This was published 9 years ago
London 'Guest of Honour' competition borrows Australia's 'Best Job in the World' tourism campaign
Australians will get the chance to be a 'Guest of Honour' in London.Credit: Reuters
Inspired by Australia's 'Best Job in the World' tourism campaigns, London has come up with its own 'Guest of Honour' competition to promote the English capital.
People from six countries, including Australia, will compete to be feted with a friend in February 2015.
Some of London's most famous residents will roll out the red carpet at locations including Tower Bridge, Westminster, Lord's and the Royal Opera House.
Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton will also cook the prize-winner a six-course meal at his renowned restaurant Pollen Street Social.
"We're going to do an amazing tasting menu showcasing the great British seasons at that time of year," Atherton said.
"We'll give them a good time and show them that restaurants in Britain are no longer over-cooked roast beef and soggy veg and fish'n'chips."
Instead, the official guest of honour will experience only the best British food, wine and cheese.
Other celebrities who'll show off London's landmarks include physicist Stephen Hawking, singer Jessie J, former tennis ace Tim Henman, Commons Speaker John Bercow and opera star Placido Domingo.
The campaign, organisers admit, is based on Tourism Queensland's 2009 global search for a caretaker to help look after the Great Barrier Reef and Tourism Australia's 2013 nation-wide follow-up.
"London is ready to welcome our guest of honour in style," London mayor Boris Johnson said.
"This is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the greatest city in the world in the greatest possible way."
After hosting the winner, Atherton will head to Sydney where he's opening a new restaurant in June 2015.
The former Gordan Ramsay-protege wants Kensington Street Social near Central Station to be laid back, but the 43-year-old says they're not trying to achieve anything stuffy.
"We want to come there and be part of what is already great about Australia and Sydney," Atherton said.
By the time he arrives, fellow foodie Heston Blumenthal will already have been running his Melbourne pop-up The Fat Duck for a few months.
British chefs are heading Down Under because the food scene is considered the equal of anywhere in the world.
Atherton says everyone has long known about Australia's incredible wine, but the food culture has now taken off too.
People can enter the "guest of honour" competition by describing their perfect London day at visitlondon.com.
AAP
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