Combine history and cuisine with café and restaurant visits in Bishop’s Stortford with Hello Food Tours

French journalist Anne-Sophie Segondat, who has lived in Bishop’s Stortford for a year, gets a flavour of the town’s history and best eateries with the help of Hello Food Tours

It’s amazing how many buildings and restaurants you can walk past on a daily basis without actually seeing them.

This thought crossed my mind after joining the food tasting and historical tour of Bishop’s Stortford organised by Hello Food Tours. The tour would certainly whet my appetite, but first of all it opened my eyes.

We began in the historic Market Square, where guide Rachel Hewlett welcomes groups each Wednesday. As a newcomer to food tours I didn’t know what to expect, but I was not disappointed.

For the next three hours, we wandered through Bishop’s Stortford, blending history with tastings at seven local eateries, each offering a unique dish that showcased the essence of the town’s cuisine.

The first stop was South Street Pantry for a blueberry smoothie and a tasty chocolate cake. Owner Oliver Colman and his manager Sandra shared the history of the establishment, setting the friendly tone for the visit.

The itinerary continued with a real immersion in traditional British cuisine - a very new experience for a French woman like me who has only lived in the UK for a year. This stop was a personal revelation: my very first “Cockney classic” at F. Cooke pie and mash shop.

We tried a traditional pie served with mash, parsley liquor sauce and a zingy chilli vinegar. As soon as French friends come to visit me, I’ll share this discovery with them.

From there, we visited Eat 17, the in-store street food market, where Rachel had selected two standout stalls: Petrucci’s Pizza, offering stone-baked pizzas with the crispiest crusts, and Browski Burger, where I tasted one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, made with pure aged, locally-sourced grass-fed beef.

As we moved from one stop to the next, Rachel shared tidbits about the town’s history, helping us better understand the evolution of the town and see Bishop’s Stortford in a new light.

The charm of this tour lies in its guide - an enthusiastic local foodie who introduces hidden gems, shares culinary anecdotes and introduces passionate chefs and artisans.

Meetings with the owners and passionate chefs add a human dimension to the culinary adventure. Apparently each tour is unique as Rachel chooses different restaurants and establishments each time.

The last part of the taste tour took on a Mediterranean atmosphere. At Paisa in North Street, the warm welcome goes perfectly with the southern Italian specialities served.

The hospitality continued at Pasticceria Di Leo, in Florence Walk, where we still found room in our stomachs to enjoy delicious Italian pastries and coffee. Italy as if we were there!

We ended our tour with a French theme at Péché Mignon on High Street with a delightful cheese and chutney tasting that reminded me of my home country.

This food tour was ‘a première’ but also a revelation. My only small criticism? I might have started the tour with a savoury dish instead of a sweet one as sugar tends to curb your appetite a little. It returns quickly, but still! And it would be so much nicer if the centre of town was not so full of cars. But that is beyond the power of Rachel.

The tour allows you to take a fresh look at familiar places and discover hidden treasures in your own town. More than just a tasting, it’s an invitation to be curious, open-minded and share.

After three hours, I left with a full heart, a full stomach and a new appreciation for Bishop’s Stortford.

The Stortford food tour price starts from £45. for more details click here.