People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Kalpna Woolf
Kalpna Woolf is the author of new cookbook Spice Yourself Slim, published on January 14 by Pavilion Books. It promises a healthy, flavourful way of eating based on centuries-old traditions of combining tasty spices with fresh ingredients to lose weight, boost health and maintain energy. Before becoming a writer, Kalpna was an award-winning head of production at the BBC.
Here are Kalpna’s top-five Bristol favourites:
The Downs
is needed now More than ever
“I was brought up in London and came to Bristol 22 years ago when the BBC relocated me from Elstree. I lived in the Cotswolds for five years but then came and moved to Bristol. I spent a long time looking around for the best part of the city for my family and settled in north Bristol where I fell in love with the Downs. We are so lucky in Bristol. We have everything a city needs: theatres, clubs, concert halls but it also has beautiful green spaces which breathe life into our city. I walk on the Downs on most days and I love to see the seasons change in the trees. I can feel my stresses falling away from me as I make the walk from our house around Sea Walls and look across to the mighty and impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge straddling across the Avon Gorge. I also run around the Downs and train with my favourite Energised Performance team there come rain, sunshine, snow, sleet, storms or thick fog!”
91 Ways
“After leaving the BBC, I wanted to put my efforts into bringing the people of our city together and making it a fairer city for all. I am a trustee for Knowle West Media Centre, I sit on the West of England LEP board, on Bristol Women’s Commission and I chair a wonderful Bristol water charity, Frank Water. I have founded a project called 91 Ways to Build A Global City which is bringing together the 91 language communities of Bristol over food. Food is such a big part of everyone’s culture and for which Bristol is certainly well known.”
Kookootoo
“There are so many wonderful cafes, restaurants and places to eat all around our city. I am Indian and North India was influenced by the Persian Empire. By its art, its music, language and food. When I want aromatic delicious food, I go to Kookootoo on Filton Avenue. It is a family-run restaurant, enduringly authentic and definitely one of Bristol’s secret food treasures. When I want to show off Bristol to friends and family, I always take them to The Lido – a wonderful place for food, at once formal and trendy and a chic union of Victorian charm and contemporary flavours.”
Bristol Sweet Mart
“I’ve just written a book and it unwraps the mystery of using spices for health and deliciousness. It has over 100 contemporary recipes in it from around the world. My favourite place to shop for exotic vegetables, herbs and freshly baked Middle Eastern breads and international foods is Stapleton Road and particularly Bristol Sweet Mart on St Mark’s Road. Sweet Mart has been here for generations and the family who own it are now famous for bringing lovely spices and deli foods to Bristol. I like to buy big bunches of fresh coriander, fresh mint and parsley for my recipes. And of course, Bristol is the home of Bart – wonderful, authentic spices which I use everyday.”
The Watershed
“Bristol is a city with so much going on and amazing speakers will come from around the world to our city. The Watershed is central part of the city’s art culture. It is a place where you can see international films, watch the world go by enjoying Bristol’s harbourside, listen to talks from Bristol Festival of Ideas and meet friends for drinks.”