The Story of Sharkbait and Swim

A short documentary profiling South London chef Steve McClarty and the story behind his Deptford seafood restaurant, Sharkbait & Swim. Commissioned by Appear Here as part of a campaign highlighting independent businesses, the film follows McClarty’s journey from living in hostels across South East London to opening his own kitchen.

Shot on location around Deptford, the piece combines interview, observational footage, and kitchen action to capture both the energy of a working restaurant and the personal drive behind building a local food business. The production was filmed on the Canon C70 using a lean documentary setup to stay close to the environment and the subject’s natural rhythm.