Coming out of Hibernation
Every now and then in this industry, you meet someone who feels like a creative sibling, someone who sees food not just as ingredients, but as a way of telling stories, building community and honouring the land beneath our feet. For me, Jack Martin is one of those rare people.
Our paths first crossed at a funny sort of distance. Years ago, when I made the decision to leave Café Paradiso in Cork and begin a new chapter of my life in Cardiff, it was Jack who stepped into my old position. At the time, I didn’t know him personally, I just heard that a thoughtful, talented young chef from West Wales was taking over the role I’d poured so much of myself into. I remember thinking: “Whoever this guy is, I want to meet him!”
As the years rolled on, our worlds began to overlap more and more. I realised how much we share, a love of provenance, wild landscapes, organic growing, slow food, community, and our desire express ourselves through hospitality. Jack’s journey through cheesemaking, ethnobotany, foraging, mountain dairies, Arctic fish camps and natural wine farms has mirrored, in its own way, my own journey through sustainability, community kitchens and building food systems rooted in care. There’s something incredibly energising about meeting someone who carries the same fire in their belly.
Working together on these pop-ups after all these years walking parallel paths, feels like a full-circle moment. Two Welsh lads who grew up in the countryside, followed our curiosity to kitchens far from home, and have come back with a renewed commitment to doing things with heart.
In fact, meeting Jack felt so right that it genuinely made bringing The Warren out of hibernation happen. After months of stillness, it was this spark, this possibility of seeing what our two energies could create together, that filled me with excitement again. And to be brining the restauarnt back into live over the festive period, with all its warmth, community and celebration, feels like the perfect moment to begin.
I can’t wait for you all to taste what he brings and to share these evenings together. See our events page for more info & how to book.
Deri Reed
