Yeovil food network beginnings, what connects London's most anticipated new resto to Somerset, and The Newt upsets locals again
Good morning and welcome to this edition of Food-Relevant Things That Occurred In The Last Four Weeks And That I Think Are Probably Worth Commenting On. This week’s theme, not intentionally, seems to be how our food is killing us – and what people are doing about it.
On to it, then.
The Mint Room in Bath is a pivotal part of the history of Indian food in the South West. Or rather, its owner is. Or rather, he claims to be. Let’s put it this way – I had a chat with Lufthur Rahman, who opened The Mint Room in 2011 but started out with a restaurant in Yeovil in the ‘90s, and some of the stories he came out with were compelling enough to entertain the idea that he has significantly influenced how Indian food developed in this part of the country. So, any Yeovil folk out there who’d like to corroborate this? Do you have memories (fond or otherwise) of his restaurant Viceroy, or an opinion on Indian food in and around Yeovil of the time? I’d love to know. Interview with Lufthur coming all subscribers’ way in June or July.
Below the paywall: Exploring a nascent food network in Yeovil; London’s most hyped restaurant can’t get enough of Somerset pork; where are the Somersetian street food traders?; controversy at The Newt (again); and more scuttlebut besides.
Also with a £ subscription: Access to a Somerset producer directory and local eating out guides.