Eat at a Celebrity Chef Restaurant - Tick

I was always planning on going to either Jamie Oliver's or Gordon Ramsay's restaurants in London as felt it was one of my "Things to do in London". As I was browsing TNT online I came across this Taste of Italy.

Sit back and indulge in an evening of Italian delights at Fifteen London, the charity registered restaurant founded by Jamie Oliver. For the first time, 12 lucky readers can be a part of TNT's exclusive Taste Of Italy event on Sunday, June 29. Not only will you be able to experience the food and wine culture of different regions of Italy without even stepping out of London, we'll also give you the chance to learn how to make pasta, the Italian way. Tickets cost £40 and include:

*Pasta making demonstration

*An extravagant three-course meal with wines picked by Fifteen's own sommelier.

*Each guest will also receive a wine matching menu, a TNT goodie bag and a Fifteen apron.

Jamie Oliver founded Fifteen with the ambition to open a top class restaurant that would give disadvantaged youngsters the chance to create great careers in the catering industry. Five years on, Fifteen has earned the reputation as one of London's finest eateries and this is an evening not to be missed.

So with my fingers crossed I put my name in the draw for one of the lucky 12 to get picked, because at £40 it was a lot cheaper than going to the restaurant normally and with everyone on such tight budgets saving for holidays I didn't really fancy going alone. Fortunately I got an email back to say that I was randomly selected. Yah!

So on Sunday night I headed up North a bit and went in search of the restaurant, Fifteen. As you will see above, Fifteen is Jamie Oliver's restaurant founded to give young disadvantaged chefs a go. Its in a bit of a random spot near Old Street tube but is quite popular with people having to wait up to three months for a booking.

Upon arriving I met all the other drawees, mostly Kiwis and Aussies and we settled in for our pasta making demonstration, including chocolate pasta. The guy that was showing us the pasta was from Australia. He was explaining to us how he got his job in Fifteen. He had just arrived this side of customs in London and was telling customs (i think) about his plan to come to London and find work as a chef when the manger of Fifteen overhead him and asked him to come to Fifteen the next day for an interview, how about that for luck! So he has been working at Fifteen ever since and with Jamie Oliver.

Anyway back to meal, after the demonstration we headed to our seats and was served our entree of sauteed vegetables and cured meats, followed by pork belly, this was delicious and so tender, then the best part dessert, yum! Three choices to choose from including the chocolate pasta.

I had a really good night and the food was fab, unfortunately didn't see Jamie Oliver but went home with a Fifteen apron and a tick on my list of things to do in London.

Toni