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Eating and drinking at LOCAL & Co means you are literally helping to grow local food systems; partnered with Walkers Reserve’s tree planting initiative, “One Tree for Every Bajan”. All this goes towards a circular economy for the island whilst reducing waste for all.

On the shores of Speightstown, located within the parish of St. Peter which was once a major port and trading hub, you will find picturesque streets, colorful historic buildings and a fabulous eatery: Local & Co. Housed in a the former C.H.P Jordan Building located on Queen’s Street, Speightstown and built sometime between 1775 and 1830.

The building is constructed primarily of rubble stone with the use of some bricks as decorative features. The thickness of the walls indicates a post -1780 build or possible rebuild as a protection against future hurricanes. However, the overwhelming use of rubble stone as a construction medium for the walls indicates a pre-1830s construction date of the structure. This is so because sawn limestone blocks became an almost standard feature of the construction of wall structures in Barbados in the 1830s.

The building had been used as a store house for sugar and rum and been associated with a pier from the early nineteenth to mid twentieth century that facilitated trade with Bridgetown and the United Kingdom.

The late Elmer Jordan, nephew of C.H.P Jordan, highlighted the diversity of businesses that were run from the premises of the C.H.P Jordan Building, Queens Street. In addition to the sale of provisions, it has also served as a lumber yard and at one point in its history, as one of Barbados’ first soft drinks factories, also under the direction of C.H.P Jordan.

At the same time, the nearby pier and beach would also have been used as processing site for the extraction of whale oil and meat from the mid 1800’s to the 1920’s. Shops, cafes, restaurants and even a bank have all called the C.H.P Jordan Building home throughout its history.

The latest business to call this historic building home is Local & Co.

The culmination of Ian McNeel’s foray into hospitality and Sophie Michell’s quest for farm-to-fork dining overlooks the beach. Having been friends for years; Ian’s passion for regenerative strategies to increase the islands’ biodiversity, including local farmers cultivating food crops, dovetailed smoothly with Chef-Patron Sophie Michell’s experience as a restauranteur in several of London’s top dining destinations to create the gastronomic perfection that is Local & Co.

The Chefs cook like farming families of old; fermenting, pickling, preserving and cooking with the rhythms of nature and seasons. The menus change regularly and often a dish will be created on the day using traditional cooking methods like grilling on an open flame, slow smoking and roasting without the use chemicals or molecular gastronomy. Food is not sous vide in single use plastic bags. Chefs are taught how to cook sustainably and use their senses.

Small scale butchers who respect animal welfare and believe that if you are going to eat meat, eat better meat. Chickens and eggs are truly free range; they don’t just buy the prime cuts, they commit to the whole animal where possible to reduce wastage and not imbalance the process; fish comes from small scale fishing communities, generally speared or line caught and always comes from local waters, with the seasons and only sustainable seafood is chosen.

Development of a product like the cultured butter (with Hatchman’s) results in by-products such as buttermilk; Local & Co. commits to taking and using this too, therefore reducing food waste. Trimmings and offcuts of the amazing vegetables they grow, go back into compost for Walkers Reserve & their farmers. Their support for regenerative farming is clear; from not using additives, preservatives, processed foods or GMO products; the flour they use is milled in St Vincent & is unbleached and the bottled water is Eco Sky water, made on the island.

Chef Sophie is also an experienced restaurateur. She was Britain's youngest Female Executive Chef taking over the whole food offering at the 5-star Belgraves Hotel, then going on to oversee the food at London’s exclusive private members club Home House. One of Sophie’s proudest achievements was being part of the four female Chef team who opened The Gorgeous Kitchen, Heathrow’s top dining destination that successfully ran for nearly 10 years. Farm to Table cooking has always been Sophie's passion and building a more solid platform where her whole business would be sustainable and where her living could be in-line with her beliefs.

Over eighty-five percent of Barbados’ produce is imported. Local & Co. aim is to turn that on its head. It’s why they actively support regenerative food systems, organic farmers, biodiversity and meticulously source and forage for wild foods. By working alongside artisans, producers, farmers, fisherfolk and butchers on the Island they do whatever they can to help maintain the health of our oceans, soils and food communities.

Homegrown, clean food… because you deserve to be nourished with the very best!

Local & Co. is not just an eatery but also a marketplace for the local producers and artisans to sell their produce. There are so many things to discover at The Marketplace like local honey from Walkers Reserve, and fair transport shipped products that came from Europe on the sailboat Tres Hombres. You’ll find homemade jams, small batches of pickles and chutneys, flavoured salts, jerky, chips and more.

You will also find many hand-selected goods not just from Barbados but from neighbouring islands? There’s fresh goat and cheddar cheeses from Hatchman’s, Old Duppy’s Hot Sauces, Cocobel Chocolates from Trinidad & Tobago, spices from Grenada and a selection of wine and rum that come from the very best suppliers.

If you’re a visitor looking for a gift or just looking to stock up on some amazing creations…you’re in the right place or just pop in for a coffee and a tasty nibble.

At the Marketplace there’s a dedicated nook filled with specially curated and very beautiful pieces that are in line with their sustainable ethos, cotton beach towels, sunhats and jewellery. You will find a selection of individually sourced, truly stunning pottery, baskets and other knick-knacks, all hand-crafted by local artisans.

Items in the shop will change seasonally, so look out because these seriously creative folks (artisans, farmers and chefs) constantly supply an amazing array of goodies.

Upstairs is the space to spend time, to experience, to enjoy moments that matter, you can eat, drink, cook, create or just hang out ‘upstairs’. Imagine the charm of an 18th Century storeroom, used in centuries past to hideaway rum, tobacco, sugar, even the occasional stowaway. Now imagine this transformed into an exquisite 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom loft with a terrace and dining area. That what ‘Upstairs’ offers. This 2,100 sq. ft. space has a magical view of the ocean and is a beautiful place to escape. Whether you have a small celebration or an intimate getaway, guests can overnight, access room service or indulge in the delicious gourmet creativity available downstairs from Local & Co.