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Hope for restaurants as recession continuesLook out for deals on great food

26 March 2009

dining room of a restaurant

The Good Food Guide names its best UK restaurants

Eating out may seem like the last thing on people’s minds in the continuing credit crunch, but experts at The Good Food Guide say that hard times can bring about great deals in restaurants and exciting new movements and ideas.

Although big names have reportedly been affected by the economic difficulties – such as Antony Worrall Thompson, Gennaro Contaldo and Raymond Blanc and chef Richard Corrigan has spoken out on the crisis in the restaurant business – there are reasons to be cheerful.

Which? on Radio 4

Elizabeth Carter, consultant editor of The Good Food Guide that is published by Which?, has told Radio 4’s Food Programme that opportunities for new movements, young chefs and new ideas will come out of this recession – as they did in the 1990s.

Editions of The Good Food Guide published during previous recessions show how new movements such as the gastropub, and chefs including Rick Stein and Marco Pierre White all emerged from economically difficult climates.

Listen to Elizabeth’s ideas for what will emerge from this recession, which were broadcast on the BBC’s Food Programme.

Meal offers

Now is also a great time to eat at some incredible restaurants, which all feature in The Good Food Guide 2009 at truly amazing prices.

Deals include:

  • Maze Grill is offering a three-course lunch for £18;
  • Galvin at Windows  is offering a ‘credit crunch lunch’ - a three-course menu with half a bottle of wine, half a bottle of mineral water and a coffee for £33;
  • For £30 you can enjoy a three-course lunch and half a bottle of wine at Simpsons, Birmingham.

These are just a selection, so check out The Good Food Guide, pick a restaurant you’ve always wanted to visit and get in touch to see what deals it has on offer.

Your favourite restaurant

Now is also a great time to support your local independent restaurant. You can vote for your favourite restaurant, pub or café for The Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year Award, part of the Which? Awards 2009. Find out more about the awards and vote online.