From Hostels to Shark Bait: Filming Chef Steve McClarty in Deptford
Back in early 2022, when the streets were cold and the cameras were steaming up, I had the chance to shoot a short film for Appear Here, profiling Steve McClarty, a South London chef whose story is as real as the seafood he serves.
Shot alongside Liam Allen, we filmed Steve on his canal boat in London, and in and around Sharkbait & Swim, the restaurant he ran in Deptford. It’s not just a food story, it’s one of return, reinvention, and making some proper tasty food.
South London Roots, Saltwater Ambition
Steve, aka @cockney.chef, is charismatic, fast-talking, and laser-focused. He started out bouncing around hostels in South East London, eventually finding direction in kitchens. Years later, with a head full of recipes and a deep connection to the community, he opened Sharkbait & Swim: a small but seriously committed seafood spot just off Deptford High Street.
The film Appear Here commissioned was part of a broader campaign to celebrate small business owners bringing character and grit to retail spaces. Steve was a standout: funny, grounded, and completely unfiltered in the best way.
Approach and Visual Style
We kept the production lean and close, favouring handheld and natural light to reflect both the setting and Steve’s energy. There’s steam from the grill, close-ups of scallops and lemon oil, and the frenetic energy of a kitchen in full flow. But the real heartbeat comes from the interview, Steve speaking honestly about where he’s come from, why he does what he does, and the joy of building a business with both flavour and purpose.
Shot on the Canon C70, the image quality gave us all the colour and skin tone depth we needed, especially in a tight kitchen space with mixed lighting. It’s the kind of project where form has to follow feeling, quick setups, short takes, and capturing moments without interfering.
A Local Story That Lands
What I love most about this piece is that it never tries to romanticise the hustle; it shows it. Steve wasn’t in it for exposure or polish; he just told it straight. His journey from shared rooms to owning one of Deptford’s most distinctive kitchens is a reminder of how spaces, especially small, local ones, can shape people, and vice versa.
If you're building something bold, whether it’s a neighbourhood restaurant, a new brand, or a personal story worth sharing, I’d love to help bring it to the screen. Drop me a message today.
