Unmissable events: January

January is time to start the year as you mean to go on. And I intend to spend the year exploring the finest in food and drink, and all the exciting events London has to offer…

The first official date in my diary is lunch at Almeida with the Almeida Theatre’s cast of The Turn of the Screw, on Friday 4 January, to find out all about their new production, opening on Friday 18 January. I’m also going to use the opportunity to catch up with head chef Robin Gill and discover how his recent travels are influencing his new year menu.

I’m catching the last day of the British Fashion Council’s showcase, London Collections: Men (well, it would be rude not to...) on Wednesday 9 January, before joining head chef Balaji Balachander for an evening curry masterclass at Carom.

On Sunday 13 January I’m heading to the South Bank for a late lunch at Skylon followed by readings from poets, including Simon Armitage, shortlisted for the 2012 TS Eliot Prize, at the Southbank Centre.

Truffle season is sadly coming to an end, but not before I’m able to make the most of chef Allan Pickett’s white truffles masterclass at New Street Wine shop on Tuesday 15 January. The white truffle risotto sounds perfect for a cold winter’s night, matched with the appropriate wine as recommended by wine shop manager Claudio Martins, of course. The wine tasting continues on Thursday 17 January at Bluebird Chelsea where I’ll be trying some of the best of English sparkling wines.

I love art fairs, especially contemporary ones, as exhibitors are always so keen to talk about the work, so I’ll be at the London Art Fair on Saturday 19 January. A friend’s birthday party in the City gives me the perfect excuse to take advantage of South Place Hotel’s January offer (£199 for a night’s stay for two people, including a champagne welcome, breakfast and a £40 gift voucher for One New Change). I’ll be testing the effectiveness of a hangover cure in the form of a burger and Bloody Mary at the Old Bengal Bar on Sunday...

On Tuesday 22 January I’m exploring Italian red wines from producer Allegrini at Plateau. On Friday 25 January I’ll be at Butlers Wharf Chop House for a special Burns Night supper (complete with a live piper!).

Then there’s the Martini cocktail masterclass at Le Pont de la Tour on Monday 28 January, and Zak Black's Moulin Rouge show at Floridita on Wednesday 30 January. 

That, I think, gets 2013 off to a pretty good start.

Happy New Year!