Bambalan competes in Come Dine With Me: The Professionals

The Bristol series aired recently and included a number of loved restaurants from the city, including Bambalan.

Others competing against Bambalan included Caribbean restaurant Fi Real in Old Market and Tamsin and Kirsty from Dalia Cucina in Keynsham.

Neil and Paulo from Bambalan in the city centre were neck-and-neck with mother-daughter team Jaida and Jeanette from Fi Real; there was just one point in it. Ultimately though, it was the vegan restaurant that pipped Bambalan to first prize.

Despite high praise, Tamsin even described the main course at Bambalan as “heaven on a plate”, it was the cheesecake that held them back in the scoring.

The mother-daughter team stole the show, however, wowing the other Bristol chefs with their strong flavours in their plant-based menu.

Fi Real’s main course was jerk tofu with rice and peas and plantain. The powerful Caribbean flavours of Fi Real’s menu stole the limelight with a total score of 34 out of 40.

The chefs agreed the lentil stew was the best starter of the week, while Paulo even said it was one of the best dishes of the competition.

The vegan restaurant opened in 2014 with a passion to showcase how vegan-friendly food doesn’t have to compromise flavour. They are known for their homemade juices and traditional Jamaican dishes, open Monday to Thursday and on Sundays.

You can catch Come Dine With Me: The Professionals weekdays at 5pm on Channel 4 and watch all episodes for free on All 4.