Bristol's food scene is arguably one of the best in the country, with scores of incredible independent eateries offering an eclectic mix of cuisines for everyone, regardless of personal tastes and dietary requirements. And it seems that others agree, as one unique Harbourside haunt has been crowned one of the best kebab houses in the UK.
Since it filled up the former Pizza Hut premises on Saint Augustine's Parade in March this year, Hoba Kebab has earnt scores of rave reviews from customers, who have praised the exciting eatery for its 'second to none' food after having enjoyable experiences dining there. Even if you have not visited Hoba, you may have sampled or seen its innovative Berlin-inspired kebabs at a market, festival, event, or back in its Kong's residency days.
And now, Hoba Kebab, run by couple team Annie Faulkner and Hope Bainbridge, will be taking up residency on our screens very shortly. A new BBC Two show hosted by Sara Cox and Darren Harriot called Britain's Top Takeaways will see Hoba Kebab compete with the other top four independent kebab houses in the UK to be crowned the winner in a fast food showdown.
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Excitingly sharing the big news with us, Annie, 29, said that she and Hope were scouted out by BBC Two producers, and after multiple application process stages and rounds, the foodie couple were told they'd made it onto the show. Annie said: "After the fifth round we were told we’d been successful and that we’d got it, which we couldn’t believe at all!
"We just felt like we were too little. Nobody knew about us, and then next thing we know we’ve been selected as one of the top five kebab houses in the whole UK."
Of course, not much can be revealed at this stage, as the episode featuring Hoba Kebab will not be airing until Wednesday, May 18. However, the hardworking team have said they are 'beyond proud and excited' to be representing both Berlin 'babs and Bristol. This moment has come at the right time for the business, as it has only just made the jump from pop-up to established premises.
Annie said: "We went from a market stall to a pop-up and we’ve only just opened our shop; when we actually did the filming, we hadn’t even opened the shop! It all just felt completely mad that we were this little pop-up that we didn’t feel many people knew about in Bristol, and next thing we know, we’re doing a BBC Two show."
Hope, 30 trained and worked as a private chef in London before finally chasing her long-time dream of opening her own company back in 2017. After moving back to Bristol, Hope met Annie, who left her nursing job to help run Hoba full time a few years ago - although she had to then go back to nursing to support the business when the pandemic reared its head in 2020, and is now juggling both jobs.
Whilst most people are familiar with Turkish kebabs, not too many realise the difference between the Turkish version and their German counterparts. Whilst Turkish kebabs are often served in a pita, or with salad, German kebabs are served in Turkish pide bread.
Pide bread seems like a cross between focaccia and tiger bread, according to Annie; it is fluffy, and cut into a triangle when served up with Berlin-style kebabs. Annie explained: "We have had [the bread] made bespoke for us in Bristol - we had to go round different bakeries and find one that would make this amazing bread, and Joe’s Bakery in Gloucester Road make it for us bespoke.
"It’s our spin on the Berlin kebabs: it isn’t an authentic Berlin kebab apart from the bread and the shape. We’ve got pickled cabbage, and we’ve got tangy wonderful sauces that aren’t traditional aside from the tahini.
"When Hope and I met, I was vegan, so I really pushed for more of a vegan offering on the menu. We make our own seitan, all the sauces, all the seitan, all the marinades - everything is all made fresh in house."
She added: "Bristol’s got a huge vegan community, so we just wanted to have a really exciting vegan offering. There’s no compromise with the product: it’s something exciting. And so many of our friends who eat meat are obsessed with our vegan chicken because it’s so flavoursome and so realistic."
From the meat feast that is the Wham Bam offering, to the totally vegan chick'n kebab, there is something for everyone on the menu at Hoba. Since Hoba first launched in Bristol, the support lent to the shape-shifting eatery - which has now found its permanent position - by residents, shoppers and foodies has been overwhelming.
Annie said: "During Covid, when everyone was hit so hard, the people of Bristol were the ones who were like, ‘support local, buy from independents’. We wouldn’t be half where we are today if it wasn’t for the people of Bristol.
"The same with all the other traders and the other places - everyone was just looking out for each other. It's just a really supportive lovely community that’s really inclusive and everyone wants everyone to do well.
"I think we have a really exciting food scene here that’s innovative and different... it’s just a really exciting place to have a unique product in."
The episode of Britain's Top Takeaways featuring Hoba Kebab will be airing on Wednesday, May 18, at 8pm on BBC Two. The show will see Hoba and its competitors whip up a delicious curated menu featuring a classic dish, chef's special, vegetarian option and sides.
From there, local households will then choose dishes from the five menus, but the takeaways themselves will have no idea when or what they will order. As soon as the food is prepared, it is then raced to the doors of the judging families, who will critique the dishes and score them.
Sara Cox, who will be hosting the show, said: "When I first heard about this show they had me at takeaway! Especially in recent times, the takeaway has become something of an event in our house. We look forward to burgers, noodles, curry - all delicious and delivered to our front door.
"I’m thrilled to be celebrating the takeaway and finding the very best in Britain, and if that means eating all the left over chips and putting on half a stone, so be it."
Let us know which takeaway in Bristol is your favourite by logging in and dropping a comment down below.
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