We’re back for our April Q&A, and for this one we sat down with Tom, one of the brains behind Well Good! If you don’t follow Well Good on Instagram, you are missing out! A brilliant interview, which covers food, mental health, mates and more, crack on with the below and show Tom some love. Peace!
Hi Tom, how are you doing?
Hi Dan, I’m good mate! I’m in a good place at the moment, I’m in therapy for my mental health, I’m trying to be more active, eat a bit better and enjoy life a bit more if you get me. Also, just bought our first gaff with my better half so that’s keeping me busy!
For those who may not know, can you describe what Well Good is?
Well Good is essentially a food blog but not an ordinary one. Well I hope it’s not! It’s much more than documenting food, it’s documenting friendships, the importance of getting out with your mates for a scran. Hitting as many new spots as we can. In particular smaller lesser known places, independent places and places where your Bossman carves you the best kebab after ten pints and you know him on first name terms. I think I’ve described it well enough, there.
How did it come about?
We’d been subconsciously doing it for years and years. Meeting up for a scran with mates. Especially my mates that had fled Wigan to the rainy streets of Manchester and Liverpool etc.
It gave us a chance to catchup and essentially we’d try a different restaurant or back street takeaway each time we met up. So I guess all we do now, is document it on Instagram which is fun to do
What made you want to cover food?
I’ve always loved food. I’m a big lad. Northern as fuck (someone said that once to me) I think I was drinking gravy out the jug in a packed restaurant. I hate wastage and I love gravy.
I grew up in a council estate in Wigan, you couldn’t be picky when it came to food, it also broadened my taste buds, ever since then I love trying all food. From Michelin (if we can afford it) to your local Bossman. We cover it all.
The hard yards some times as I’ve nearly had food poisoning a few times I reckon (laughs).
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten since the formed the account?
Good question that mate. Erm, I more have memorable dishes from different places.
Sugo Pasta in Manchester before they went a bit weird and changed their name about ten times did the best Nduja chicken wings ever!
Hawksmoor suet beef steak pudding I had recently was out of this world.
I love old cafe’s so we’ve covered a few corkers around the North West recently. The first place we ever covered was Mughli on Curry Mile in Manchester. Not to be confused with the chain gaff Mowgli. It’s so authentic and everything is cooked over fire. The curries, butterfly prawns and mixed grill are actually life changing. Get on it!
What’s your death row meal?
Fried chicken for sure. I just love crispy chicken wings especially with a cold dip like blue cheese or a hot honey sauce. Loads of fried chicken please. The type that gives you proper greasy fingers. Then when I’m ready to burst, I’d give you the nod and you can have done with me.
Moving onto football, you’re a Wigan fan aren’t you?
Yeah man, up the tics! Although I prefer ‘Latics’. I grew up watching Latics with my step dad. Luckily it kept me out of trouble. My weekends were planned. My step dad drove us everywhere! Somewhere daft like Gillingham away midweek as a kid whilst others in my class watched United or Liverpool on TV. Losers.
I love everything about supporting your local team. We’ve had some amazing times as a small club too. That FA Cup win I will never ever forget. There’s never ever a boring season following little Wigan. I love that.
What about music?
I’m a big fan of The Streets, Jamie T etc. I’ve met Mike Skinner a few times and he follows Well Good Blog which is insane. Old indie music from the mid 2000’s too. The best ever era for me. When I’m out with mates we blast them in the car. I like American hip hop too. That will always get a spin.
You’re also into your clothing, what inspiration do you take in your fits?
Definitely, I went through a phase of buying Stone Island and CP Company with adidas trainers. Vintage Henri Lloyd. I’ve got an insane duffle jacket, navy, wool, 3M lining around the peaked hood and bottom that reflects. Paid £15 for it from a charity shop. My winter essential for years.
Now I really like brands that last. I feel Stone Island and CP the quality has dropped and the prices have increased. So you’ll see me knocking about in a lot of everyday fits like Carhartt, Dickies, Gramicci, Nike ACG, North Face and always new balance or Nike trainers. I love Goretex too. I spend too much on Gotetex jackets to be honest.
I like simple fits and clothing that’s quality. I’d rather pay more for quality and have one good piece than five cheaper pieces of the same thing. I’ve always been like that. I steer away from trends too. Rishi Sunak was in sambas last week which embarrassed a lot of people didn’t it. He won’t wear new balance 991’s and they’ll last longer! I fucking hope so anyway. (Laughs)
Back to food – what’s the long term plan for Well Good?
I don’t really have a plan. I just enjoy writing about a daft scran I’ve had with my mates, often midweek and it just breaks the week up for us too. It improved my mental health massively too. But, on the other side of the coin, I’d really like to shoot more content with other people and incorporate more of our interests into it, for example graffiti, tattoos, skateboarding, football, mental health, hiking and travelling. So 2024 you’ll slowly see more of that.
Finally, can you summarise Well Good in only 3 words…
Daft, Real and Cool (I think!)
Casual Cultures 