Originally described by some wags as “The City of London’s hottest annual event”, this now enormous annual charity fundraiser began back in 2008 on a very small scale. Hosted by the Lord Mayor, over the years it has grown and grown, until today it takes over the whole of Guildhall and raises going on half a million pounds annually.

At its core, the Lunch demonstrates the City’s support for members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces and veterans, through the three National Service Charities: The Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. It does this via a huge curry lunch, held in a packed Great Hall, plus a silent auction for some pretty splendid lots, held in the Old Library.

The Master is going to the 2pm sitting and invites up to nine members and their guests to join him. As well as being delicious, the whole occasion is very much “A sight to see” – certainly, you won’t be able to watch over 300 people, all guzzling curry in shifts, anywhere else!

Tickets cost £110 and will be allocated on a “first-come-first -served basis”.