People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Luke Hasell
Luke Hasell is a Chew Valley organic farmer and butcher. A finalist in the 2014 BBC Food & Farming Outstanding Farmer of the Year, he is also part of Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, Yurt Lush at Creative Common, The Community Farm and Dirty Burger at Arcadia at Glastonbury Festival.
Luke’s own family-friendly festival, Mini V, takes place on September 6 and 7 at a secret location in Chew Valley to mark the end of the summer. In memory of his mum and dad, the festival raises money for charities including Penny Brohn and St Peter’s Hospice.
Here are Luke’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Bristol’s awesome festival scene
is needed now More than ever
“I think Bristol in the summer is second to none. And so many of the festivals on offer are free. From Bristol Food Connections which we joined in May with Eat Drink Bristol Fashion (below) to the Harbour Festival and Balloon Fiesta in August, Bristol shows off its best side in such a creative and welcoming way.”
Eating out in Bristol
“I love eating out in Bristol, it’s why I have to run so much. It has so many food scenes going on, I really think it is giving London a run for its money. From street food and great pop-ups to the covered food market at St Nicks or small plates at Poco to the number of upcoming chefs and eateries like Flinty Red (and check out co-owner Claire Tomson’s Guardian column, Cooking for kids, on what to cook for children a real inspiration). North Street and surrounding streets in Southville are now really thriving with the beautiful Birch (below) and my favourite wine shop Corks heading over there too. And I love what Jack Bevan is doing at the Ethicurean in Wrington when it comes to sourcing and flavours.”
The Seymour Arms
“This has become my new local. Well, it’s near my new butchers in Blagdon and I need to support my local don’t I! I really like just popping in for a pint after work and what they are doing with the menu is great. Executive chef Lee Bloomfield is doing a good job. If you recognise the vibe at The Seymour Arms it’s probably because it’s from the same stable as The Albion over in Clifton.”
Hengrove Park Leisure Centre swimming pool
“I don’t know what I did before Hengrove Park Leisure Centre opened. I have three children under-five so it’s a godsend on a rainy day. It’s got a great learner pool and if I get the time I pop in on my own to use the Olympic size pool too.”
Better Food Company
“I always end up coming out of The Better Food Company with more than I intended. They supply Community Farm organic veggies and lots of my meat and chickens so I pop in for meetings quite a bit but always come out with a new dip or sauce or the heavenly Bakewell tart!”
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