One of London’s newest and most pre-eminent pop-ups is setting up shop in east London throughout December, with its signature style of ‘fine dining gone wild’.

fodder - lower-case intended – debuted in a sold out three-night residency in Borough Wines & Beers’ Brewery Below in Essex Road in June this year.

Since then the four foodies behind the scenes have hosted a month-long pop up at the same location in September, which also sold out, before moving south for October and November to Platform 1, in East Dulwich.

Borehamwood Times:

The pop-up restaurateurs are made up of former Fera at Claridge’s chef Michael Thompson, 26, who grew up in Edgware and went to school in Mill Hill, one of his colleague at Fera, Ollie Downey, 26, from Chiswick, and co-founders Jenny Novitzky, 27, from Dulwich, and Louise Stapley, 26, who grew up in Friern Barnet and went to school with Michael.

The four will soon be found in the Haggerston neighbourhood cafe and pop-up venue, Curio Cabal. The team use local ingredients and collaborators as well as regularly setting off on foraging trips for seasonal, fresh and British-grown produce.

Borehamwood Times:

As well as their usual offering of a tasting menu, the residency at Curio Cabal will provide an a la carte option and bar snacks to go with a drinks menu of ‘foraged’ cocktails, low-intervention wines and craft beers from makers in our community and their own spirit infusions.

“We’re currently working on a crab apple rum that’s shaping up to be a tangy taste sensation,” Louise tells me. “Excitingly, we’re also working on our first ever brunch menu - bringing some fodder flavour to breakfast favourites - which we’ll be serving on Saturdays and Sundays.”

“Haggerston is a neighbourhood close to all of our hearts and home to me, so we’re really looking forward to creating a space that the locals want to come and hang out in.

“It’s going to be so much more than a restaurant - with our first bar menu and Curio’s amazing outdoor grotto space, we hope to make fodder @ Curio a great spot for after-work drinks, special occasion suppers and lively Christmas parties alike.”

Borehamwood Times:

fodder @ Curio will be open for dinner, drinks and bar snacks on Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm, and for brunch on Saturday and Sundays.

“In the spirit of the season, we’ll also be launching our first series of fodder feasts,” Louise explains. “A Christmas menu for group feasting throughout December - expect whole cuts, festive flavours and bottle service for the table.”

Founder and chef Michael adds: “We’re thrilled to be at Curio Cabal for the festive season - the place has so much energy and life.

“We’ve come a long way in six months and it’s a chance to celebrate and show what we’ve learnt, showcasing wild ingredients alongside some of the best produce you can get from some amazing suppliers.”

Borehamwood Times:

Michael perfected his foraging skills after top-level training from Fera at Claridge’s.

He says: “It taught me so much about produce and the importance of where your food is coming from – growing your own and foraging was such a big part of it, it was very inspiring.

“I have learnt independently but also with great advice from people like the executive chef, Dan Cox. He’s been a great mentor for me and still is, same as Ollie who is also working with us now.”

For enquiries or to book a table/group party, email fodderpopup@gmail.com.