Hot & Wild Poké

In Manchester, just opposite Old Trafford and Media City, you'll find the lively Salford Quays waterfront. It's packed with lots of enticing bars and restaurants, offering food from around the world. Amongst all that cuisine culture sits Hot and Wild Poké, Salford’s first poké bar dreamed up by Lucia Piekarski.

Having always dreamt of starting her own business, Lucia found inspiration during a trip to Belgium, where she discovered the world of poké bowls. A fusion of Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine, poké bowls are traditionally served on a bed of salad and topped with a combination of fresh fruit, seaweed, and raw fish. With her first taste, Lucia had a lightbulb moment.

“Straight away, I saw the potential for poké bowls. Nowhere in Manchester was serving them, but I figured that was partly because raw fish and salad aren't for everyone. However, by making them heartier and more nutritious, with options for beef and chicken, and other proteins, I was convinced the poké bowl could really take off.”

Lucia was not wrong. From midday to 9 pm, Thursday to Sunday, Hot and Wild Poké supplies a steady stream of Mancunians with delicious medleys of fresh salad with servings of marinated meats, fish, or a bit of both.

The challenge

As a registered business within the Quayside Media City Food Hall, Lucia was told she needed employers’ and product liability insurance with £10M worth of cover before she could begin trading.

The early part of her insurance journey was far from straightforward.

“I wasn’t prepared for how difficult it was going to be. I spent ages trying to find the right policy by ringing different providers and searching online. It was getting to the point that I thought I'd have no choice but to fork out a load of money just for a generic policy."

For small businesses like Lucia just starting out sourcing business insurance can be confusing. But Lucia had a conversation that changed everything…

The solution

Hot and Wild Poké may only have opened its doors in 2023, but Lucia already has her sights set on a future befitting the name of her business.

“My long-term plan is for Hot & Wild to become one of the first truly healthy fast-food chains. Clear Business should be prepared. If it happens, I’ll be on the phone to them a lot more!”

Visit Hot and Wild Poké

If the thought of a different type of delicious, healthy fast-food gets your tastebuds tingling, you’ll find Hot and Wild Poké at:

Kargo MKT, Central Bay, Unit 32, Quayside Media City, Salford Quays, M50 3AG

You can also follow the business and check out their menu on Instagram: @hotandwildpoke