The Culinary Wonderland London Guidehand-drawn maps serving up London’s best-kept culinary secrets
Culinary Wonderland is a digital platform and mobile app founded by renowned chefs George Calombaris and Shannon Bennett, connecting food lovers with recipes, chefs, techniques and food guides from around the world.
The brief
For their London Guide, Culinary Wonderland wanted to take readers beyond the usual tourist trail with insider recommendations on where to eat, drink and stay. I was brought in to create 10 custom-illustrated maps, each covering a different London district.
Mapping London’s food scene
Each map combines key recommendations with local landmarks and hand-drawn details that capture the character of its neighbourhood. Rather than purely functional maps, the illustrations were designed to make exploring feel fun, visual and a little more like having a chef in your pocket.
The outcome: A 347-page guide worth getting lost in
Scattered throughout this meaty eat-drink-stay guide to London, the 10 maps give readers a visual way to explore each district alongside Culinary Wonderland’s chef-approved recommendations and detailed features of each.
Initial map sketch to develop the proposed composition and style approach for the series
Final map showing chosen style and character approach, including the reference key at the bottom
Library of reoccuring characters and city props used across the maps for consistency
“From our first conversation to final delivery, the project was a breeze and Amy absolutely nailed the brief. Super clear communication. She was a pleasure to work with.
Highly recommended.”
— Ben, Nakatomi co-founder