Brass Beetle, Cardiff

Just a flying visit from me before I head to bed.

Sticking with the restaurant theme, I managed to catch up with the team of Brass Beetle last week as they trialled their cocktail menu with new dishes.

The weathers currently getting grimmer by the minute here. As a result, we originally wanted to inject a shit tonne of warmth to these images to counter the naff weather outside.

However, it felt like a better choice to give the images the ability to be repeated on social media throughout the year.

So finally, the final collection leans heavily on the brands colours and exploits the mix of natural light and shadows in the dining room… And maybe a mirror or two.

Matsudai Ramen, Cardiff

If you’ve not heard of James Chant or Matsudai Ramen, then quite frankly, you’ve been living under your rock for far too long ha!

In short, he gave up a career in the music industry to follow his love of Ramen and the geekery that comes with it.

There’s currently a lot of eyes on James and his team, all anticipating the opening of their first permanent restaurant next month.

Matsudai is being featured in a magazine I’m involved with, so I managed to swing by the pop up they were operating in Cardiff’s legendary Milkwood Cafe.

As expected, on arrival, the dining room was being engulfed by ramen fans whilst the kitchen settled in to the beautifully orchestrated dance of service.

Anything But Standard - Society Standard, Cardiff

I’ve been really missing the buzz of the hospitality industry lately. The comforting hum of extraction systems, the deep life affirming chats at silly o’clock in the morning, but most of all, the camaraderie.

I hate to admit it, but I was moments away of going back to a kitchen the other night… Though that was without a doubt influenced by Marco Pierre White’s talk playing in the background whilst I was editing.

In order to scratch the itch, I put a post out on Instagram asking local bars and restaurants if they needed any imagery for their websites and social media. A flippant, spur of the moment question, but one I don’t regret.

The first person to reply was an old restaurant buddy from years back (I shot her wedding a few years back also) who now works in operations for Anything But Standard.

With a new spring inspired menu set to launch in a week or so, we decided to create a collection that could be used for socials and an upcoming web update.

Below is a selection of faves delivered.

Oh, and it totally scratched that itch of wanting to be back around the industry!

International Ocean Film Festival - San Francisco

Hello from San Francisco!

Last night the Under The Skin boys debuted their documentary “The Last Vaquita” here at the IOFF followed by a Q&A.

They also unveiled their new screen print titled “Gateway to the Ocean”. Both were a raving hit!

It’s been a wild few days here so far. There’s been plenty of exploring and blisters to suit. We’ve received the most insane welcomes from everyone so far. As soon as we stepped foot outta the airport (after I was finally released from border control - more on that later) we were picked up by Ana, the Exec Director of IOFF, and taken straight to dinner.

On the second day we were given the keys to Bill’s car so we could go and explore John Muir woods. Yup, that’s right, a man we’d officially met two days ago trusted three Welsh lads and a guy from Bristol with his car. No questions asked.

There’s even talk of us heading out on a sail boat at some point.

I don’t think I fully appreciated what a prestigious event this was. For the last few weeks it’s just been a block in my calendar. But we’re here now and really soaking it all in.

One things for sure though, I’m so grateful to be here with the boys. They’ve busted their asses over the last few months to make this a reality. Being here to witness and document all their success has been immensely rewarding!

Stoked for them.

Catch you back in the UK x

An Afternoon with Rae Dwyer

I first learned of Rae after she was a guest on “The Heavy Mental Podcast”.

Rae is an embodiment coach who’s presence in a room is unmistakeable.

She reached out for branding portraits and we set to work.

It was a typical winters day here in Wales, so we favoured the front room for it’s natural light. There was coffee and an appearance from cat Nigel.