Your say / Food
‘Is Bristol’s thriving food scene the key to connecting the city’s communities?’
Bristol is a city with incredible diversity, so why do reports on our food scene feel a little one-dimensional?
There’s no denying that Bristol is a city of division. Of rich and poor. Of haves and have nots. Of those that feel welcomed and unwelcomed. Of those that feel understood and misunderstood. But our common denominator despite all that is food.
And whilst I’m under no impression that food can change the world and people’s attitudes in one quick fix of a portion of curry and lentils, it can absolutely be a starting point. It’s something that binds us (excuse the pun) or unites us.
is needed now More than ever
Food breaks down barriers. It feeds the soul. It forges relationships. It mends hearts and heals the body. It evokes memories.
Food and drink can be found everywhere in Bristol – even in the middle of a motorway junction
Just over a year ago, the Financial Times published an article that made Bristol’s food scene blush, declaring that Bristol has “arguably the best food scene in the UK”. As a proud Bristolian who has sampled many of the city’s eateries, I can confirm that it absolutely does.
And we owe this to Bristol’s amazing cultural diversity. It’s a melting pot of food excellence with new generations of Somali, Polish, Turkish and Montserratians putting their take on their parents’ national dishes and blending that with English fare.
Moreover, there is a grand total of 91 languages spoken in Bristol. And whilst our food scene indeed represents many different cultures, I can’t help but wonder if this means that there is a myriad of food cultures and flavours still undiscovered, waiting for an opportunity to shine and be shared with the wider Bristol populace.
But there is even more to be discovered. There are approximately 10,000 Somalis residing in Bristol for example, yet we don’t see them widely represented amongst the city’s restaurants and cafes and I would LOVE to.
Which begs the questions: do these communities feel like our food scene is catering to them? And are they being represented?
These questions have motivated Bristol Food Connections, taking place from June 11 to 17, to shift the focus of its event this year. Not your average food festival, Bristol Food Connections is all about engaging and connecting different communities and cultures through food.
Instead of a village of white tents on College Green which is here today gone tomorrow, Bristol Food Connections aims to connect the whole city through more than 100 partner events in every corner of Bristol, inviting people from all communities to come together to co-create a festival that is truly representative.
Bristol Food Connections is living up to its name. It’s making connections. It’s getting out there. It’s forging relationships and reaching out. And in this day and age – indeed, in this political climate – this is more important than ever.
Sherrie Eugene-Hart
Sherrie Eugene-Hart is an award-winning TV presenter, producer, author and sign language interpreter. She hosts the Carib-Asian Cookery TV show with her husband and fellow broadcaster Pat Hart, and has recently released a book of the same name.
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