BBC Good Food Show 2012: London's Tastiest Day Out?

After three years of absence, the BBC Good Food Show returned to the English capital, bringing to Londoners a weekend of celebrity chefs, fine wine, and entertainment from Nov. 9 to 11.

The brand-new 600-seat super theater in the West hall of the London Olympia hosted more than 200 food and drink exhibitors from all over the world. Some of the U.K.'s favorite television cooking programs were brought to life, including Saturday Kitchen hosted by James Martin and Great British Bake Off with Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.

Chef Patrick Le Mesurier, who trained with the Roux brothers (Michel, Albert, and Michel Roux Jr. are credited with changing British gastronomy for the better), introduced six new condiments to his classic Le Mesurier line of British-made condiments, which now totals 19 varieties. English whole-grain mustard, a traditionally hot mustard with a mouthwatering crunch thanks to the whole grains, and barbecue mustard, a complex mustard with a gentle hint of sweetness, debuted at the BBC Good Food Show.

Chef and co-owner of Bim's Kitchen, James "Bim" Adedeji, also confirmed the value of condiments made from natural ingredients from sub-Saharan Africa like melon seeds, alligator pepper, ginger, and baobab fruit. Adedeji's condiment company, Bim's Kitchen, won the Bursary Award for its "passionate and outstanding artisan products."

It wasn't all about condiments, though. Visitors had the opportunity to the taste and buy some wine and liquor from around the world. Wine author Susy Atkins presented her book How to Make Your Own Drinks, filled with drink recipes and tips to impress friends and relatives for the festive season. Just as the trend of making food from natural, locally sourced ingredients has made the restaurant rounds, the concept applies to drinks, too, according to Atkins.

"It is a great day out," said Londoner Johanna Deighan, one of the thousands of food loving visitors at the BBC Good Food Show. "It is a mixture of nice food, fine wine and above all great atmosphere. I'm not a very good cook, so I've come here to learn some easy recipes and buy some condiments."