A CARLISLE outdoor cook and mental health speaker has been spicing up the Cumbrian landscape.

Harrison Ward, known as ‘Fell Foodie’ on his popular Instagram page, was introduced to a variety of cooking by his grandma.

Despite having never trained, it has become a mainstay of his life with skills being honed during many years working in the hospitality sector, studying cookbooks, and practising at home.

“I’m always pushing the boundaries, attempting something that seems impossible to do in the outdoors on minimal equipment,” Harrison said. “One of the best compliments I receive is that people ‘couldn’t cook like that in their own kitchen’. That, for me, is half the joy.”

Harrison has been a sufferer of depression since puberty, at its worst, bringing intentions of suicide.

At age 18, Harrison worked behind a bar where he discovered alcohol.

“It gave my mind an escape, a sedation,” he said, “By 20, I was consuming 20 pints a day and had taken up smoking. I came to terms with the fact that I had become an alcoholic and vowed to change.”

Since then Harrison has been sober for more than five years and shares his story with others. “These days I continue to share in the hope my past struggles can aid another.”

Readers were moved by Harrison’s story.

Bob Hope, said: “Incredible — well done Harrison.”

Mary Forster simply said: “Well done to you.”

Paul Richardson said: “Remarkable Harrison. Brave of you to admit these things for us to learn from.”