Early morning sunrise cracked like a golden yolk. Flecks of blue laced with red, the sun rearing its voluminous head. She twirled through the park, breathing in the fresh air. 1,2,3, hear the chorus of birds chirping high in the trees. Today was going to be a magical day. She could feel it in her bones, loosened up at the first sight of sunshine. A few hours passed by, red converses racing through Soho. Pespiring under the oddly warm day, beads of sweat mingling with foundation. Her large faux fur coat twirled behind her, pink hearts dotted, matching socks. For she was in search of adventure. A magical food tour in Soho, full of intrigue, history, food and excited chatter. The clock struck 12, new faces, making friends. Travelling from all over, London and beyond to mark a special ocassion. For Jet2 Holidays had launched at London Luton Airport, 17 sunny destinations that caught her eye. Turkey, Greece, Italy, Madeira. The latter striking a chord. Remembering summers visiting Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandparents, bathed in the golden sun. A stopover at Lisbon, Portugal creamy custard Pastel Del Natas consumed. But what did this have to do with a food tour? It was quite simple really. From Spain, to Greece, they would discover food, culture, and art, as they traipsed around Soho.
Private Food Tour
Their very own private food tour organised by ‘Chubby Fellow’, they couldn’t have picked a better tour guide. Jovial, never a dull moment, a story for every corner. From the ‘Seven Noses of Soho’, to once-top secret members clubs with celebrity nuances, their attention never wavered. Standing outside the infamous Harry Potter theatre as the tour guide reached into his bag of tricks. Cocktails, and mocktails, fresh ingredients from his garden. The mocktail for her, a lemon and basil shot hybrid. Fresh basil from his very own garden, tart lemon to balance out the acidity. She sipped, memories rushing back. A summer in Rome, plucking ripe lemons from majestic trees. Mixing up limencello, trickling down her rasping throat. For others, a cocktail, a ‘Gin Basil Smash’, sugar syrup and Hayman Gin. Described to her as ‘fresh’, with notes of nettle. An aroma of lemon, akin to hers.
First up on our magical food tour was Jamon Jamon, Soho.
Jamon Jamon: Spain
Refreshed, they wandered to their ‘first destination’. Spain, retracing steps she once took before. A night at the ‘Salsa’ next to a spanish restaurant. Pulsating lights, a Latin club she once danced in all those years ago. But this was a new adventure; Jamon Jamon, a foray into classic tapas and Sangria. Bright sunlight filtering into the restaurant, a secret, white walls bursting with yellow. Refracted shadows bouncing off tables. Warm hands wrapped around steaming plates. Wondering what they’d bring out for the vegetarian. Where she once stayed in Barcelona, limited options for her to eat. But she needn’t have worried. Classic Spanish Tortillas, grab a slice, a dash of salt. Egg, and potato laced with olive oil. A soft almost velvety flavour, washed down with apple juice. For the drinkers, Cava Sangria. Casting her mind back to a sunny day in Barcelona, wine punch, fruity-sweet. Slurping out of a glass straw, purple-red liquid dribbling down her chin. Wishing that they had a non-alcoholic version, a taste of Spain. Padron Peppers, while others had Gambas al ajillo. The peppers drenched with sea salt, mild, and slightly sweet. A hint of nuttiness, a chargrilled taste.
Greece: Suvlaki
The warm mid-afternoon sun engulfed them in a sea of light. Soft fingers brushing the pavement, dancing shadows. The roar of the cars, a blur of red buses. Greece, the next destination, next to Suvlaki Soho. Blue and white intricate patterns, sun spilling through windows. Golden-kissed faces, a patch of warmth on weary feet. Regaled with the history of how Soho once was. Believed to be named after an old hunting cry, ‘so-hoe’. Where it was once open fields, and grazing land in the 16th century. A far cry from the smoke, and noise that it was today. Time passed, wraps in tinfoil scooped in hands. Chicken and salad cooked on a robata-style grill for others. Chargrilled Broccoli, sliced lettuce, and charcoal peppers. Halluomi drenched in rose aoli, dripping down her coat. Their magical food tour had no signs of slowing down. Perched on tables outside, messily eating. Perhaps she would have liked more ‘inventive vegetarian’ options for her, but she couldn’t complain. A taste of Soho in six destinations; salty, savoury, snack, sweet, sweet and savoury, dessert to finish.
Italy: Lina Stores
She wondered where they would go next. A sneaking suspicion that a magical food tour wouldn’t be complete without some cheese. Lina Stores Deli, who had a hidden bar in its basement. Green candy pinestripes, next to Cutter & Squidge. They sat outside, dappled shadows on the pavements lapping at their feet. A dapper gentleman in a pinstripe suit, with a cheery smile next to them. Spy the photographer behind, capturing legends of Soho. The tour guide came out, Umbria cheese with a slightly salty taste. She poppped one into her mouth, a mature flavour, the texture hard with age. For the meat eaters Proscuitto di Parma, wrapped with cheese. Imagining lazy summer evenings at Lina stores, cheese in one hand, wine in the other. Watching the world around her like a merry-go round.
Turkey: The Turkish Deli & Jumi
As an avid lover of cheese, imagine her delight when they ‘stopped in Turkey’. Memories of Turkish delight infused with rose, in Istanbul, numb fingers. Buut she was here, in London. At ‘The Turkish Deli & Jumi’ for an unexpected ‘snack fusion’. Cranberry Turkish Delight, paired with Schlossberger Swiss Cheese, would the tase ignite her senses? While the majority of the tour group gave it a hard pass, she was pleasantly surprised. The delight, tart, yet sweet oozing in her mouth. Sweet and chewy, a gem on its own. The Swiss Cheese, rich and nutty, a taste of the alpines. She was not normally a fan of sweet and savoury together, but this was a hit. The sweetness of the delight balancing out the mature flavour of the cheese. For a true Turkish experience, she would have reccomended pairing the Turkish Delight with ‘Tulum Cheese’. Its crumbly texture and sharp tangy taste still imprinted on her lips. A magical food tour that transported her to the Jet2 destinations, wishing she could book a flight to Luton this minute.
Scotland: William Curley
The last time she was in Scotland, Edinburgh stole her heart. Leek and potato soup, infused with fennel, a winter warmer. Cheese scones slathered in Scottish butter, a side of vegan haggis. Wandering down Victoria Street in awe of its rainbow shops. A chocolatier, and an infamous Harry potter location. An old bookshop and an infamous Jellycat store. The Christmas lights winding down the long streets, 3PM sunsets. They came to an abrupt stop, William Curley, a hidden gem. A pumpkin orange storefront, in an unassuming square. one she had walked past many a time. Small and quaint, gourmet couture chocolate that tantalized the eye. Small, but impactful, trying to choose between ‘hazelnut’ and ‘pistachio’. In the end, the hazelnut tantalized her, an explosion of flavours in her mouth. One taste not enough, wishing she had an entire bar. A slab, milky-sweet, with a smooth ganache sensation. She went online, drooling over their selection. Bookmarking Easter gifts, Orange and Almond Mou. Dark chocolate, chewy yet soft.
Portugal: Cafe De Nata
From the beginning of the tour, she had a feeling that Pastel Del Natas would be the conclusion to their feast. After all, a trip to Portugal, wouldn’t be complete without the world’s most famous pastry. One that sang of sun, with a golden crust that caressed her mouth. A swirl of cream, a custard tune. A velvet spoon, baked in layers of gold. Sugar-kissed, her hands cradled the Pastel del Nata, to see how it compared. Someone who had Portuguese heritage, who could speak for its authenticity. She saw why Cafe De Nata was so popular. Silky smooth custard, dusted in cinnamon. A thousand crumbs like butterflies. She bit into it, and sighed.Crisp flaky pastry she could sink her teeth into. But how did it compare? It was the best she had tried in London, the most authentic one to a family recipe. Making a mental note to come back, and try the other flavours. A taste of her heritage in one bite, the perfect way to end their magical food tour.
And so the tour came to an end. But her night wasn’t over. Capturing sunsets on Westminister Bridge, the kind that started with gold. Light slipping across her skin, draping over her skin. Soaked into the Thames until the river looked like it might glow from the inside out. Uber boats drifting on by, cutting the orange light into ribbons. Soft chatter floating up from the banks, the sound of Big Ben striking 6PM. Ding, dong, like the sky was counting down to something it didn’t want to end. Orange turned to pink, like a goodbye kiss brushed too lightly. The London Eye lit up in that molten hue. Then came the blue, deep bruised cobalt. The kind that only shows up when the day has run out of words. Because she too was speechless. Remembering the memories shared on a magical food tour, that lingered long after going. Watching the sky fold on its self, that quiet silence. A far cry from the excited chatter from before. Exhausted, she clambered into bed. And for the first time, in a long time, her sleep was honey-sweet.
Have You Travelled To Any Of These Jet2 Destinations?
*Disclaimer
Please note this is a collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by gifting. I was gifted a food and (non-alcoholic) drink tour In Soho, in exchange for this blog post. Have you been on a magical food tour before? What were your thoughts?
More Information On The Luton Jet2 Launch
The UK’s largest tour operator and third biggest airline have put 17 sunny destinations on sale across Europe, the Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean for summer 2025. The first flight departs for Majorca on the 1st April 2025.
For their first summer of operations from London Luton Airport, Jet2.Com and Jet2Holidays have 430,000 seats on sale. They will operate up to 36 weekly flights, including multiple weekly flights to popular destinations such as Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Mainland Spain, Portugal and Turkey. There will be weekly services to hotspots across Greece, Italy, and Madeira. In addition Girona, Madeira and Verona are exclusive from the airport base.
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