Ignore the wind and rain – June’s here, I promise!

Despite a bit of a dreary start to my favourite month (it’s my birthday month, and usually the beginning of BBQ season, woop), there are still plenty of food-tastic events to be excited about, whether you want to booze it up, learn a new skill or visit the latest restaurant.

Pack your cagoule and sun cream, it’s time to jump into June…

Big events

First up – here are some of the weightier events taking place this month. Longleat is hosting its first ever food festival on the weekend of 10-11th, including cookery demonstrations from James Martin and Nadiya from The Great British Bake Off. See the website for the latest info.

The mighty Food Connections is taking a year off from the usual festival frolics to come back bigger and better next year, although they are holding a conference for people from the Bristol food & drink community on 9th June, featuring talks from local producers, chefs and business owners.

Looking for something wholesome?

If you’re more a guzzler of the grape, head along to the Summer of Wine events at Avery’s on 17th June, where they’ll be showcasing over 100 wines and serving a few nibbles too.

Avery’s are also hosting a tasty-looking supper club from Coconut Chilli on the 27th, with 5 taster courses of curry dishes paired with wine for just £30. Nice.

On the subject of sophisticated dinners – the opulent Harbour Hotel in the centre are holding a Champagne Lombard dinner on 30th June, which will feature 5 courses, each paired with a different Champagne – how grand!

Finally, tickets have just gone on sale for the 5th installment of funtime rum tasting Rumageddon – I know it’s in July rather than June but these have sold out before so don’t say I didn’t warn you if you don’t snaffle your tickets in time!

Tastings & classes

Here’s your chance to learn something new and impress all your mates!

• Gin and cheese pairing at Cox & Baloney on Thu 8th, £22.
• The inaugural Bristol Gin Club: 5 gins + 5 small plates, Sat 10th, £35
• Mezcal tasting at Weber & Tring’s on Wed 14th, £25
• Fish masterclass at Square Food Foundation, Thu 15th, £49 (or a tart class on 17th)
• Foods of the Frome foraging walk on Sunday 18th, £35
• Cheese and cider tasting at Bristol Cider Shop on Sat 24th, £25
• Irish whiskey club at Hyde & Co on Thu 29th, £21
• Taste the Heat spicy cookery class at Little Kitchen on Fri 30th, £50

Newbies and goodbyes

Here are the new faces to pop in and say hello to this month:

• Bomboloni – a new Italian joint bringing relaxed and hearty Italian fare to Gloucester Rd.
• Broken Dock – a restaurant & bar overlooking the harbour, housed in what was formerly Brigstow Bar + Kitchen.
• The Malago – no sooner had Zazu’s on North St closed its doors then this lush neighbourhood bistro popped up in its place.
• HUBBOX – burgers, dogs and beers coming to Whiteladies Road very soon.
• White’s Botanicals – Fresh & healthy plant-based dishes on St Nicholas St.
• Porchetta at The Three Tuns – praising the pig through all of June.

• Bristol Gin – the latest micro-distillery in town, head to The Rummer for a taste!
• Bottles & Books – beers, wines and books under one roof, coming soon…
• Asado Bristol – a fine-looking burger and grill house on Colston St.
• Murray May’s – already making waves with their top notch street food, keep an eye out for them at markets and events across town!
• Young & Foodish – cute and friendly coffee shop off Whiteladies Rd.
• Be Natural Kitchen– healthy & wholesome dishes served in St Nicholas Market.

We’ve also said a sad goodbye to lush cosy pub The Star & Dove in Totterdown (my favourite place for mulled beverages), and the various branches of local institution Zazu’s Kitchen – although the company will be living on to look after pubs The Greenbank, The Grace & The Knowle (all great).

That’s it for June, if you’re still in need of inspiration check out these round-ups:

• Bristol’s Best Burgers
• 16 Sensational Bristol Sun Traps
• Bristol’s Best Date Locations
• A food tour of Wapping Wharf

Check out the list below for an even bigger list of what’s on this list (including what’s mentioned above), or take a look at the swish new calendar!

Dates for the diary:

• Thu 8th – Gin and cheese pairing at Cox & Baloney
• Fri 9th – Bosh supper club at The Elephant House
• Fri 9th – Introduction to cider at Bristol Cider Shop
• Fri 9th – Beer and BEATs at Tobacco Factory
• Fri 9th – We are food! Bristol Food Connections conference
• Sat 10th – Wild herb walk in Brandon Hill
• Sat 10th – Summer brewhouse session
• Sat 10th – Vegan supper club at the Gloucestershire County Cricket Pavillion
• Sat 10th – Bristol Gin Club at Mockingbird Cafe
• Sat 10th – Eldon House street party
• Sat 10th – Sun 11th – Food Festival at Longleat
• Tue 13th – Hunt for the Wilderpeople screening and wine tasting at Avery’s
• Tue 13th – Wed 14th – Cocchi Negroni roadshow at Psychopomp
• Wed 14th – Vegetarian cookery class at Little Kitchen
• Wed 14th – Mezcal tasting at Weber & Tring’s
• Thu 15th – Pump House gin night
• Thu 15th – Gin & tonic tasting at Bordeaux Quay
• Thu 15th – Fish cookery class at Square Food Foundation
• Thu 15th – Hip Hop in a Chip Shop
• Thu 15th – Moor Beer meets Box-E
• Fri 16th – Moor Beer 10th birthday celebrations at The Exchange
• Fri 16 -Sat 17th – Murder mystery supper at Bristol Hippodrome
• Sat 17th – The Art of the Tart at Square Food Foundation
• Sat 17th – Introduction to cider at Bristol Cider Shop
• Sat 17th – Magical Macarons class at Little Kitchen
• Sat 17th – Summer of Wine event at Avery’s
• Sun 18th – Food of the Frome foraging walk
• Sun 18th – Bristol Pudding Society
• Sun 18th – 3 course father’s day lunch at Thornbury Castle
• Thu 22nd – Yoga brunch club 
• Thu 22nd – Vegetarian cookery at Little Kitchen
• Fri 23rd – Wilderness: supper and talks at The Forge
• Fri 23rd – DIY tapas and dine at Little Kitchen
• Fri 23rd – Introduction to cider at Bristol Cider Shop
• Sat 24th – Cheese and cider tasting at Bristol Cider Shop
• Sat 24th – Bristol Brewery Tour
• Sat 24th – Stockwood Community picnic
• Tue 27th – Coconut Chilli supper club at Avery’s
• Wed 28th – Australia & New Zealand wine tasting at Averys
• Thu 29th – Good Chemistry & Holy Roar collaboration beer launch at Crofters Rights
• Thu 29th – Nginious gin club at Milk Thistle
• Thu 29th – Irish whiskey club at Hyde & Co.
• Fri 30th – Beats street food party at Steam
• Fri 30th – An evening of English wine at The Forge
• Fri 30th – Taste the Heat cookery class at Little Kitchen
• Fri 30th – Brewdog Summer Sour Festival
• Fri 30th – Champagne Lombard dinner at Bristol Harbour Hotel