Mark Cribb is the founder, owner and "Future Gazer" of Dorset based Urban Guild. He has opened restaurants, cafes, a hotel and even a farm. Many of his establishments come highly recommenced including the Urban Reef cafe and restaurant, The Wood Oven, and boutique hotel Urban Beach in Boscombe, plus Jenkins & Sons in Poole.

"I create spaces for human beings to spend time with each other and have real life conversations through my hotel and restaurants.

"Having backpacked around the world for two years, in 1997 I fell in love with humanity and kick started a passion for hospitality. Established in 2005 and since launching a restaurant, cafe, bar, farm, craft beer, hotel and pizza place, the Urban Guild has become a well established local brand. I also love pineapples and hugs..."

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT DAY OUT IN DORSET?

"I love Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Not only my favourite places in Dorset but amongst my favourite places in the world. A day out with my wife Fee, the kids Sam and Poppy and Jasper the golden retriever and I’m in heaven."

WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF THE COUNTY?

"The fiery skies every autumn as the sun rises and sets over the sea turning every view into a wonder."

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?

"I hope I’ve made a difference to our local town and made it a more diverse and interesting place to live for our many 1000’s of customers. I know so many people who have sat on the balcony at the Urban Reef overlooking the ocean and have decided to relocate from London or make changes to their lives to give them more time to appreciate the present. Nothing better than the gift of time."

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

"Ideas happen in the spaces between the chaos of our very busy lives. I try to create spaces to think. Some of this is found in the almost meditative state that can be reached cycling hundreds of miles in a day or over some of the highest mountains in the Alps. I do a bit of that. I also think a combination of energy from the sea, the mountains and some of the planets greatest cities like London means it’s hard not to be inspired and excited every single day!"

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A DAY OFF?

It’ll be one of three:

1. Ride my bike through Purbeck or the New Forest

2. Walk along the beach with Fee, Sam, Poppy and Jasper (my family and dog)

3. Take a trip to London and soak up the energy in the bars and restaurants of one of the world’s greatest cities.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT IN THE COUNTY?

"Ha, well I adore all of my venues of course, but I do love to be able to see the horizon and whether a stormy, rough seas winter's day or a dead calm, warm and sunny evening, the views and food from Urban Reef on Boscombe beach are very hard to beat! Obviously if I needed a sleep afterwards I’d head to Urban Beach."

WHAT THREE THINGS DO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH DORSET?

"Great food, great views, smugglers and pioneers."

IF YOU COULD SUMMARISE THE COUNTY IN ONE WORD WHAT WOULD IT BE?

"Delicious."

W: www.urbanguild.co.uk