BBC Two’s My Million Pound Menu series has spent the last six weeks scouring the country for the most exciting up-and-coming food concepts – and London has put on a stellar show at every opportunity.
In the final episode of the series, a London-based team triumphed once again. Coracle beat competition from seasonally led spot Oxalis and zero-waste food stall Hodge & Huggett, giving the Welsh-inspired restaurant concept a chance to bid for a whopping £750,000 in investment.
So, were you enamoured with Coracle’s take on cooking from the Valleys? Here's everything you need to know about the latest winners of My Million Pound Menu.
What is Coracle?
Coracle is a dining concept set up by two friends, Adam Wood and Gethin Davies, who grew up together in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales.
Wood moved to London to train as a chef under Marcus Wareing at The Gilbert Scott, while Davies went to study law at the University of Bristol. Now both living in London, Davies has since changed career paths to hospitality, and has worked as front of house at Michelin-starred restaurant Portland and its sibling Clipstone. Wood is the senior sous chef at Perilla in Hackney.
Inspired by Wood’s childhood fishing trips on the River Teifi, the pair came up with the idea for Coracle – named after the small circular fishing boats – which focuses on British cooking with Welsh ingredients, and ran its first London pop-up event last spring.
What’s on the Coracle menu?
Wood and Davies want to celebrate Welsh produce and cooking traditions by giving them a thoroughly modern twist. The menu is simple, pared back, and constantly developing – hence it's yet to pin down signature dishes. Diners can expect, however, to be treated to dishes including mutton with Pembrokeshire seaweed broth, mussels with wild garlic, and Glamorgan beef rib served with calcot onions and malt vinegar. You’ll also likely get a glimpse into the world of Welsh wine too.
Where to find Coracle in London
Last March, Coracle treated celebrants of St David’s Day to a Welsh feast in collaboration with Borough Wines in Canonbury. The five-course meal at the three-day pop-up included a snack of laverbread and lardo, and short rib with onions and marrow. They have also run pop-ups and supper clubs back in Wales. As of yet, Coracle don’t have a regular spot in London, nor do they have concrete plans for new pop-up dinners in the City – they are, however, looking to announce plans soon and this article will be updated once they do.
For more about other winners of My Million Pound Menu click here.
