Taste of the Cotswolds ∙ Josser redefines gourmet dining in the Cotswolds

June 2025 ∙ Under a sky that turned from warm golden hues to a canvas dotted with stars, we experienced something truly special: We had dinner at Josser in St Michael’s Park, Cirencester.

It was the perfect evening for al fresco dining, with the lingering warmth of the day gently tempered by a pleasant breeze, making the park setting an ideal backdrop and the corner of the park where Josser resides is the perfect setting for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Pre-dinner drink in the sun

Arriving a little before the 7pm dinner start, allowed us to soak in the atmosphere with a pre-dinner drink in the sun. It was here that we had the pleasure of meeting Amber, one half of Amber & Ols, the incredible duo behind Josser. We enjoyed a lovely chat with her as she pulled their son, Zeph, around in a charming wooden festival cart – he was having a super time, and his joy was infectious.

Just us and 26 strangers… this is the magic of Josser

Soon after, we were guided to the communal oak table, beautifully set for 28 people. It was an intriguing prospect – us and 26 strangers, all gathered to share a meal. Yet, as the evening unfolded, the magic of Josser truly came alive, and it turned out to come from this communal setting. By the end of the night, we had made connections with those seated beside us, engaging in wonderful conversations and making new friends for the duration of this delightful dinner… this was one of the evening’s many highlights.

A wonderfully warm atmosphere

What Ols and Amber have created in St Michael’s Park is extraordinary. Josser offers a completely wonderful, laid-back, and warm atmosphere. Instantly, they have established themselves as leaders on the gourmet dining scene with a relaxed approach to top-class culinary events and excellent food experiences; true trailblazers in this new trend.

Service at Josser was super friendly, and it’s clear that Ols and Amber are wonderful people, pouring their hearts into this very special venture.

Thai food from the local allotment

The menu at Josser is a testament to their commitment to celebrating the best seasonal produce from local suppliers and local allotment treasures, changing regularly to reflect the bounty of the Cotswolds. Last night, we were treated to their Anglo Thai menu, a delightful fusion of flavours that perfectly showcased their culinary prowess.

Ols and his team in the truck-turned-kitchen at Josser demonstrated their remarkable skill with ingredients as well as flexibility and attention to detail. Having informed them of our dietary needs in advance, my vegan menu was a triumph, while my companion for the evening (my bestie, Sonja) enjoyed the standard menu (nothing standard about it, one might add!) with a thoughtful vegetarian alternative for her main.

5 incredible courses

1st course ∙ The journey through the menu began with coconut puffs or vegan puffs with Nam Jim. The coconut puffs were fantastic, described as “a bit like Yorkshire puddings but softer and with incredible flavour”. The vegan puffs amazing too – crunchy, bursting with flavour, and incredibly moreish.

2nd course ∙ Next came the fresh allotment spring roll with elderflower and sweet chilli, a delicious and vibrant dish that perfectly showcased the freshness of the ingredients.

3rd course ∙ Our 3rd dish was BBQ chicken with crispy skin and satay sauce – moist and tasty. The vegan option was oyster mushroom satay and this was fantastic; the mushrooms were soft and cooked to perfection, generously coated in a lovely peanut and satay sauce.

4th course ∙ The star of the meal for us was the beetroot massaman with sourleaf salad and sticky jasmine rice. Most had this with a beautifully cooked and perfectly flaky monkfish, and we had it with cooked-to-complete-perfection cauliflower. The massaman sauce was what truly elevated this dish, offering a depth of flavour that was incredible. The beetroot was not only delicious but, with the trademark vibrant colour and a dusting of beetroot powder, made the dish as pretty as a picture.

5th course ∙ And for the grand finale, Zeph’s tropical cheesecake arrived, a symphony of flavours and textures that was the perfect ending to an extraordinary meal. Each spoonful offered a dreamy, cloud-like softness, interspersed with delightful textural surprises. The vegan option, equally fantastic, proved that this vibrant, textural delight was a finale for everyone to savour.

Intimate and memorable

The team at Josser say that what they’re offering is an “intimate and memorable dinner under canvas in St Michael’s Park” and that is exactly what you get when you come for dinner here. The experience begins as dusk falls, with fairy lights guiding the path to their roaming restaurant. Raising a chilled glass beside the firepit, the scent of seasonal dishes wafting from the truck kitchen, it’s clear this is a high-quality dining experience in a truly unique setting.

Josser’s story is rooted in Cirencester, where childhood sweethearts Ols, an award-winning chef, and Amber, a yoga teacher, first met. Their innovative converted lorries, which ingeniously serve as both family home and restaurant, even garnered national attention on Channel 4’s ‘George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.’ This “amazing space” is where their young son, Zeph, is growing up amidst the joyous sounds of clinking plates and the warmth of a thriving community.

As Amber so eloquently puts it, “This isn’t just about serving food. It’s about creating a space where friendships bloom over sharing plates, where business partnerships spark over morning coffee, and where families celebrate their precious moments together” and they have well and truly done exactly that.

Culinary excellence in the Cotswolds

Josser is an extraordinary addition to St. Michael’s Park in the very centre of Cirencester, blending creativity, craftsmanship, and culinary excellence in a way that has never been seen before. The transformation of a vintage circus lorry into a beautifully designed mobile restaurant is remarkable.

Our evening at Josser was more than just a meal; it was an immersive experience, seamlessly blending incredible food with warm company, intimate conversations, the joy of meeting new people, and a truly magical setting.

To experience this for yourself, book your seat at the table on josserrestaurant.com. You’ll love it… we really, really did.

The Cotswolds ∙ Also the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds offers diverse experiences beyond its famous charm, inviting visitors to discover its authentic heart. While known for luxury and picturesque villages, it also boasts wild swimming, unique independent shops, and vibrant local produce.

By choosing local, visitors not only enjoy exceptional food from farmers’ markets and eateries but also contribute to the community’s economic vitality and unique character, leaving a positive footprint.

Read on and get inspired for your next visit to the Cotswolds. #LoveTheCotswolds

∙ THE COTSWOLDS ∙ ALSO THE COTSWOLDS ∙