The Great British Grub Experience

Booked a stay in London's Kensington? Just as there’s more to Italian cooking than pizza or spaghetti, ‘Great British Grub’, as you'll find served in many Kensington hotels, is not just about jellied eels or pie and mash. In fact, you may find that outside of the East End of London very few people will have sampled these two dishes - undeniably delicious as they are.

History of British Cuisine

In the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, dishes of the type mentioned above were considered to be the staples of the poor, whereas, in these same centuries past, Kensington was always considered to be one of the more genteel boroughs of the city. That was and is reflected in the cuisine you’ll find on offer here. So what type of food can you expect to experience when staying in this part of London?

Over the centuries, the UK, and London in particular, has welcomed migrants of many nationalities, all of whom have all made an important and lasting contribution to the prevailing dining culture. So, in Kensington hotels and restaurants for example, you’ll typically find an exciting and varied range of cuisine on offer. While some of the excellent establishments may offer international, oriental, eastern European or Asian specialities, there are also many where you’ll be able to experience the best of ‘Great British Grub’.

When you think of British cuisine, what may immediately come to mind is traditional simple and comforting Northern European food, with perhaps a touch of French sophistication thrown in. That may indeed be an accurate reflection of the dining experience you’ll find in many establishments in this part of the city - despite the assertions of some who claim that chicken curry has displaced fish and chips as Britain’s national dish! Kensington hotels and restaurants will have an extensive selection on their menus, and you may be able to sample delicacies like steak and kidney pie, fresh salmon, beef and oyster stew and, of course, the world renowned fish and chips.

Keeping Up With Tradition

If you travel to any country in the world, you’ll discover there are regional differences in the cuisine on offer and many of these regions will have their own speciality dish or dishes. In the UK for example, dishes like haggis, lob scouse, jellied eels, curd tarts or parkin may be relatively well known but may not be widely available outside of their home regions. That is perhaps as it should be in order for these specialities to stay special and traditional, rather than to become something ordinary and commonplace.

Kensington has its own proud traditions when it comes to satisfying the hunger of its visitors and of course the locals too. Kensington hotels have a long history of quality dining and you can be sure that you’ll be able to experience some ‘Great British Grub’ during your stay. If you want to try some of the specialities of other parts of London and its surroundings, hotel staff should be able to point you in the right direction and perhaps even make reservations for you.

Matthew Zelinski works for the London Regency Hotel, one of the top Kensington hotels. This wonderful hotel embodies the true flavour of Kensington, with its traditional regency-style façade and superb facilities. Whether you're looking for accommodation in London for business or leisure, the Regency offers an effortlessly elegant experience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.