Meet Jez ‘The Bowler’ Felwick, meatball maestro

One man and his balls - and my, aren't they tasty?

Jez Felwick aka The BowlerJez Felwick, aka The Bowler, has been making gourmet meatballs, fish balls and veg balls – and selling and delivering them from The Lawn Ranger, his grass covered street food van in London at various markets and around the UK at festivals and events. As our trust in minced meat and processed food is currently at rock bottom Jez is keen to point out that he uses the best ingredients, making the balls in his Bermondsey test kitchen before he hits the road. And if you fancy having a go at home, The Bowler’s Meatball Cookbook (Mitchell Beazley) is just out so you can try making some Bjorn Balls, Ball Shiitake and other pun laden classics for yourselves.

Where would you like to live?
I love London but crave the countryside. Basically, I want chickens.

What is your favourite London sound or smell?
Give me the smell of rain on hot summer tarmac and I’m happy.

Who is your favourite south Londoner?
Derek Edward Trotter for his entrepreneurial nature, closely followed by Bowie [from Peckham, of course, and Brixton respectively.]

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That time is the most precious thing you have, fill it with things you love, spend it wisely and never kill it.

The queue outside Ministry of Sound in 1991, the year it opened
The queue outside Ministry of Sound
in 1991, the year it opened. Image: MoS

What is your earliest south London memory?
I have some very happy memories of early London times spent at Club UK in Wandsworth and the Ministry of Sound, in Elephant and Castle (left).

What makes you unhappy?
Waste.

What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
If our dog could open the back door.

Where do you hang out in south London?
I spend a lot of time in Bermondsey as that is where the kitchen is, I love taking breaks from cooking and going to Southwark Park to walk the aforementioned dog.

Who or what do you dislike and why?
People who conduct human transactions and interactions whilst on a mobile phone are complete tossers.

What’s been your best south London experience?
Taking The Lawn Ranger [Jez’s mobile meatball kitchen] on his inaugural outing to the first ever Brockley Market was a great experience. It has become one of London’s best markets.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I am old enough to be comfortable in my own skin, although if I had longer legs I wouldn’t need such big turn-ups

What has your career taught you?
Work hard at something you enjoy, do it yourself, make it happen. Otherwise
nothing changes.

What is your favourite dish and why?
The Sunday roast never disappoints. Slow cooked pork shoulder is a favourite. My brother Matt has mastered the art, so it’s a joy to get an invite.

The house I live in is…shard crop
…a flat, but it’s home.

What is your greatest life achievement?
Publishing The Bowler’s Meatball Cookbook is definitely up there. The arrival of baby Felwick any day now might take some beating though.

Your favourite south London building
or landmark?

The Shard has been catching my eye of late. I keep seeing it, stunning, in the early morning light. I was at a food event when I looked up and took this photo (left).

Describe yourself as an animal…
Roaaaaaarrrrrrrrr!

Find Jez on Twitter @thebowlerUK


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