About Happen Upon
Happen Upon is a curated guide to food, home and culture, rooted in Yorkshire and shaped by a belief that everyday life is worth paying attention to.
It is a place for recipes, essays, interiors, gardens and discoveries, brought together with a sense of curiosity and care. I am interested in the things that feel quietly right. Well-made objects. Good ingredients. Thoughtful spaces. The kind of details that reward noticing.
My own path to this way of working has taken in many ingredients along the way. I studied History of Design at University and also trained in pottery. I have a long and successful career in marketing, working with incredibly talented photographers and designers, more recently working as a brand and marketing consultant with Michelin-starred restaurants (which neatly linked to my time in Berkeley California where i helped out at Chez Panisse) and Interior homeware brands. I also ran a soup company and self-published a soup book, making the recipes, the photography and even much of the serveware myself. That mix of food, making and visual storytelling continues to shape everything I do here.
Happen Upon also sits alongside Penraevon, an Arts and Crafts villa in Yorkshire that I am restoring. Living with an old house has deepened my interest in gardens, materials, practical craft and the way buildings shape how we live. Penraevon documents one place in detail. Happen Upon is the wider view, drawing together homes, recipes, plants, places and ideas from beyond a single address. This led to my interest in community and social history, what makes an area distinct.
Everything you see here is photographed and written by me. It is not driven by trends or algorithms, but by lived experience and a sense of what is worth sharing.
What I cover
Food
Seasonal recipes, thoughtful eating, regional flavours and the pleasure of simple, well-made food.
Home and Gardens
Old houses, lived-in interiors, plants, gardens and the practical work of making spaces that feel good to be in.
Culture and Discovery
Essays, days out, places, books and small cultural threads that make up a life lived with attention. (Often accompanied with a dog)
If you would like to get in touch about Happen Upon, Penraevon, or possible collaborations, you can use the contact page.
Otherwise, take your time, explore, and see what you happen upon.
About Happen Upon is all about discovery—uncovering the reasons behind the content on Happen Upon and why it exists in the first place.
It is inspired by serendipity, the joy of finding something new or experiencing something for the first time. Happen Upon is a gentle invitation to look up, engage with your surroundings, and savor the simple pleasures of everyday life. Much of its ethos is influenced by the Slow Food movement, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), non‑UPF foods, and the perennial garden movement, reflecting a deep appreciation for heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainable living.
While caring for the environment and reducing waste are important aims, they are not the central purpose of the site. Rather, Happen Upon encourages mindful choices: by being thoughtful and deliberate in your actions, you naturally tread more lightly on the planet and minimize unnecessary waste. This is a space to feel free, comfortable, and welcomed, where curiosity is celebrated.
Happen upon is a place to explore, enjoy, and engage with life at your own pace, taking time to notice the small wonders and quiet moments that are often overlooked in the rush of busy modern life.
Hope you enjoyed finding out more about Happen upon and the philosophy behind it,
