Excellent New Pop-Up Restaurant in Glastonbury

It's been a while since the other half and I ventured out locally for a meal, at least in the evening anyway. So when we saw a listing on this site for a relatively unique dining opportunity, we thought it was too good an opportunity to miss. The Pop-Up Restaurant is currently running on Friday nights, at Middlewick Holiday Cottages in Wick. If you are familiar with the location of the Paddington Farm Trust, then you may know that Middlewick is the next door neighbour.

The first Pop-Up promotion was for an Italian themed dining experience, 'canteen' style with a Bring Your Own wine opportunity, priced at £25 a head plus corkage. We missed this. Instead, we opted for the African Safari night which was held last Friday. It was priced the same and promised authentic South African cuisine, canteen style dining in a rural setting.

We rounded up a couple of friends and made a booking. Luckily, the chef was able to cater for the other half who is vegan, as the veggie dishes are traditionally made without animal derivatives. The staff were very helpful, keen to accomodate us so off we went, armed with a few bottles of wine, down to Wick. We didn't really know what to expect but soon discovered that the holiday complex is very lovely, immaculately groomed and with views to die for, peaceful, tranquil and undoubtedly middle class. We were met by the event organiser and directed to the dining room, where the chef, a Kenyan born, self proclaimed 'big mama' called Sarah Hillman had just arrived from Frome, where she now lives.

There was a short wait while she prepared the food for serving. We had a chance to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and the view, mingle with some other guests until we were called to our tables. Guests staying there were from as far afield as the US, with many others from across Europe.

We were seated with a couple from Holland, who were on holiday at Middlewick, having been visiting the site for many years on their annual pilgrimage to Glastonbury. Sarah introduced herself and prior to explaining what she would be serving, it became clear to us that we were actually there to support a fundraiser for a Kenyan orphanage which she set up and now runs. At £25 a pop we had been a little apprehensive as to what we would be paying for, and having handed over the cash before actually eating, it was a gamble as to whether value for money would be had.

We need not have worried. Sarah had cooked a variety of delicious South African dishes, including pea and corn mash, spicy lentils, a beef stew / curry, a vegetable curry, coconut rice and southern fried chicken. We queued up, school dinner style and had her serve us, then went back to the tables to eat, chat and drink.

It was a very cosy intimate experience, sitting with strangers in a small group setting and chatting with Sarah as she floated from table to table serving up seconds and telling us more about herself and the charity she runs.

The Mama and Childrens Trust provides free shelter, care and education to children orphaned through AIDS. Sarah founded this and works hard to fundraise to keep the work rolling, with over 40 children and 12 staff to care and pay for. Every penny of the profit made from the evening went to fund this, with Sarah explaining that the evening would generate enough income to pay the rent on the school for three months.

Had we turned up for the dining experience and there had been no fundraiser, we may have thought it was slightly expensive night. But it turned out that apart from the fact that the food was excellent (dessert was a tropical fruit salad served with the most incredible coconut sauce we have ever tasted), we were really pleased to be able to have supported Sarah's work in Kenya.

We chatted to some other guests at the end who had been to the Italian night the previous week. It seemed that this had been a huge treat, as they had been served five /six courses by a very vivacious Italian chef and hadn't left til after 1am!

The setting is just lovely, as are the hosts and so if you fancy a change from the norm, would like to experience great food with the advantage of BYO wine and the chance to meet new people from all over the place then make the Pop-Up Restaurant a priority over the next month or so. They are holding one every Friday during the summer, and will extend it if it proves successful. This week it is Somerset Produce, next week it is a Paddington Farm fundraiser, the following week it is a 10-Mile Menu night, the fourth will be a Surprise Menu and the fifth, on the 2nd September is an end of season party with barbeque, bar, music and fun, priced at just £10 per person. For more information check out the listings on this site or phone 01458 832351.