People / Breakfast with Bristol24/7
Breakfast with Bristol24/7: Luke Hasell
It’s supposedly his morning off, but Luke Hasell is a whirlwind of activity as, phone in hand, he speaks to staff and asks for feedback on the new breakfast menu at Yurt Lush – just one of his many ventures.
Noticing my arrival, the organic farmer, turned butcher, events organiser and all-round entrepreneur leaps up with a wide grin and a firm handshake. Casually dressed in a black polo shirt and jeans, Luke is unmistakeable for the sheer energy he exudes.
We are meeting for breakfast in the Mongolian yurt that plays host to the cafe he co-owns with renowned chef Josh Eggleton and it is with a hint of pride in his voice that he asks what I would like on the menu.
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Food ordered, he announces we should make the most of the weather and we settle with our coffees at a wooden table in the suntrap spot behind the Engine Shed.
You get the impression Luke is a man who makes the most of every day. A farmer by trade, he grew up on his family farm in Chew Magna and has gone on to become a pioneer for organic produce and a businessman with fingers in many pies.
Most of his ventures stem from his passion for promoting organic food and love of his homeland which is why he is so excited about the upcoming Valley Fest – an opportunity to showcase the beauty of his farm, enjoy organic food and throw a damn good party.
“Growing up, I always felt my farm, overlooking the Chew Valley Lake, was the most stunning place and I couldn’t believe people didn’t know about it,” says Luke.
“This year is the 10th anniversary of my mum passing away and 15 years since my dad died, so they have left this legacy. I always thought it should be shared.
“Back in 2007, I did my first charity fundraiser after my dad died and we have always done this mini harvest festival in September, where we get people on the land, have music and have a barbecue. Valley Fest is a continuation of that.”
Our breakfast arrives and tucking heartily into his shakshuka – baked eggs in a tomato-based sauce with sourdough toast – Luke talks about the origins of The Community Farm, a community-owned social enterprise that was launched on his land in 2009.
“It’s is about getting people on the land to see what we do,” says Luke.
“I’m really glad it’s still in existence, it’s been a tough journey. It was before crowd funding really became a thing, but that is essentially what we did to get it off the ground.”
Luke said he never intended to be a butcher, but set up the farm-to-fork focused meat producer, The Story, as a way of telling people about the food they were eating.
“I’m a bit gobsmacked that 10 years on, we are almost in the same place we were with regards to organic food,” he says.
“I am saddened to say the majority of people do not really care about organic food.”
He confirmed plans to open a butchers at Wapping Wharf and said while this won’t be in the Cargo 2 phase as originally hoped, the business is earmarked for Cargo 2.5.
“I’m very excited at the prospect,” says Luke. “It’s been a long process. We have an existing butchers in Blagdon and we want to bring a bit of that country into the city, whereas Valley Fest is about bringing that city into the country.”
Luke, together with Josh, brought the hugely popular Eat Drink Bristol Fashion to Queen Square, but he quickly stifled any hopes that it might return this year.
“I would absolutely love to bring Eat Drink Bristol Fashion back, but anything like that is very risky business and it’s really hard to make an event like that stack up.
“I do miss it. It was four years long and it was an amazing event and we loved doing it. Valley Fest has kind of replaced Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, but never say never.
“With Valley Fest, we are very much trying to create a festival with good music and a safe, family environment.”
A dad of three children under 10, Luke admits life is busy, but says his family love being a part of the farm.
As we finish our breakfasts, he casually drops into conversation that he tries to carry on his mum’s charity fundraising legacy and has completed about seven or eight marathons. Luke shrugs as if this is nothing – which perhaps for a man of his energy it isn’t.
Yurt Lush,
Clock Tower Yard
Temple Meads
BS1 6QH
1 x Shakshuka: £7.95
1 x Veggie English: £9.50
1 x Large cappuccino: £2.60
1 x Small cappuccino: £2.40
Total: £22.45
Illustration by Anna Higgie: www.annahiggie.co.uk
Read more: Breakfast with Bristol 24/7: Savita Custead
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