Features / Restaurants
Bristol’s culinary power couples
Before there was the clatter of pans, the waiting patrons and the success of their restaurants, there was just them: couples partnered in life, aspiring to bring delicious food to Bristol. The culinary landscape of Bristol feels extra warm, in part because of the many family and husband-and-wife-led teams that populate it.
Mark and Karen Chapman are co-owners of COR on North Street and Ragù in Wapping Wharf, both of which hold Bib Gourmands. They were never actively seeking a space for either of their businesses and were very happy at their former jobs. Mark as head chef for several Season + Taste group restaurants, and Karen as a full-time lawyer.
“It was always like a dream thinking, not actual reality,” said Karen, when dwelling on the idea of having a place of their own. “Then the COR site came up and we felt like this could be real.” At about eight months pregnant and still working full-time, Karen spent evenings painting and helping to set up what is COR, now one of Bristol’s best restaurants.
Both of Mark and Karen Chapman’s restaurants, COR on North Street and Ragù in Wapping Wharf, hold Bib Gourmands – photo: Karen Johnson
Unlike the Chapmans, partners Emma Lyons and Zak Hitchman were keen to start something together after the Michelin-starred Casamia, where Zak was head chef, closed in 2022.
Sitting inside their Bib Gourmand restaurant Other in Bedminster, Emma said: “It took a bit of time because we were trying to get a unit somewhere in the centre of Bristol, but that place fell through. Luckily, this place popped up and it’s a five-minute walk from where we live. So it was perfect.”
Kyu Jeong Jeon and Duncan Robertson have blessed Bristol with two Korean restaurants: Bokman on Nine Tree Hill and Dongnae on Chandos Road. Bokman is also one of the businesses shortlisted for a Bristol Legends award in the Food & Drink category.
Other and Dongnae both opened around the same time in 2024 – photo: Other
For Kyu, Bokman grew out of a longing for the “everyday food” she grew up eating at her favourite spots in Seoul. “We knew from the start that Bokman would be rooted in that idea,” said Kyu. “Casual, comforting and honest, but with a quality and attention to detail that we hadn’t found in the UK.” That vision, paired with Duncan’s understanding of UK restaurants, helped the duo balance authenticity and accessibility to appeal to an English clientele.
Dongange, Duncan said, was a result of them realising “Bokman had opened a door”.
“We saw that people were curious – not just about Korean flavours, but about Korean food culture,” he said. It was a chance to explore a different mood, while staying true to who they are. “By then, working together felt very natural. It didn’t feel like starting something new so much as continuing the same story from another angle.”
Kyu and Duncan have worked together in kitchens across the world for nearly two decades – photo: Lola Laurent
Just down the road on Chandos Road – a stretch often described as a culinary paradise – sits Wilsons, one of Bristol’s two Michelin-starred restaurants and another restaurant shortlisted for a Bristol Legends award. It’s led by husband-and-wife team Mary Wilson and Jan Ostle, whose delicate, seasonal dishes are largely made with produce from their own farm in Barrow Gurney. The pair also run a nearby bakery, beloved for its bacon rolls.
Back at Wapping Wharf, steps away from Ragù is BOX-E, another successful Bib Gourmand restaurant by Elliot and Tessa Lidstone. “When you go to other restaurants you say if we had our place, we could do this, you start getting ideas,” said Tessa. “Some of it was serious and some of it not so much, but then we did start saving money and thought that in the future we could do something with it.”
Elliot and Tessa opened BOX-E in Wapping Wharf together in late 2016 – photo: Chloe Edwards
In late 2016, those savings allowed them to take on the BOX-E site. Then a newly repurposed hub of shipping containers, Wapping Wharf is now a lively community of homes and several independent, family-run businesses.
But is it always harmonious running a business with someone you are also sharing your life with?
“We argue – but not in a destructive way,” said Kyu, when asked how they decide on conflicts. “Usually, the question becomes: what’s best for the restaurant, not for my ego? Once you frame it like that, it’s easier to listen.”
“And sometimes we just leave it,” added Duncan. Having now worked together for nearly 20 years across three countries, Duncan said most differences between them are now resolved instinctively.
The Michelin-starred Wilsons on Chandos Road is co-owned by husband and wife pair, Jan Ostle and Mary Wilson – photo: Emli Bendixen
He added: “We’ve learned that not every decision needs to be solved immediately. Sometimes the solution only reveals itself when it’s ready. We trust each other enough to let one person take the lead when it’s clearly their territory.”
This balance of trust and boundaries is echoed by Mark and Karen. “Being a chef and a cheeky person myself, I can often get myself into difficult situations,” said Mark. “Karen’s really good at HR and being grounded in management. She helps me bring that in line. But it’s my cheffy cheekiness that really pushes the food and culture within the team.”
After decades of togetherness, Tessa also believes there isn’t much Elliot and she fundamentally disagree on.“There’s always the small pushes and pulls because the demands of the kitchen compared to the demands of the front of the house are always different,” she said.
At Other, Emma and Zak’s focus is more on balance. Emma said: “We’re trying to change how we work so that we’re not absolutely knackered.” Their disagreements, if they ever happen, are about encouraging each other to take a step back and avoid things that could lead to burnout.
Working in hospitality is demanding: physically and mentally. And a smooth, successful business requires a clear, approachable and inclusive channel of communication between the leaders and the team.
Mark said: “Hospitality is a male dominated environment. But we have a lot of women in the industry, in our restaurants. It’s good to know that they can have Karen to chat with too.” An open relationship with the wider team means that anyone can confidently reach out to Karen, just like they would to Mark. “That really adds a lot of value without them having to come to speak to a male always.”
Duncan and Kyu rely on unsaid words to maintain healthy communication. “We don’t stand on top of each other. There’s a lot of quiet communication,” said Duncan. “A look, a nod – you know when something’s right or not. And because we know each other so well, there’s very little friction. The kitchen feels calm, even when it’s busy.”
While Elliot still does all the cooking at BOX-E, the couple have a small team for extra help. Tessa emphasised the importance of ensuring everyone in the team felt connected and supported. This would then encourage everyone to communicate and reach out for help when they were struggling.
“I say to our guys all the time, just tell me what you’re doing and assert the feedback,” added Tessa. Even small things like which table you’re clearing or making drinks for matter. “You’re always, always communicating with people and that is the success of a restaurant that works.”
Pegs Quinn and Mary Glynn of Sonny Stores, Sacha Watts and Sandy Or of Wangs, Cosmo and Lily Sterck of Marmo, Graham and Kate Faragher of Bertha’s Pizza, Kieran and Imogen Waite of Season + Taste group of restaurants: the list goes on. The sheer number of couples leading Bristol’s hospitality scene is part of what makes the city special.
Duncan said: “There’s also a strong sense of community. Bristol celebrates independent businesses and personal projects. It doesn’t feel like you’re competing against everyone — it feels like you’re contributing to something shared. For a family-run, collaborative venture, that atmosphere is invaluable.”
For more information about Bristol Legends, visit www.bristol247.com/about-bristol-legends; and to attend the awards ceremony at Ashton Gate on March 6, visit www.bristol247.com/events/legends-awards-tickets
Main photo: Lola Laurant / BOX-E / Seb JJ Peters / James Leighton
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