TV’s Calum Best and Georgia Salamat have joined forces with hospitality mogul Fraser Carruthers to launch a premium Hawaiian food delivery kitchen, called Poké the Bear. The new opening in the heart of Chelsea has been fuelled by the increased desire for quality food being delivered post-lockdown. Poké the Bear will be delivering mouth-watering, sustainable and healthy Hawaiian dishes, known as poké bowls.
Poké bowls are one of Hawaii’s most popular dishes, traditionally consisting of diced raw fish, salad and a number of healthy toppings. The menu has been exclusively designed by co-founder and executive chef, Georgia Salamat. The Le Corden Bleu graduate caught the nation’s attention earlier this year, reaching the final of BBC’s ‘Best Home Cook’ and on the back of it has decided to open her first dark kitchen with friends, Best and Carruthers.
Whilst the trio’s first venture will be based in the capital’s SW3, there is an aggressive expansion plan in place to open the poke delivery only kitchens across major UK cities, including Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Executive Chef and co-owner Georgia Salamat said:
My ethos is, the world is my kitchen and I wanted to really show this off with the menu. Health and nutrition play a large role in all our lives, so incorporating this was always part of the vision. We want to serve super healthy and nutritious bowls, without compromising on flavour. We’ve sourced the very best organic and sustainable products. From the pineapple to the packaging, we aim to be as eco-friendly as possible.
Poké (pronounced poke-ay) is a traditional Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish, rice and a selection of vegetables and grains. Poké The Bear has adapted the Hawaiian concept of poké and used influences from across the world to ensure every flavour packs a punch, adding vegan options and a variety of nutritious recipes and side dishes on the menu too.
Signature dishes include:
- Ahi Tuna (£10.95): Tuna, Wakame Salad, Pickled Sesame Cucumber, Fresh Mango with Sesame Seeds, Topped with Crispy Shallots
- Salmon (£10.95): Salmon, Pickled Sesame Cucumber, Burnt Pineapple Salsa, Edamame, Spring Onions and Black Sesame
- The Keto Bowl (£10.95): Salmon, Shredded Sesame Spring Greens, Sliced Avocado, Edamame, Fresh Chilli, Black Sesame
- The Vegan Bowl (£10.95): Satay Style Jackfruit, Edamame, Pickled Sesame Cucumber, Avocado, Pickled Ginger, Spring Onions
Not only is Poké The Bear committed to sustainability when it comes to the ingredients used, the packaging is 100% compostable and environmentally friendly. Quality and sustainability are of extreme importance to all involved. Co-founder Calum Best said:
The food I eat has always been a huge part of my life. I eat well because I believe that a healthy diet is so important for your body and mind. With the current climate we’re in, we’ve all seen a huge rise in food being delivered directly to people’s houses. I’ve teamed up with Fraser and Georgia because I knew they can bring a wealth of experience to create a successful brand. We’re all passionate about food and want to create a lifestyle brand that provides utterly delicious dishes that are truly good for you.
The new venture comes following the Coronavirus pandemic greatly affecting the restaurant industry, resulting in many needing to reinvent themselves to adapt to the market, and the team feel they have created a great solution. Co-owner Fraser Carruthers said:
The restaurant and dining out space has dramatically evolved due to COVID-19 with more and more people deciding to eat at home. I’ve been working in hospitality for most of my life and the last few months have meant that we’ve had to change the way we work drastically. Calum, Georgia and I were talking and saw an opportunity to create restaurant-grade poké, delivered directly to the customers front door. Launching in Chelsea was an obvious choice for all three of us but we have plans to take the brand across the country in the coming months.
To order Poké The Bear or for more information, please visit:
