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STAR OF THE EAST Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golden girl Shruti Haasan on changing the world through music

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TALK OF THE TOWN

Arielle Free’s journey from Harry Potter to BBC Radio 1 via Hoxton

BEAST LONDON

Tales, trends & talk from the beating heart of East London

STAR OF THE EAST India’s golden girl Shruti Haasan on changing the world through music

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BEAST magazine is brought to you by Editor Emma Winterschladen Creative Director Nicky Acketts Sub Editor Jane Gazzard Social Media Gemma Wardle Features Chantelle Pattemore, Maria Loizou, Ed Holton, Ellie Smith Contributors Lara Mills, Jean Egbunike, Arijana Zeric, Leonie Helm, Thomas Palmer Printed in the UK by Cliffe Enterprise Ltd To advertise contact partnerships@beastmag.co.uk or phil@peacheymediaconsultancy.com ON THE COVER Shruti Haasan wears red sequinned blazer, £89.99; red sequin trousers, £59.99, both Zara; pearl bralet, £89, Never Fully Dressed. Photography by Adam Brazier. Hair and Makeup RUUBY.com. Stylist Maria Loizou. Assistant Stylist Ruby Daniel Beast magazine is published five times per year and is available throughout East London. Every effort is made to ensure the information contained in the magazine is correct. We cannot accept responsibility for omissions or errors. Opinions expressed in the content are strictly those of the authors.

BEAST

After hand peeling Murcian lemons, we release the oils through vapour infusion to get the freshest possible citrus flavour. One of ten botanicals within Bombay Sapphire that make a perfect, refreshing Gin & Tonic.

Enjoy BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin Responsibly BOMBAY SAPPHIRE AND ITS TRADE DRESS ARE TRADEMARKS.

ell me, how are we here? Hurtling towards the end of 2019, with the bright lights of a new decade dazzling in the distance. For BEAST, it’s been quite the year to end the twentyteens on. We started only a few issues in, still finding our voice as an independent title in a sea of words. But we’re ending the year with confidence, a growing community and @hungryromantic with our best offering yet – issue 8 of the mag, with film and music goddess Shruti Haasan gracing its cover no less. It’s been an ongoing joy to meet fellow #BEASTenders while out and about distributing, and at our launch parties, which are fast becoming ‘A Thing’. Bringing the magazine from page to party has shown us the power of IRL connection at events, something we want to do more of with our readers – so watch this space. And that’s the thing about being a print magazine – we get to exist in the real world and be a part of our readers’ commutes, their snatched lunchbreaks, quiet coffees and afterwork wanderings around the streets of East London. But in an increasingly connected world, we know the importance of being online too. It’s where many of us hang out, so expect to see more of us on your feeds via our socials @beastmag_london (and even in your ears!) next year. One thing’s for sure, though – whether it’s offline or on, in print or in person, BEAST is here to stay – and we’d love you all to be a part of our journey. So, if you’re a writer, get in touch with me at editor@beastmag.co.uk; if you’re a brand and want to advertise or collaborate, email partnerships@beastmag.co.uk and if you’re a bustling hotspot and want to stock us, email distribution@beastmag.co.uk. Our hope is that we can continue to create a platform and community for all the brilliant people living, loving and working here in East London. May your festive season be full of the good stuff – delicious food, fancy cocktails, cosy nights in and sparkly nights out – all recommended by this very mag of course!

Love,

Emma Winterschladen EDITOR

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EAST LONDON HOMES WITH STYLING AND TEXT BY SARAH BAGNER . PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON AARON GREEN. PUBLISHED BY HOXTON MINI PRESS: HOXTONMINIPRESS.COM/ PRODUCTS/EAST-LONDON-HOMES

EAST LONDON HOMES

Who hasn’t wandered the streets of East London and wondered what sits behind its various facades, especially at Christmas time when the windows are alight. Well, Hoxton Mini Press’ new book East London Homes is on hand to quench our inherent nosiness. Featuring 29 homes and interviews with the owners, this coffee table book provides an intimate insight into a unique selection of homesteads, from the humble to the decisively not-so-humble. One of our favourites has to be this crayon-inspired extravaganza in Bow. Home to artist Sue Kreitzman, who has owned the property since the late 1990s, her spirited use of colour and collecting has got us feeling all the feel-good feels. East London Homes, (£30, Hoxton Mini Press) hoxtonminipress.com

OUT THERE Eyes wide open and ears to the ground

FESTIVE FLOW

Artist and film maker Mark James has created a homage to Tokyo’s much-loved drinking dens in Dalston’s teeniest, tiniest neonlit bar Golden Gai. Tucked away in the back of the restaurant Angelina, you’ll find yourself transported to the shanty town of Shinjuku where bars are so small that only five or six customers can fit in at a time. Smart phones are strictly banned and guests are encouraged to (literally) rub shoulders with one another. A unique opportunity to enjoy a digi-free drink in the city that never sleeps. BEAST’s tipples of choice include Yuzuyu and the Big Cheese. 56 Dalston Lane, E8 3AH, angelina.london

Award-winning London-based Soapsmith have just launched their new range and brand identity, and it feels very ‘us’, particularly three out of their seven London district scents, which are inspired by Brick Lane, Whitechapel and Hackney. Our editor’s choice is the latter, which evokes fresh, long walks through Hackney Marshes and lazy afternoons by the River Lea. Available as hand and body wash, lotion and a bar of soap. From £10, soapsmith.com 8

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WORDS: ELLIE SMITH

TOKYO CALLING

First there was goat yoga, now there’s disco yoga – surely the best way to groove your way into the season? Expect a blissful, energising yoga sequence with a live DJ spinning a jolly mix of disco classics and Christmas tunes. Pre-class glitter up, and post-class, enjoy a Winter Bellini while you bask in your new-found glow. Bring a friend or make friends, and leave feeling full of the good stuff (that is festive spirit). Trapeze Bar, 87 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HX, 26 November, 7pm. Tickets are £16. To book head to discoyoga.uk

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Greener gifting With 70% of Brits looking to ‘go green’ over the festive period, an eco-conscious Christmas market is the perfect place to make a dent in the gift list. Wrap up warm and grab a (reusable) cup of mulled wine, here’s our pick of the bunch.

Zero Waste Christmas Market SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER, 10.30AM - 5:30PM This year Zero Waste Goods are launching their OMG (one magical gift) campaign – kind to bank balances as well as the planet. Bringing together the best of London’s sustainability scene, you’ll be sure to find a special gift for a special someone. Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, E2 9DT. Tickets available via eventbrite.co.uk

For unique chic artisan prezzie ideas, check out the London Artisan Market

The London Artisan Market SATURDAY 21 & SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER, 11AM-6PM If you like your gift-giving to be of the handmade and artisan sort, then head to Brick Lane to buy direct from designers. The market is a creative celebration of independent producers and makers, where you’ll find unique jewellery, ceramics, glassware, textiles and more – as well as being able to commission products. A great one for last-minute gifts that don’t feel last-minute! Old Truman Brewery, E1 6QR (Main entrance in Elys Yard off Hanbury Street), thelondonartisan.com

Urban Makers’ Christmas Markets Throughout late November and December, Urban Makers will be bringing their festive artisan goods to East London. You’ll find the festive makers’ market at Here East, Old Spitalfields Market and Ecology Pavillion at Mile End Park. The events will play host to 50+ makers offering everything from sustainably-made gifts to decorations, jewellery, candles and more. Not to be missed. For dates, head to urbanmakers.co.uk 10 B E A S T

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COFFEE WITH CONSCIENCE Nestled between Cambridge Health and Bethnal Green, the new all-day eatery – courtesy of speciality New Zealand coffee roasters Ozone, has captured our hearts. Despite overseas origins, Ozone is dedicated to buying local. The menu is inspired by Antipodean culture and is a celebration of Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), with a focus on sustainable, whole-cycle cooking. Good for the planet, and good for the tastebuds – and soul, especially their Cold Drip Negroni. Book onto one of their coffee courses to hone your barista skills. Emma Street, E2 9AP, ozonecoffee.co.uk

Secret speakeasy Walthamstow’s in-the-know are gathering after hours at L Manze, an art deco, Grade II-listed pie ’n’ mash shop that’s held its place on the high street since 1929. When the clock strikes 7pm, cult carbs are swapped for cocktails and croquetas courtesy of The Jellied Eel. Be sure to swing by after work – the rhubarb negronis are certainly taking the edge off our winter blues. 76 High Street, E17 7LD, thejelliedeel.com

PIES FOR PURISTS Move over Heston Blumenthal. When it comes to mince pies there’s no need to meddle with a winning formula, especially when it comes from East End purveyors of fine, artisan food, Forman & Field (part of H Forman & Son). Their utterly buttery mince pies are made just as your grandma would make them, only better. Best served warm with a generous dollop of brandy butter. £19.95 for 12 pies. formanandfield.com

FOLIAGE FUN

Who better to teach us the art of wreath making in a way that’s modern, instagrammable and planet-friendly than our good friends over at McQueen’s Flower School? They’re hosting a Sustainable Wreath Making and Table Arrangement Masterclasses on 28 Nov & 2, 7, 12, 14 & 19 December. £220 for a full day (Different dates for half days and evenings are available at £130). Book in quick as spaces are limited. Mcqueens.co.uk Hackney-based Grace and Thorn are also hosting a ‘Christmas swag’ workshop, encouraging Eastenders to display their festive foliage in more organic and whimsical shapes. Crafters can expect lashings of Prosecco and Christmas tunes galore. 5 December, tickets £55, graceandthorn.com beastmag.co.uk

BEAST

Matt Ham and Savannah Lee

@bombaysapphireuk

Michelle Oliver, Deborah Mason, Nicky Acketts and Sarah Daniel

Wesley Daniel and Jane Gazzard

Jamie Moore

@drinkdalstons

Tina Michael

Cinderella Balthazar and Cee Cee Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal

Gemma Wardle

Photography by Nic Crilly-Hargrave @NicCrillyHargravePhotography

Tesh and Davide Troise

Leonie Helm

James and Jon Penn, Barbara Ayozie, Nicky Acketts and Emma Winterschladen

Anna Shepherd

Georgie Kid

Maud de Rohan

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Rob and Dari Rodriguez

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Tayla King and Savannah Lee Daniel Spencer and Pip Jolley

Meeting of minds Reminiscing on what was another successful gathering of our BEAST community, this time to launch our last issue at the plant-filled paradise that is Hackney Coffee Company. Cocktail-swilling, happy chatter and Japanese Latin street food (which is delicious as it sounds) set the scene for what was a bright, buzzy evening bringing together East London creatives.

Eelke Jan Bles

David Whitney

Huge thanks to our sponsors for the evening: Bombay Sapphire, Sugoi JPN, Dalstons, Seven Sisters Brewery, Charles Good Food and of course Hackney Coffee Company for hosting us! Louis James Adams and BEAST editor, Emma

@sevensisbrew

@sugoijpn @bombaysapphireuk

Kate Hamilton, Adam Brazier and Iona Thomas

Felipe @sugoijpn

Rob and Sarah Daniel

Josh Frisby and Gemma Sokol

Georgie Mason and Tom Ungerer

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secret

santa Invisible Jumpers by Joseph Ford and Nina Dodd £12.95, Hoxton Mini Press, hoxtonminipress.co.uk

Stuck for gift ideas? Help is on hand with our ultimate BEAST Christmas edit to please all people and budgets

Jaqueline Ahwazian personalised cards & envelopes £35, Marby and Elm, marbyandelm.com

Essential Oils Candle, Purifying £29, Cuemars, cuemars.com

I Heart Nasty Woman Earrings £81, Mad Atleier, mad-atelier.com

Atomic by Rogue Matilda £169, Peponita, peponita.com

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Aquarius Zodiac Christmas decoration £24, House of Hackney, houseofhackney.com

Camden X KPP Cycling Edition Gertrude Camera Strap, Pumpkin

£149, Camden Watch Company camdenwatchcompany.com

Hackney cushion

£45, Mimi, mimiberry.co.uk

£39, museumoflondonshop.co.uk

Geometric handbag £65, Cuemars, cuemars.com

His & Hers Egg Cups Orange Blossom reed diffuser £35, Angela Flanders, angelaflanders-perfumer.com

£9.50 set of two, Source Lifestyle, sourcelifestyle.com BEAST

GLOBAL

citizen From award-winning A-list actor to breakout singer-songwriter, Indian-born Shruti Haasan is a creative soul with integrity – and an international spirit. She spoke to Editor Emma Winterschladen on the set of our BEAST cover shoot about growing up on a film set, finding her own way and the power of art to unite us all

Photography ADAM BRAZIER Styling MARIA LOIZOU Hair and Makeup RUUBY.COM Location COURTHOUSE HOTEL SHOREDITCH

hruti Haasan arrives to our shoot in Dr. Martens, a skull-embroided black dress and a hooded denim jacket. She looks every part the cool rock chick, and a world away from the red carpets and lavish award ceremonies of India, where she has long been a household name. But, it turns out, glitz and glamour is just one facet of Shruti’s life. “I grew up with The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Who. I was definitely one of the only young girls listening to metal in Chennai. Can you imagine how hard it was for me to get my hands on a copy of NME magazine?” Shruti also grew up around, as she calls them, “idealistic artistic conversations”. Born to the acting dynasty that is the Haasan family, her father Kamal is a multiaward winning actor, director and humanitarian. But did a career in showbiz feel inevitable? “In some ways, it didn’t really feel like a choice for me. A lot of my childhood was spent on movie sets and I was always listening to my parents and their friends talk about art and changing the world.” First, though, Shruti wanted to change her own world, and that involved carving out a new path. “When I was younger, I was always trying to find normalcy in other parts of life, so I could eventually come back to art on my own terms versus what was expected of me.” And what was expected? “Well in India, there were a lot of ideas of what and how an actor or a singer should be… I felt there were a lot of ‘should bes’, and I don’t want my life to be about the should bes.”

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Pink jumpsuit, Â£89.99, Zara

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Opposite page: Black dress, £699, ByVarga; shoes, £119, Kurt Geiger This page: Blue top, £469, ByVarga

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‘YOU DON’T NEED TO BE WEARING A SLOGAN ON YOUR T-SHIRT, YOU JUST NEED THE CONFIDENCE TO BE THE ARTIST YOU INTENDED TO BE AND TO TELL THE STORIES THAT NEED TO BE TOLD – THOSE ABOUT REAL PEOPLE, TODAY’ It’s perhaps only now though, a decade into her wildly As for her musical style, Shruti calls it “alternative”, with successful film career, that Shruti is really starting to shed elements that aren’t genre specific. “Melodically I still go the ‘should bes’. “In the past I never used to be that strict back to singer-songwriter on my piano. That’s how I’ve about what I took on, and I think most people go through always written my music. My language of communication a phase of doing this and that. I don’t regret it – I learnt so in my songs is English, but I also want to bring in my much from those experiences, but now I’m at a point where I Indian heritage in a way that’s not too obvious or makes can be pickier, and say ‘no’ more often.” And Shruti can afford a caricature of it. That’s my responsibility to my culture.” to be picky. She’s just finished filming her on-screen debut At the heart of Shruti’s music is a sentiment similar to in the US, with her role as assassin Nira Patel in Treadstone, the conversations of her youth: that good art holds the based on Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne, as well as launching power to change the world. “You don’t need to be wearing her debut EP in the UK in early 2020. a slogan on your T-shirt, you just need It’s no doubt a move away from the confidence to be the artist you her Indian film roots, where she has intended to be and to tell the stories Shruti Haasan’s grown a dedicated and vast fan base that need to be told – those about EAST LONDON (her online following alone currently real people, today, and the ways in ACE HOTEL sits at nearly 20 million followers). which we are all united in the human I used to stay here before I got How do her long-time fans feel about experience. I am a walking example of my flat and I loved how it is her venturing into new territory – how cultures can come together.” It’s right in the heart of everything both physically and professionally? an optimism that Shruti feels nowhere in Shoreditch. It was always “What’s really exciting for me is taking more than walking the streets of East full of musicians too. my Indian fan base on another journey London, where she has a flat. “There’s 100 Shoreditch High Street, from what they may have expected. a real community spirit and energy of E1 6JQ When I started doing gigs in London acceptance from people in this city.” last year, it was so wonderful to see It’s this sense of solidarity that has BOXPARK my Indian fans there, offering an open inspired much of Shruti’s music – that, The pop-up stops are always ear and heart to my English material. and the weather. “I just love the British great to wander around when But then there’s this new audience, weather! The grey and the gloom and I’ve got some time. who don’t necessarily know me as the rain for me are a reminder that life 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, well but just like the music, and that’s is unpredictable, and that we are all at E1 6GY really powerful for me as an artist.” the mercy of Mother Nature anyway. THE GREAT FROG As her new, more international I find it a very creative place to be.” The best place to buy audience continues to grow, Shruti So often we seek out the unique jewellery. is keen as ever to embrace her crossextraordinary, and Shruti’s life in 1-4 Holywell Lane, cultural identity. “People who don’t many ways is just that. But she’s EC2A 3ET know me can’t ever really place me also a testament to how the ordinary and I love that. And that’s what my things in life – be it the music, ANDINA music is about: a women in her 30s people or places we share – can be Their ceviche is my favourite. who’s from India but lives everywhere, the most unifying force for good 1 Redchurch Street, and feels a part of it all. I definitely in this broken, beautiful world. B Shoreditch, E2 7DJ think of myself as a global citizen.” @shrutzhaasan

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Sequinned blazer, £89.99; sequinned trousers, £59.99, both Zara

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BEAST

the

SMELL

of success

Move over celebrity scents... independent perfumers are having their day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Miller Harris is leading the way, in East London and beyond. BEAST speaks to CEO Sarah Rotheram

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WORDS: CHANTELLE PATTEMORE

ong considered an exclusive sector within the beauty market, the perfume industry has more recently been inundated with celebrities looking to make a quick buck. However, while Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and co. have all relied on their name and image to drive sales, a number of independent perfumers have worked hard to maintain a sense of authenticity within the market. Included in this group is Shoreditch-based Miller Harris. Founded in 2000 by Lyn Harris, the brand boasts an ethos CEO of Miller Harris, of individuality that still runs deep two decades later. Sarah Rotheram “The creative process for us is about storytelling and the types of stories we choose to tell,” explains their CEO Sarah Rotheram. “Our stories come from different places, which gives an authenticity and they visited locations across the city, here “the parks integrity to the brand.” are less manicured. There was more to explore, with Previously based in the heart of Soho, following less cultivated flowers and more pockets of interest.” Sarah’s arrival in early 2017 (after tenures at Molton Indeed, with the final fragrances reflective of stinging Brown, Penhaligon’s and Aspinal of London), the nettles, wild rhubarb and fern, and company’s HQ moved east and their beehives, there’s no denying that new residence has provided plenty of ‘OUR STORIES they’ve captured the beauty of the fuel for the storytelling fire. COME FROM untamed nature that surrounds them. “There’s a grit to the East End DIFFERENT PLACES, Blooms elsewhere out east have also that you need if you’re doing things WHICH GIVES AN got Miller Harris’ creative juices flowing, creatively. It’s real still and not overly AUTHENTICITY AND and their recent collaboration with polished.” It seems then a logical INTEGRITY TO Bethnal Green florist (and former relocation for a brand that describes THE BRAND.’ BEAST cover stars) McQueens Flowers itself as ‘urban contemporary London’. took them away from perfume and “We’re not about red phone boxes or black taxis – we’re into candles. But why the diversion? “In the spring and the kind of London you see down a side street and in summer, you want to throw open your windows and let which you live.” the scents of the flowers in. It felt natural for it to be a This element of wildness has proven a key motivation candle, for there to be a presence of florals in the room for one of Miller Harris’ most recent collections, which all the time.” As with the foraging collection, the three is inspired by foraging. “I think this collection is candle fragrances; Green Stem, Water Wood and probably the most reflective of East London.” Although Petal Storm, take the customer on a journey

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(in this case, through McQueens Flowers) and body collection is created from – with one “capturing that moment when kerb-side collected plastic. Furthermore, you walk in and there’s a bucket full of their cellophane wrap is fully recyclable, cut flowers”, and the other two providing all the florals and botanicals in their “that fresh smell of concrete and wet floor, products are from sustainable sources, the cuttings and the greenery.” and they use recycled plastic and wood This range has also allowed the brand chips for in-store decor. It seems Miller to f u r t h e r t h e i r e co Harris has much to be credentials, by creating a proud of. “We are doing ‘THIS RANGE HAS beautiful candle pot that a lot, although we’re not ALSO ALLOWED can be used repeatedly. there yet,” adds Sarah. THE BRAND TO “We’re always looking at Whether developing FURTHER THEIR how things can be reused ECO-CREDENTIALS, new scents or encouraging or recycled. It’s something sustainability, the cogs BY CREATING A I am really passionate BEAUTIFUL CANDLE are constantly whirring. about.” Last Christmas, “Although the brand is 20 POT THAT CAN BE for example, they USED REPEATEDLY’ years old, we’re almost wrapped their bottles in like a start-up – it’s a 100% silk scarves – which could then be small, innovative team where people used again for gifting another present, or have to do lots of things.” But with worn as an accessory. passion, creativity and authenticity “By November, we will be able to say fuelling every step, Miller Harris’ story we are fully sustainable,” continues is arguably only just beginning. B Sarah, as the packaging for their new bath millerharris.com

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Sarah’s EAST LONDON

COLUMBIA FLOWER MARKET ...before going to The Marksman – my brother’s pub – for Sunday lunch. 142 Columbia Road, E2 7RG THE ENGLISH RESTAURANT For amazing coffee. 50-52 Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, E1 6AG TOWER HAMLETS NATURE RESERVE It’s also an old graveyard that hasn’t been used for ages. In the middle of the city, it’s totally unexpected and just beautiful. The Soanes Centre Southern Grove, Mile End London E3 4PX

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10% off *

Miller Harris x McQueens candles for all BEAST readers Use code: beast10

*Online only. Offer ends 31 December 2019

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AGENT OF CHANGE

f you’ve seen any fashion campaign recently, from high street to high end, chances are you’ll have been looking at one of Charlie Clarke’s clients. With 15 years in the modelling industry behind him, the 37-year-old started his own male modelling agency, SUPA, in 2013. “I’d had experience of booking men exclusively for 12 years, and after working for a number of different agencies I felt ready to start my own company.” With the financial backing of his parents, who are still involved, SUPA remains a family-run business at its heart. In true East London style, Charlie prides his brand on individuality, and himself on having an intuition for fresh talent. “When scouting, I’m always seeking that unattainable beauty – someone who’s almost superhuman. You do have to tick boxes of course, but I’ll only take someone on if I can see prospects for them. Often, I’ll instantly know which brands I can see them modelling for.” For Charlie and his clients, modelling is a focused career choice, not a one-way ticket to instastardom and reality shows. “None of my clients are allowed to go on Love Island!”

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Yet, in a time where the gender debate is in full throttle, Charlie believes there’s still work to be done to improve representation and visibility within the fashion industry. “We need to see more diversity, it’s the only way for it to become the norm.” Of trans influencers like Caitlyn Jenner, the agent is not so convinced. “I just don’t think she’s the best model. It’s not the best, or an honest, representation of the hardship and time it takes to change gender… Caitlyn had the moneyed resources to do it all quickly.” Closer to home, Charlie is continuing to look for diverse models to join SUPA: “I’m wanting to take on more non-binary models. I already look after three trans models including Casil McArthur – but it’s just the beginning. The face of the industry needs to change.” Mental health is also a focus for SUPA. “We’re working with a number of different charities to bring more visibility and understanding. Over the years a higher percentage of my clients have developed mental health issues, so we have to think of our boys on a day-to-day basis, and keep them in contact with doctors. The NHS is so backlogged, there’s just not enough support out

WORDS: MARIA LOIZOU

BEAST meets Charlie Clarke, founder of SUPA, the East London modelling agency changing the face of the male fashion scene, one campaign at a time

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Charlie’s clients model for the likes fo Dior, Prada and Cerruti

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there, so it’s up to us.” Charlie’s books include East London’s Benjamin Lessore who’s modelled for Dior, Prada and United States of Benetton, as well as Jackson Hale and Myles Dominique – both of whom are hot off the heels of London men’s fashion week. Charlie sees East London as fundamental to both the London and the international fashion scene. “It’s an area that is still thriving. Our offices are based in Hackney, and I just love the pockets of extravagance and fun in the area.” Some of his favourite brands hail from the booming Shoreditch High Street, with Charlie naming JW Anderson, Sunspel and Craig Green among them. What’s next for SUPA and Charlie? “I want to keep building up my list of extraordinary talent, and continue to influence the industry in positive ways.” Watch this space. B supamodelmanaaement.com

‘WE NEED TO SEE MORE DIVERSITY, IT’S THE ONLY WAY FOR IT TO BECOME THE NORM’

BEAST

funny girl

A successful stand-up comedian, actor, TV personality, radio presenter and new mother… Ellie Taylor is as endearing as her credentials are impressive. Chantelle Pattemore finds herself totally charmed by this Hackney-dwelling comic

t’s early on a Friday evening, and Ellie is on the way to Leicester for the next stop of her current tour, Don’t Got This. “I’m guessing you’re getting ready to go to the pub,” she quips as we start chatting. Whatever my plans, none are set to be quite as intimate as hers: delving into the finer details of childbirth and motherhood with a room full of strangers (her daughter, Valentina, was born in November 2018). “All my shows are autobiographical,” Ellie tells me, but this takes personal to a whole new level. “Obviously it’s intimate when you share your body with another human and talk about getting that human out. And sharing all the emotions around it inevitably makes you delve a bit deeper.” Fortunately, discussing childbirth has proven far less laborious than the act itself. “I’ve really enjoyed it. So many weird and wonderful things happen, and it’s nice to be able to document it in some way. I was a bit apprehensive of ostracising people who don’t have or want children, or can’t have children – so hopefully I’ve done alright with that.” As she powers through her fourth successful live tour in as many years, it seems implausible that Ellie initially only tried stand-up to tick an item off her bucket list and secure her next date. “I’d just started seeing my now husband

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LOCATION: RADIO ALICE, HOXTON. WITH THANKS TO COURTHOUSE HOTEL SHOREDITCH

Photography ADAM BRAZIER Styling MARIA LOIZOU Hair and Makeup YOLANDA DOHR

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Oppostie page: Top, £9, Topshop; This page: Black beret, £10, Asos, red jumper, £79,Whistles; black skirt £32, Warehouse

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(CNN journalist, Phil Black). “After the gig, he said, ‘That was cool, you should do it again.’ I was going to just do one gig to be able to say I’d done it, but to impress him, I carried on doing it. So that’s where my career stems from… just trying to show off to my husband!” As with many sectors of the entertainment industry, comedy continues to be dominated by men – something that, understandably, hasn’t gone unnoticed by Ellie and her peers. “There’s still not parity for women comics. I think it’s better, but it’s improving at a glacial rate. More could be done about that.” She’s Ellie Taylor’s certainly doing her part: the support acts E A ST LONDON on her latest tour are both women – a fact she is “really chuffed” about. “There are so many fantastic comics out VICTORIA PARK there who are women,” she says, naming I love it, and we’re so fortunate Sara Pascoe, Sarah Millican, Jess Fostekew to have it in the area. It was my nan’s favourite park and she and Jen Brister as a few of her favourites. used to go there as a little girl – Working in such a male-focused now I take my little girl there. sector also made being asked to host

‘THERE’S STILL NOT PARITY FOR WOMEN COMICS. I THINK IT’S BETTER, BUT IT’S IMPROVING AT A GLACIAL RATE. MORE COULD BE DONE ABOUT THAT’

went viral, gaining her internet fame last year. But as real-world headlines continue to be rife with provocative and despondent messaging, Ellie thinks it’s the perfect time for this type of show. “There’s nothing else like it in the UK.” When she’s not busy filming abroad the esteemed Live At The Apollo – while LONDON FIELDS LIDO or touring the UK, home for Ellie is seven months pregnant – even sweeter. This was my first lido experience in Hackney. She and her husband “I’m so proud that I did it. It was all magic – it was good fun. moved there four years ago. “East and really brilliant. I think women, when London Fields Westside, London is just really interesting and they’re pregnant, sort of get written off London E8 3EU vibrant. We’ve bought now, and I feel a bit. So to be visibly pregnant on stage anchored here.” Despite being Essexand in a position of authority was great. HACKNEY WICK born and still having family residing So often, on TV and in film, the pregnant As an area is great; I didn’t really in the county, Ellie’s heart and fondest know about it before. I love woman is shown chucking up – you don’t Crate on the river – the pizza is memories seem to be in the Big Smoke. see them just getting on with their job.” excellent. “You’ll walk around places as you go In addition to her stand-up and being to work, or drive past in a car – and a popular guest on panel shows such as THE CANALS there are so many happy memories, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and QI, Just wandering along them and like ghosts. You’ll think ‘I had that date Ellie has made an equally impressive admiring the graffiti. with that guy there’ or ‘That was where mark on TV with her acting skills, having I got drunk and lost that coat’. I get very recently joined the popular comedy easily nostalgic about London.” drama, Plebs, in its fourth series. But was Whilst another move isn’t on the cards for Ellie anytime it daunting going into such an established atmosphere? soon, a Netflix special Cravings and another series of “It’s always a bit scary, the first day you arrive on set – The Mash Report are – along with quality family time. especially when everyone else knows each other. But it’s It seems like Ellie now definitely has got this. B really fun and the guys are good to hang out with.” Head to ellietaylorcomedy.com to stay up to date on She has also been involved in lauded satirical news Ellie’s shows, and follow @elliejanetaylor on Instagram show, The Mash Report, since its conception. It’s there and Twitter. that her ‘Fuck off from women everywhere’ segment

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Pink top , £25.99, Jumpsuit , £49.99, both Zara

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A beer with HACKNEY COFFEE COMPANY Brother duo Jon and James Penn are co-founders of East London’s coolest cafe, bar and events space. We caught up with them to chat coffee, community and the secret to growing a successful business

WORDS: EMMA WINTERSCHLADEN

How did HCC come about? JON: Building a business in the coffee industry was something we had discussed over a number of years, stemming back when James and our co-founder Kevin Mills spent time in Colombian coffee plantations as part of six month trip around South America. Kevin’s family own the building we occupy and when part of it became available to rent we jumped at the opportunity.

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What are your different roles within the company?

How has it grown over the past four years?

JAMES: Day-to-day I’m the main director managing the business, covering the finance and operations with our growing team, as well as developing our F&B offering. Jon is focused purely on the marketing and sales side, including covering social media. Kevin looks after the more building operations side of things.

JAMES: We launched the business in 2015 in a pokey little shop, with no experience and no plan, while still working in full-time jobs in the City. Since then we’ve been lucky to grow a fantastic customer base, which allowed us to expand into the current building (which is around four times bigger). Launching our kitchen and brunch

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offering in June this year was a milestone, which has also meant we’re now able to host private dining events and supper clubs.

Tell us about your coffee – what makes it so good? JON: It’s all down to our fantastic team. You can have the best-quality coffee in the world, but unless you have skilled staff who know what they’re doing, the coffee will be average at best.

What’s your favourite thing about running a business in the heart of East London? JAMES: It sounds like a cliché to talk about the ‘sense of community’ but it’s really there. We’re grateful to so many local businesses and customers who have helped us on this journey. It’s like being brought into the fold, and in turn we’re more inspired to build a business that serves the community.

How has the area changed since you’ve been here?

the area had come to life. There are multiple building developments going up all around us, with new restaurants and cafes opening up which will all help to put this area of Hackney Road and Cambridge Heath on the map.

What’s been your biggest milestone yet – or most exciting project?

JAMES: A few weeks back we hosted a fabulous press event with Honest Organic, a sub-brand of Coca-Cola. It was a special event for us in that it felt like a seal of approval in some ways – that we have been doing the right Any advice for East things to get in front TAG US of the right people. Londoners looking @beastmag_london There’s always so to launch their own if you pick up your copy much to do and that business? of BEAST magazine at will never change, but JON: You only have one life Hackney Coffee Company, sometimes you get so so go for it. Have a simple 503 Hackney Road, wrapped up in the dayplan and understand the E2 9ED to-day that you never numbers then crack on and stop for a moment and learn to adapt fast, as eventually think. ‘Look how far we’ve come.’ the plan will evolve. As boxer Mike Tyson

You have done some amazing JON: When we launched the business collaborations, how important is it in 2015, this end of Hackney Road was mostly shop fronts aimed at the wholesale to you both to support other local market, with a few greasy spoon cafes. We businesses? were the first speciality coffee business to open up here, and at first we were a bit worried about the lack of footfall. But within a few months the beautiful flower shop, Conservatory Archives, opened up next door, along with a handful of boutiques and all of a sudden it felt like Left to right: Jon, James and Kevin

JON: When we started this we had general business experience, but no specific experience within the hospitality industry. It’s meant we’ve had to rely on so many people to plug the gaps in our knowledge. Hosting supper clubs, for example, has allowed us to work closely with many talented chefs, which means we’ve built up some really valuable knowledge. At the same time, we’ve been able to impart some of our business experience to others, particularly the chefs, to help them grow their own start-up businesses.

What are your hopes for HCC, do you both have a five-year plan? JAMES: We do have a vision of what we want to create with HCC, but we’re also deliberately flexible with how we go about

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executing it. In some ways, not having come from a hospitality background can be a blessing in that we don’t do things in the same way as everyone else. For example, in the restaurant industry, I think that someone comes up with a new concept, raises the money, then if the concept doesn’t take off quickly, it all falls apart. We’ve built the business by continually adapting, cautiously trying new things. We think we’re close to having worked out the winning formula, so 2020 is going to be a big one for us – watch this space!

said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face” and that’s a lot like business. It’s not rocket science but it certainly requires a lot of persistence and perseverance. From all the businesses I’ve been involved in, my biggest take away is to network and find someone who has done what you are trying to achieve and learn from their mistakes and successes. Also, find a mentor as they will help you grow your business and bring a different perspective to the table. Aside from that, find a way to de-stress and look after yourself. For me fitness is my outlet and helps me keep a tab on my mental health, as you will take a beating when you choose to walk this path. And last, enjoy the journey as the final destination is not always what you think it will be. B Follow @hackneycoffeeco on Instagram and for opening times and upcoming event info head to hackneycoffee.co

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Christmas, the Sicilian way Hackney Coffee Company have teamed up with Strazzanti this Christmas to offer a Sicilian feast with all the trimmings. Available as part of a private hire for up to 60 guests, there are still a few dates left. To enquire about Christmas packages and book, email events@hackneycoffee.co

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The Greenwich Pensioner in Poplar

Purrfect pint Shelter from the cold winter evenings at Ed Holton’s top six cosy East London pubs. What’s more they’re dog (and cat) friendly, so you and your pooch can warm up inside together Follow Ed on Instagram @justaswiftone 36 B E A S T

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The Greenwich Pensioner 28 Bazely Street, Poplar, E14 0ES

The pub is over 200 years old. Since owner Tadgh took over this place a year ago, it has received a much-needed facelift, but that is not to say it does not honour its history. Pictures of the pub of old line the walls and the layout remains the same. It has been reinvented as a craft beer pub, with an impressive selection of all different styles on tap and in the can fridge. In terms of entertainment, it shows all televised sport and hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night. A mere 10-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Canary Wharf, this off-thebeaten-track gem is well worth a visit. More often than not, you will be welcomed by resident cat Rocky, who is always on the lookout for a scratch behind the ears and someone’s lap to snooze on. greenwichpensioner.london

The Approach Tavern 47 Approach Road, E2 9LY

Part of the ‘Remarkable’ pub chain, The Approach Tavern is a seven-minute walk from Bethnal Green underground Station on Approach

Road. A pub that is not only cosy on the inside, but the outside too. Heaters line the tables out front making sitting outside comfortable. But as soon as you walk through the doors of this pub, you will not want to leave. Beautiful, rustic decor, the open fire adding to its snugness. The food is hearty and of a really high standard. If you’re lucky to catch someone playing the piano, you’ve got yourself a perfect evening. theapproach.co.uk

The Duke of Wellington 119 Balls Pond Road, N1 4BL

A five-minute walk from Dalston Junction. This is almost a tale of two pubs; to the right-hand side you have a dark room lit by candlelight, creating a laidback and somewhat romantic atmosphere. On the left-hand side you are greeted with a central bar, feeding off the warmth of other pub goers and bar staff, always within reaching distance of your next drink. It is cosy yet characterful, with a quality selection of real ales and craft beers to quench your thirst. frontierpubs.co.uk

The Chesham Arms 15 Mehetabel Road, E9 6DU

A short walk from both Hackney Central and Homerton overground stations. Blink and you might miss this place, for the pub blends into the row of terraced houses either side. When you do however find the front door, you are greeted to a homely feel inside. Small and intimate, the open fire burning, an impressive and vast drinks selection and welcoming staff make this a perfect place to whittle away a few hours. Make sure you go when the Hackney Singers are performing their Christmas carols, as they are known to get the whole pub up on its feet and singing along. cheshamarms.com

The Elderfield 57 Elderfield Road, E5 0LF

My local for a year when I was living on Chatsworth Road in Clapton, and it was not just a local in terms of its proximity to my front door. There is a warm and welcoming familiarity to this pub every time you enter. What is a forever-diminishing aspect of London pub culture, is a pub full of locals – from the guy with his designated spot at the bar, to the couple who arrive at the

same time every evening for a quick drink and a chin-wag at their favourite table. You will be on first -name terms with the bar staff and dishing out nods of approval to fellow ‘Elderfielders’ in no time. For a perfect lazy pub Sunday, pick up one of their board games, grab a seat near the open fire and unleash your competitive side. theelderfield.co.uk

The Axe 18 Northwold Road, N16 7HR

A beer drinker’s paradise, with 24 taps of the latest, delicious craft beers to choose from as well as natural wine and small-batch spirits. Yet it is an unassuming pub; the crowd it attracts is eclectic, a perfect balance of craft beer aficionados and groups of friends less bothered about the range of beer, but there to immerse themselves in the laidback atmosphere. The food here is of an incredibly high standard and the new chef is turning out some of the tastiest Sunday roasts in East London. Venture out back to the secluded beer garden and further on to the heated wooden cabin, and you have the perfect outside spot for enjoying top-notch beer on a winter’s evening. theaxepub.com

The Chesham Arms The Elderfield

The Approach Tavern

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The Axe The Duke of Wellington

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EAT S

When it comes to eating out, East is best for delivering everything you need to warm the cockles of your heart – and tummy

LITTLE DUCK THE PICKLERY

REVIEW BY JEAN EGBUNIKE

68 DALSTON LANE, DALSTON, E8 3AH

It was on a glorious autumn evening that style du jour is lots of small plates, so we ventured up to the new-fangled strip we didn’t have to edit down our fancies. that is Dalston Lane. Once a mishmash We began with fennel kimchi and corno of electrical shops, vets and Caribbean peppers – tantalising pickled appetisers takeaways, one-time resident Tony Blair to adorn fresh sourdough and butter. once called it the “wrong side of Kingsland This was followed by the most tender Road.” He’s obviously not been back to aubergine cooked with bull’s heart see what’s now a bright, bustling corner tomatoes and lemon and basil – served of Hackney – even on a grey day. It’s here alongside pork cheeks slow cooked in you’ll find Little Duck, the trendy younger San Marzano tomatoes with sage and sister of Duck Soup, both founded by the capers. Exquisitely supple, they melted in talented trio Tom Hill (the our mouths. executive chef), Clare Lattin At this point we opted A FERMENTED and Rory McCoy. for a chilled glass of Pinot WONDERLAND Noir – Dom Rietsch ‘Tour Small but perfectly formed, and framed with THAT’S INTIMATE Rouge Litre’ 2018 Calsale – AND INSPIRING just in time for the dark and linen curtains and rows of wine bottles, Little Duck the oozing plate of squid ink Picklery invites you in to their fermented risotto. There is always something lurid wonderland. Our meal commenced at and somewhat forbidden about eating golden hour, which paired quite perfectly a plate of black food, but the bright and with our delicious glass of the sparkling sharp gremolata cut through the dish golden Malvasia, Quarticello, Despina 2017 both with flavour and colour – a beautiful – a delicate quench for our midweek thirst. juxtaposition of delicacy and robustness. A An open kitchen, combined with our cosy seasonal side of courgettes, broad beans, corner by the window, created a scene that coco beans and mint arrived soon after was both intimate and inspiring. and stole the show. Fresh, light and totally The menu was listed on a chalkboard, moreish. We ended the meal sweetly with but everything looked so tempting it just a slither of a peach galette. didn’t help much. Thankfully, the eating littleduckpicklery.co.uk

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WILLIAM THE FOURTH PUB A traditionally grand establishment in the very heart of Leyton, where can you find real ales, creative cocktails, craft beers and a dizzying array of gins. Popular with every age group, it’s easy to see why. It feels like a proper local boozer, but with style. The food side of things is run by the El Food Brothers, whose relaxed, off-beat way means the superb cuisine can catch you off-guard. Their menu offers up imaginative (and we can confirm delicious) plates, such as whiskey barrel smoked mac ’n’ cheese balls. See? Relaxed, off-beat and imaginative! On this particular evening, the air in the pub felt electric. We soon found out why. Out front in the saloon, a band was assembling. Cowboy Flying Saucer to be precise – a quartet all the way from Walthamstow, who had attracted a loyal and eclectic, not to mention enthusiastic, audience for the evening. Soon they let loose a rampage of post-retro-futuristic, psychedelic rock. The lead guitarist spread us with layer upon layer of whirling distortion, with trancelike vocals – a thin veil for the band’s self-defamatory humour. Basically, they tore it up, much to the delight of everyone present, including us. Even the dogs in the audience loved it. Everyone loved it. All this contributed to what was an evening to remember, and you can’t say that often on a school night! All this to say that if you’re after the essence of the East End then add William The Fourth to your to-go list. It oozes energy and good times – from the staff, to the band, to the customers. williamthefourth.co.uk 40 B E A S T

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REVIEW BY MARK ACKETTS

816 HIGH ROAD, LEYTON, E10 6AE

THE FUGITIVE MOTEL 199 CAMBRIDGE HEATH ROAD, E2 0EL

REVIEWS BY GEMMA WARDLE

When we were invited to The Fugitive by far. It wouldn’t be East London Motel in Bethnal Green we thought without a few inventive vegan we might be getting a good night’s options though, including in this case sleep, instead we got craft beer and the eponymous Fugitive, topped pizza. In a cool laid-back west coast- with red onion, harissa, cauliflower, style bar, no less. The owners David gherkins, tahini and chimichurri, and and Liam are two former musicians the Vegan Marg topped with vegan who first came up with the concept cheese. For those not wanting to after travelling along the west coast devour an entire pizza, there are of America. also have a couple of grazing plates There are 14 taps in the bar like the Antipasti Sharer and Tripleoffering a medley of beers from cooked Chips with Truffle Mayo), around the world. They are also which are both perfect for sharing. the first bar we have seen to have If you need more that eating and espresso martinis on drinking to keep you tap so they are ahead entertained, then THEY HAVE shuffleboard is on of the game in that ESPRESSO offer too. The game, respect. The seating is made up of comfy, cosy which we can only MARTINIS booths with vacancy described as curling ON TAP! signs and you can turn with sand, is apparently them on and off to let a treasured American other patrons know you are open to pastime. Any sport that takes place them joining you. in a pub we can get on board with. It isn’t just a bar, however, it’s a Every Wednesday night they host a restaurant too, and the main feature shuffleboard competition which is of the menu is the sourdough pizza. free to enter. The winner receives a There’s a large variety of pimped£30 bar tab, their name on the board up pizzas including an incredibly and bragging rights. indulgent White Pizza which is If you’re looking for a cool and topped with bechamel, mushroom casual place to hang in Bethnal tapenade, charred broccoli, truffle oil Green then this is the place to be. and ricotta, which was our favourite fugitivemotel.bar

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MONSIEUR LE DUCK 27 CLERKENWELL ROAD, FARRINGDON, EC1M 5RN

Nestled in the ultra-chic and uber-cool neighbourhood of Clerkenwell is Monsieur Le Duck, a unique French restaurant that looks like it’s teleported from a quaint and cosy French village straight into a hip East London hotspot. The restaurant is set over two floors, the first housing the modern dining room, and the second floor a divine little cocktail bar called the Duck’s Nest. As the name suggests, the small and simple menu is devoted to all things duck. To start they have a melange of small appetisers that are perfect for sharing. The confit duck croquettes were particularly indulgent – combining flakes of confit duck in a creamy mashed potato which was breaded and deep fried. However, the knockout dish for us was the Duck Rillettes, a luxuriant duck pate which was just heavenly when spread on fresh slices of baguette and topped with an incredible onion marmalade. The main courses celebrate the joy that is canard in its purest form. The confit was just perfection and the crispy exterior was anything but oily, while the meat inside just so tender it fell off the bone. The duck breast was a beautiful pink-blush piece of flesh topped with a crisp skin. The sides of confit-topped fries and lardon topped cabbage greens only served to indulge you even further. This is not a meal for calorie counters, although despite the immense levels of gourmet luxury it didn’t seem heavy. For dessert there was a perfect crème brûlée, pomme tart and a trio of french cheeses. As for drinks – the focus is on craft-made cocktails, good bottles of wine, and Armagnac. Their duck-fat washed Armagnac is a house speciality that they are particularly proud of – and with good reason. leduck.co.uk BEAST

FLANK OG

REVIEWS BY GEMMA WARDLE

133 HIGH STREET, STRATFORD, E15 2RB

If you’ve been to Spitalfields or Victoria Market, then you may well have tried the delectable smoked meats at Flank OG. However, the brand has now moved further east for their latest endeavor, a residency at The Print House in Stratford. The new bar and kitchen is a very industrial and trendy affair, totally different to the street food concept that the market stalls offer. The mix of brick and wood, coupled with the Chesterfield leather sofas, exudes a slick and sleeker vibe than its E15 postcode would suggest. While the place may look expensive, the menu is designed to showcase high-quality meat at affordable prices. The Flank ethos is to use every part of the animal from the head to the tail, and that was most apparent when we tucked into one of our starters, the Pig Head & Trotter Subs with a barbecue glaze. While the head and feet aren’t usually the most appealing part of the animal, chef and owner Thomas Griffiths has worked his THE MOST DROOLmagic, turning them into a pattyWORTHY BEEF FAT NAAN BREAD AND FIERY like filling sandwiched in a buttery sub roll. The famous American dish CHILLI SAMBAL of Burnt Ends also features on the menu – Griffiths serves his with the most drool-worthy beef fat naan bread and fiery chilli sambal, a combo that our table adored. The main dishes are all served on gigantic CHAMBERS OF FLAVOURS aluminium trays, which is a good job as there is SECRET EAST LONDON LOCATION nothing short about the Galloway Sticky Glazed Short Rib. The bone the size of a baseball bat takes pride Earlier this month, BEAST was welcomed to the fourth edition of Chambers of of place in the middle and clinging to it is a slab of Flavours, a multi-dimensional dining experience that is anything but ordinary. tender smoked beef smothered in a fingerlickying The evening begins with a text message letting you know where to turn up. Once housemade barbecue sauce. Be sure to pair it with you’ve checked in and handed over your belongings, you soon become immersed the indescribable Bone Marrow Potato Slice, their in a completely different world, enjoying the present and leaving your phone aside. take on a traditional dauphinoise but laced with the During dinner you will be guided through five chambers, enjoying a course sweet juicy goodness that is bone marrow. in each. The menu has been designed to challenge your tastebuds without Veggies are not usually a high priority in a being overcomplex or hoity-toity and can also be adapted to suit any dietary barbecue restaurant but the BBQ Greens are not requirements you have with prior to be missed. The wedge of smoked cabbage is notice. The theme of the chambers is doused in beef dripping and is an absolute triumph also an enigma for you to discover for – if all vegetables tasted this good we would have yourselves, although we can promise no problems getting our five a day. While we were you will have a fun and thrilling evening looking forward to ending the meal on a high, the that will surpass expectations and leave desserts sadly didn’t stand up against the rest of the you feeling full and entertained. meal, so we recommend you go for an extra cocktail Cost £55-£75 per person. instead. We love the Cold Brew Negroni and Rhubarb Book online for tickets. & Mint Smash, both worth a visit for in their own right. chambersofflavour.co.uk flanklondon.com

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OMNINO BRAZILIAN BARBECUE

REVIEW BY JANE GAZZARD

7-9 ST BRIDE ST, EC4A 4AS

Although Omnino Brazilian Barbecue, St Paul’s – with its striking decor scheme of black marble, gold detailing and a grand sweeping staircase – has only been open since the beginning of June, it’s fast becoming the go-to choice for city slickers in the Square Mile – even on a Monday evening. Priding themselves on a unique culinary experience, Omnino’s menu kicks off with canapés of salmon tartare, polenta cakes with shredded pork, and empanadas – small pasties filled with beef, escarole and mozzarella. Then come the 10 tapas-style “sides”. These are changed every

SPELZINI 154-158 SHOREDITCH HIGH ST, E1 6HU

This new all-day Italian-ish restaurant and bar takes its name and inspiration from owner Jim Spelzini, who wanted to open a casual eatery that celebrates high-quality locally-sourced ingredients alongside the Mediterranean style of cookery. The decor has an old-school retrolike theme thanks to its candle-stuffed bottles and graph paper menus and placemats. The Italian tradition of Apertivo or cocktail hour is well celebrated here with aperitivo dishes (cicchetti), offered with every drink purchased during happy hour 4 -7pm. We took full advantage and tried the York ham, Caerphilly cheese with Granny Smith apple, salami and caper berries. The little plates were the ideal beastmag.co.uk

fortnight by chef Eduardo Barsotti to give guests an insight into the country’s culinary diversity and might include black beans with pork, green salad with tangy citrus, garlic rice, and roasted sweet potato with chorizo. The sides accompany main courses of 12 types of meat, and while some appear to be just largish chunks, be under no illusion – you’ll still leave feeling full. Juicy pieces of meat are jammed enticingly on skewers or some cuts are carved ceremoniously at the table by polite, attendant staff, who go all out to ensure you enjoy the whole experience. And the pièce de résistance is Omnino’s prime selection – spicy ribeye, Argentine fillet and the daddy of them all, picanha (pronounced “pea-canya”). Picanha, the rump cap, is Brazil’s favourite steak, served in churrascarias (Brazilian steakhouses) just about everywhere. And it’s the rich marbling that makes this cut so special, providing a tenderness and succulence that’s hard to beat. However, if meat doesn’t do it for you, then Omnino have also introduced vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan menus so all palates are catered for. It costs £38.95 per person for the meaty dinner menu of canapés, 10 tapas-style sides, 12 meats and a dessert. The lunch menu, which offers a scaleddown selection of six sides and six types of meat, costs £24, and the vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian options are £27 each. omninorestaurants.com

things to graze on while we drank a G&T, and a Sgroppino cocktail which is a concoction of vodka, prosecco and sorbet. After the cicchetti we moved on to the main events. The chickpea dough crust pizzas are not to be missed. We tried the Fiorentina, topped with spinach, chilli, garlic, egg and Mayfield cheese. The crust was so light and fluffy it was almost like an omelette, and the oozy golden egg yolk just makes the rich dish even better. It’s not often I eat sandwiches for dinner but I was informed the “Hamburger” was not to be missed. The playfully named sandwich consisting of ham rather than beef was a delight. Roasted slices of thick juicy pork were topped with gochujang and kimchi mayo, and a little bit of gravy all worked in harmony between two slices of thick farmhouse sliced bread.

The meal was finished by their famous ice cream sandwich. A toasted brioche bun filled with salted caramel ice cream and a negroni reduction. The bitter negroni comes through on first bite but soon gives way to the sweet salted caramel ice cream and buttery brioche. It gets better with every bite and was a delightful way to end the meal. spelzini.co.uk BEAST

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STAY EAST

Hunker down in style and comfort this winter at two of East London’s newest hotel offerings LU X U RY

REVIEW BY EMMA WINTERSCHLADEN

THE STRATFORD , Stratford

residents, with locals popping in for a cocktail (if you’re going to do that, be sure to try the Campari cocktail with fresh tangerine juice). The skyline of London is changing, growing – and My bedroom was spacious and stylish, with a fast. You’ll see this change from the ground up boutique finish (fresh flowers and doughnut peaches nowhere better than in E20, the city’s newest were much appreciated). The vibe is ‘Man meets postcode. In fact, you can see it from the sky Mother Nature’: clean lines and design sat alongside down too if you stay at The Stratford – the latest stone bathrooms, crisp organic linen and natural project of property tycoon Harry Handelsman. His wood furnishings. There’s also a lively urban view to impressive Manhattan Loft Corporation portfolio match (looking over Statford’s railway station). But already includes the likes of Chiltern Firehouse the real view is when you go further up. Hotel guests and St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, but can enjoy views across London’s sprawling metropolis this is something else altogether. Ten years in the from the seventh-floor Sky Garden, part of their new making, he has moved away from reviving old destination restaurant Allegra. buildings to building a new one. Bold, brilliant I spent the evening downstairs though at the and 42 stories high, The Stratford is a confident Stratford’s Brasserie on the landmark to the future. It’s not just ground floor. Headed up by Ben a soulless skyscraper, but a vertical IT CAPTURES Harrington, formerly of Soho neighbourhood, and one that’s AN OLD-WORLD House, he has created a menu already thriving. Residents started GLAMOUR that is both seasonal and of-themoving into its 248 fully furnished – THE SORT THAT moment. Local ingredients shine apartments earlier in the year, but it’s ECHOES THE their most recently opened 145-room LEGENDARY LONG- bright in euro-inspired dishes, like my burrata starter, with heritage hotel that I’m here for. STAY HOTEL’S OF courgettes (picked from an Inside it manages to capture an 1950’S NEW YORK. organic farm just outside London). old-world glamour – the sort that I went totally plant-based for my main, ever keen echoes the legendary long-stay hotels of 1950s’ to investigate East London’s vegan credentials. The New York. But this isn’t a relic of a bygone era, it’s cauli burger with gochujang slaw, kale and soy was an ode to modernity. The public spaces are vast and refined comfort food at its best, and came with bustling, the light-drenched lobby itself boasting a generous portion of fries too. All this enjoyed a triple-heighted ceiling and the mezzanine bar in a vibrant space, with an open kitchen and lots an interior balcony. Hard lines and soft shapes sit of friendly fellow diners from near and far (I got together with bespoke touches. Take for example chatting to the two tables either side of me). And the evocative piece of modern art, ‘Gust of Wind’ by so it seems Handelman’s reputation for breathing Paul Cocksedges, which flies high above the lobby. life and style into London’s districts could well be There’s undoubtedly a Scandi feel to the place – not upheld with this latest project. B surprising considering interiors were designed by Room start from £199 per night. the world-renowned Space Copenhagen. All of this Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 20 International creates a seamless sense of unity and community. Way, E20 1FD thestratford.com/hotel Hotel guests mix with restaurant-goers, with BEAST

STAY EAST BOUTIQUE

THE RED LION, Leytonstone There are certain things a good pub must have to make it, well, good. There should be a sturdy selection of beers on tap, including the artisan and local. There should be a menu of hearty, wholesome, soul-feeding fare on offer. There should be tables for gathering friends, and comfy seats for snuggling one-on-one. It should be cosy and unpretentious, and the air should be filled with chatter and good music. The Red Lion on Leytonstone High Road has all these things. In fact, it has now surpassed all good pub expectations with its 10 newly-opened boutique hotel rooms. A long-term fixture of the community, this public house has been serving Leyton locals since 1670 (although it didn’t get its name until 1754). It had a short stint as Luther’s and Zulu’s before coming back to its roots in 2011. Today, it’s a much-loved watering hole for locals and tourists alike – and now a destination pub, perfect for a winter staycation. When I arrived on a drizzly Wednesday evening

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it was buzzing with a vibrant hotpot of people – the young and the old, Tinder dates and monthly book clubs, catch-ups with the lads and mums’ nights off. All were congregated in what is a vast yet intimate space. I plonked myself down for a late supper on a beautifully set up table-for-one. My Campari tonic soon arrived and I settled into some deep people-and-pub-watching. I looked around and wondered who was behind the decor, which can only be described as thrift shop chic. Mismatched

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A LONG-TERM FIXTURE OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS PUBLIC HOUSE HAS BEEN SERVING LEYTON LOCALS SINCE 1670 flower prints line one wall, warm light glows from tassel-fringed lampshades, there’s vintage furniture and bare brick walls, artfully caked in old plaster. It shouldn’t work, but it does. It feels tasteful and homely, and stylish too. For food I tucked into umami-rich wild mushrooms on toasted sourdough with chives and truffle oil, with a starter-side of cauliflower cheese croquettes (which I didn’t even know were a thing). The sort of comfort food you wish someone would cook up for you when you’re watching your favourite Netflix series. Main was an even more pleasing slow-cooked lamb leg ragu with rigatoni and Parmesan. I savoured the whole thing in all its melt-in-the-mouth glory. Later on I settled into my King George room, which felt every part the posh bolthole. Featuring heavy velvet curtains to keep out the city sounds, soft plump mattresses and a divine walk-in rainforest shower (which proved the ultimate solo spa experience), The Red Lion have done a fabulous job of respecting the history of the pub, while also weaving in modern touches such as LED televisions and whip-quick WIFI (for all those emails I was purposefully ignoring). All this contributed to a quiet evening, and a luxuriously long night’s sleep. B Rooms start at £98 for a standard, Superiors at £120 and the family suite at £143. The Red Lion, 640 High Road, Leytonstone, E11 3AA rooms.theredlionleytonstone.com

ESCAPE TO THE WILD EAST Check out our cabins, available to own, in the wilds of East Anglia. Wild swimming, stand up paddle, sailing, 22m pool, lawn and clay tennis, club house, fabulous food & hospitality set in 1,000 acres of rewilding. Options to share a cabin from £25,000. To book your private view, call Jude on 01493 484008 or email jude@somerleyton.co.uk www.somerleyton.co.uk

REVIEW BY EMMA WINTERSCHLADEN

Fritton Lake Retreats, Beccles Road, Fritton, Norfolk NR31 9HA

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SPONSORED

Jessica Ashdown in her new home

First-time buyers accidently stumble on dream home Never believing they could afford a brand-new property in a location they knew and loved, one young couple were delighted when they came up trumps

wo first-time buyers couldn’t believe their luck when they stumbled on a new development while out for a stroll. Jessica Ashdown, 28, and her partner Dominic Burrell, 29, liked the idea of owning their own home but thought it was not achievable in the area where they were renting. “I have been living in the Whitechapel and Bethnal Green area on and off for the last seven years,” says Jessica. “I absolutely love everything about it from the markets to the parks, shops, bars and clubs. There are so many cool

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things going on and it’s just a really great place to live.” The couple have been renting in the area together for the last year, although Dominic had been thinking for a while that he would like to buy and get on the housing ladder. When out for a walk, they came across White + Green, a development from Higgins Homes comprising four smart buildings of 144 apartments. “Although Dominic had been thinking about it for a while, getting on the property ladder hadn’t really crossed my mind because I just didn’t think we

could afford anything,” says Jessica. “Our first impressions when going in to White + Green was how beautiful it was. The specification was incredible, and it was absolutely lovely. Everything from the underfloor heating through to the security gave it a really high-end feel and we left thinking that it was probably too posh for us and we couldn’t possibly afford the two-bedroom apartment that we really wanted.” The location of White + Green, in the heart of London’s artistic community between Whitechapel and Bethnal Green, is the perfect location as Jessica explains: “Neither Dominic nor I drive so it is important that we can walk to everything. That said, after our viewing, we thought we would look at another new development in Walthamstow but it wasn’t nearly as good in many different beastmag.co.uk

‘OUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS WHEN GOING IN TO WHITE + GREEN WAS HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS’ ways. I didn’t like being out of the area that I love and the quality of the flats just weren’t as good.” Jessica and Dominic were also keen to have commuting options for when they need to travel for work or pleasure. Located between two underground stations, transport options are already good at White + Green. They are set to improve even more with the introduction of the Elizabeth line/Crossrail at Whitechapel. The service will offer journey times of just two minutes to Liverpool street, 16 minutes to King’s Cross and three minutes to Canary Wharf. After their initial viewing, the couple decided to delve deeper into buying options. Jessica had heard of Help to Buy but had no experience of how it worked when buying in London. She visited a homebuyers’ show to gather as much information about different buying options as possible and realised that they were eligible for the Help to Buy scheme and that it would enable them to buy their first home. Within two weeks, they had made the decision to purchase a twobedroom apartment at White + Green. “As soon as we made the offer, the Higgins Homes team put us in touch with a mortgage advisor who had a lot of experience with Help to Buy,” explains

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Jessica. “The actual process was very straightforward and the only concerns we had were when to give notice on our rental property. The Higgins team made us feel very comfortable throughout the whole process, we would often pop into the sales office for updates and they got very used to our regular phone calls, so it was a pretty stress-free process.” The couple have been in their new flat for just a few weeks, but it is already feeling like home as Jessica adds: “The quality of the building is so much better than anything we have ever rented before. It is so much more efficient and there’s really nothing that we need to do to it, which is just as well because myself

and Dominic are useless at DIY, so that’s a real weight off our minds.” White + Green offers a range of homes to suit all. The development features studio suites, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments together with commercial units all located around a central piazza. The hotel-style interiors feature brand names such as Smeg, Commodore and Hans Grohe with stylish trends to satisfy design-conscious consumers. Prices start at £399,500. For more information visit: higginshomes.co.uk/ developments/white-plus-green, call 020 8003 0907 or email: whiteandgreen@ higginshomes.co.uk

BEAST

Reasons to love

EAST LONDON

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NICKY ACKETTS

Jenna and Patrick from independent estate agency EastHaus share their top spots for making the most of living in East London, from sourcing quirky home interiors to the best Sunday morning strolls

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CONSCIOUS GROCERS BULK MARKET Dalston, E8

Fantastic zero waste store selling UK-produced, seasonal, organic and package-free produce.

RE:STORE

Hackney Downs, E8

Another great zero waste store selling cupboard essentials and sustainable lifestyle products.

ALBION GROCERY Shoreditch, E2

W. A. GREEN

Shoreditch, EC2

Full of beautiful things that every home should have.

NOM LIVING

Columbia Road, E2

Handmade stoneware that looks so good you also don’t want to use it.

TRIANGLE STORE Homerton, E5

Mid-century furniture and Skandi-inspired homeware.

Freshly made bread and pastries from their in-house bakery alongside storecupboard essentials, fruit and vegetables and other yummy deli items.

LOFTY’S FURNITURE

EAT 17

GIFTS

Homerton, E9 + Walthamstow, E17

Working in partnership with Spar and the best local food companies to put proper food on your plate.

GET LOOSE FOODS Haggerston, E2

Hackney Wick, E3

One of East London’s best-kept secrets. You’ll never buy your furniture from anywhere else.

VENNER

Leyton, E10

Celebrating independent artists, designers and makers. You will want to buy everything in this shop.

Get your coffee fix at The Common E2

PET PAMPERING

CAFFEINE FIX

PACK AND CLOWDER

THE COMMON E2

Chatsworth Road, E5

Everything for the well-kept dog and cat.

HIRO + WOLF

Clapton, E5

PERKY BLENDERS

Columbia Road, E2

Bow, E2

Cute gifts for adults and kids alike, they also champion some great independent makers.

The coolest collars for dogs and cats, find them inside Artisans and Adventurers.

HOME INTERIORS

GRACE AND THORN

CANIS OF LONDON

NELLY DUFF

Bethnal Green, E2

The ONLY place to buy your art.

For beautiful flowers, perfect pot plants and imaginative homeware.

Friendly and dog-obsessed staff with years of experience in dog care. Hang out with a bunch of friendly four-legged friends for some positive energy.

LUNA & CURIOUS Shoreditch, E2

A treasure trove of delights. We are obsessed with their candles.

DONLON BOOKS Broadway, E8

An absolutely fascinating specialist bookshop with a focus on the arts. beastmag.co.uk

We probably wouldn’t get through the day without a morning trip to The Common.

SNAP STORE

A social enterprise which exists to provide quality organic foods at competitive prices, without disposable packaging.

Bethnal Green, E2

Cambridge Heath Road, E2

MILLFIELD COFFEE Grab a spot outside and watch the world go by.

Leyton, E10, Leytonstone, E11 and Walthamstow, E17

The only place to get your coffee in Waltham Forest.

POPHAMS

London Fields, E8

MOLLY AND GEORGE London Fields, E8

Dog and cat grooming, doggy day care as well as food, treats, accessories and gifts.

We guarantee you won’t be able to walk out of there with just a coffee.

MOUSETAIL

Whitechapel, E1

When it comes to coffee, they seriously know their stuff. BEAST

THE HEMINGWAY Victoria Park, E9

We’re afraid it has to be the beef Wellington. Every. Single. Time.

DATE NIGHT GENESIS CINEMA Whitechapel, E1

Snuggle up with a glass of bubbles in comfy sofas complete with blankets and foot-stalls.

EAST LONDON LIQUOR COMPANY

BRUNCH MAE + HARVEY Bow, E3

Hackney, E3

It’s all about the fried eggs.

Definitely do the gin tasting and tour.

MAMA SHELTER Bethnal Green, E2

E5 BAKEHOUSE London Fields, E8

The decor, the food, the staff, the location. We love Mama!

Test your culinary skills from sourdough pizzas to sauerkraut with one of their regularly run classes.

THE PEARL

The capital’s largest urban wetland nature reserve, it even has a dedicated running and cycling path.

LAST TUESDAY SOCIETY

BREAD AND BUTTER

Cocktails and curiosities that have to be seen to be believed.

Meat eater, veggie, vegan, kid and dog friendly.

COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET

MY NEIGHBOUR THE DUMPLINGS

ROCHELLE CANTEEN

SUNDAY STROLLS WALTHAMSTOW WETLANDS

Avoid the crowds and grab the best deals by coming just before close.

Hackney, E8

SUNDAY ROASTS LORD TREDEGAR

Clapton, E5 and Victoria Park, E9

Not sure what we love more, the roasts or the pub cat, Beyonce.

It’s cool, it’s glam, the handcrafted dumplings not only look like works of art, but they taste insane too.

Bow, E3

REGENT CANAL TOW PATH 8.6 miles of wonderful waterway from Paddington to Limehouse.

LEA VALLEY WALK This 15.6 mile stretch from Waltham Abbey to East India Dock is spilt into six sections with some great sights along the way.

PRINCESS OF WALES Clapton, E5

Great little spot right on the River Lea with very, very good roasts.

THE MARKSMAN Bethnal Green, E2

Fab neighbourhood pub with exceptional food.

QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK

THE OLD SHIP

Walk, run, cycle, horse ride and even electric scooter yourself around this iconic park.

They do an excellent veggie wellington.

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Hackney, E8

Best fried eggs at Mae + Harvey

Hackney Wick, E9

Shakshuka all the way.

Haggerston, N1

Shoreditch, E2

A real hidden gem but when you find it, you’ll be so glad you did. easthaus.co.uk

Owner, Tommy Mizen

Good to Go

In an age of fake chicken, replacement fish alternatives or vegan menus limited to salad or falafel, Good to Go is the grab’n’go cafe we plant-based (or just plant-loving!) folks have been waiting for, says Gemma Sokol Located in The Bower district of Shoreditch – the creative, modern working quarter just a two-second walk from Old Street Station – this fast food joint with a difference has just celebrated their first birthday. The food is 100% vegan, and all recipes were created by the owner, Tommy, who works alongside Joanne in the kitchen putting together all the meals for the day ahead. You’ll also find Tommy working behind the counter frothing milk, pouring coffees and serving up food most days. Everything is freshly made and prepped that day, with a menu gracing all the healthy, vogue ingredients you could wish for: think kimchi bagel, banana blossom sandwich, mixed-bean chilli and, my favourite, their mashed chickpea wrap. It’s not all worthy though – they also offer many a

bestselling baked good, like their refined-sugar-free banana cake which is exactly how you want your banana cake – moist! November sees Good to Go launch their brand new breakfast menu too, with the likes of an intriguing Marmite and almond butter toastie on there (which I can confirm is a gourmet success). And perhaps the best part is that everything is wallet-friendly – useful for when you want to spend all your lunch breaks there, be it people-watching on their outdoor bench seating or enjoying a ‘slow lunch’ in one of their few cosy tables inside. No option is more than £6.50 and most are under £6, which means you can justify that oat milk latte on the way back to the office. The Bower, Unit E+F, 207-211 Old Street, EC1V 9NR goodtogo.london

TOTALLY FLOORED

We catch up with Eelke Jan Bles and Rob Weems, owners of London’s most sought-after bespoke flooring company, SOLID FLOOR, ahead of their move back east to Ezra Road.

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WORDS: EMMA WINTERSCHLADEN

he story starts in Amsterdam 1994 with a photography student, Eelke Jan Bles, looking to earn some extra money for his studies. “So I opened a shop in the city centre with my friend, supplying timber floors.” He tells me this as I admire an oak herringbone floor beneath our feet. “Ah yes, it’s all about texture these days, not looking too shiny and polished,” he says knowingly. But did he know anything about floors back when he started? “Well, no. But I have designing and making in my blood. My father was a welder, and perhaps I chose wood as the antidote to that.” His penchant for wood proved rewarding. Within months, they were hiring staff, and within a few years, Eelke had opened a shop in Clerkenwell, where he was studying at UCL’s prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture. And so Solid Floor was officially born in 1997 – a humble name to reflect humble beginnings. Twenty-five years later, the business has grown to become the go-to bespoke flooring company of the rich, celebrated and ‘in the know’. A success that has led to the opening of their latest flagship showroom on Ezra Road, just off the historic Columbia Road. For Eelke, it’s come back full circle. “I’ve had my eye on this building for more than a decade. But it’s wonderful for Solid Floor to eventually be back in East London,”

Solid Floor’s studio, just off Columbia Road

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he reflects. Having expanded to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Richmond, Fulham, Notting Hill and Marylebone over the years, only the latter showroom remains, as well as this new one. “We’d lost our soul along the way and wanted to bring it back to a more high-end offering.” It’s been with the help of Eelke’s long-time business partner and managing director Rob Weems, who came on board in 2003, that Solid Floor has evolved to where it is today. “Rob is the face of the brand,” Eelke says, with Rob adding, “the whole nature of the business has changed from selling floors straight to a customer, to working instead with professional Eelke’s clients, who you can build a long-term EAST LONDON relationship with.” And indeed, their client list is impressive, including worldMARE STREET MARKET renowned architects and interior designers I’m at least 15 years older than such as Kelly Hoppen, celebrities such as everyone else there but I love it. Madonna and food heroes like Ottolenghi 117 Mare Street, E8 4RU (they decked out his Spitalfields restaurant METROPOLIS on Artillery Lane). Their Sink the Pink evenings As for East London, how has the area are great. There’s lots of changed since Solid Floor was first here? drag and dancing. “Well, put it this way. I once rented 234 Cambridge Heath Road, a flat in Charlotte Road for £90 a week, E2 9NN which was around 4,000 square feet! I lived in a warehouse with eight lofts, BISTROTHEQUE and we’d have huge parties on a rota. Fantastic steak

Founder Eelke Jan Bles, left, and managing director Rob Weems, below

THEIR CLIENT LIST INCLUDES INTERIOR DESIGNERS SUCH AS KELLY HOPPEN, CELEBRITIES SUCH AS MADONNA AND FOOD HEROES LIKE OTTOLENGHI

and wine. 23-27 Wadeson Street, E2 9DR

There would be a couple of hundred people paying on the door and they’d go on all night with a DJ. You really THE APPROACH GALLERY felt a part of something cool.” And LLP yet, Eelke is still living (and working) There’s always an here 20 years later, which suggests he interesting contemporary still thinks East London is cool? “Well exhibition on here. the problem is now it’s hot! Everyone 1st Floor, 47 Approach Roadd, wants to live here.” Bethnal Green, E2 9LY Today, despite having an empire built around wooden flooring, Eelke has found his way back to the material of his childhood, and even has a steel workspace under Cambridge Heath arches. “Now I love to combine the two – the natural and the industrial. I’m always making things.” With such creativity and craftsmanship at the heart of the brand, it’s no wonder Solid Floor continues to play at the top of its game, in arguably the world’s most prestigious urban arena. B Solid Floor, 7a Ezra Street, E2 7RH solidfloor.co.uk

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST

OLU’S SOUP KITCHEN

Volunteering within our local communities is on the to-do list of many, but it’s often pushed to the future – for when you have more time, more money, less commitments. But for Linda Adesanya, it’s never too soon to start. “I always had the idea that I would have to be rich and wealthy to pull this off, but after my 27th birthday I just decided that with good money management I could afford to do this.” And so she did, setting up Olu’s Soup Kitchen earlier this year. Based at Frampton Park Baptist Church, E9, it provides a safe space for homeless and vulnerable people to come for a hot meal, cooked by Linda and her team – made up of volunteers between the ages of 18-30. “I’m a qualified chef and do a cooking lesson for the first hour and a half, then the following three hours is food, CV workshops and housing advice.” Currently held once a month, Linda hopes to make it bi-weekly and eventually to have her own premises. She’s set up a crowdfund for this very reason, which you can support by heading to justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/olusoupkitchen. Email info@olusoupkitchen.com to offer your time or donate clothes. Follow @OluSoupKitchen on Twitter and Instagram for updates. olusoupkitchen.com

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Linda Adesanya and her team

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WORDS: EMMA WINTERSCHLADEN

After experiencing homelessness herself six years ago, one Hackney local is on a mission to support others, a meal at a time

EAST LONDON PROPERTY

NOT YOUR TYPICAL ESTATE AGENT #CHOOSEEASTHAUS

EASTHAUS.CO.UK