Meet Cecily English, Travel Consultant and Founder of Cecily’s Wanderlust Supper Club.

Cecily English is a travel consultant with a passion for crafting unforgettable journeys that bring people closer to the culture and cuisine of their destinations.

Cecily is also the founder of Cecily’s Wanderlust Supper Club which will be hosting the first event on 27th February at The Set, where food and travel enthusiasts can connect over a Tokyo Izakaya-inspired menu.

It’s an evening for sharing stories, discussing dream trips to Japan, or simply enjoying incredible food with likeminded people. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller, planning your first trip, or just love hearing about exciting destinations, Cecily’s Wanderlust Supper Club promises a memorable night!

What do you do?

I am a Personal Travel Consultant which means I am focused on finding spectacular holidays that you will talk about for years to come!

We hear you are a passionate admirer of good food, what do you like about the dining scene in Brighton and Hove?

The food scene in Brighton is reflective of the people; atmosphere is as important as what’s on the plate.

There’s always somewhere new to try yet you can always rely on familiar favourites.

Frankly, the biggest issue we have is that there’s too many options and not enough time to try them all!

How does food and travel combine together?

There is a real synergy between food and travel.

It’s one of the easiest ways to get involved in local culture and, more often than not, it’s the great dining experiences you have whilst away that become the strongest memory. Food is a sense-based experience and travel is no different.

Food can make or break a travel experience. It’s difficult to have one without the other.

Is food always top of your list when it comes to choosing where to visit?

Most of the time, it is THE top reason for choosing a destination.

I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy some of the most incredible food experiences around the world; from Noma in Copenhagen to Joe’s Pizza in New York, I am incredibly privileged to have experienced some of the world’s most talked about dining moments.

Tell us about Cecily’s Wanderlust Supper Club at The Set on 27th February.

I am so excited about this pop up dining experience.

The Izakaya night is the launch of Cecily’s Wanderlust Supper Club.

The idea is simple; people with a shared interest in food and travel can come along and enjoy a superb menu inspired by the Izakayas in Tokyo, with an opportunity to discuss their own trips (or perhaps that dream trip you’ve not booked yet) to Japan. And you don’t have to have been, or be planning a trip as such. It’s an opportunity to share stories with likeminded people. Get in touch if you’d like more information or to make a booking.

What’s the Menu?

The menu comprises of small dishes, to be shared at the table:
KARAAGE – chicken wing
KUSHIYAKI – pork belly
KOROKKE – potato, cheese, ham
GYOZA – shrimp
GRILLED FISH – line caught bass
AGEMONO – squid
TAMAGOYAKI – sweet omelette
TEMPURA – scallion
INARI – chalk stream trout
Priced at £55 per person, more information about Cecily’s Wanderlust Supper Club is is available here.
Please note, The Set cannot cater for any dietary requirements in this menu.

Why The Set for your first event?

Anyone who is lucky enough to have dined at The Set knows what an amazing evening it is. The team are incredibly talented, not to mention that their menu is also inspired by their own travel experiences. The menu is designed for sharing, but also as an homage to the Japanese style of eating. It’s meant to be relaxed and enjoyed.

The Set

With your day job, what sort of services do you provide for your customers?

At a basic level, I save clients time and effort by finding the holiday they really want. Travel is an emotive experience and deserves the time to make sure you’re getting it right. People may come to me because they have no idea where to start, whereas others have a really clear idea and just want the reassurance that they’ve got the best options available.

Give examples of holidays you have arranged for your customers.

My top 3 would be; a Northern Lights honeymoon in Rovaniemi, a safari adventure in Kruger National Park and a Venice birthday weekend. There’s nothing better than spending time on a holiday that is for a special occasion; it means so much to put together itineraries that you know will be talked about for years to come!

Which style of holiday ideas are you recommending at the moment?

Travel is so personal, it’s difficult to narrow down. Personally, I am a city break fanatic. I’ve recently enjoyed the Christmas markets in Prague and I’m off to Madrid in the Spring. In terms of beach style holidays, there’s a few destinations starting to gain popularity. It’s definitely worth looking out for the new destinations offered by airlines as quite a few have added new routes recently.

How would you describe Brighton as a food destination?

Brighton has a rich and diverse food scene but with the future at its heart. So many restaurants are considering how to be more sustainable and you’d be hard pushed to find a place that doesn’t cater for what you’re looking for. There’s a reason it’s such a popular destination and its hospitality is its beating heart.

Tell us about Sustainable Travel and what does this mean to you?

I read a lot of industry news and am pleased to see that there are tour operators who are making big steps to be sustainable. I’m realistic that it poses difficulties and that the cost, for some, often makes sustainable choices difficult. However, I think there are lots of little choices people can make to consider sustainability and the most important thing is that we do what we can when we can.

What makes Brighton an amazing place to live?

Brighton is always buzzing. It’s constantly moving and evolving, not afraid to challenge or try something new. Community isn’t just a word here, it matters to people. You can’t deny that there’s something magical about Brighton; there’s a reason most people who come for a short while stay for the long term!

The pebbles, the pier, the sea on Brighton seafront. Very blue sky

Where are your favourite venues in the city for dining or drinking? Name 2 and say why you like them?

This is a VERY difficult question to answer! However, if I absolutely had to choose:

The Little Fish market is my go-to for special occasions. Not only is the food absolutely incredible (how does he do it? It’s magic!) but the atmosphere is always perfect. I’ve not been back in a while but it is always the place I recommend to visitors.

The Little Fish Market front shot

I’m loving the Pond at the moment! Totally relaxed and phenomenal food; it’s definitely up there as one of my all-time favourites.

What do you enjoy on your time off?

I am an avid reader; coffee shops and books are a definite must if I get a free moment. If I’m not dining out, I love cooking for friends and family and spend far too much time reading recipe magazines.

What plans do you have for the rest of 2025?

2025 is looking pretty busy already. I have a few travel plans including Greece and Spain. I’m looking forward to meeting some new clients and helping with their holiday adventures.

Right now, I’m just enjoying the start of the year with little expectations and seeing what it has to offer.

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