Strawberry Tree is a passion project that combines our love and extensive experience of Spanish food, drink and culture, with our desire to create and share one-off experiences that bring people together in a fun and convivial way. Ultimately it is not about the food and drink itself, but about what happens when people come together over food and drink. It is about “sobremesa” – that unique Spanish word that refers to the convivial after-dinner chit-chat sitting around a table after a meal. We hope we can share this sobremesa with you through our events and experiences.
“Do you know those pivotal moments in life when you have to make a big decision? This one was easy. I could feel it in my bones.”
Giselle Benrimoj and Ed Pemberton are the parents of Lyme Regis’ Strawberry Tree - while their literal and figurative family crew join them in making the magic happen.
The project began life as a successful pop-up restaurant on Broad Street in 2018. Two years later, after some major renovations they expanded into a place that feels like home - nestled in the courtyard of the 1,000 year old Town Mill. Complete with gardens, where herbs and spices border the terrace and paths wind through the trees to the river Lym. The big decision and the big dream is coming to life.
“We love the place that food and drink has in Spanish and North African culture and day-to-day life. Where it is an excuse to catch up with people, to spend time with family and friends. We wanted to create a friendly space serving authentic Spanish food and drink, and share our dedication to 'slow' food. Somewhere people could not only eat food but learn how to cook it, where the creativity of different cultures could mix, where people could meet and form friendships and grow community.”
A proud Gibraltarian, Giselle has spent much of her life living and cooking in Andalusia in southern Spain. Giselle worked and trained in kitchens from her teens and has worked as a Chef ever since. Our recipes are inspired by Giselle’s family history – originally Sephardic Jews from Granada in Spain who - along with thousands of others - were pushed out of their homes in the 1400s and forced to leave the country. Her family settled in Morocco and then later Gibraltar by the 1600s. Coming from a family with a long line of chefs, you can imagine the beautiful recipes and stories that she has inherited, filled with a rich history and family spirit.
Ed, an enthusiastic foodie and Spanish speaker lived in Madrid for 15 years, translating and co-creating cooking classes from his own home. Inspired by the down-to-earth wholesomeness of a growing slow food movement - as championed by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage in the late 90s. A seed was planted that took 30 years to germinate and take root.
That dream of one day running a hearty restaurant was realised when he met Giselle. Between them they have spent more than 60 years living, eating and drinking in the Iberian Peninsula.