Return of the Magnificent Severn

Supper club pioneer Alissa Timoshkina explains how a team of extraordinary female chefs came together for last year’s Severn Sisters Feast and why she’s so excited that the gang is getting back for a repeat at Borough Market.

On a chilly November night in 2016 a group of women with a huge passion for food gathered at Bristol’s Yurt Lush to put on a feast for 75 guests to raise money for the charity Action Against Hunger. So began the exciting journey of the venture that is the Severn Sisters Feast. The project was not conceived by chef Romy Gill with a specific gain in mind—nor was it envisaged from the start as an annual event. All Romy wanted to do was to raise awareness about the important work of Action Against Hunger and create an occasion for so many wonderful women working in food to meet and cook together.

As one of the least experienced chefs, still relatively new to the world of food, I was humbled, slightly terrified and extremely excited by Romy’s invitation to take part. And boy, am I glad I said yes to her offer. The Severn Sisters Feast in Bristol was one of the most special events of last year, not only for me but for so many of my fellow ‘sisters’.

Together with our guests we raised over £3,000 for the charity, and many wonderful new collaborations were inspired that night. Having received great coverage in the press, the evening was also the subject of Sheila Dillon’s BBC Radio 4 Food Programme, after which we all knew the Severn Sister Feast must happen again. And so it will, on 4th October 2017 in the beautiful setting of Borough Market’s Market Hall.

Original sisters and new faces
Headed once again by Romy, the line-up will include most of the original sisters, including Rosie Birkett, Elly Pear, Xanthe Clay and Olia Hercules, and we are thrilled to welcome some new faces, like Maria Elia, Paula McIntyre and Zoe Adjonyoh. Our behind the scenes team is equally brilliant and includes such talents as Joey O’Hare, Maxine Thompson and Henrietta Inman.

Bigger in scope and ambition, the feast this year will be hosted by Mina Holland (Guardian Cook) and Kate Hamilton (Suitcase Magazine) and is set to attract over 100 guests. What can I say, we do like a challenge! While the menu is still top secret, you can get a taster of things to come during a series of sessions in Borough’s demo kitchen from some of the chefs: Olia, Zoe, Xanthe and me. For her demo on 28th September, Xanthe will team up with a microbiologist to explore the fascinating phenomenon of fermentation, while on 14th September I will draw on my Jewish-Siberian heritage to present some of my favourite dishes and drinks, adapting them to the produce available at the Market.

The magic of the special energy that is created when people gather around a long dinner table adorned with candles and flowers is beyond words. So is that special buzz that oozes from a busy kitchen where talented women conjure up a feast. Do come along on 4th October for this one-off experience!

Book tickets for the Severn Sisters Feast