The Mayfair Foodie Festive 50 Quiz

It's that time again! Gather family and friends, pour some festive drinks, and test your foodie knowledge with the Mayfair Foodie Festive 50 quiz.

Good luck, and may the best foodie win!

Restaurants

1) Which city in the world has the most Michelin-starred restaurants?

2) Which Manchester restaurant won Best New Restaurant at the Good Food Guide Awards 2025?

a) Lyla
b) Skof
c) Native
d) Albatross Death Cult

3) Which iconic New York Italian-American restaurant opened its doors in the new Chancery Rosewood hotel, Grosvenor Square, this year?

4) When was the first KFC opened in the UK?

a) 1968
b) 1978
c) 1965
d) 1975

5) Which iconic Mayfair hotel restaurant, famous for synchronised dome-lifting service and a strict dress code, was promoted from one to two Michelin stars in 2025?

6) Who is the head chef of the newly opened Bonheur at 43 Upper Brook Street, Mayfair, the former home to Le Gavroche restaurant?

a) Michael Caines
b) Matt Abé
c) Ben Murphy
d) Paul Ainsworth

7) Which hotel in London is home to a 3-star Michelin restaurant, Hélène Darroze?

8) When did the last Berni Inn close?

a) 1991
b) 1993
c) 1995

9) Which Michelin-starred London restaurant is famous for its futuristic egg-shaped "pod" toilets that look like they belong on a spaceship?

10) Which is India's largest fast food chain?

a) KFC
b) McDonald's
c) Domino's Pizza

Food

1) Which British city is credited with inventing the Balti curry dish?

2) What is the largest in size variety of crab?

a) Tasmanian giant crab
b) Red King crab
c) Japanese Spider crab
d) Coconut crab

3) Which British supermarket was the first to sell fresh pasta in the UK?

4) Which Spanish region serves pintxos (or pinchos)?

5) Odd one out, which cheese is not French?

a) Roquefort
b) Comté
c) Raclette
d) Reblochon

6) What is the national dish of Vietnam?

7) Which country's national dish is nihari?

a) Iraq
b) Pakistan
c) Iran

8) What is the favourite fish dish in Portugal?

9) The word tempering is a term usually associated with making:

a) Custard
b) Chocolate
c) Meringue

10) Most people think sauerkraut is German, but this festive fermented cabbage actually originated more than 2,000 years ago in which Asian country?

11) Which country catches the most wild abalone?

12) Can you name the 4 flavour profiles of Thai food? (We need all 4 correct for a point)

13) What fish will you find in an omelette Arnold Bennett?

14) Name the three different age classifications for the meat from sheep?

15) Which three essential ingredients are required to make a classic white sauce (béchamel)?

Drink

1) Which coffee chain has the most stores in the UK?

2) What is the minimum alcohol percentage required for a spirit to be legally called "London Dry Gin" in the UK?

a) 35%
b) 37.5%
c) 40%
d) 43%

3) What is the name of the indent at the bottom of a bottle of wine?

4) In what year was Coca-Cola invented?

a) 1836
b) 1856
c) 1886

5) The drink Jägermeister is from which country?

6) Which cocktail is made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice?

7) Beer was classified as a soft drink in which country until 2011?

a) Poland
b) Moldova
c) Russia

8) What is the main spirit in a piña colada?

9) Which Champagne did Winston Churchill drink?

a) Pol Roger
b) Bollinger
c) Louis Roederer

10) What is the name of the lager beer that Jeremy Clarkson brews?

11) Who was CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain for 2025?

a) Fallen Angel by Church End Brewery
b) Snowflake by Sarah Hughes
c) Mild by Penzance Brewing Company

12) Tempranillo grapes are native to which country?

13) Which country produces Tokaji sweet wine?

a) Germany
b) Japan
c) Hungary

14) What wood is used to age wine?

15) What is the main grape in Sancerre, a region famous for its fresh white wines?

16) What region of Italy does Primitivo wine come from?

17) What is the name of the traditional Scandinavian Christmas mulled wine made with red wine, vodka or aquavit, spices, raisins, and almonds – and traditionally served with a spoon so you can eat the boozy fruit at the bottom?

a) Glühwein
b) Glögg
c) Vin chaud

18) What drink is Ricky Gervais controversially advertising at the moment?

19) What is the national drink of Turkey?

20) Born in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, which iconic rum cocktail gets its name from the Spanish word for "free Cuba" and is made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, soda water, and fresh mint?

General

1) Which German discount supermarket giant beat its rival to the UK high street, opening its first British store in Birmingham way back in 1990?

2) Who won the UK Amateur MasterChef title in 2025?

a) Harry Maguire
b) Sophie Sugrue
c) Claire Syrenne

3) When did Claridge's first open its doors to guests?

a) 1856
b) 1866
c) 1876

4) Where did the first Greggs bakery open?

a) Manchester
b) Sheffield
c) Newcastle

5) Final question: after 25 years Jay Rayner left as main restaurant critic for the Observer for which newspaper?

The answers will be revealed in our December newsletter, published on 22nd December. Until then, enjoy the the pre-christmas weekend

Cheers,
The Mayfair Foodie