Pub chef opinion: Pioneering quality food in the west

08-Nov-2012 - Last updated on 07-Nov-2012 at 17:17 GMT

Eggleton: "If you truly believe in using the excellent produce from your surrounding area, you’re already halfway there"

Perhaps it goes without saying, but I love to cook. So it will come as no surprise that eating out is one of my favourite pastimes. Not only is eating good food in good company enjoyable, but I always find something to learn.

Having spent my whole life in Bristol, it is fair to say I am well-versed in the city’s dining scene. In the past few years, cuisine in Bristol has gone from strength to strength and I firmly believe that outside London, it is one of the UK’s best places to eat. Not that it was ever really bad; there have always been good places to eat out in the west of England’s largest city – it’s just stepped up a notch of late.

A big part of that lift has come from Bristol’s multiculturalism. We are now seeing so much diversity across cuisines and dining styles – and from formal to relaxed, takeaway to street food, high quality options are available across the board.

Particularly striking is the number of new openings adopting very high standards from the word go. Most are also opting to create a more relaxed, casual atmosphere where you can hear a background noise of laughter and jolly conversation. As this the ambience I favour in my restaurant, some of my favourite places to eat in the city include Bravas, Manna, Flinty Red and the Star & Dove.

But that isn’t for everybody and Bristol caters for high-end dining as well. Big-hitters such as Casamia, Bell’s Diner, Wilks and the Pump House offer incredible menus – and importantly, you receive a first-class service.

Bath also has some notable establishments, with the Priory leading the way along with the Allium Brasserie and the Olive Tree – and I have only heard good things about Menu Gordon Jones.

However, I still feel Bath tends to lag behind a little on diversity. Unfortunately, it has become a city dominated by large chains that are looking to capitalise on the glut of tourists descending on the famous city every week. Its culinary potential is huge, and 10 years ago it flew the flag for the West, but for me it’s apparent that Bristol is now leading the way. It will be very interesting to see what happens over the next decade or so.

For chefs in both cities, provenance and the quality of produce available from our nearby rural counties mean we are on to a winner. I feel very lucky to have access to this huge range of amazing local produce. If you truly believe in using the excellent produce from your surrounding area, you’re already halfway there.