NEWS

FOOD & DRINK TASTY TIDBITS FROM THE CITY’S RESTAURANTS, CHEFS AND PRODUCERS

The picturesque pub’s chuffed with the win

A WELL-DESERVED WIN

The Rising Sun in Pensford has been named Britain’s best beer garden by radio station Union JACK. Owned by St Austell Brewery, the watering hole is renowned for its idyllic setting, large riverside garden and views over Pensford viaduct and weir. Run by Lisa Faulkner and Becca Fricker since 2019, it received almost a fifth of the public’s votes and held a day of live radio broadcasts which saw Union JACK airing some of its flagship shows from the beer garden. Entertainment included the 'Not-In-A-Pub Pub Quiz', hosted by renowned TV quizzer Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett from ITV’s The Chase. “We feel honoured,” said Lisa Faulkner. “Thank you to the Union JACK team and everybody who took the time to vote for us. Our beer garden has a stunning backdrop, so we feel lucky to operate a pub in such a beautiful location. We currently have an outdoor bar too, ensuring all social new owners are

distancing rules can be adhered to, while our guests soak up the views.”

• Instagram: @risingsunpensford

LESSONS FROM LOCKDOWN

The Community Farm has curated a collection of 15 articles on how the pandemic has affected people involved with food, wildlife, economies and social outreach in the local area, with a view to exploring what the pandemic exposed about our food system and the systems it intersects.

The business and personnel strategies, focus group results, personal experiences and market analysis will help food-based organisations to thrive now and in the event of a future lockdown. Insights and lingering questions are identified that should help smaller, independent players navigate this exceptional period of socio-economic upheaval. Contributors include employees and volunteers affiliated with the Soil Association, Feed Bristol, Better Food, Going For Gold Bristol, EcoWild, Poco Tapas Bar and The Community Farm. Its MD, Kim Brooks, investigated the strengths and weaknesses of the UK’s food supply chains. “I’m so thankful to this diverse group of people for taking the time to collect their thoughts and create this time capsule,” said Kim. “It provides great insight into not only the impact of the pandemic, but our daily choices as ‘investors’ in our food system. Now we have an opportunity to learn from this time.”

Download a free PDF of the article collection from the farm website below.

The farm’s learnings are intended to help food-based organisations thrive in the event of a future lockdown • thecommunityfarm.co.uk/?p=6018

The Quakers Friars building has a dazzling interior

GUTEN TAG, KLOSTERHAUS!

D&D London’s Cabot Circus restaurant Klosterhaus opens on 2 October within the 18th-century Grade-1 Quakers Friars building. The menu has been developed by executive head chef Bjoern Wassmuth and head chef Rhys Grayson and includes Mittel-European classics and German favourites.

The restaurant, bar and outdoor terraces pay homage to the dining scene of grand Mittel-European cafes. The slick interior, featuring an island bar centrepiece, is the creation of the award-winning Design LSM and features artwork inspired by the Bristol-Hannover connection, mixing the earthy tones of early industrial imagery with the rich colours of Renaissance and Old Masters portraits. Expect the savoury likes of soused herring, venison ‘Baden Baden’ and mouth-watering schnitzels. Desserts include twice-baked cheesecake, warm apple strudel, Black Forest gâteau and Sacher torte. Chefs have worked closely with local suppliers to source produce such as beef from Meat Box and fish from Wings of St Mawes. • klosterhaus.co.uk