One of Broad Street’s newest independent restaurants held a special food and drink wellbeing event this week in partnership with Westside BID.
Smiling head chef Anthony declined to make a welcome speech, saying only: “I’ll let our food do the talking.” But everyone agreed on one thing: if the idea of a ‘cocktails and katsu’ masterclass can’t be good for you at lunchtime, then what can?
Meanwhile, the bartender showing off his cocktail skills also tried to keep it zipped. Bobby Gordon didn’t let on – until spotted – that he’s a former Hollyoaks star. Bobby played Martine Deveraux’s long lost son, Toby Faroe, in the Scouse soap from November 2019 through to February 2022.
Luisa Huggins, communications manager at Westside BID, was delighted with the lunchtime turnout of Westside residents and workers. She said: “I can honestly say that’s the best katsu curry I’ve ever had – I can’t wait to come back!”
The event was introduced by Luisa and Harriette Luscombe, a life coach and yoga teacher at Coaches for Change, who’s also a local resident regularly encouraging Westside workers to look after themselves. You can watch our video of the event here:
Harriette said social interaction was vital for good health with three key benefits including behavioural impact, exchanging ideas and physiology.
“Getting away from your desk is worth a big tick,” she smiled. “Even having a good old moan can be good for you!”
Luisa said: “The ramen cocktail making and tasting masterclass was part of our latest wellbeing initiative. Ramen Don is one of our newest independent restaurants and the whole concept of our lunch was that wellbeing doesn’t necessarily always come in the form of going for a walk, or going to the gym.
‘It’s about carving out that time for yourself and to sit down with other people, networking and learning new things and exploring your local area.”
Ramen Don is neatly tucked away on Regency Wharf opposite Rum Runner Works, named after the club where Duran Duran turned themselves into rock superstars.
And judging by the reaction of those at the lunch, which included local residents Mugil Anand and Dhara Meenakshi, the new venue will soon be building up a regular customer base.
Luisa added: “Ramen Don is in a great space, everyone should just go out to try their food. This is an iconic location, with a lot of history in the area so it’s bound to pull in the numbers and get everyone trying their food.
“The next Westside wellbeing event is due to be held on the last Thursday in May – we can’t give too much away at the moment, so keep an eye on our social media for details!”
Meanwhile, London-born Bobby Gordon said he didn’t know whether or not he would return to acting in the future given the unpredictable nature of the industry.
“I’ve always loved food and cooking, so I’m trying new things and came up here to help out,” he said.
Ramen Don is a one-minute walk from the Hyatt Regency Hotel, next to Karaoke Box in Regency Wharf off Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2JZ
Pictures and video for Westside BID by Graham Young
ENDS
