selin Kiazim of Oklava; Northcote’s Lisa Goodwin Allen; and Opheem’s Aktar Islam.

In addition, Nokx Majozi and Liam Fauchard-Newman from Rosewood London’s Holborn Dining Room will bring their celebrated pies to the event, while local New York-style deli, Panzer’s, will also be on hand with a selection of their treats. The delicatessen has been serving the St John’s Wood community since 1944, attesting to its well-loved status.

The event is also tailored to be a family affair with cricket taster sessions and cooking lessons for children, and expert-guided tours of the historic Ground. The Home of Food will additionally feature one-off guest appearances by several of Tommy Banks’ fellow chefs, who will demonstrate their favourite dishes.

Visitors can look forward to exclusive bookable experiences, tastings and banquets including a Sunday Lunch from Banks’ soon-to-open Yorkshire pub, The Abbey Inn.

Andy Muggleton of MCC conveyed his excitement about the initiative, saying: “History and heritage are prevalent at MCC but we’re also looking to the future and this new venture is a very exciting part of that.”

With an early passion for cricket, Banks has successfully managed to unite his two loves – the gentleman’s game and tge culinary arts – for this event. The chef expressed his anticipation, saying: “In the same way that cricket crosses borders, food is a theme celebrated so widely across the world and we’ve got some fantastic chefs coming for the weekend to showcase their culinary talent.”

Food Desk

The Home of Food will take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground from 9^th-10^th September. Tickets are now available here and priced at £35 for adults and £5 for children (under 16), while infants (under 5) go free