CROSSINGS #1 – WHO'S TALKING?

If you don’t already, be sure to follow on Instagram to keep up to date with new events and info!

Follow Us on Instragram

William Rayfet Hunter is a British Jamaican novelist, poet, and curator. Their debut novel, Sunstruck, won the #Merky Books New Writer’s Prize 2023, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize and is currently Waterstones fiction book of the month. They are also the founder and curator of COMMONPLACE, a literary dining series exploring new writing, food, and community.

Born in Singapore to Malaysian parents, Abby grew up watching her grandma cook Assam Pedas, a classic Malaysian stew literally translated as ‘sour spicy’, and enjoyed coconut pancakes and wonton noodles from local street stalls in her parents’ hometowns of Taiping and Cebu.

At 15, Abby moved to London to explore new horizons and began her studies at Bristol University, where she read Economics and graduated in 2016. It was during her time at university that Abby’s passion for cooking flourished, as she regularly hosted dinner parties to experiment with flavours and recipes.

In 2017, Abby earned her diploma at Le Cordon Bleu, where she honed her culinary skills before relocating to Italy at the end of 2018 to work at the Michelin-starred Pashà Ristorante near Bari.

Inspired by her experience in the kitchen and the diverse flavours and cuisines from her childhood, Abby returned to London in 2019 with the initial concept for Mambow, a home-style Malaysian ‘mama’s kitchen’ located in the heart of Shoreditch, which opened on Commercial Street in February 2020. After the sudden closure of Commercial Street during the lockdown, she attracted attention with her unique Malaysian-style meal kits, which further prompted her to delve into her roots and evolve the concept of Mambow into what it is today.

Abby’s time in Malaysia motivated her to reopen Mambow at Market Peckham in June 2021, where she remained for two years before moving to Clapton to establish her first permanent site in November 2023. Here, she continues to successfully highlight hyper-regionality within this beautiful and complex cuisine, with the larger space enabling her to offer a wider menu and an extended drinks list, featuring juicy natural wines and inventive house cocktails.

Since her opening in Peckham and further elevated by the move to Clapton, Abby has made significant waves in the industry. In February this year, Mambow was awarded a Bib Gourmand by MICHELIN, following a successful 2024 in which she graced the cover of OFM, won one of the UK’s Top New Restaurants at the Conde Nast Traveller Restaurant Awards, was included in CODE’s 2023/2024 class of 30 under 30, and received the Breakthrough Talent award at CODE’s Hospitality’s Women of the Year Awards 2024. Additionally, she was ranked the #1 restaurant in London at the Time Out Restaurant Awards.

Gray Wielebinski (Dallas, TX 1991) is a multidisciplinary visual artist who lives and works in London. Spanning installation, video, sculpture, performance and collage, Wielebinski’s practice explores the intersections between political history, power relations and gendered eroticism. Collage – both as medium and methodology – lies at the core of his practice, allowing him to fragment, reassemble, and subvert dominant iconographies and systems of beliefs rooted in American history, identity, mythology and popular culture.

Chef Jorge Paredes is a rising star in the world of gastronomy, known for his refined Mediterranean cuisine and dedication to culinary excellence. His journey began in the heart of an Italian kitchen, where he spent six transformative years honing his craft under the guidance of renowned chefs Marzio Cazzi and Daniele Cámara. It was here that Jorge developed a deep respect for tradition, precision, and the soulful simplicity of Italian cooking. Seeking new challenges and broader horizons, Jorge transitioned to the vibrant world of Spanish cuisine. This move marked a pivotal moment in his career when he joined forces with acclaimed chef Nieves Barragán. Under Nieves’s mentorship, Jorge’s culinary perspective evolved dramatically. She not only deepened his understanding of bold, regional flavors but also pushed him creatively and professionally, inspiring him to reach new heights. In 2024, Chef Jorge Paredes realized a lifelong dream with the opening of Oma, his first solo venture. Located in a city where Mediterranean influences converge, Oma is a celebration of sun-drenched coastal flavors, elegant plating, and seasonal integrity. The restaurant quickly captured the attention of critics and diners alike, earning its first Michelin star within its inaugural year — a testament to Jorge’s vision, passion, and precision.

We are very grateful to Wyn for being our drinks sponsor for CROSSINGS #1! Looking forward to sharing the evening with a great brand that we’ve gotten to know over the last few years, pioneering some of the most exciting partnerships between wine and art happening today.