E1 Life - Issue 7 - The Passion Issue

ISSUE 6 MARCH/APRIL 2017

Take me, I’m yours

THE PASSION ISSUE

KEEPING IT LOCAL

DIVINE DRINKING DENS BANGING BBQ JOINTS SUBLIME SOUNDS & MUCH MORE

DARINGLY DIFFERENT

The East London folk breaking every convention BUSINESS

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FOOD

DRINK

MUSIC

P R O P E RT Y

SOCIAL

BE GOOD TO YOUR TASTE BUDS Discover the flavours of East Village visiteastvillage.co.uk

contents

P 16 Meet our amazing cover photographer

P 18 The new way of honing and toning

P 23 Mixologist or alchemist? You decide

P 24 Keeping the millennials motivated

P 29 It’s thirsty work being sustainable

P 48 Meat sweats guaranteed at these joints

P 52 Sounds of spring? You betcha

P 60 Escape to the country with our guide

P 65 The Gentle Author on Mr Pussy

PUBLISHER: RC Publishing Ltd: 0203 011 1194 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Kelly Beswick CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Nicky Acketts ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nicola Euesden ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Ed Gibbs FOOD & DRINK WRITER: Liam Barker BEAUTY WRITER: Lily Earle FEATURE WRITER: Eric Woollard-White SUB-EDITOR: Gemma Rollason CIRCULATION: RCP Media CONTACT: 0203 011 1194; info@e1ife.co.uk While every care is taken, RC Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, omissions or errors. Prices correct at time of going to press. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph: Jenny Lewis, taken from her book Hackney Studios (Hoxton Mini Press, £20)

party party

You go figure OPENING OF NUMBER 177 BAR & KITCHEN To reference that cult Sixties series, The Prisoner, this latest addition to Hoxton Street is more than just a number, much more, in fact, as we discovered when it swung open its doors for a boozy, Berlinesque-style bash to mark its launch. A 350 capacity venue, offering art, music, food and drink through gallery space, club room with DJ booths, restaurant and bar, we quickly found ourselves in the party spirit quaffing on cocktails, downing the dirtiest of burgers and generally having a raucous time. No first night nerves at this place, and now we’ve got its number, we’ll definitely be back.

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7 Cabinet Way, London, E4 8QF 020 8531 3413 info@urbanmyth.net urbanmyth.net

more than a kitchen...

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Only the hottest and most happening make the grade

AND THE WINNERS ARE… The nominations are all in and the judges are now in deep deliberation, deciding who, among the many unsung heroes of East London’s iconic arts scene, are worthy of an Artskickers Award. Founded by Hackneybased mum-of-three, Angie Gough, the event is the first of its kind and has been designed to celebrate and reward local people and organisations whose hard work, dedication, and passion inspires communities to engage in and with the arts (across all disciplines) in the area. With six categories in total, the judges, who include artist Gavin Turk, actress Denise Gough and poet Lemn Sissay, will have their work cut out for them. The winners will collect their gongs at a suitably arty, star-studded bash on 29 March. artskickersawards.com

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MARGARITAS AND MANNEQUINS Fashion and food have not always had the easiest of relationships – images of emaciated catwalk models spring to mind. But thanks to Martina Vitali and her boyfriend Andrea Danelli, a winning combination of style and sustenance can now be found in the heart of Shoreditch.

Their Middlesex Street shop 1n1 not only sells top designer duds but the most delectable pizza, too, gloriously merging the joy of clothes shopping with the joy of eating. Sounds like a winner to us. @1n1fashionnpizza GOT TO BEE THERE Situated on the Regent’s Canal, a stone’s throw from London Fields and Victoria Park, The Hive of Vyner Street is a buzzing (geddit) natural wine bar, which will come into its own now that the days

Pizza and fashion at 1n1

are getting longer and, hopefully, warmer. What’s more, they’ve just launched a vegetarian aperitivo menu consisting of light snacks and sharing boards to accompany your early evening glass of vino. thehivewellbeing.com GRAB YOUR JACKET Hackney fashion designer, Alexander Levy’s first line of African-inspired bomber jackets have just hit the shops and, if you’re looking for a bold, statement piece that will see you stylishly through spring into summer, then this has got to be it.

Even better, this garment couldn’t be more local. Conceived on ➦

BACK IN THE DAY

Scrub away the hipster surface and you can still see the gritty underbelly of E8 that is very much in evidence in Dalston in the 80s, a new photo book by Andrew Holligan (Hoxton Mini Press, £14.95). The book includes Andrew’s personal narrative of moving to the area unexpectedly from the States and discovering Thatcher’s Britain, anarchists and fascists and the most incredible haircuts (some things have definitely not changed). All shot on a 50s’ Rolleiflex camera, these black-and-white images pay a stunning visual homage to an area he came to love. hoxtonminipress.com

Thirty-odd years ago, Dalston was a place with attitude a plenty

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Columbia Road and made in a Bethnal Green factory, it has East London in its DNA. Priced at £95. concordestores.com DESIGNED FOR LIVING East London will again play host to Grand Designs Live, with Excel set to be brimming with all the latest trends for the home over its 29 April to 7 May run. Whether starting out on a first renovation, building a whole new home, redecorating or simply looking for inspiration, this event offers something for everybody under one roof. To book two tickets for just £22, visit granddesignslive.com (quote GDL2422 on the booking page).

Turning tower blocks into art

Keep it local with a Columbia Roaddesigned jacket and a visit to Wilton’s Music Hall, where an old classic gets a long over-due revival

A stunning tribute to the area’s migrant history

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PHOTOGRAPH: JOHN STURROCK

ALL AT SEA If you haven’t seen it already, get yourself down to Spital Square, where the latest addition to Spitalfields’ rolling art programme was recently unveiled. Created by Greek-born Kalliopi Lemos and called Wooden Boat with Seven People, it’s a stunning life-size installation that makes direct reference to the successive waves of migrants who have arrived in the area through the centuries.

Interiors the Grand Designs way

The boat was found abandoned on a Greek shore, having been used to transport refugees from Turkey, while the huddled steel human figures lean forward, creating a sense of expectation, vulnerability and resignation. A beautiful and moving addition to the area. kalliopilemos.com THE WONDER OF WILTON’S Everyone’s favourite music hall is pulling out the stops next month, when it will be reviving the award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway musical comedy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying – the first time the show has returned to London in over 50 years. Running from 8 to 22 April it promises to be one of Wilton’s most ambitious productions to date, starring Marc Pickering as J Pierrepont Finch, a window cleaner with big ambitions. wiltons.org.uk HOME FRONT Whether you have a big home project or want to add those finishing touches, the Ideal Home Show has everything you need. From 24th March to 9th April at Olympia London. idealhomeshow.co.uk

FLATS ALL FOLKS Tower blocks are not the most obvious subjects for a painter, but David Hepher has made a remarkably successful career recreating them. His depictions of urban high-rise dwellings over the past 40 years have a strange and arresting beauty, and in recognition of his remarkable body of work, Flowers Gallery on Kingsland Road is holding a retrospective exhibition to coincide with the release of the book David Hepher: Grain of Concrete, Utopia and Entropy by Ben Lewis. flowersgallery.com CIAO BELLA Or should that be ciao Bellavita, as the company that champions artisanal Italian produce has just opened its doors on Dock Street. A delicatessencum-shop that’s packed to the rafters with all manner of delicacies, from truffle-infused cheese and Prosciutto di Parma to freshly made focaccias and an extensive selection of wines – this really is the one-stop shop for all things deliciously Italian.

Buon appetito! bellavitashop.co.uk

A treasure trove of Italian delights

the...

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2017

Celebrating the unsung heroes of East London’s arts scene COMMUNITY SUPERHEROES ✦ ARTS ORGANISATIONS ✦ VENUES ✦ PROJECTS ✦ ✦ CLUBS ✦ CREATIVE BUSINESSES ✦ ARTS TEACHERS ✦ FUTURE ARTISTS ✦ ARTY KIDS ✦

CALLING ALL:

The #Artskickers Awards will recognise individuals and organisations whose hard work, passion, slog and effort inspires communities to engage in the arts in East London.

Shortlisted nominees will join our judges at a totally artskicking ceremony in Hackney on:

WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 at THE STAGE, EC2

W W W. ARTSKIC KERSAWARDS.COM

✦ SHARON D. CLARKE MBE Olivier Award winner and star of Hackney Panto ✦ DEBORAH CURTIS Artist, founder of The House of Fairytales ✦ DENISE GOUGH winner 2016 Best Actress Olivier Award ✦ SUSIE MCKENNA Hackney Empire ✦ JOHN MULHOLLAND editor, The Observer ✦ RENNELL SHAW Musician ✦ LEMN SISSAY MBE Poet & Chancellor of University vardeep.com of Manchester ✦ GAVIN TURK Artist ✦ ZABOU Street Artist ✦ JUDGES INCLUDE:

vardeep.com vardeep.com vardeep.com

creative thinking and communications by design

@TheArtsCrusader #Artskickers

BY XXXX XXXXXXX

LOVE GROWS

To kick off our Passion Issue, Eric Woollard-White ponders the meaning of a word that’s become synonymous with East London folks, whose vision and drive have transformed the area in to one of the world’s most vibrant and creative places

When you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life – so said the 18th-century writer and academic Dr Samuel Johnson, albeit slightly misquoted, but the point remains the same.

For me, it rings true today. And nowhere is this sentiment best applied than to East London. How is it possible not to be inspired in our work, rest and play by a city that offers so much choice, opportunity and – perhaps most importantly – passion?

If London is a body with passion coursing through its veins, then East London is surely its beating heart and epicentre. The force is strong here.

I’m lucky, as I see evidence of this all the time.

Since E1ife launched one year ago, I’ve had the opportunity to write about some of the amazing people with whom we share this dynamic enclave that lies beyond the so-called Silicon Roundabout.

The area’s unique and infectious spirit is evident everywhere: from the strangers you randomly strike up conversations with, to the cocktails and craft beers 10

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you sip after a long day’s work, not to mention in the offices of the countless start-ups and social enterprises that seek to positively disrupt the world.

East London’s multinational voice is distinctly local, but it’s resonance is truly global and we are lucky to be a part of it; it’s less an urban district and more like a movement of the like-minded.

Our people are great people to hang out with.

Lately, I have become a little tired and weary with the goings on around the world – but there’s something comforting about knowing you’re in still good company here, among friends and familiar faces from, literally, everywhere. And everyone seems to speak fluent banter.

This is really the point. Passion only exists where there are people and if it was an Olympic sport, Team GB would be spoilt for choice for athletes in this postcode. That’s perhaps a clunky segue into one of the many guises where passion exists in abundance: sport. ➦

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PASSIONATE PEOPLE Eric’s passion shining through at an E1 Life event last year at the Truman Brewery

Whatever your views are about the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics, the Olympic Stadium is an unmissable iconic physical reminder of the passion to win and it’s right on our doorstep in Stratford.

Now renamed the London Stadium, it has become the home of West Ham United Football Club, but just five years ago it was the scene of a huge national sporting achievement by Team GB. Sir Mo Farah, a former Newham-based athlete, was among the many gold medal winners. Who can forget his exhausted-but-euphoric smile after both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres wins at the 2012 games – a feat he repeated at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Sporting passions and achievements are more visible than most, but the world of business shares many similarities with Farah’s undoubted persistence, a big, growing business. Perhaps one of my favourite determination and desire to be a winner. assignments for E1ife was my exploration into the East London’s commerce scene, particularly the world of East London street food. ‘Market Ravers’ was clusters of tech start-ups and the more humanitarian a glimpse into a world of international-inspired tasty social enterprises in and around Shoreditch, offers creations from people so enthusiastic about sharing countless examples of winning companies – too food-love, some had even traded well-paid office many good ones to single out any in particular here. jobs for a mobile catering business. You’ll find these Moreover, it’s become a location synonymous with people, and many more like them, at destinations revolutionary new business models, the so-called such as Street Feast’s Dinerama on Great Eastern positive disruptors of the age of Street, with its appealing mix of food digital commerce. stalls, bars and music.

‘There’s a lot It isn’t just the achievements And I suppose it’s unfair to write to cherish about of businesses that have helped about passion and not mention shine a global spotlight on and romance, especially with East London and we love East London. The area has (hopefully) good memories of St should all take some Valentine’s Day still fresh in our minds. become a cultural Mecca for artists and art lovers better place is there than East time to reflect upon What and, indeed, anybody with London for meeting people and an irreverent, creative streak, it, celebrate it and nurturing a relationship? Lazy lunches, whether it’s music, film, cocktails, dancing and make sure we stand lingering live performance and even listening to music into the small hours, food (a further flick through discovering new places to buy quirky up for it and this Passion Issue of E1ife gifts and keepsakes, art galleries to protect it’ will reveal much more). while away hours holding hands.

Enthusiasm for new things, Paris isn’t the only city for lovers, and for breaking the mould and doing something a bit New York maybe so good they named it twice, but if different, stands out in staggering proportions. you want to really stir up emotions and feel a unique The East London-based crowd-funding platform and inspiring energy, you can soak it all up around here.

Phundee.com, featured in these pages last year, All that said, I’m conscious of promoting a rosehas proved that arts and film-based start-ups in tinted personal view of this place where we work, the area are thriving and attracting major investment. have fun and love to live, physically and spiritually.

Since we spoke to CEO Ashon Spooner last spring, I admit that East London is not perfect – but it’s our major broadcasters are now using his platform as a version of not perfect and that’s a lot better than way of testing the market for new television content, most places and we are striving to make it better. much of it created within a stone’s throw of the There’s a lot to cherish about East London and we company’s Bonhill Street headquarters. Food is also should all take some time to reflect upon it, celebrate it and make sure we stand up for it and protect it.

Ultimately, it’s the people who make this place what it is: unique, free-spirited, creative, welcoming and disruptive in a good way. And, of course, passionate.

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External computer generated images depict London Square Spitalfields, internal computer generated images depict Apartment 10 at London Square Spitalfields and are indicative only.

Details are correct at time of going to press, March 2017.

ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS

Nowhere packs in the artistic talent like the East End, where creativity flourishes in all sorts of interesting and unusual guises. But whatever way these individuals choose to express themselves, they all have one thing in common – they are utterly devoted to what they do

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PHOTOGRAPH: PAUL TUCKER

Miller’s Victorian house in East London is also home to an amazing art gallery

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

the art dealer

One of Walala’s colourful walls

He discovered a passion for collecting art at 17, and despite pursuing a career in law, Henry Miller couldn’t shake off the feeling he was in the wrong job. Finally, he decided to follow his dream and set up an art business, using his Walthamstow home as a gallery.

Here he reveals why he couldn’t be happier.

You’ve heard of living above the shop, but Henry Miller takes the concept a stage further and actually lives in the shop, so to speak, with his stunning E17 Victorian pile now doubling up as an elegant gallery where he sells fine art, specialising in the male form. Whereas many might feel having potential customers traipsing through their home somewhat intrusive, Henry doesn’t mind in the slightest.

“It’s really very nice having people coming round,” he says. “We’ll have a chat and a coffee and then I’ll give them the tour. It’s a lot less intimidating than a conventional gallery and they get to see what the pictures look like in situ.

Besides, I’d much rather be sitting in my own home than paying for a gallery space.”

It’s been a long and interesting path that has taken Miller to this point, and one that began as a teenager, when he discovered an enthusiasm for buying art. “I was working in the City at the time, so had a bit of cash to spare and the thing that gave me the greatest pleasure was spending it on paintings,” he recalls. “I have no idea where this love of art came from, none of my family were that way inclined, but once bitten, I just knew it would become a lifelong passion.”

As indeed it has, but before he could dedicate his life to it, a career as a lawyer beckoned.

Fifteen years later and jaded by the 70-to-80hour weeks, he jacked it in to take a Masters in fine art at Christie’s. “The course enlivened something in me that had been dormant for ages,” he says. “It made me think ‘Oh my god, I’ve got to do something with this now’.”

And ‘do something’ he did, forming Henry Miller Fine Art (henrymillerfineart.co.uk) on the strength of this conviction. “It’s still early days, but following a dream is an amazing feeling,” he says. “Buying and selling paintings doesn’t feel like work. I’m doing something I absolutely love and feel passionate about, and for that I am incredibly lucky.”

the mural painter

You’ve probably stared up in wonder at her pastel graffiti on Brick Lane or her graphic wall paintings around Stoke Newington, but as artist and designer Camille Walala reveals, it took her some time to find her artistic voice – but she got there in the end and we’re so glad she did.

Tell us a bit about yourself I’m originally from the South of France and came to England to work. I did a variety of jobs, in restaurants, bars and even selling cheese, before taking a textile design degree at the University of Brighton.

How did you finish up in the East End? I’d always been drawn to the area. I love its individualism and vibrancy plus it has such a strong artistic community, so when I finished studying it seemed natural to head East. It’s my home and I know practically everyone.

Your work is incredibly distinctive, did you hit on the style straightaway?

Not at all. For several years I struggled to find where I was going. I kept at it because I was driven to create, but I didn’t think the work I was producing was good enough. But slowly, over time, I became happy with the designs.

What are some of the inspirations behind you work?

I love the patterns of African tribes for their colours and graphics, as well as optical art in general and the Memphis Group of the 80s in particular.

How did you end up painting on walls?

I don’t just paint on walls, I paint on every surface I can (indeed, her recent commissions include shop fronts, pop-up restaurants, interiors and clothing). I do love the vast expanse of a large wall though.

Do you now make a living from your art?

Yes, but it’s taken me 10 years of hard work, jumping on any opportunity.

But now, to be paid for what I love doing makes it all worthwhile.

What one piece of advice would you give an up-and-coming artist?

Don’t give up. Just keep going at it and, providing you’re truly passionate about it, you’ll get there in the end. ➦

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PASSIONATE PEOPLE

the photgrapher

Photographer and long-time Hackney resident Jenny Lewis has worked for many top publications, specialising in intimate and arresting celebrity portraits. More recently, however, her passion has turned to capturing locals – first mothers with their babies in One Day Young, and now creatives in their working spaces in Hackney Studios (Hoxton Mini Press, £20). Here, in her own words, she explains the inspiration and drive behind her latest project.

“I saw Isobel Webster at a market stall, looking like a Pre-Raphaelite goddess. I asked to photograph her at her studio and she agreed. Clues of her craft and life were scattered around: a gold bike helmet on top of a cupboard, swatches of fabric and a stack of past patterns. The session flowed easily, as there was a simplicity and understanding to our interaction. At the end of the sitting I felt energised and wanted to do it all again.

I invited her to suggest someone else to photograph, someone intriguing, inspiring, someone remarkable she wanted to celebrate. She took me to Louise, who took me to Alex, who took me to Anna. And that’s how it all started.

“The names tumbled on for four years, I was addicted.

Often I was directed to someone unknown, but sometimes to someone whose work I knew. Given that each person had been nominated by a colleague, an atmosphere of trust was forged quickly. After many conversations, themes about the gentrification of the area, evictions and a lack of affordable studio space emerged. Cities seem to demand change with little regard for individuals, punishing those inhabitants who’ve seen it through rough times. What is happening in Hackney is being repeated all over the world.

“The threads of loyalty connecting people was heartwarming; fine artists would nominate their assistants, students their tutors and designers would nominate performers. Occasionally people recommended someone because they admired their work, but far more often it was out of respect for their ethos. What creative people value most in others is their integrity. Hackney Studios has allowed me to explore my community, my own identity and allowed me to gather friends too.”

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Capturing the area’s many creatives in their studios

the one to watch

Currently studying fine art at Central Saint Martins, having studied at The Royal Drawing School in East London, Sophie Castle now lives in Brick Lane.

“I aim to tackle the expectations that, I feel, are forced upon women, while also addressing the profound issues of the embodied female as both an artistic subject and object. I’m taking the concept of the female nude and remoulding it from a victimised subject and into an exploration of female sexuality and identity.

By depicting myself as nude in what may be perceived as a sexual demeanour I’m reclaiming the nude from the ‘male gaze’ and eradicating its submissive undertones.

I do this through drawings in ink, charcoal and pencil but my paintings are all done in oils. I think the art world has become so obsessed by conceptual art now that it is difficult if you’re a painter. Painting is one of the few mediums within art where you can pour your mind, body and soul into the thought and process.”

Taking back the power of the nude form

“Our tutor was friendly, helpful and passionate.

I really enjoyed the course.�

Do something you love The Cass short courses Sketching | Interiors | Fashion | Textiles | Film | Photography | Fine art Printmaking | Furniture | Upholstery | Graphics | Illustration | Jewellery | Silversmithing Music | Instrument making | Restoration | RIBA CPD courses | Digital design londonmet.ac.uk/TheCassShortCourses @CassShortCourse

+44 (0)20 7320 1842

HEALTHY LIVING Get fit and stay hip at 1Rebel gyms

the new-style gym owner

Being fit and healthy is something we all aim for, but for the following two people it’s not just a way of life, the business of fitness and wellbeing is their life, with both creating successful companies fuelled by their energy and passion

Signing a 12-month guilt-based proposition is not something that resonates with the way that generation consumes things,” James reasons.

He is the scion of Fitness First founder Mike Balfour, Secondly, he decided to ditch the traditional equipmentso his family has some form in opening gyms. But with 1Rebel, James Balfour has torn up the rulebook and the heavy gym model, and instead just focus on classes, the honed and toned folks of East London can’t get enough. reason being that these would deliver similar results to a personal trainer, but without the exorbitant cost attached.

“After all, fitness clubs don’t actually get you fit, they “I can tell you that 1Rebel came about mostly through just sell you access,” says James. “You have to be very passion and less by calculated planning,” confesses educated and very motivated to achieve top fitness levels James Balfour of the fitness brand he co-founded in East by yourself. So instead of coming and working out, at London just two years ago and that’s already changed the 1Rebel you come in and take part in a class.” face of the industry. “I’d previously built a successful brand Just three types of class are offered, Reshape, which called Jatomi Fitness with my father, but I was feeling very is weights and running; Ride, which is spinning, often uninspired by the clubs we had created. The focus felt wrong, it was all about the price rather than the product and accompanied by live music; and Rumble which is boxing.

“Ultimately, what we’ve done is redress the balance it was no longer something I wanted to be associated with.” between us and the consumer,” argues James. “Like a Looking for inspiration, James turned to LA where the restaurant that has to deliver good meals, we have to be boutique fitness business was booming. “They were the the best in class or people won’t come back.” first to start acting like a retailer, focusing They’ve obviously got it right, because on creating a distinctive brand and on fitness buffs are queuing up for classes at getting people results,” he explains. both of their achingly trendy East-London “That’s when it struck me that what me studios. Indeed, the cutting-edge design, and my father had been a part of had fun, tongue-in-cheek company culture and a been the beginnings of an industry, and level of social media engagement that money that it was now ripe for disruption.” just can’t buy are aspects that James is And disrupt he did with the aptly named particularly proud of. “I now have a brand 1Rebel, firstly by tearing up contracts that I love and feel incredibly passionate “Millennials do not want to sign something about,” he says, grinning. that looks more akin to a mortgage.

James has lots to smile about

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the yoga teacher/empowerer/ food coach Her avowed mission is to get people eating better and moving more, which wellness guru and East London aficionado Pandora Symes is accomplishing through her company, Rooted London, offering food coaching, recipes, events and yoga classes across the city.

How did your interest in wellbeing evolve?

I’ve always been interested in it.

As a late teen I would pick up health and fitness magazines and read them passionately. My association with food wasn’t always a healthy one though, but as I grew older and worked on self-development and self-love, I got myself to a good place and wanted to share my insight.

How did Rooted come about?

I had a hectic career in PR, which I gave up to go freelance. I’d wanted to do a nutrition course for a while and I finally had the time and brain space to do it. While doing my training I realised I wanted to start a business that incorporated both food and my love of yoga, and voila, Rooted was born. We started with small dining events and supper clubs, leading into catering and workshops with big and small businesses with a focus on wellness in the workplace. I’m also resident yoga instructor at South Place Hotel, so there’s a lot to keep me busy.

Pandora is well balanced in life and yoga

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

How is the business is doing?

Good. It’s been an interesting journey and I’ve learned along the way. This year sees us focus on Rooted Presents – panel-led discussions on empowerment, mental health and food issues and self-love. We are also launching our intuitive eating workshops and private coaching sessions, as well as our Rooted Blends, three elixirs to be added to milk or hot water for a nourishing start or finish to the day.

Where do you hope to see it going in the future?

We’re looking at venues as we speak.

That’s the long-term plan that I feel passionate about – a place where people can come to feel nourished, educated and empowered.

What motivates and inspire you?

I’m naturally ambitious and so I don’t need too much motivation every morning! I love what I do, and over the years I’ve taught myself to switch off properly, meaning when I’m working, I’m always giving it my best. Anyone with soul and kindness inspires me. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by such people.

If you could offer advice to someone looking to follow their passion, what would it be?

Do it from the heart. Know the morals and purpose of your brand and come back to it with every opportunity that arises. I’ve worked on things where I’ve not taken into account why I launched Rooted and our specified aims – it’s always turned out wrong.

Also, don’t be afraid to be honest to people about how it has changed your life. No, you probably won’t be able to spend £100 on dinner any more and yes, you’d rather sleep than go for drinks on a Friday night.

My life has changed dramatically since launching Rooted but the beauty is I’m doing something I love, and, most importantly, on my terms.

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PASSIONATE PEOPLE

HOSTS WITH THE MOST Finding somewhere to get fed and watered in East London is never a problem, with the area rich in all manner of eateries and bars. But to stand out from the crowd takes vision, drive and heaps of enthusiasm, qualities that the following three chaps have in spades

For Danny Sutton, with wife Hannah, it’s all about the fish

the fish and chip shop owner

Danny Sutton, aka Danny the Fish, is owner of fish-battering Mecca, Sutton & Sons (their cod is to die for). Here, he reveals what took him from a Ridley Road Market stall to a fishmongers in Stokey before launching a chippie opposite that quickly grew into a mini East London empire.

“I didn’t get on well with education, so I ended up helping my dad on Ridley Road, where he had a stall on Fridays and Saturdays, and the rest of the week I worked at the fishmongers there. I started to learn about the fish and got more and more interested.

At the same time, I supplied turkeys from a farm in Hertfordshire, and one of my customers was the butcher on Stoke Newington High Street. I noticed it was very busy, and also that there wasn’t a fishmongers on the street. The unit next door was empty, so it made sense to take a lease and open a fishmongers.

“This was back in 1997, when there were plenty of boarded-up shops about, so I had a choice – it’s a different story now – I even managed to blag three months rent free, which was enough for me to get it up and running. I was living in Stokey at the time, so I put a lot of effort in – this was my little village, and what I put in, I got out.

In fact it got so busy, dad ended up coming and working for me.

“I’ve always supplied restaurants and been in and around catering, and my dream was to have my own restaurant, although I never thought it would be fish and chips. But one day, back in 2007, I went for fish and chips at a local place and it wasn’t very good. As I was leaving I asked the owner ‘are you happy here?’ and he said ‘no’, so I said ‘well, I’ll buy it off you then.’ And that was it. It was quite simple, I brought in good produce, put the price up and off we went. We’ve now got three branches.

“I’m a bit more hands off now, but I love receiving the trading figures daily on my phone, and I like to make sure we’re still flavour of the month. I’m also very involved in ensuring the quality is still up there – the fish is everything in this business.

“As for my dad, he’s still working for me, although sometimes I don’t know about working… I think he works in Ladbrokes.

Who knows whether my boys (he has two school-aged sons) will follow me in to the business. I’d like them to. It’s not a bad life.” ➦

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the Michelin-starred restaurateur

Blogger, podcaster, writer and author, as long as it’s related to food, James Ramsden is your man. More recently he’s broken out into the restaurant business, first running the acclaimed Secret Larder supper club, and more recently a certain little place in E8 called Pidgin, which just happens to have earned itself one of Hackney’s first Michelin stars.

Were you always slightly food obsessed, even as a child?

I wouldn’t necessarily say food obsessed and my parents certainly weren’t foodies, but me and my three siblings grew up on a farm in Yorkshire, so there was always plenty of good stuff around to have a go at. We weren’t fussy children, we’d eat anything, and certainly loved our food. It wasn’t until my late teens that I realised I wanted to do something involving food for a living, but I didn’t know exactly what form that would take.

Your career has had several strands, blogging, podcasting, reviewing, writing. Do you intend to keep that going?

I’d like to, but most of my energy is going into Pidgin at the moment – it takes up such a lot of my time. Not that I mind, it’s been fantastic. Also, I can’t really write about restaurants any more in an objective way. I now have quite a lot of bias.

Were you surprised at the success of Pidgin?

Yes and no. You always go into things with certain expectations and in our heads we wanted it to be this huge thing. And then 22

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quite quickly the reality sinks in. Looking at it now, compared to how it was 18 months ago, it has been a pleasant surprise to see how things have continued to improve both in the restaurant, but also with the recognition we are getting.

And what of that Michelin star, one of Hackney’s first?

It’s extraordinary being one of the first of two restaurants in the borough to get a star, with Ellory being the other one.

When we first discussed opening this place, and then when we opened it, it didn’t even cross our minds that a Michelin star was something to aim for, never mind something we might achieve. That’s been one of the bigger prizes and it comes with its own challenges and levels of expectation.

But I think we’re more than up to that.

What aspect of your restaurant business do you feel the most passionate about?

I’ve always liked throwing parties, and in a way having a restaurant is a sort of extension of that. I get motivated by the same things as I do if I’m having a party at home. I want things to be the best they possibly can be. In the restaurant that’s obviously the food, but also the overall ambience, the look of the place, the level of hosting. Getting all those things right is what makes the difference between a nice night out and something special. I feel very fortunate that my favourite hobby is my job – eating, drinking, being with friends and chatting.

PHOTOGRAPHS: INTERIOR SHOT BY MILLY KENNY-RYDER; PORTRAIT BY MILES WILLIS

The award comes with challenges but James Ramsden is more than up to that

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

Behind This Wall, an inconspicuous bar on Mare Street, serves up some of East London’s most innovative cocktails, earning the drinking den a near cult status among connoisseurs. We meet the man behind the alchemy, Alex Harris, an early pioneer of locally sourced, seasonal beverages that also happen to taste sublime.

If it wasn’t for the fact that his dad was recently divorced and, wanting to enjoy the single life, needed to get his teenage son out of the house in the evening, Alex may never have become one of the capital’s top mixologists.

“He enrolled me on this cocktail-making class,” laughs Alex at the memory. “That lead me into the industry and I ended up working as a barman for the Soho House Group, and went to Babington House when it first opened.”

It was while at Babington that Alex became friendly with the gardener, so when his boss set him the challenge of coming up with a new cocktail menu, it was to his greenfingered pal he turned. “Through him I learned about seasonality, and that’s when I realised that it’s something that is just as applicable to cocktails as it is food,” he says.

This revelation lead him to create a new cocktail, which Alex describes as a “cucumber, gimlet, martini thing” that his boss then submitted to Hendrick’s Gin. “They put it on the website as their cocktail of the summer, and that’s

when I realised that I could really be on to something.”

But before he was to throw himself fully into mixology, there were a few detours, first as a sound engineer at various nightclubs and then a stint as a music technology teacher. In 2012 he hit upon the idea of running record fairs with pop-up bars attached, thus marrying his two passions, and so the genesis of Behind This Wall was born, named after a piece of graffiti he would pass every day on the commute to his teaching job.

Today, the bar attracts musos and imbibers in equal measure, with a turntable available to all and sundry. It makes for a great atmosphere and one that’s attracting punters from far and wide. “The other week we had these people from Amsterdam in who’d heard about us through the grapevine, which is great,” says Alex.

“Everyone on the team is driven and passionate about what they’re doing, and we’re constantly pushing ourselves to do something a bit different,” he adds.

And to prove his point, he tells me about a recent fact-finding mission to Helsinki, where he came up with a whole new concept for a bar. “It’s really cool, unlike anything out there already and completely different from Behind This Wall,” he says. “I love the chaos of creating something new, whether it’s cocktails or bars – it’s what really motivates and inspires me.”

Doing one of his favourite things, Alex Harris mixes one of his signature cocktails

PHOTOGRAPH: CHRISTIAN BRAILE

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START-UP SUCCESS To get a new business not just off the ground, but positively flying, is no mean feat, with such swift success stories needing laser focus and a gut instinct for the next big thing. Here we meet two such individuals whose companies are exploiting very distinctive niches

the millennial motivator Perkbox, an East London company that provides perks for firms to keep their millennials motivated, has only been in existence a little over a year and already boasts a whopping £14million turnover. Co-founder Chieu Cao, who cut his teeth at Amazon, Yahoo, and Microsoft, talks of his desire to create the dream workplace.

Enter Perkbox HQ and you immediately know that here is a company squarely aimed at 20-somethings. From the bank of stand-up desks, a carousel horse and ping pong tables to the Happiness Lab downstairs (an event space that comes complete with bar), it exudes the sort of ethos where fun and friendship mingle effortlessly within the day-to-day business of working, which is exactly as Perkbox founders Chieu Cao and Saurav Chopra planned.

“We pride ourselves on having the kind of culture where people talk about how inspirational it is to work here, where Sunday night blues or Monday morning blues don’t exist and people come to work energised because it’s more than just a job,” explains Chieu in his soft Texan accent (he’s been London-based since 1999). “Of course it makes sense for us to have this culture because it typifies what we do. If we say we are going to help businesses build relationships with their employees then we have to do a good job of that ourselves.”

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Indeed, Perkbox’s avowed mission is to help other companies keep employees engaged and motivated in the workplace by offering perks and benefits – everything from free mobile phone insurance to counselling – through its website. Where Perkbox differs from others of its ilk, however, is that it takes a more holistic approach, aiming to satisfy emotional as well as physical and financial needs. It’s this, along with the fact that it’s presented in a tech-savvy way that makes it so appealing to millennials (who, incidentally, will make up three-quarters of the global workforce in less than a decade).

Chieu claims the platform can deliver 70 per cent engagement, drastically reducing staff turnover and the cost of recruiting, a huge burden for small and medium-size enterprises. Not surprisingly, it is these exact companies that have been signing up in droves, turning Perkbox into one of the city’s most successful start-ups.

But more than anything, it’s Perkbox’s distinctive culture that he and his partner have so deliberately created and nurtured that really gets Chieu fired up. “My first taste of a really lively, slightly eccentric culture that really got you to connect with your colleagues on a personal level was at Yahoo,” he says.

“And that’s where I first met Saurav, and look where that’s led us. Who knows what other friendships are being forged at Perkbox and where those will eventually lead.”

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

Keeping those millennials happy and motivated

Having discovered a passion for working with start-ups, Lucy Werner quit her PR agency job to launch one of her own. Based in Shoreditch, Wern specialises in advising first-time entrepreneurs, and recently expanded into training for local start-ups looking to do their own PR. Here she shares her top tips for bigging up your brand.

PHOTOGRAPHY A great picture can sell your story or product. This is essential for food and drink establishments, for example: a clear picture of a roast dinner at Jones & Sons can make national news or round-ups of top venues. But even a quirky app, service or business announcement is more likely to be picked up if it has a strong image attached.

TWITTER Identify five to ten journalists who you’d like to write about your product or who covers your competitors and follow them on Twitter. Try to get a real understanding of what they write about and send them a well-thought-through pitch.

INSTAGRAM Invest time in Instagram, this is currently the platform of choice to grow awareness and we are increasingly contacted via press on this channel. Make sure you are posting regularly and responding to customer feedback.

It’s not just a broadcast tool, however, so engage with your followers and other local businesses. The East London startup scene loves helping each other, so show some love.

HAVE AN OPINION The national newspapers take pitches every day, so get in touch if you have seen something in the news that affects your business or you have an opinion on.

Draft a few sentences about who you are and why you should comment and send in good time (by 9.30am that morning for next-day print or by 2.30pm for online). Read the opinion sections for ideas and don’t be afraid to be controversial.

MEET THE JOURNALIST Have a Google and you’ll find a host of networking events and talks that give access to industry-specific media and details on how to pitch to them.

Such events are also great for insight into wider issues. Tickets are relatively cheap and the experience will be more fruitful and cost-effective than trying to get a journalist out for lunch.

HOST YOUR OWN EVENTS If you have a relevant reason to mark an occasion, hosting your own event is a great way to thanks friends and family, the local community and drive awareness. It is also a great excuse to invite relevant media.

PARTNER UP With so many other new businesses in the area, East London is great for finding brand partners. Have a look at similar businesses and meet up for a chat to see how you can amplify what you do together.

TALENT SPOT There are some great collectives to find new talent in the borough, such as Digital Futures, Ladies Who Learn and the Student Enterprise based in Accelerator London. Seek out young

the PR supremo for start-ups

Helping

apprentices and interns to start-ups help with your PR and there with their is a good chance you’ll PR needs even learn from them.

CREATE A PR LIBRARY It’s always good to do this so if a journalist comes to you with a request you have everything you need to hand. Think hi-res images, biographies of key personnel, a press release detailing who or what your business is about, years you’ve been going, key unique selling points and a one-liner that sums you up.

ONE SIZE FITS NO ONE Every journalist covers different subjects and has a different style. Do your research and create a personalised approach for every title you speak to.

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ADVERTORIAL

CRATE EXPECTATIONS Transforming old shipping containers into workspaces isn’t new, but to set up shop in Loughton, creating a Shoreditch-style social hub that attracts punters from both East London and Essex, now that takes guts and vision, but Adam Walker, founder of Cr@te, is that man

“I’m dragging a bit of Shoreditch down the Central Line,” laughs Adam Walker, a 36-year-old Essex businessman with a passion for all things East London.

And on the evidence of things, indeed he is.

On my visit to Loughton-based Cr@te, the place is a hive of activity with workmen hammering and painting at every turn, determined to have the site complete for its early March opening. And the East London influences are already very much apparent, not least of which is the vibrant street art that adorns many of the walls, created by the genuine article, as Adam is quick to point out.

Similarly Shoreditch-like, Cr@te is all about creating a social space, which in turn will lead to a buzzing, entrepreneurial community. So hence it’s been designed around a quadrant, with kitchen, toilets and shower facilities located to the left of the entrance, while a spacious Costa café, complete with roof terrace, is to the right.

A courtyard, which will play host to such millennialfriendly activities as street food markets, boot camps and pop up bars, leads to the workspaces themselves, that are situated over two floors. The first floor is raised with attractive decking out front and will primarily be occupied by retailers, some touting their 26

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wares, others fulfilling orders.

Upstairs will be where the creatives, techies and startups are based, with the containers creating surprisingly roomy workspaces that can comfortably house up to eight people. For now, the interiors are painted white, but Adam is more than happy for them to be customised to better reflect the individual businesses that occupy them.

Last, but not least is the astro-turfed garden out back, where a barbeque will undoubtedly be in full swing come the summer months. “We want people to really feel that they’re part of something,” Adam explains.

He is optimistic the footfall will come from several

Accieri capes aut voliquo Catius, paretimus es vis fuid confec re aucernis.

directions, obviously local, but not just people looking to shift their businesses up a gear, but also those looking for an interesting and fun day out. “There’s nothing like this around here,” says Adam. “So once we get a roster of events up and running and the retail aspect fully functioning, I can really see this becoming a destination.”

Then of course, there’s his beloved East Londoners, who can hop on the central line and secure themselves a fantastic workspace, which at £1,200 a month (that includes all utilities, business rates and a low risk, easy in, easy out option), is a lot less than they’d be paying in town.

“My drive comes from wanting to create proper spaces

to get businesses out of the home environment,” Adam confides. “My parents ran a business from home and as a child I remember the stress and the constant arguments.

It wasn’t pretty and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.” And thanks to the backing he’s received form Richard and Mike Stevens, founders of high-end contractors, Grangewood, his mission has become possible.

As the finishing touches are being made, Adam surveys the site and rubs his hands in anticipation. “These are such exciting times,” he says. “Who knows what Cr@te will turn into and where it will spring up next?” But you just know, with Adam at the helm, it ain’t going to be boring.

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Courses starting in 2017 Join us at our Postgraduate Open Evening Wednesday 26th April 2017, 5pm-8pm University Square Stratford, London E15 1NF

uel.ac.uk/pg

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

SUITABLY SUSTAINABLE

PHOTOGRAPH: FRED MACGREGOR

Most businesses these days like to flag up their environmentallyfriendly credentials, but for the following two East London entrepreneurs, sustainability is in their companies’ DNA, thanks to their own indefatigable desire to leave the world a better place

Rob Wilson really, really loves his job

the brewer

Brewing beer while helping to fight food waste are not two of the most obvious bedfellows, but that’s exactly what Dalston-based Toast Ale does, using fresh, surplus bread to create a delicious, caramelly brew. We speak to Rob Wilson, the company’s chief toaster, on marrying up two of his biggest passions.

“I would describe my job not just as a win win, but a win, win, win, win. Firstly, we are producing a really great beer. When you’re creating a brilliant product that everyone loves that’s awesome. Secondly, we are directly tackling food waste, a really significant problem of our time, by using the crusts of loaves that sandwich manufacturers automatically throw away. Thirdly, we are helping to raise awareness of the issue of food waste, by getting people sitting around in a bar with their mates with a beer in front of them that’s provoking conversation. Fourthly, all our profits are ploughed into an amazing charity called Feedback, which is trying to tackle food waste at a systemic level. ➦

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PASSIONATE PEOPLE

No wonder I love my job. I’m always boring my friends senseless, going on about how much I love it!

“I guess my interest in food waste was first sparked as a child (my love of beer came a little later). I grew up in Kent, where my dad and grandad were in the fruit and vegetable business. I saw first hand what a bonkers industry it is, with half the apples in the orchard left to rot because of being the wrong shape or size. I went on to work in an advisory capacity for sustainable food brand Rubies in the Rubble and FoodCycle, which uses surplus food to create meals for vulnerable people. So when the idea for Toast was being bandied about 18 months back, I knew that I had to be involved.

“We’ve had an incredible first year and 2017 is set to be absolutely crazy. We’ve just launched a big crowd-funding campaign to raise enough cash to develop two new beers, and we’re developing the brand internationally. In fact, we’ve just had our first brew in Iceland. We’re franchising the recipe and the concept so that the beer can be brewed and distributed in other countries. All being well it will be South Africa next, followed shortly afterwards by New York. Oh, did I mention how much I love my job!”

Kate Brenneke went from HR to hunting eco products to sell

the website owner

A frantic build-up to a holiday working as a HR manager, followed by an emotional collapse when she arrived, led East London local Kate Brenneke to re-evaluate her purpose in life, creating Be good. Shop, an online marketplace for sustainable shopping.

Did you always have an interest in sustainability?

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, which is renowned for its eco-friendliness. We were recycling and buying organic way before everyone else. So I guess that’s always been part of my ethos. I just didn’t realise how passionate I felt about it until I started to question what I was doing with my life.

What brought you to the point of revaluation?

It was the start of the Christmas holidays, three years ago, and I was going to visit friends in Cape Town. I’d been working flat out and barely had time to prepare. When I arrived, I was a bundle of anxiety and spent the first few days in tears. That’s when a friend took me for dinner. I kept saying to her ‘this can’t be it, there has to be more.” It was a lightbulb moment, I realised I wanted to do something more meaningful.

Did you hit on the idea for Be good. Shop straightaway?

The first few months after that realisation were a bit of a journey of discovery. I knew I wanted to make a positive impact, to leave a legacy of sorts, and at first I thought I could do that through employing my HR skills in the charity sector. But ultimately that wasn’t making me jump out of bed in the morning. That’s when I came up with the idea of an online marketplace for sustainable and ethical shopping, and the more I researched it, the more fired up I became.

How do you choose your products?

Aside from being sustainable and ethical, I hunt out items that you’re not going to find elsewhere. These days it’s easy to get organic shampoo, just click on Ocado, but the things I sell are unique. I’m currently looking at a company that makes sunglasses from recycled denim and another that makes stunning jewellery out of old inner tubes. I want everything I stock to have the wow factor and make people say “that’s really cool”.

What’s been the best thing about giving up the day job?

It’s enabled me to move East. I’ve always loved the area for it’s artsy vibe and all the cool stuff happening and would head over this way whenever I could. But because my work was in West London it made sense to base myself there. Now, however, I finally feel like I’m where I belong. I just wish I’d headed East when I first arrived in London all those years ago.

I’m having such a good time.

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PASSIONATE ABOUT WEBSITE DESIGN

BASED IN EAST LONDON @styleswebbin

MUSIC & LIGHTS As Shakespeare once wrote, all the world’s a stage, and that is never more applicable than in East London, where musicians and performance artists abound, bringing their talent to the area’s rich creative mix. Here we meet three passionate performers who are showcasing their skills in very different ways

the conductor

The grandson of a docker whose love of music was born listening to his grandad play trumpet in East-End working men’s clubs, Spencer Down’s passion has propelled him to Musical Director of Dockland’s Sinfonia, with performances for the Queen along the way.

“I grew up on the Isle of Dogs. My grandad lived nearby and we were very close. He used to work in the docks, but he also played the trumpet and I’d often go to watch him play in the local working men’s clubs. He taught me the cornet. When I was about seven, he took me to Tilbury Brass Band, where I was given a free instrument and the chance to play. It was an amazing opportunity.

One day, the conductor there recommended I take my studies further. So I auditioned for Junior Guildhall, based in the Barbican Centre. I was lucky enough to be accepted and also managed to get a scholarship that paid my fees.

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After that, I took a four-year degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where I discovered how much I enjoyed being at the front of an orchestra, conducting.

It was always my dream to set up my own symphony orchestra, which is how Docklands Sinfonia came about.

It’s been hard work, but highly rewarding. We have performed twice for the Queen at Buckingham Palace, with Grammy Award-winner Imogen Heap at the Royal Albert Hall, and recorded an album with singer Katie Melua.

Recently, we received a standing ovation at the Barbican.

But we are firmly grounded in our community in the Docklands. Music changed my life and gave me opportunities I didn’t know existed and that’s what we’d like to show to the children of Tower Hamlets through our Children’s Concerts. Last year, we performed for 1,600 pupils from 13 local primary schools and, this year, we are putting together a much more ambitious project for 2,200 primary schoolchildren from 20 schools. The concerts are highly educational, but they are also enormous fun.

To any aspiring young musician I’d say, be prepared to deal with a lot of rejection, but don’t fall at that first hurdle.

If you have that passion and drive, try and try again.”

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

Spencer takes up the baton

the performing artistturned-academy director

COURTESY OF THE BARBICAN, PHOTO CREDIT: GAR POWELL-EVANS

Known in showbusiness as the triple threat, singing, dancing and acting have taken Sam Francis all over the world, choreographing on arena tours and entertaining on cruise liners.

But it was home to her beloved East London she came when she decided to open a performing arts academy and, ten years on, she ain’t going nowhere.

The X7eaven kids perform on stage

Waiting in the wings, watching her ‘young people’ perform in the latest production, Sam Francis is overcome with emotion. “I’m watching them excelling, really nailing it,” Sam recalls fondly.

“There’s this absolute confidence, that air of believing in who they are, and the next thing I know there’s tears rolling down my cheeks and I’m thinking ‘oh my gosh’.”

It is precisely these sort of moments that make being one of the founders and directors of performing arts academy X7eaven so rewarding (the other co-founder is her partner Jackson Edwards, previously a vocal manager for the likes of Jon Bon Jovi). “When you run an organisation like this, most of the time it’s an uphill struggle,

especially when it comes to funding. It relies on you doing lots of voluntary hours,” Sam explains.

“So for me, the rewards are not financial, it’s seeing the young people that we work with flourish.”

While some of her students do go on to have careers on the stage and screen, for Sam, while that’s lovely, it’s not the entire point of what she does. “There’s one thing I can guarantee for all our young people, even those who don’t go into the performing arts, and that’s when they leave, they will leave with confidence. They have inner belief and know how to sell them selves. That’s what life is all about.”

Hackney born and bred, Sam was living the life of an itinerant performer, when she decided enough was enough. “I felt I’d gone as far as I could go and the time had come to pass on my knowledge and support others who maybe didn’t have the support I had as a youngster,” says Sam. “Neither myself or Jackson come from affluent families. Our backgrounds are ones where you have to work really hard for what you want, to be extremely focused and supported. We felt that if we could help local young people like we’d been helped, then we’d be doing something worthwhile.”

Thus X7eaven was born, initially occupying space in Bakers Arms before moving to its current location in Leytonstone. “I love being back East, it’s where I belong,” says Sam. “And to know that we’re helping young people from the area is what fires us up and keeps us going.” And with that, she’s off to teach a street dance class. For Sam there really is no business like showbusiness. ➦

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PASSIONATE PEOPLE

the music therapist

When did you discover you were musically gifted?

My mum realised I was musical from before I could talk – I could sing music that I heard on the radio, perfectly in tune. When I was seven, there was an opportunity for some children at my school to have free violin lessons.

I was quite a clumsy child and, although I wanted to learn, all the school violins were given out to children who had better co-ordination. My mum went out and brought me a violin and told the teacher, “She’s got a violin, she’s having lessons!” So that’s how it started.

Did you go on to study music?

I did a degree in music at the University of Birmingham.

Although the degree itself was quite academic, there were lots of opportunities for playing, and I had violin lessons at the Birmingham Conservatoire. I definitely spent more time playing my violin than studying.

When did you realise your career lay in music therapy?

I first found out about music therapy in the careers library at school when I was a teenager. It immediately interested me, as I liked the idea of using my musical ability to make a difference for other people. But I put it on the back-burner for several years, before getting a place on the MA Music Therapy programme at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

How did East London Music Therapy come about?

I was freelance, and over time the work grew until there was more than I could do by myself. That’s when I set up East London Music Therapy, with the aim of providing the best possible therapeutic provision for children and young people. We have now grown to a team of four music therapists, reaching schools in a number of East London boroughs.

What sort of children do you work with and how does music help them?

Many of the children who come to me have special educational needs and/or disabilities including autistic spectrum conditions, speech and language delay/ disorder, or complex needs. Some of the children come for music therapy following difficult home experiences, including trauma and bereavement.

For all of these children, music offers a non-verbal way for them to communicate and express how they are feeling, and a means of interacting and relating without needing to use words.

What aspects of your job do you find the most satisfying?

It’s hugely rewarding when a child starts to be able to make eye contact, or use their voice to communicate. I remember one time I was working with a child in a music therapy group, and he used his voice for the first time. None of the teaching assistants in the group or myself had ever heard him make a sound before, and I think we all had tears in our eyes.

Katy uses the power of music to help children

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PHOTOGRAPH: JOHN HARRIS

Even as a baby, Katy Bignold showed a prodigious musical talent, but for many years she was unsure what to do with it. Finally she found her true calling in music therapy, helping children and young people to better express themselves through music.

ADVERTORIAL

That vital ingredient:

having a passion

The boom in the East End is catching the eye of foodies all over town – including this entrepreneur who’s long called London home BY ERIC WOOLLARD-WHITE Running a great restaurant business is more than just offering good food. It’s about the experience as much as the menu, the heart and soul as much as the quality of the dishes. Above all, you need a real passion – and Turkish entrepreneur Mehmet Kocakerim has plenty of that.

We are sitting on a sofa in his office surrounded by stuff – odd, exotic ornaments, bottles of alluring alcohol, files, paperwork, a lifetime of collected business-related ephemera and who knows what else.

It’s the unlikely nerve centre of a growing empire responsible for one of North London’s most-popular, long-established and award-winning restaurant businesses.

And Shoreditch could be the next step in the growth of the empire; for a restaurateur with an experienced eye on the up-and-coming areas of London, the fast pace and opportunities afforded by the capital of East London’s economic boom is very much on the cards. Says Mehmet, “I see what’s going on there, and I want to find the right location to be a part of something very exciting. I see a window of opportunity, and I want to seize it.”

Mehmet talks rapidly and enthusiastically about his varied business interests, but it doesn’t take long to realise where his heart is really at. “I love this place, my first restaurant. It means so much to me and no matter what else I have to do, I make sure that I am here every day,” he says.

He is talking fondly about Mem & Laz, the first of his three restaurants and also a fourth outlet, a patisserie, on the same street, a stone’s throw from Angel tube station, all located adjacent to each other on Theberton Street, Islington, N1.

The restaurant itself is cosy, warmly lit and welcoming and, sitting there earlier waiting to meet Mehmet, you get a great sense that so many good times have taken place here. It feels like a scene from a Richard Curtis (the writer of Love Actually, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral) film; you can almost hear a stuttering Hugh Grant character making a clumsy,

I see a window of opportunity and I want to seize it

candle-lit marriage proposal in the corner, while a group of Friday-night revellers celebrate a birthday at the next table.

“I wanted to create something that was the heart of the community,” Mehmet explains. “When we opened, we wondered what to do, but we knew it had to be a welcoming place, reflect the local area and deliver a great, relaxed experience.”

Mehmet is a polished host, a talent he looks for in those who work for and with him in his restaurants, which offer Mediterranean, Italian and Turkish cuisines. But the journey to successful entrepreneur and restaurateur – he has hosted celebrities, diplomats and politicians from all over the world – was not always easy.

Born in Kilis, Turkey, in 1971, Mehmet moved to Istanbul with his parents at the age of nine. His father died when he was young and his elder brother took care of him. He was destined to take up a role in the family printing business, but Mehmet had other ideas. Initially, his dream was to be a pilot, but that soon turned into entrepreneurial aspirations to be his own boss.

“I came to the UK to continue my education eventually, which my family didn’t like, but it was what I wanted and reluctantly they let me see this through; I knew I had to branch out and make my own journey in life,” he says.

While studying, Mehmet worked his way through various jobs, which included making hamburgers and also working in a Turkish restaurant as a busboy – this latter role ultimately turning into a life-defining moment, thanks to his natural talent for engaging with customers and his realisation that the quality of hosting and the front-of-house role could turn a good restaurant into an outstanding one.

These days, Mehmet’s business interests have grown way beyond his restaurants, and he has recently joined forces with the Acil Group – a furniture and interiors company which brings trusted brands from Turkey to UK customers via five London showrooms and a busy online store. On top of that, Mehmet is also a partner in a number of other London restaurants, some of which are co-owned with him by former members of his restaurant staff.

“When I spot talent, I want to support it, and I reward long-term loyalty among my employees with help to set them up in their own restaurant ventures. This is something I have done many times, and when they become successful, I let them buy me out if they wish and take over the business 100 per cent,” he says.

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PASSIONATE PEOPLE

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS Creating a business that gives something back to the local community has never been more popular, and nowhere does social enterprise flourish more than in the East. Here we meet three dynamic young women with such a passion for helping others that a bog-standard job simply wasn’t an option Sade is using her experience to help others

As a teenager, Sade Banks-Brown was firmly in selfdestruct mode, skipping school, hanging out with a bad crowd, dabbling with drink and drugs and getting into trouble with the law. But thanks to her strength of character, obvious intelligence, and the belief and support of certain individuals, she managed to turn things round big time – and now she’s helping others do the same.

It’s hard to believe Sade Banks-Brown is only 24, she’s packed such a lot into her life. First, there was the massive teenage rebellion that saw her spiral so far out of control she almost died at the age of 14, followed by a hugely successful career helping to bring diversity to major theatres. And now she’s launching a social enterprise to help give others from similar, disadvantaged backgrounds a leg up in the arts. Is there nothing this bright and vivacious young woman can’t do?

So passionate is she about her latest venture, the intriguingly named Sour Lemons, it’s impossible not to be swept along.

If anyone can make this social enterprise work, Sade can and she’s throwing all her experience into making it a success.

“I really believe young people with backgrounds like mine possess such capabilities, but it’s tempting to use them in a negative way,” she says. “Take a drug dealer, for example.

What they are basically doing is the same as a CEO in a firm in

the bad girl, turned good Canary Wharf, but they’re doing it to sell drugs. It obviously isn’t good, and it’s not acceptable and it doesn’t positively benefit their community. But they’re thinking strategically, they’re arranging distribution, managing customer relationships, specialising in a product. Yes, it’s really negative, but it’s no different to running a business.”

With this analogy in mind, Sade, through Sour Lemons, is supporting young people who have a natural entrepreneurial flair, by giving them the tools and experiences she herself so fortuitously had access to through a leadership training programme, with the pilot kicking off in April.

“It’s a six-month course over evenings and weekends that will give these young people the knowledge, the networks and the skills that can put them on an equal footing,” she explains.

Drawing on her wealth of contacts, she’s managed to bring prestigious organisations, such as the Barbican, the Donmar Warehouse and the Young Vic, on board, with their luminaries (many of whom have mentored Sade on her journey) giving master classes, hosting experiences and networking dinners.

“It’s all about turning disadvantage into advantage,” says Sade. “Things can be hard. I’ve been through some really difficult experiences and wasn’t smiling at the time. But with hindsight, I can see how those things have led and prepared me, and I feel empowered to use my story to help others.” ➦

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the flower power girl

An alumni of Year Here – an organisation that runs a year-long post-graduate training programme helping people to set their own social enterprises – Olivia Head went on to co-found Bread and Roses, a Hackney-based company that supports refugee women into work by teaching them floristry skills.

“When I enrolled as a Year Here fellow, my aim was to find an innovative way of tackling an ingrained social problem, and over the course of that 12 months, I became increasingly interested in the plight of refugees. Part of the course required me to work at the YMCA in Crouch End, and a lot of the young people living there were refugees. I soon came to realise that if it’s difficult being a homeless person in London and being from the UK, then it’s about five times more difficult if you come from a refugee background.

“The idea developed when I met Sneh Jani, a cohort on the course, who had a long-standing interest in the refugee situation. As we talked, we honed in on the idea of working with refugee women specifically, because within an already marginalised group, they are marginalised even further.

Olivia and Sneh have helped refugee women learn new skills

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They have even higher barriers to employment, so we began exploring ways we could help them into the workplace.

“We wanted to do something tactile, based around physical learning rather than learning through talking, which requires an advanced understanding of the language, and that’s when struck on the idea of floristry. “We called it Bread and Roses after the Ken Loach film (my mum is a huge fan and made me watch all his movies as a child), because disadvantaged people deserve more than just the basics, they have the right to flourish and have the opportunity to have pleasure.

“We operate our workshops out of Hackney City Farm and Women for Refugee Women, which is on Featherstone Street, off Old Street roundabout. These spaces are great, as they allow us to sell the bouquets that the women make to local businesses.

“The workshops are weekly and run on a programme-by-programme basis that are two months long. We’ve run four to date, working with more than 40 women.

The feedback we’ve had from those who have attended has been wonderful.

They’ve been so incredibly pleased to have been a part of Bread and Roses.

That’s our greatest achievement – it’s really what it’s all about.”

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

Increasingly frustrated by the lack of opportunities for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds living in East London, Isabel Farchy set up Pitch It as a way of tackling the diversity problem that exists in the creative industries.

How did Pitch It come about?

I was working as an English teacher for Teach First, and was arranging work experience for my sixth-form students. One of the students was amazing, bright, kind, polite, reliable and always tried his hardest. When it came to organising his work placement, he ended up at a local retailer because he didn’t have any family connections.

That same week, over a drink with a friend, I learned that, thanks to my friend’s well-connected dad, his little brother was doing work experience with the director Ridley Scott. It felt so unfair that work experience would prove so different for each of them. My friend’s brother would have such a formative experience with the chance to meet some of the most inspiring people at the top of their professions. The other would spend his time on the shop floor. Pitch It was my attempt to try to change that.

What does Pitch It do exactly?

We work closely with schools in Hackney, providing selected students with a sixteen-week programme of mentoring. The mentors come from all sorts of creative industries, and their company pays a fee for the training they receive to become a mentor (acquiring skills they can then take back into the workplace). It’s is this training fee that enables us to be self-sustainable.

How do you select students?

There is so much demand – we are oversubscribed by five to one – as most of the schools we work with don’t have any other opportunities like this. When it comes to selection we’re not necessarily looking for exam achievement but for enthusiasm and commitment.

Being really diligent and excited about the opportunity is the main thing for us. We also get a steer from the teachers about who will have the required commitment.

What do they get from the programme?

Aside from the mentoring, the students might get a couple of weeks work experience in an agency, or they might get help applying for placements that they then get. The idea is that we’re sowing the seeds and helping young people build those networks and most of the time they do flower into bigger things. Watching them seizing opportunities and having really strong, lasting bonds with their mentors is a really, really nice thing to be a part of.

the facilitator

Isabel set up a mentoring programme for talented students in the Hackey area

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Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6EW 020 7377 6443 info@cafe-caribbean.co.uk Catering enquiry: 0800 858 858 Opening times Every day 10am - 7.30pm

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

LIFE IS SWEET How better to end our passion special than with a sugar hit…

the chocolatier

Caitlin Paxton’s eponymous boutique shop in Shoreditch, with its distinctive duck egg blue frontage, is a Mecca for the sweet-toothed, offering up the most beautiful, gourmet chocolate, all lovingly handcrafted by her on the premises.

While many of us will admit to a profound passion for chocolate, few have extended their love of eating it to actually making the stuff, but for Caitlin Paxton it was a natural expansion. After all, her Swiss grandfather had been a chocolatier, as well as a chef, and had passed his passion on to Caitlin’s mother, who subsequently passed it on to her.

Initially however, Caitlin viewed her chocolatemaking as just a hobby. “It was my favourite thing to do in my spare time,” she admits. “I would feed samples to my friends and family, who always seemed to want more. But at the time I was working in fashion and I thought that was where my future lay.”

Slowly, however, Caitlin began to grow disillusioned with the fashion industry. “I realised that it wasn’t really for me, but I didn’t know what else I wanted to do with myself,” she recalls. “That’s when I struck on the idea of enrolling at the Cordon Bleu school in Paris to train as a pastry chef.

The worse case scenario was that I’d get to spend six weeks in a city I loved and learn to make a few cakes, after which I’d come back and decide what direction to go in.”

With chocolate being an important aspect of the course, and Caitlin already a dab hand, she quickly stood out from her contemporaries. “It reawakened my love of chocolate, the way that, when handled properly, you can create delicious, glossy masterpieces.”

Upon graduating, Caitlin had a brief stint working in

a Michelin-starred restaurant, but the siren call of chocolate was too strong. “That’s when I realised I could turn my passion into a business,” she says. “I started online and with pop-up shops and the reception I received was so fantastic, I decided to open a boutique shop.”

The Shoreditch are in general, and near Brick Lane, in particular, was Caitlin’s chosen location for her new venture. “I just knew the area would work for us, as it’s brimming with creative talent, and we’ve really slotted in.”

She describes her shop as a ‘modern chocolate jewel box’, a concept she first encountered in Paris, with her mouthwatering wares lovingly displayed on long counters, against a neutral background, thus allowing her stunning creations to steal the limelight.

But doesn’t she ever tire of chocolate, being surrounded by it day in, day out? “Never,” is her simple reply. “I absolutely adore it – it’s a love affair that will never end.”

Caitlin and her jewel box of a chocolate shop

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HOW CHEEKY

Beauty notes

The pink and peach hues of blossoming trees are the inspiration behind this year’s big beauty trend, which also happens to have a distinctive 80s throwback feel. So go make like Debbie Harry with these gorgeous finds

A number-one bestseller from Daniel Sandler, Watercolour Liquid Blush in cherub, is multi-awardwinning and easy to use, simply build the colour to suit your skin tone. This silicone-based formula (which doesn’t clog pores) is suitable for all skin types and infused with vitamin E and jojoba to help nourish the skin for a naturally radiant glow. £15.50.

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ILLUSTRATION: Sarah Daniel, sarahdanieldesign@btinternet.com

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WILD COW INVIGORATING BODY LOTION An energising mix of lemongrass, ginger and rosemary from the Cowshed range that puts a spring in your step and deeply moisturises skin without leaving it feeling greasy. £21.

SKIN REPAIR LIGHT This face moisturiser by Liz Earle is light, gentle and easily absorbed, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. It also creates the perfect make-up base. £20.25.

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YOU GLOW, GIRL With a luxurious feel and intense finish, Eyeko’s Me and My Shadow Liner in Quartz is a foolproof (and waterproof) way to shape, define and add colour around your eyes. Use the crayon to draw along the crease at the top of the socket and blend the colour outwards with the built-in blending brush. Then follow with a lick of Eyeko’s Black Magic mascara, which comes in a unique no-waste tube, for an understated pretty-in-pink look. Shadow £18, mascara £19.

Spring has sprung, making it the perfect time to invest in a lighter moisturiser, as your skin no longer has to fight central heating and cold air to keep itself hydrated. Try one of these florally fragranced treats to give your skin a boost:

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WORDS BY LILY EARLE

The eyes have it

It’s all about the base

Part of Too Faced’s wildly successful Sweet Peach Collection, Sweet Peach Glow looks b-e-a-utiful on all skin tones. It contains a softly scented highlighter, blusher and bronzer that can be mixed together to create your own unique hue and swept all over the face to illuminate and add a pop of colour to the skin, or used separately to highlight and contour. £34.

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ROSE LIP BALM From Hackney-based Skin & Tonic, this helps smooth your smackers with a blend of 100% organic shea butter, coconut oil and rose flower extract. £3.50.

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FOOD & DRINK

BDQ

B U S I N E S S LD I N N E R LQ U I R K Y

Our hot-right-now dining guide to suit all occasions WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK, GEMMA ROLLASON, SOPHIE CASTLE AND ALISON ALEXANDER

DINNER WINE AND DINE PLUM + SPILT MILK

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If you’re seriously looking to impress a client or perhaps to spoil a loved one, you could do a lot worse than book a table at this rather fine establishment, nestled on the first floor of the Great Northern Hotel, with sweeping views of King’s Cross’s pedestrian concourse. The hurried travellers dashing hither and tither below somehow adds to the sense of calm competence that the restaurant (the awardwinning interior design is stunningly sumptuous) and its impeccable staff imbue.

With an avowed mission to offer simple classics, beautifully cooked, Plum + Spilt Milk’s menu makes a refreshing read, being devoid of all cheffy pretensions. As indeed was the divine luncheon that followed. First off for me was Dartmouth crab cake, garnished with pink grapefruit and coriander, while my companion chose the Cornish fish soup – both of which were exemplary. Next we had decided to share whole roast Goosnargh chicken with roasted garlic bread sauce. Oh my gosh, this was one heck of a bird, packing such a meaty punch so unlike the flacid, supermarket variety, you’d almost believe it was a different species. It came with roast Anya potatoes and a side of buttered kale, shallots and almonds, both of which proved to be perfect accompaniments. Talking of which, we’d opted for wine pairings from the dashing sommelier, and his choices couldn’t have been more spot on.

WHAT & WHERE: Great Northern Hotel, Pancras Road, N1C 4TB plumandspiltmilk.com

THAI TO DIE FOR SOM SAA It’s not often that you can say a meal was utterly unforgettable (and I mean that it the best possible way), but as we departed this former fabric warehouse on Commercial Street, I knew that what I had just consumed would live on in my memory, well if not forever, for a very long time. Mind blowing with the capacity to blow your head off into the bargain, the Thai food served here is beyond authentic, making no apologies whatsoever to the wimpy Western palate. An easily navigable menu with the suggestion you choose across the different sections, we settled on grilled pork neck with shrimp paste dipping sauce, Bangkok style green papaya salad, whole deep fried seabass and a green curry of salted beef cheek. All the dishes were sublime, taking me back two decades to a stilted wooden shack on the seafront in Khao Lak. It made me realise how terribly bland so much of this nation’s honourable cuisine has become here, but at Som Saa, the fire and flavours really do have the power to transport. Of particular note was the fish, which had impressively curled up on itself in the fryer. Accompanied by roasted rice powder and isaan herbs, whatever they are, it’s become my new desert island dish for which I will most definitely be returning. There’s a rather fetching bar area too, with a mighty fine line in cocktails, should you choose to have one before dinner, or perhaps afterwards to help calm those throbbing tastebuds.

WHAT & WHERE: 43A Commercial Street, E1 6BD somsaa.com

WORTH A WANDER BONNIE GULL I’m a passionate oyster lover (and not just because of their supposed aphrodisiac effects), but didn’t know how deliciously different they could be – until I visited this ‘seafood shack’. Tucked away in Soho, it serves five varieties, of which I tried Achill and Porthilly rocks and a Wild Fal native.

If you’re not a fan, there’s still lots to enjoy, as all the sustainable seafood is seriously good – we loved the squid toast with squid ink aioli, chargrilled Dorset cuttlefish, and tranche of turbot. This imitate galley-style space, where you sit at a marble-topped bar watching the charming, knowledgeable chefs prepare your food, is great for a date (and thanks to turbo extraction fans and the spanking freshness of the fish, there’s no lingering pong to kill the romantic mood).

WHAT & WHERE: 22 Bateman Street, W1D 3AN bonniegull.com

QUIRKY CLEVER COOKING HOPSCOTCH We were not just hopping, but skipping and jumping to this restaurant (upstairs) come drinking den (downstairs) that has just opened up on Brick Lane, and I’m pleased to say that it lived up to expectations. A warm and welcoming ambience, matched by courteous and informative staff, set the tone for what turned out to be a splendid evening. KD Royales (elderflower, cucumber, gin, lemon and fizz) were imbibed while we surveyed the relatively short, but sweet, menu of sharing plates. They all sounded delicious, but we reined in our gluttonous instincts and opted for just five: kohlrabi, pit-roasted aubergine, burrata, wood-fired pork bun and house pickles. As each dish arrived we found ourselves oohing and aahing, with everything looking zingingly fresh as well as thoughtfully plated. Not that we made much noise while actually consuming our meal, with all of our concentration going on the sublime and unusual melding of textures and flavours.

These calibre of dishes don’t happen by accident, so serious kudos to the kitchen.

WHAT & WHERE: 202 Brick Lane, E1 6SA hopscotchldn.com

‘It’s easier to be faithful to a restaurant than it is to a woman’ FEDERICO FELLINI MARCH/APRIL 2017

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FOOD & DRINK

PASTA PERFECTION AMICI MIEI Amici Miei, set just beyond Shoreditch high street, will transport you to the warmth of Mediterranean Italy during a dreary London lunchtime. The cheerfully rustic yet stylish décor is just the beginning of this endlessly charming establishment.

Before the delicious food I would suggest sampling their freshly blended fruit smoothies, I opted for the orange, apple and passion fruit juice, which gave me a real boost, lifting my Monday mood. Following this we had deepfried calamari and king prawns, both tasting freshly plucked from the sea.

For my main I opted for orecchiette alle cime di rapa, delicious pasta smothered in Italian broccoli, pecorino cheese, chilli and sausage – a dish to warm your soul on a chilly afternoon.

My colleague opted for a vegetarian sourdough pizza, which was delicious and filling without being too heavy. Keeping a careful eye on the surrounding diners (largely Italian, which vouches for Amici Miei’s authenticity) I realised I’d soon be returning to sample their spaghetti with meatballs, the sight of which made my mouth water despite my satisfied state. To finish this delectable feast was the naughty-but-oh-sonice deep-fried sourdough bites that were suitably covered in Nutella sauce. As an accompaniment I had a scrummy passion fruit martini, an equally guilty pleasure but one I reasoned I’d earned after a long, hard morning’s work, but which rendered my afternoon not quite so productive.

WHAT & WHERE: 28-30 Kingsland Road, E2 8DA amicimiei.co.uk

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QUIRKY CHEERS TO GOOD FOOD VINOTECA FARRINGDON Time to raise your glass: traditional wine bars have realised they need to offer more than bar snacks to accompany cracking open a bottle.

Vinoteca has expanded its five London bars to include new hip hubs in Kings Cross and Soho, but the original site, tucked away on the lower end of St John Street in charming Clerkenwell, has atmosphere and conviviality by the ice bucketful, with the bonus that their menu now reflects the expectations of drinkers to soak up their Sancerre with a decent plate of food.

It’s small and busy and the service is friendly and knowledgeable, with the short menu changing on a regular basis to reflect the seasons.

To start we chose the spiced Devonshire crab, with quinoa, fennel, radish and samphire salad, and the duck breast with shallot purée and sour cherry relish. The crisp, clean flavours of the salad complemented the generously portioned seafood, and the perfectly pink duck sat on a classic combination of smooth and tangy fruit. Both were utterly delicious. For mains we had gnocchi with mushrooms, taleggio cheese, baby artichokes and walnut dressing, plus whole lemon sole with purple sprouting broccoli and almond, caper and chilli butter. Both plates were bang on, expertly cooked and seasoned, full of delicate flavours.

When the requirement is for good food, fine wine and a busy, buzzy atmosphere, this is the place.

WHAT & WHERE: 7 St John Street, EC1M 4AA vinoteca.co.uk

Popolo Shoreditch is an independent restaurant specialising in Italian, Spanish & North African dishes. We serve small sharing plates, a little like a tapas, and you can choose to sit at the bar and watch the chefs cook in front of you, or sit upstairs at one of our tables in our cosy space.

OPENING TIMES: Tuesday – Saturday 12pm – 3pm Tuesday – Wednesday 5.30pm – 10:30pm Thursday – Saturday 5.30pm – 11pm

Popolo Shoreditch 26 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3DU (a few mins walk from Old Street Station) e: info@popoloshoreditch.com l: +44 (0) 2077294299 w: popoloshoreditch.com f: popoloshoreditch t: @Popolo_EC2 I: popoloshoreditch.com

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FOOD & DRINK

eat streets

Hashtag meatporn at the ready, because this is the year of the BBQ joint and smokehouse WORDS BY LIAM BARKER

Pitt Cue

Pitt Cue were one of the original pioneers of the never-ending queues you’ve probably seen in Soho. Patrons would literally wait hours to get a taste of their famed rare-breed mangalitza pork (from pigs basically blessed with a genetically high level of unsaturated fat). Not only that, they made bone marrow mash sexy too. Now they finally have a huge spot in the city, with the dining room centred around a mammoth charcoal grill, and you can even book a table!

WHERE: 1 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YP pittcue.co.uk

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Berber & Q

Under an arch in Haggerston you’ll find a small, beautifully decorated space reminiscent of a North-African grill house.

Berber & Q infuses its meats with bold Middle Eastern spice.

Balancing blends such as chermoula and harissa is a delicate process, but they know their coriander from their cumin in the kitchen here. Then the addition of smoke just enhances everything, making it one of those menus where you basically want one of everything.

WHERE: 338 Acton Mews, E8 4EA berberandq.com

Duke’s Brew & Que

Using two giant imported smokers to serve up traditional Deep-South delicacies, Duke’s was one of the first barbecue joints in the East. And not satisfied with that, it was also the original home of London’s Beavertown Brewery, so you can get the beers here on tap. Result! The menu choice is also a no-brainer. It’s all about a tray of meat called Duke’s Greatest Hits: one beef rib, one pork rib and pulled pork. Served with coleslaw, pickled red onions, BBQ sauce and Texas garlic toast!

WHERE: 33 Downham Road, De Beauvoir Town, N1 5AA dukesbrewandque.com

Red’s True Barbecue

These guys take barbecue so seriously that each year they get together to do a BBQ road trip pilgrimage across the southern US states to get the lowdown on the best meats and techniques. In fact, they were just invited back to the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que in Houston last month. Be prepared to get down and dirty with your meat with a mighty full rack of St Louis ribs smoked low and slow for six hours. If you can, save room for the Kilner jar of dessert dreams too... Otherwise known as the Kentucky Trifle!

WHERE: 54-56 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR truebarbecue.com

Little Smoke

There’s nothing little about the cuts on sale at Little Smoke.

They literally butcher whole rare-breed pigs and cows right on site. So take your boys, girls, family or colleagues and pick the exact cut you want from the blackboard above the kitchen.

Cuts are weighed and come up for between two and five people to share. It feels kinda satisfying to watch the staff crossing it off knowing that 1.5kg porterhouse steak is yours, all yours.

WHERE: City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street, EC2Y 9AW littlesmoke.london

Smokestak

So good we’re featuring it again, because no round-up of the East’s best BBQs would be complete without this smokefuelled fella. If you haven’t tried the finest most mouthwateringly tender beef ribs this side of the Atlantic, then you should be ashamed of yourself. Forget sophistication – eat with your hands, gnaw on those bones. Oh and the pigtails are a revelation.

WHERE: 35 Sclater St, E1 6LB smokestak.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

OUT OUT

Nothing is guaranteed to extend an evening than diving head-first into the cocktail menu. Cheers…

WORDS BY LIAM BARKER

Fontaine’s Bar

Dr Klugers Canary Wharf Crossrail, E14 5A As you may well know by now, The Breakfast Club does harbour a secret or two. This one’s hidden underneath their Canary Wharf Crossrail branch. Head through the door to see the doctor and get some of his Good Times Tonics down ya. They’re all an NHSbusting price of £6.50 a hit. Start as you mean to go on with an Effing Good Time. Made with sloe gin, Kamm & Sons, lime juice, ginger and tonic. Don’t peak too early though, as DJs are on hand until midnight on weekends.

drklugers.com

The Natural Philosopher

Repairs. Sip on an Old Fashioned Philosopher, made with bourbon, pomegranate molasses, honey, pamplemousse, plus rose and orange bitters, while browsing a museum of everything Apple.

We’re talking those colourful vintage desktops and original iPods (yep they’re retro now!)

thenatural-philosopher.com

Every Cloud 11a Morning Lane, E9 6NU Every cloud should be lined with golden pineapples like the wallpaper at this quaint little Hackney spot. You have to do something different to stand out in the East these days, so how about serving up a Champagne

489 Hackney Rd, E2 9ED Some could say Steve Jobs was a modern-day philosopher who changed the game. If you said it was impossible, he said you’re fired! Anyways, this one’s for the Apple enthusiasts out there. You’ll find The Natural Philosopher in the basement of Macsmith Apple

daiquiri that doesn’t even have Champagne in it! Instead, they’ve gone all scientific and developed an acid base with the exact same flavour profile. Then they combine it with Havana 7 rum and fruit syrup and fizz it up. So no Champagne hangover... Genius!

everycloudbar.com

Original Sin 129 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0PH This dark, seductive-looking drinking den has an even more enticing cocktail menu which will have you getting all cosy in one of the leather booths. Drinks here have plenty of punch. In fact, the

Fontaine’s 176 Stoke Newington Road, Hackney, London N16 7UY Think Great Gatsby in the middle of Dalston! Fontaine’s transports you back to the Art Deco era. Serving up proper classic cocktails inside its relaxed 1930s-style living room. Lounge on plush sofas and drink a perfectly mixed Ramos Gin Fizz while feeling like you should be wearing your finest flapper dress and waiting for Leo DiCaprio to show up. Even the bathrooms are glamorous here! It’s the perfect place if you’re looking to impress that special someone.

Iron Butterfly may test how iron your stomach is, being made from peppercorn tequila, cider brandy, mezcal, apple juice, lime, honey and Gamma Ray pale ale. But don’t panic. When hunger strikes, just head upstairs to Stokey Bears for a Grizzly Bear burger smothered in cheese, smoked bacon and bacon jam.

fontaines.bar

originalsin.bar

Original Sin

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Sounds like…

spring

Longer, warmer days means getting out and catching the best live music the East has to offer. Need we say more?

15 March

THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION

9 March

12 + 15 March

Oslo, Hackney E8 1LL

Assembly Hall, Islington N1 2UD

The London power pop duo’s debut long-player, Hit the Light, has drawn comparisons with everything from The 1975 to Primal Scream to Kraftwerk and everything inbetween.

Expect this much-anticipated homecoming show, then, to be rammed, with the assembled throng swooning to the dulcet tones of Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan. oslohackney.com/events/ live-ten-fe/

Marking a welcome return to our shores, American songstress Chan Marshall – otherwise known as Cat Power – brings her distinctly intense sounds to nearby Assembly Hall over two intimate nights. Her most recent LP, Sun, was released back in 2012, so don’t be surprised if there’s something fresh appearing in the mix.

16 March

TEN FÉ,

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CAT POWER

Homecoming kings Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan

institution has seen everyone from Sir Ian McKellen to Georgia May Jagger donning the famous T-shirt in support of the venue. So head down for some fine Oirish banter and tunes – and spread the love. thegeorgetavern.co.uk

Oslo, Hackney E8 1LL

Almost 20 years after the release of their debut album 1, the San Diegan indie favourites reconvene, setting aside their differences for a celebratory night tinged with nostalgia – and, we expect, hope. Who knows, they may bring some Californian sunshine along with them, as well. oslohackney.com/events/liveblack-heart-procession/

WORDS BY ED GIBBS

52

A unique and often breathtaking performer, it should be well worth finding out. islingtonassemblyhall.co.uk

SPOILERS

Shacklewell Arms, Dalston E8 2EB

Garage punk comes roaring back to the Shacklewell in the form of this London-based, Kent-bred four-piece that are every inch as authentic as their southern-Californian new wave late-1970s punk cousins.

Fresh single Imminent Future gives a tantalising hint at what’s in store. Worth a view. shacklewellarms.com/listings/ events/16-mar-17-spoilers-theshacklewell-arms/

Weirds

20 March WEIRDS

Old Blue Last, Shoreditch EC2A 3ES

Ahead of their debut album release in May, check out Leeds’ finest in this intimate show in one of Shoreditch’s most prized rooms. Their rock-heavy vibe is likely to raise the roof off the historic boozer. Arrive early and grab a good spot. facebook.com/weirdsband

22 March OUR GIRL

Waiting Room, Stoke Newington N16 0LH

This fine Brighton three-piece hit Stokey’s top spot with their infectious garage-rock and a debut EP, Normally, 17 March up their sleeves. Frontwoman ST PATRICK’S DAY and guitarist Soph Nathan’s The George Tavern, Stepney E1 0LA Sonic Youth-infused lyrics on Details are still to be announced Being Around give you a good at time of going to press, but idea of what to expect. We’ll we can’t recommend throwing see you there. your weight behind the Save waitingroomn16.com/listings/ the George Tavern campaign events/22-mar-17-our-girl-the(and having lots of fun) enough. waiting-room/ This East End, Grade II-listed

MUSIC

*Spoilers alert*

8 April

13 April

Sebright Arms, Bethnal Green E2 9AG

Assembly Hall, Islington N1 2UD

TBC

One of the East’s most beloved music venues closed its doors late last year, after a five-year run of musical excellence. Step into 2017, though, and its new owners have proudly vowed to carry the torch and continue the love. Events and acts are still being added as we go to press, so keep an eye on the venue’s website for deets. Your attendance is required. facebook.com/ events/1053032681509519/

27 April

LONDON INTERNATIONAL SKA FESTIVAL Britain’s love of Jamaican ska and reggae is back with a vengeance, 40 years after 2 Tone launched The Specials on an unsuspecting British public. Kicking off this year’s London International Ska Festival is British reggae legends Misty in Roots, who bring their smoky Southall beats to the Assembly Hall with ease. islingtonassemblyhall.co.uk/ events/london-international-skafestival-misty-in-roots-130417/

BARRY ADAMSON Moth Club, Hackney E9 6NU

Barry Adamson

Nick Cave and Jon Spencer alumni and Mancunian Mercury-nominated allrounder Barry Adamson brings his reinvigorated funk grooves to the East for this intimate club show at the Moth. Check out his latest gem, Up in the Air, and get excited – the impossibly smooth and groovy Baz-man is back. mothclub.co.uk/ events/2017/4/27/barryadamson

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S I LV E R J E A N S . C O . U K

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ADVERTORIAL

Living is easy Once a Victorian tea and coffee warehouse, Wapping Riverside now houses 37 luxury apartments with panoramic views of the Thames. No wonder they’re selling like the proverbial hot cakes

W

here once it housed tea shipped over from China, India and Ceylon, and coffee from Africa and South America, today the beautiful five-storey Victorian warehouse that occupies 136 to 140 Wapping High Street is home to 37 luxury new apartments, with the most stunning views of the River Thames.

No expense has been spared in transforming the Grade II-listed building into such a sought-after place to live.

Indeed, only two apartments remain unsold, so if you’ve developed a taste for riverside living, you’ll need to be fast.

The development comes complete with spacious, decked balconies (plenty of room for a table and chairs to soak up that gorgeous cityscape), a super-stylish entrance foyer with concierge, and even a landscaped rooftop terrace with seated lounge areas, offering even better views,

For the ultimate in cool, urban living it has to be Wapping Riverside’s luxury apartments – and the views aren’t too shabby, either

if that were possible. The apartments themselves are light and bright, with an open-plan reception, dining and kitchen area from which you can access the balcony. The master bedroom comes with en suite, and also opens on to the terrace, while the guest bedroom is well proportioned, with a boutique hotel feel.

As evidenced in the sleek and glamorous show apartment (by multi-award winning Argent Design, to echo the ebb and flow of the Thames and the skyline above), they really are the ultimate in cool, urban living, perfectly combining original features with five-star, contemporary functionality. Prices are from £1,350,000. galliardhomes.com

£1,275,000

TRAVEL SPECIAL

Great British Getaways

Maison Talbooth, DEDHAM

WORDS: ROB DANIEL

As much as we love East London, as this issue attests, sometimes a change is needed, and where better to escape to than the glorious UK countryside?

Escape the rat race and hole up for the weekend in comfort and style at the chic Maison Talbooth

Set deep in the heart of glorious ‘Constable Country’, where rural Essex meets Suffolk, this gem of a country-house hotel provides the perfect escape from city life. Built in the 19th century, the grand old house has been thoughtfully modernised with a genuine style. Each of the 12 bespoke bedrooms has been named after one of our nation’s great poets, but given a contemporary twist, so for us it was the Tennyson room with a subtle ‘Beatles Sgt Pepper’ theme.

The king-sized double, with en-suite bathroom and our own private balcony were reason enough not to leave our luxurious room, but the outdoor pool beckoned. Now swimming al fresco in the middle of February may seem a little crazy, but with the water heated to pleasant 85 degrees it was a joy. And following it with a soak in the hot-tub, then a glass or two of wine, while seated around the roaring log fire – well we couldn’t have been blamed for thinking we were enjoying a Scandinavian summer break!

To dinner, and the first-class hospitality continued with a chauffeur-driven Range Rover on hand to take us to the award-winning Le Talbooth Restaurant. From poached baby monkfish to dry-aged local beef Rossini, the menu provides beautifully classic dishes with a contemporary style, using the very best fresh, local produce.

All too soon, after a perfect night’s sleep and delicious breakfast, it was time for us to leave. We hadn’t had a chance to try the spa, treatment rooms or tennis court, but we will be back – soon – and I would strongly recommend that if you’re ever headed into Constable Country, you book yourself in for a night or three (!) at this wonderful hotel.

WHERE: Maison Talbooth, Stratford Road, Dedham, Colchester, Essex CO7 6HN. An overnight stay costs from £210 per room (two sharing) and includes a full English breakfast. prideofbritainhotels.com MARCH/APRIL 2017

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A New-Englandmeets-California aesthetic teamed with the best of British produce in this restaurant with rooms near Rye

WORDS: ANN CASTLE

The Gallivant, RYE

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Attention to detail is not what one expects from a beach-side establishment, but at the Gallivant, a restaurant with rooms at Camber, Rye, you get it in spades (dare I say, bucket and spades full?); as it’s just across the road from the beach.

We arrived on a gloomy, rainy day to what appeared a Californian, dune grass-bedecked motel. As we entered the small, welcoming reception with neatly stored wellies and flip-flops for visitors’ use, the warmth was immediately apparent, not only from the log burner but also the friendly staff. We were given a gift of a beach bag containing a rug, a half-bottle of chilled Champagne and a jar of homemade chutney. Perfect for a sunny day on the sands opposite.

Our accommodation was a Luxury Garden Room, wood panelled in beautiful Farrow & Ball-like hues. The aim was achieved, a Hamptons-esque boutique beach house.

A super king-size bed, Egyptian cotton sheets and sliding doors revealing or concealing the freestanding roll-top tub in the adjoining bathroom (along with a monsoon shower) all screamed luxury, as did the double French doors leading onto a semi-private deck overlooking a landscaped coastal garden.

Along with a kettle, Nespresso machine, tuck box and mini bar, which contained fresh milk, it was the four small sealed pots that brought that something a little different – ranging from a Sleepwell, Phone Charger and Travel Adaptor pot to a Hangover and Intimate Collection pot. I’m sure the latter will be greeted by amorous couples with giggles and delight.

We headed back to the lounge bar where we were offered a welcome drink of pink gin fizz. Also on offer every day at 4pm on the lounge’s centre table is a large pot of tea and homemade cake for guests to help themselves to.

And so to dinner. The food was modern British in style with virtually all ingredients sourced within a 10-mile radius. My Romney Marsh lamb was perfectly pink, and my companion’s Dover sole from the specials board, along with equally impressive first courses and desserts could not be faulted, and were washed down with an excellent English

MARCH/APRIL 2017

rosé, yes, English! Chosen from the Gallivant’s 93-bottle wine list, which the waiter offered us a tasting to ensure we’d chosen correctly. We finished with an excellent red, to accompany the cheeseboard. Of note to non-resident diners, there’s no service charge and a request not to tip; they claim they are the first restaurant in the country to do this. If you’re worried about the staff, they’re all paid a generous wage.

We decided to retire as an early start was required for our planned beach walk before breakfast, so we opened the Champagne and settled into the sumptuous bed, flicked on the large-screen TV and started to drift off to the mesmerising tones of David Dimbleby hosting Question Time.

Breakfast was a delight, a buffet of homemade muesli, fresh fruit, croissants and mini Kilner jars of compote and yoghurt and ‘real bread’ to toast, with an excellent cooked selection, which was waitress served. A lovely touch was a tray containing a bowl of Alka Seltzer sachets alongside a large jug of tomato juice, a bottle of vodka and all the accompaniments to make yourself the perfect hangover cure.

Before we left I managed to squeeze in my complimentary facial in The Beach Hut pamper room. Do not be put off by its shed-like appearance on the outside, inside its an oasis of fragrant tranquillity, and Billie the therapist puts you at your ease. I emerged feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

If you have time, pop to Rye, which is full of independent stores and antique shops. It also has a great delicatessen and a fine hot chocolate shop, Knoops, where we stopped for one final indulgence. A must-do.

WHERE: The Gallivant, New Lydd Road, Camber, Rye TN31 7RB. A night’s stay costs from £95 for two and includes continental breakfast.

thegallivant.co.uk

TRAVEL SPECIAL

WORDS: MARY COBBETT

Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, WILTSHIRE The first thing that struck me was the sweeping Cotswold stone wall that lined the drive, beautifully executed work that had apparently taken two men one year to complete!

The lovely building it led to gave further promise that a treat was in store. The somewhat understated front door lead from a cobbled courtyard immediately into a warm welcome at reception. Our room not quite ready, we were given a brief tour of the hotel and spa before being shown into the drawing room and invited to have a drink or light lunch. Champagne cocktails and martinis a specialism, I ordered a deliciously peachy Bellini. The friendly but measured approach from the barman meant it wasn’t long before relaxation began to kick in.

Simply taking time here offered an opportunity to soak up some of the architectural features of the 19th-century manor house we found ourselves in. The beautifully proportioned rooms with mullioned windows, forged iron window furniture, panelled walls, wide doorways and generous fireplaces all created a mood of calm.

Making the most of the afternoon sun, we explored the gardens. Carefully prepared for the coming of spring and given an attention to detail that pervaded the rest of the estate, this series of gardens extended our developing sense of tranquillity. Thoughts were already creeping into my head of a return visit in the summer to witness them in all their glory – for a cream tea perhaps?

We were then shown to our beautifully appointed, indulgent suite: generous bedroom, bathroom, lounge and study area, with three more gorgeous stone mullioned windows giving views across gardens and woodland to the Wiltshire countryside. Would one night do this justice we thought? Well… let’s just say it was easy to feel at home. Spacious, warm and unquestionably comfortable.

But, no time to dally, I was determined to acquaint myself properly with the Aquarias Spa before the evening.

Situated in the newest wing of the hotel, the modern spa offers a surprising departure from the old manor.

No add-on however, Aquarias is an integral part of the Whatley experience. Reflecting the hotel’s Swiss ownership, this beautifully designed and equipped facility is dedicated to the rejuvenation of mind and body. The suite of hydrotherapy pool, tepidarium, salt scrub showers and thermal spa with lounge and adjacent gym is subtly connected to the traditional building via a gentle transition of serene stone corridors. Again, the beauty for me was the amount of space – only one or two other guests briefly overlapped with my time in the pool or steam room. There were plenty of loungers on which to relax, doze or read, and iced water on tap to help you keep hydrated. By the time I was sipping a smoothie in the ‘Dream Wave Sensory Room’ I was beginning to think I could get used to this.

After pre-dinner drinks, our experience in The Dining Room, which has two Michelin stars, began with the most exquisite canapé, awakening our senses with the lightest possible texture of a spiced cracker, paired with caviar, touches of mayonnaise, coriander and lime.

The 12-course taster menu from new executive chef Niall Keating continued with an oyster and seaweed mignonette. The black tortellini, prepared with Niall’s own two-year marinated black garlic was exceptional, and the risotto, made with sushi rice, chorizo and raw scallop, was a favourite. Indulging in the complete flight of French and Italian wines to accompany the food just had to be done!

After a fabulous sleep, I headed to the tepidarium and Natura Blisse Bubble suite, leaving my partner to rest a while longer in the luxury of our suite. A couple of hours later our revival was complete. What a fabulous stay.

The ‘Whatley magic’ works. I urge you to try it!

WHERE: Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0RB. A night’s stay costs from £325 for two, including English breakfast and use of spa. prideofbritainhotels.com

Pure bliss in the lap of luxury, and with Michelinstarred food

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TORQUAY

Some of you may be familiar with a Torquay hotel from watching the classic sitcom Fawlty Towers, but here’s where the familiarity ends. Orestone Manor in Maidencombe on the edge of the resort is the antithesis of the aforementioned. Set in sub-tropical gardens and with spectacular views across to Lyme Bay, Orestone Manor is the perfect getaway.

It has twelve rooms each with its own charm and individual pieces of furniture and ornaments. For a particularly romantic retreat, choose the Garden room with its own private terrace with a large Jacuzzi, dining area and sun lounge. The bedroom has a sumptuous four poster, super-king bed, complemented by a large bathroom with a grand tub and rainfall shower. As well as this accommodation there are two additional Coach House Suites – split-level cottages each with their own separate lounges, balconies and private outdoor hot-tubs, situated just a few metres from the main hotel. One of these was to be ours for the next two nights.

My companion got to grips with the history of the manor, finding out that it was built in 1830 and was the former lodge of painter John Callcott Horsley (best known as the designer of the first commercial Christmas card). It was here he painted a portrait of his famous brother-in-law, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, which now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. Brunel came to Torquay in the course of his work as chief engineer of The Great Western Railway. As he brought his wife along, it is thought that many gatherings were held between the two families at the manor.

As my companion then started to wax lyrical about how Rudyard Kipling was once the hotel’s closest neighbour, I opened the patio door onto one of our two balconies, poured out a glass of fizz and immersed myself in to the warm, bubbling hot-tub – bliss!

Upstairs we had our own living room with kitchenette, large rolltop bath, sofabed and another large-screen TV (there is Sky TV and Sky Sports in all bedrooms, with Sky Movies in all suites), another balcony with table and chairs and a wonderful view of the sea.

And so to dinner. We were greeted by the lovely barman Tobir, who advised on choosing from the extensive cocktail menu and also helped with our selection of wine for dinner. Many hotels have retaurants included as part of the service on offer, but Orestone Manor’s restaurant stands in its own right, open to both residents and non residents. At the heart of the cuisine is the ethos to source

ingredients locally where possible.

To start I had Brixham crab martini followed by two bone lamb rack, braised shoulder croquette, sweet potato fondant, kohlrabi spaghetti with a honey, mint and cumin jus. While my companion opted for soup of the day (which happened to be cheese and onion, the smell alone was amazing, as it also had blackened onion and truffle), with a main course of crisp top braised pork belly, with fricassee of baby onions, peas, Savoy cabbage, bacon, parsley, cocotte potato and pork jus. I’ve listed the numerous ingredients to show how wide the infusion of flavours was – the taste was superb!

To follow, we shared an assiette of miniature desserts, everyone being an explosion of sweet delights. Headed by Jo the manager, we were well looked after, perfect friendly, understated service.

The next day we headed to Lyme bay, a ten-minute walk away, where apparently many a seal or dolphin are spotted. Not on that day though, unfortunately. Undeterred, we chose one of the many beautiful walks along the coastal path which led to a picturepostcard pub, The Thatched Tavern. Very friendly, with real ales and good food (tip: try the gourmet forest fungi mushroom risotto).

That evening we both had another wonderful dinner, followed by the hotel’s unmissable artisan West-country cheeses with either port or one of their cider brandies. Superb!

Orestone Manor is a perfect get away from London life, and well worth the drive. Park the car and let the hotel envelop you in West Country charm and total relaxation, with added culinary delights.

WHERE: Orestone Manor, Rock House Lane, Maidencombe, Torquay TQ1 4SX. A night’s stay costs from £110 for two, including a full English breakfast. orestonemanor.com Immerse yourself in Orestone Manor’s West Country charm, without a Basil Fawlty in sight

WORDS: ANN CASTLE

Orestone Manor,

TRAVEL SPECIAL

The King’s Head,

Tudor-timbered elegance at The Swan

CIRENCESTER

WORDS: MARY COBBETT

Slumber beneath the ancient beams of the King’s Head hotel

The Swan, LAVENHAM This Suffolk gem has seen it all, from wealth and Hollywood glamour to varying fortunes. The Swan Hotel & Spa, a vast, historic timber-framed building, formerly a coaching in, sits among the many fine Tudor buildings along the picturesque streets, used as a background for scenes in Godric’s Hollow, in Harry Potter.

On arrival, a welcome open fire was roaring in a large inglenook.

Beyond, at reception we were signed in then lead upstairs, along a labyrinth of quaint, uneven passages to our room. It had a beautiful, original vaulted ceiling and sympathetically combined modern-day luxury with centuries of tradition, as did all the hotel.

Lavenham is blessed with good pubs, fine places to eat, antique shops and the Guild Hall, dominating the town market square.

We stopped at the Blue Vintage Tearooms, where nothing was too much bother, together with delicious homemade cakes.

After our fill of clotted cream and scones, we headed to the hotel spa where guests are encouraged to spend a couple of hours letting off steam, literally, in the sauna and steam rooms, along with a dip in the outdoor vitality pool, by day, or, as in our case, as the sun set.

Relaxed and ready to intoxicate ourselves once, more we headed for drinks at the Airmen’s Bar, where American bombers stationed at Lavenham during World War II have left their names on the wall.

Dinner was served in the Gallery Restaurant, a room fit for medieval banquets of days gone by. The head chef, Justin Kett, presents a straightforward, elegant menu of delicious dishes ranging from rabbit bolognese to partridge pithivier with parsnip and quince, using local and British ingredients. While a pianist tinkled away at the ivories, I tucked into globe and Jerusalem artichoke with hazelnuts and a hen’s egg, followed by a beautifully cooked roast saddle of lamb. We were most impressed by the very tall, friendly sommelier, who had learned to negotiate the low timber beams in the bar with ease and was font of all wine knowledge.

Lavenham is easily accessible by road and the nearest railway station is Sudbury. The main streets can be busy at weekends but thankfully The Swan has two car parks, just ring ahead for details.

WHERE: The Swan, High Street, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 9QA. A night’s stay costs from £210 for two and includes a three-course dinner and breakfast. prideofbritainhotels.com

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WORDS: NICKY ACKETTS

Located at the heart of the quintessentially English town of Cirencester, the Kings Head’s is a calm haven from hectic city life.

The cosy, A contemporary glazed comfortable entrance and open reception restaurant offer enticing views towards the heart of the building. A combination of subdued lamps with some natural roof light reveals an open-plan bar and lounge, with views towards the restaurant further ahead. Open doorways, arches, muted decorative tones and soft textures, accented with the odd vibrant splash of colour, invite guests to explore further.

Our room, in this 45-bedroomed, beautifully renovated 14thcentury coaching inn was one of its ‘Feature Rooms’ in the roof space, on the third floor. The exposed wood beams and Cotswold stone confirmed the building’s historical context, while a spacious wetroom and quality furnishings afforded a touch of modern luxe.

Once settled, while my guest went to explore the town, I visited the hotel’s Vaulted Spa to indulge in an exquisitely relaxing Monu facial. Monu products, made by a company based in nearby Cheltenham, are a hint to the hotel’s pride in sourcing local products. Feeling beautifully relaxed by the gentle 25-minute treatment and further down time in the luxurious relaxation room, I was ready for an evening of good company and fine dining.

Following drinks on the sumptuous sofas by the wood-burner in the bar, we dined in the restaurant. Enticed by the specials, I chose asparagus with a soft poached egg and hollandaise sauce, followed by a generous rack of tender lamb, flavoursome purple sprouting broccoli (so good, I requested more!) and dauphinois potatoes with a red wine and rosemary jus. My guest had a seared flank steak and braised rib cottage pie. Equally well cooked and presented. Our waitress, attentive but personable, ensured the relaxed, understated mood remained to the close the day.

A comfortable night and paper delivered first thing set us up for the new day. The breakfast buffet was laid out on a grand refectory table in the middle of the restaurant and well prepared eggs Benedict, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs completed our stay, setting us up for a final stroll around the peaceful town.

WHERE: The King’s Head, 24 Market Place, Cirencester GL7 2NR. A night’s stay costs from £134 for two, and includes full English breakfast. kingshead-hotel.co.uk

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Petticoat Tower, London E1 £450,000 This ONE BEDROOM flat is located in the heart of the City with Liverpool Street being a short walk away. Situated on the thirteenth floor with truly amazing views towards the Gherkin and the surrounding City skyline. This flat offers, entrance hall reception room with south facing balcony, re-fitted kitchen, bedroom with good storage and re-fitted bathroom.

Thomas More House, Barbican EC2 £725,000

Stepney Green, London E1 £925,000

Situated below Podium in THOMAS MORE HOUSE in the BARBICAN is this ONE bedroom (type 16H ) with dual aspect with views from the reception room overlooking the Barbican gardens. The property offers kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and good size reception room and has recently been redecorated throughout.

A three storey Grade II listed Victorian terraced house close to Stepney Green Underground Station and within the Stepney Green Conservation area. The property offers reception room, dining room, kitchen three bedrooms and a good size bathroom with a west facing rear garden, gas central heating and many original features This property offers excellent transport links to all areas of Central London.

call 020 7600 0026 email property@scottcity.london web scottcity.co.uk

Established in 2002 Scott City Residential are an independent Estate Agency specialising in the CITY of LONDON (The Square Mile) with a special focus on the Barbican Estate and EAST LONDON. Whether you are a buyer, a seller, a landlord or a tenant in central London, we will work hard to make sure your experience with us is a positive one.

We aim to make the buying and renting process easier all round, we know our area well and are able to react quickly to any changes in market conditions to the benefit of our clients.

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‘

LAST WORD

SPECIAL Their identity is a closely guarded secret and we know nothing about them (apart from the fact they have a cat called Mr Pussy), but that hasn’t stopped The Gentle Author from gaining cult status over the eight years of writing daily and devotedly about the history and culture of East London in their captivating blog, Spitalfields Life. So who better to be our East Ender in this first-anniversary Passion Issue?

‘

Spitalfields Life came about through the meeting of factors shortly after the death of both my parents. One motivation was my disappointment that I’d written so little in my life, another was my fascination and love for the East End and the infinite variety of its culture. I was very attracted to the notion of being able to publish a story every day without any mediators and, as a writer, to have a personal relationship with my readers.

I started writing Spitalfields Life without any ambition or knowledge of where it might lead. My first stories were very simple, but as the readership grew my stories became more complex. There were a couple of years where I was writing more Spitalfields is full of stories

Mr Pussy grabs forty winks by the stove

than 1,000 words every day, which was excessive and it took me a while to relax and realise that it is possible to publish a variety of stories and I didn’t need to drive myself into the ground by writing so much.

It fills me with grief that people may live their lives and then be forgotten, that their stories may go unrecorded. I hate seeing family albums for sale at car-boots and I have strong urge to rescue all these stories. In the end, I believe we own nothing but our actions and the sum of these comprises our story. This is how we give our lives meaning.

Writing the stories of people’s lives is the most rewarding part of my work. I have published over 1,800 lives to date and these are mostly stories that would not have been recorded if I had not sought them out. So there is a responsibility and an endless feeling that I need to do more.

It is a project that grows more compulsive as you go on.

shops that demonstrate creative enterprise and draw communities through their existence. This knowledge has politicised my writing and led to becoming involved in the founding of the Ewast End Trades Guild and The East End Preservation Society, as well as campaigns such as those to Save Norton Folgate and pubs like The Marquis of Lansdowne and The Still & Star.

Interviewing people in the East End has been an education. It’s taught me the value of the cultural manifestations of these lives, in buildings which speak of a certain way of life and work, and in

Spitalfields has always been a contested space, sitting at the boundary of the City of London. It’s where traders could pay lower overheads and sell to the wealthy in the City.

Over centuries it has evolved as somewhere migrants from overseas and the English regions could come and build a new life through their resourcefulness.

I have learned there is an indomitable spirit in the people here that has persisted through wars and wholesale clearances of communities and yet is still alive and kicking.

I find it immensely liberating that my birth name is not published anywhere. It frees me to write as I please beyond any expectations of my gender or ethnicity, but more importantly it throws emphasis onto my ➦

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subjects and away from me.

I hope it is a way of saying that my intention is benign and that I chose to take on the role of storyteller and factor my own personality out if it. My identity must be one of biggest open secrets considering how many people I have interviewed, but I think people enjoy being part of the complicity, and I certainly appreciate that.

My first job was in Spitalfields in 1981. It was the only place in London I ever felt at home, where you can greet people and make conversation in the street in the way I had been brought up, but which mostly does not happen in the capital.

After six years of writing Spitalfields Life, I discovered my great-grandmother grew up in Spitalfields in the 19th century and I have ancestors before that who were shoemakers and weavers in Bethnal Green.

So perhaps there is a sense in which I’ve come home.

After my father died, my mother was inconsolable, so I bought her a black cat in Mile End. She wanted a female and called it Rosemary, but later the vet told us he was male, so we named him Mr Pussy in recognition of this early gender confusion. This was sixteen years ago and for his first years he lived alone with my mother.

He adopted her placid nature and habit of going out to do gardening in the morning and 66

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resting in an armchair each afternoon. Ten years after she died he still does this and he is my living connection to my parents. I have never encountered a cat with such a strong personality, and even at the age of 16 years old he is still fit and in fine fettle.

A perfect day for me would begin with a bowl of porridge, followed by a morning taking photographs or doing an interview. Lunch would be at Leila’s Shop in Shoreditch, after which I’d spend an afternoon writing my story followed by a nap, then I’d cook supper and have a quiet evening sitting by the stove – or perhaps popping out for a pint and a walk through the dark streets of Spitalfields.

Dog figurines inscribed with The Secret Author’s words

The Gentle Author’s Little Black Book RESTAURANT: St John Bread & Wine in Spitalfields never disappoints with its everchanging seasonal menu.

COFFEE: Leila’s Shop near Arnold Circus is my favourite.

SHOP: Gardners Market Sundriesmen – Spitalfields’ oldest family business since 1870 and run by fourthgeneration paper bag seller Paul Gardner – is the hub of the East End, where all the market traders and shopkeepers buy their bags.

PLACE TO BAG A BARGAIN: Des & Lorraine’s junk shop in Bacon Street is the last of its kind in the East End where genuine treasures are still to be found.

Ask Des to show you his 18th-century mermaid.

PLACE TO TAKE A TIPPLE: The Golden Heart in Commercial Street is the centre of our world, but I’d never refuse an invite to cocktails at The Society Club in Cheshire St.

PLACE TO WANDER: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is for when you seek the solace of green shade to alleviate the clamour of the city.

BUILDING: I love St Dunstan’s Stepney, founded by St Dunstan – a blacksmith – in the 7th century. Once the parish church for the whole of Tower Hamlets, it retains an arcane rural atmosphere and, as you step inside, you can imagine the East End before the streets were built.

OUT-OF-TOWN TREAT: A day trip to Sandwich in Kent is my favourite escape from London.

An ancient English town close to the sea without chain stores or tower blocks and only 45 minutes from St Pancras.

STREET: Columbia Road in is the place to visit early on a Sunday morning before 9am, when all the flower stalls are set up but before the crowds arrive. Stand and inhale the intermingled fragrances.

INTERVIEW: KELLY BESWICK

Spitalfields Life ends when I pop off. I plan to write a self portrait, explaining who I am and why, to be published as the last post – the great reveal. When that comes up you will know it’s all over. Sometimes I fear that the stress of my work means I will not make it to 10,000 stories [The Gentle Author’s stated aim at the blog’s outset] but at other times I hope that my sense of purpose will carry me through to a great age and I will get to publish many more than 10,000.

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