A Southampton businessman and cookbook author who rediscovered his love of cooking after suffering a life-threatening condition has opened a new café.

Tim Bond, of Eastleigh, will officially welcome customers to Relish Canteen at a gala launch on The Precinct, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, on Tuesday, December 10, at 5pm.

Pledging a “healthy option,” for customers, the café will offer sit-down meals and also operate as a takeaway and outside catering business.

Tim, who published Food for Thought… and Brain in 2014, said: “I am very excited to be opening Relish Canteen to the local community.

“Our aim is to give customers a delicious healthy option, using locally sourced produce, in a welcoming venue

“It has been a long-held dream to have my own café and to open it with my partner, Yeray Gonzalez Gonzalez, who brings a huge amount of experience with him as a successful chef.”

A life-long foodie, Tim returned to cooking after he was affected by Encephalitis in 2007.

Beforehand, his life was non-stop.

His career as a successful company director saw him travel all over the globe for business, train in the gym six days a week, and enjoy a hectic social life

But the condition, an inflammation of the brain, initially left him lying in a coma and robbed Tim of mobility on his right side, hearing in one ear and affected his speech.

The worst part, he says, was that he lost a lot of his memories.

“It was a life-changing moment,” said Tim.

One moment I felt like I was on top of the world and then I was faced with the realisation that my life would never be the same again.”

During a recovery which was “both lengthy and challenging,” Tim returned to his first love - food - and got back to basics after finding a copy of Delia Smith’s How to Cook.

“It was like a therapy for me,” said Tim, who worked as a chef after school. “Cooking has always been a passion and it helped me through some of the darker days I had after being affected by Encephalitis.”

Encouraged by the support of his friend, Dr Ava Easton, the Chief Executive of The Encephalitis Society, he created a cookery book and teamed up with the charity to enlist the help of celebrities, including double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington and celebrity chefs Tonia Buxton and James Martin.

The result was Food for Thought… and Brain, a book featuring 29 recipes with all the proceeds going to the charity.

Tim whose day job sees him run Southampton-based recruitment consultancy, Upfront and Personnel, has now expanded his attentions to the culinary arts with Relish Canteen.

“I just want to give customers the same love and satisfaction that I get from good food, cooked well,” he said.

“The aim is to have an eaterie where people can come and relax, enjoy a good cup of coffee and some delicious delicatessen-style food.”

Relish Canteen is also offering catering for outside events, business meetings and private functions as well as holding a regular supper club for foodies.

“The feedback from customers has already been fantastic, so I feel as though we have a recipe for a successful business.”

The official launch evening on December 10, will give guests a chance to sample some of the food being served and meet some of the local producers who are supplying Tim and Relish Canteen.

All are welcome.

Visit http://www.relishcanteen.com/