Seafood BBQ Masterclass

If you haven't heard about @ubuntu_food and the pop up events they are doing around Bristol, then as a foodie you just might be missing out on something wonderful. Ubuntu comes from an ancient African philosophy rooted in the connections between one another and nature. "I am because we are."

I caught up with founder and chef, Imke Potiger to find out more about the concept. "I've always loved food and grew up in a big South African family where time around the table is family therapy". Imke started Ubuntu to recreate that sense of connection around the table, to bring people to source of the food and able to tell stories around the table. "We want to be a Bristol based collective, creating unique experiences around the table and our fire".

Diving into this experience, we attended the "Exploring Coastlines" event with @nativevine at @windmill_hill_city_farm in Bedminster. The semi-outdoor dining experience is set up so that unless you have a table of six, you will be eating alongside strangers who, in the spirit of Ubuntu, very easily become friends over dinner. Add to this the perfect pairing wines, decent weather, or at least no rain, and you're in for a pretty good night.

The menu kicked off with a crudo of fish with fire roasted squash for added sweetness and pops of pickled flavour from preserved wild garlic heads. A light and refreshing way to open up the meal. Then came the smoked mussels and we really start to get the taste of the fire for the first time. The mussels have been steamed open on the coals along with burnt lemon then served with with fresh green herbs. This was another stunning course, all of the juices from the mussels were mopped up with sour dough, toasted on the grill, bringing more smoke and toastiness to the table.

Next came my favourite, a huge bowl of salty samphire with flamed hazelnuts all dripping in nutty brown butter, then a whole baked cheese, akin to feta but made locally, draped in local lavender honey and sesame seeds. The salt from both dishes reminding us that we are at a Coastline feast and getting our taste buds ready for more seafood to come.

The main course was a dramatic spectacle of sea bass cooked on planks of wood and brought to the table to share. I've seen this method of cooking with sides of salmon before, as the cut lends itself well to being nailed to a board and gently roasted, but never as a whole fish. Not only did it look great, but it tasted fantastic, the smoke permeating the meat that was cooked with care, so as not to overwork the fish. This was expertly done and made for great main course.

Dessert was like a riff on a Dinner by Heston dish, who serves a three hour spit-roasted pineapple alongside his Tipsy Cake for a mere £21, though this version of fire roasted pineapple used fermented chilli as an accompaniment which adds a layer of savoury to the caramelised fruit, I didn't expect it to work, but it really does, and rounds off the feast perfectly.

Go and check out @ubuntu_food to see their upcoming events. This was a brilliant and unique feast of foraged ingredients, local suppliers and food cooked with care and respect on an open fire by people who love what they do.

The six course menu costs £60 per person for the early bird ticket sales, wine available by the glass or bottle at various prices. Locations and prices will vary depending on the event.