Fay Maschler's week in food: from arroz negro to lamb cutlets

Despite roadworks blocking Berwick Street — some restaurants put out tables in the gaps — Ember Yard is bustling. Zing go the strings of my heart eating inky arroz negro with baby squid, lemon and chilli.

Harriet Collins, my Marie Kondo (declutterer) and a twice-time candidate for GBBO, brings carrot cupcakes with cream cheese icing that she’s made. Later we tidy them by eating.

It is no coincidence that one of my favourite people, Gavin Rankin, runs one of my favourite restaurants — Bellamy’s — where supper starts with Ravioles du Royans from the Dauphiné region in the Rhône Alps.

Congenial, warm-hearted, Irish John Nugent, responsible for Rotunda at King’s Place, throws a fabulous canalside summer party culminating in warm doughnuts with hot chocolate sauce.

Lamb cutlets and marshmallows cooked by Joe Warwick on the barbie celebrating the birthdays of Cassie (five) and Flynn (two).