I’ve been trying to remember at what point during lockdown I got to know the folks at Belmont Estate.
The pandemic is a bit of a blur to me now, and the detail has somehow slipped my mind.
What I do remember, is that when I announced I was stepping down from my career (as was), Belmont offered to host a lunch to discuss what future there might be for the Bristol Food Union.
The answer, it turned out, was none. But, as is so often the way, people remember kindness, and positive connections arose from the discussion.
The chefs who cooked the lunch, previously of The Ethicurean, have gone on to deliver private catering for the estate, and Bristol restaurant group, Season and Taste, now procure whole carcasses of regenerative, pasture-fed meat, for their kitchens.
At just 28 years old, future estate owner, Henry Rossiter has a lot on his plate. With an ambitious vision, a lifetime of commitment to his land, and a passion for ecosystems restoration, Henry spared time for a muddy meander around their newly created Somerset wetlands. We talked family, responsibility, Bristol hospitality and regional food economies.
Rebuilding landscapes