Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall_2.jpg" alt="Theo Randall" class="wp-image-203726" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall_2.jpg 2000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall_2-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall_2-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall_2-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall_2-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>



<p>Whenever a special occasion’s on the horizon, my family and I book in at <a href="https://www.theorandall.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theo Randall’s Cucina Italiana</a> at The Intercontinental Park Lane; the pappardelle con ragu is a strong death row meal contender, and you could hear a pin drop as we faceplant our Amalfi lemon tarts. A Brit chef nearing national treasure status (he’s a <em>Masterchef</em> and <em>Saturday Kitchen </em>regular), Theo specialises in Italian cuisine and has 16 years at world-renowned The River Café under his belt. The restaurant earned a Michelin star during his Head Chef tenure, and his own Mayfair joint has won more than a few gongs too since opening 20 years ago; it’s frequently lauded as the best Italian restaurant in London.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall-amalfi-lemon-tart.png" alt="Theo Randall amalfi lemon tart" class="wp-image-203734" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall-amalfi-lemon-tart.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall-amalfi-lemon-tart-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall-amalfi-lemon-tart-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-Randall-amalfi-lemon-tart-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>That</em> Amalfi lemon tart, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theo.randall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@theorandall</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Theo’s hopping on the Chiltern flyer to come our way this <strong>Fri 24 Apr</strong> as part of <a href="https://www.thebicestercollection.com/bicester-village/en/dine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bicester Village’s Dish &amp; Tell </a>supper club series (keep an eye out for more star chefs on your doorstep visiting soon). He’s taking over La Tua Pasta to cook a soulful, bespoke set menu to big up the best seasonal Italian produce and deliver a masterclass in fresh pasta making. You can nab the very last few <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bicester-village-presents-dish-tell-supper-club-hosted-by-theo-randall-tickets-1982692262931" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tickets here</a>, but if you don&#8217;t score a seat, fear not. Theo spilled the tea/ pasta water to us beforehand on the secrets to a no-stress dinner party and cooking for <em>The Godfather’s </em>mob boss. No sweat.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-first-job-in-a-kitchen">Your first job in a kitchen?</h3>



<p>It was at a little restaurant called Starr’s bistro. I started out washing the dishes and instantly loved the energy of being in a restaurant!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-career-highlight">Career highlight?</h3>



<p>I received the Star of Italy [Stella d’Italia] a few years back, which is a huge [and very rare] honour for an English chef specialising in Italian food.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-would-you-sum-up-your-cooking-style">How would you sum up your cooking style?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="557" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-making-pasta-1000x557.png" alt="Theo Randall pasta" class="wp-image-203738" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-making-pasta-1000x557.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-making-pasta-800x445.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-making-pasta-400x223.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Theo-making-pasta.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Theo making pasta, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theo.randall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@theorandall</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Seasonal, fresh, uncomplicated, regional Italian food.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ever-cooked-for-anyone-famous">Ever cooked for anyone famous?</h3>



<p>A fair few in my time! Some of the most memorable include Princess Diana, Elizabeth David, Samuel L Jackson, Charlton Heston, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-chef">Favourite chef?</h3>



<p>Can I say my mother?! She was a great cook and she encouraged me to read cookbooks, then cook with her.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-ultimate-comfort-food">Your ultimate comfort food?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1256" height="1286" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Spinach-Ricotta-Tortelloni.png" alt="Spinach and ricotta tortelloni La Tua Pasta" class="wp-image-203732" style="aspect-ratio:4/3;object-fit:cover" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Spinach-Ricotta-Tortelloni.png 1256w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Spinach-Ricotta-Tortelloni-781x800.png 781w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Spinach-Ricotta-Tortelloni-977x1000.png 977w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Spinach-Ricotta-Tortelloni-391x400.png 391w" sizes="(max-width: 1256px) 100vw, 1256px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Spinach and ricotta tortelloni, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/latuapasta/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@latuapasta </a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Spinach and ricotta tortelloni. That’d be my staple order!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-ingredient">Favourite ingredient?</h3>



<p>I love English asparagus. It’s one of the stars of my La Tua tortelli pasta that I’ll be serving at the supperclub and I’m so excited for guests to try it. It puts a twist on asparagus and it’s so delicious combined with the courgette, lemon and burrata filled pasta.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-to-a-great-dinner-party-nbsp">Key to a great dinner party?&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/La-Tua-Pasta-aperitif.png" alt="La Tua Pasta aperitif" class="wp-image-203741" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/La-Tua-Pasta-aperitif.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/La-Tua-Pasta-aperitif-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/La-Tua-Pasta-aperitif-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/La-Tua-Pasta-aperitif-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An apéritif at La Tua Pasta, Bicester Village. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/latuapasta/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@latuapasta. </a></figcaption></figure>



<p>If it’s a really big one, do a tasting beforehand to run through everything. That&#8217;s what we did a few weeks ago for the supper club; we made sure everything worked, from preparation to the time we served. Otherwise, having big plates to share in the middle of the table creates a warm, informal sharing experience that is very Italian. It has to be a brilliant social experience as well as a chance to try very high quality food. A relaxed vibe comes from having relaxed people, good food, great drinks, music, and perfect lighting. I didn’t want to do a formal chef&#8217;s tasting menu as it just wouldn’t suit the space and environment. Fun is paramount!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-go-to-kitchen-gadget-or-tool">What’s your go-to kitchen gadget or tool?</h3>



<p>I go to Zwillings to buy Henckels knives and Le Creuset for their amazing pots and gratin dishes. I love the Stella range of plates by Villeroy &amp; Boch and it’s always Emma Bridgewater for beautiful serving bowls and cups.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-relax-when-you-re-not-working-nbsp">How do you relax when you&#8217;re not working?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>When I’m off-duty this weekend I’ll be having a shop here and treating myself to a new pair of Golden Goose trainers. When at home, I still enjoy cooking! I cook for my family and write cookbooks, and when I’m not doing that I’m reading or walking my labrador.&nbsp;</p>



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<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/spotlight/spring-supper-clubs-near-me-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The spring supper clubs to book now in Bucks &amp; Oxon</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/the-rise-of-micro-restaurants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiny tables, huge hype: The rise of micro-restaurants</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/buckinghamshire-oxfordshire-local-news-april-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steak, champagne and stars filming in Bucks! Your latest news drop is sizzling</a></li>
</ul>


What’s Cooking? Theo Randall, chef and restauranteur

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