30 things we love in the world of food, 2024

Celebration doughnuts and an elite cheese snack, tiny drinks and hyper-regional Malaysian food, decision-free dining and dessert trolleys – these are the Observer Food Monthly’s favourite people, places and things for the year

Everyday People, Nottingham: ‘Small things done right’ – restaurant review

Ramen is all about attention to detail, and these Japanese food enthusiasts are truly meticulous

I’m fascinated by fasting but, sorry Rishi Sunak, I’m not about to bin my morning toast

I’m suspicious of this fad, and do worry how anyone can run a country on an empty stomach

Angela Hartnett: ‘One of life’s great things is a crisps sandwich: white bread, butter, crisps’

The acclaimed chef on some simple pleasures – kitchen discos, Come Dine With Me, campari and soda – and long, long lunches with friends

Yes, it can be hard to get a restaurant table. But it can be impossible if you’re a wheelchair user

My lunch with a disability access campaigner was an eye-opener. Even booking was a problem

Zucco, Leeds: ‘All the essentials are attended to’ – restaurant review

A note-perfect Italian in Leeds carries the legacy of a great London restaurateur in its bones

Levante, London: ‘A very happy find’ – restaurant review

A classic Turkish grill house comes to the rescue on a cold grey day in Lewisham

Bali Satay House, London: ‘Deserves all the good words’ – restaurant review

There’s live music at this satay house, but it’s the food you’ll want to make a song and dance about, writes Jay Rayner

‘One taste explodes like a moon rocket booster’: readers’ favourite foodie finds in Europe

Lava soup in Iceland, assassins’ pasta in Bari, Georgian breads and Norfolk seafood … our tipsters pick their favourite culinary treats across the continent

Glug! Braap! Phlank! Why the sound of dinner matters

The spring-fresh zzzzest of a supermarket lemon. The noisy kiss a last squeeze from a squeezed-out bottle of honey makes. Sound can be as strong a reminder of meals as smell

Erchen Chang’s secret ingredient – fermented mustard greens

Common in Chinese and Taiwanese cooking, this pickle will add a tasty crunch to fried rice, noodle soup and grilled fish

‘It worked because it’s an upbeat campaign’: Veganuary’s founders on 10 years of changing minds

Over vegan ribs and K-dogs, Jane Land and Matthew Glover tell how they became the power couple of a plant-based revolution

Where chefs go to grab a bite: great pizza, sushi, cafes and value for money meals across the UK

Butties in Leeds, burgers in St Andrews … get some local knowledge from top chefs of meals that won’t break the bank

Fenix, Manchester: ‘Joyously over the top’ – restaurant review

The decor may be OTT, but the modern Greek cuisine here is simply exceptional

Can’t face yet another menu offering charred hispi? This 50-year-old cookbook will help

Even at its most old-fashioned, Jane Grigson’s English Food is still bulging with exciting recipes. The perfect antidote to these jaded times