Latest news with #GreatBritishMenu
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Great British Menu star suddenly closes city centre restaurant after just 18 months as chef issues sombre warning
The owners blamed rising costs and taxes for the sudden closure SHUTTERS DOWN Great British Menu star suddenly closes city centre restaurant after just 18 months as chef issues sombre warning Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TRENDY restaurant in the heart of Manchester is closing down just 15 months after first opening its doors to punters. Medlock Canteen in Deansgate was co-founded by Great British Menu star Sam Grainger and first launched in March last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Sam Grainger starred in Great British Menu Credit: BBC 3 His latest restaurant, Medlock Canteen, is closing down Credit: Medlock Canteen Its owners announced the sad of social media, saying there were too many factors at play that would allow the restaurant to stay open any longer. The restaurant was a fusion of a French bistro and American diner that served bottomless coffees and chicken rotisserie among many other delectable items. "With heavy hearts, we're announcing the closure of Medlock Canteen," the restaurant began in a statement posted to Instagram. "When we opened our doors 18 months ago, our dream was simple: to build a neighbourhood spot where everyone felt welcome, serving proper good food you know, love and can't wait to eat." The statement continued: "But the current climate has made that dream a tough one to sustain. Rising costs, increased taxes, and tighter spending have created challenges we've fought hard to overcome but, sadly, they're ones we just can't compete with. "We're proud to say our amazing team has been looked after, with payroll up to date and everyone offered roles elsewhere in our family of venues. "If you've got opportunities going, drop us a message - we'd love to pass them on to anyone ready for their next chapter." The restaurant's three owners concluded: "To everyone who dined, left us a rave review, shared a laugh, or came back for seconds: thank you. You made this little place feel truly special. "And yes, we promise, one day, somehow, we'll get that rhubarb pie back to you! Chris, Owain and Sam x." The three restaurateurs then offered anyone left in the lurch without a booking at the sudden closure of Medlock Canteen a 20 percent discount at their other eateries, Madre, Salon and Winsome. Sam, who hails from Liverpool, first fell in love with food thanks to his West Indian grandfather. He then travelled around the world to hone his skills as a cook, including a stint in Australia and Asia. Sam also owns the restaurant Belzan, which is his flagship eatery in Liverpool, a street food Mexican joint called Escape to Freight Island in Manchester and Madre an authentic Mexican taqueria in the Royal Albert Dock.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Great British Menu star suddenly closes city centre restaurant after just 18 months as chef issues sombre warning
A TRENDY restaurant in the heart of Manchester is closing down just 15 months after first opening its doors to punters. Medlock Canteen in Deansgate was co-founded by Great British Menu star Sam Grainger and first launched in March last year. 3 Its owners announced the sad of social media, saying there were too many factors at play that would allow the restaurant to stay open any longer. The restaurant was a fusion of a French bistro and American diner that served bottomless coffees and chicken rotisserie among many other delectable items. "With heavy hearts, we're announcing the closure of Medlock Canteen," the restaurant began in a statement posted to Instagram. "When we opened our doors 18 months ago, our dream was simple: to build a neighbourhood spot where everyone felt welcome, serving proper good food you know, love and can't wait to eat." The statement continued: "But the current climate has made that dream a tough one to sustain. Rising costs, increased taxes, and tighter spending have created challenges we've fought hard to overcome but, sadly, they're ones we just can't compete with. "We're proud to say our amazing team has been looked after, with payroll up to date and everyone offered roles elsewhere in our family of venues. "If you've got opportunities going, drop us a message - we'd love to pass them on to anyone ready for their next chapter." The restaurant's three owners concluded: "To everyone who dined, left us a rave review, shared a laugh, or came back for seconds: thank you. You made this little place feel truly special. "And yes, we promise, one day, somehow, we'll get that rhubarb pie back to you! Chris, Owain and Sam x." The three restaurateurs then offered anyone left in the lurch without a booking at the sudden closure of Medlock Canteen a 20 percent discount at their other eateries, Madre, Salon and Winsome. Sam, who hails from Liverpool, first fell in love with food thanks to his West Indian grandfather. He then travelled around the world to hone his skills as a cook, including a stint in Australia and Asia. Sam also owns the restaurant Belzan, which is his flagship eatery in Liverpool, a street food Mexican joint called Escape to Freight Island in Manchester and Madre an authentic Mexican taqueria in the Royal Albert Dock. 3
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Abergavenny Food Festival 2025: guest programme announced
The event, taking place on September 20 and 21, will feature more than 200 exhibitors and at least 60 special events. Returning this year is BBC's Great British Menu presenter Andi Oliver, who will share her latest food adventures with writer Gurdeep Loyal. Abergavenny's own Matt Tebbutt, alongside wine expert Olly Smith, will provide insights on wine, culminating in a show-stopping performance on the chef demonstration stage. Ixta Belfrage, known for bold flavours and untraditional Brazilian recipes, will also make an appearance. Festival-goers will have the chance to meet fast food innovators Thom and James Eliot of Pizza Pilgrims, and Beefy Boys founders Anthony 'Murph' Murphy and Christian Williams. Both businesses have thrived post-covid and will discuss their journey with Financial Times columnist Tim Hayward. The festival will also welcome back Thomasina Miers, who returns from a six-month culinary exploration of Mexico with new recipes. Legendary Diana Henry will be in conversation with fellow food writer Felicity Cloake. Making her first appearance, Becky Excell, 'The Queen of Gluten-Free', will offer tips for budget-conscious cooking without compromising on taste. The full programme can be viewed on the Abergavenny Food Festival website.
Belfast Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Paula McIntyre's breaks the mould with savoury madeleines and a seasonal crumble treat
Melissa McCabe was a finalist on the TV show Great British Menu and owns Feast Restaurant in Rostrevor. Last week she put up a picture of madeleines. These buttery French pastries are usually baked in a distinct oval shell-like shape, but Melissa's were round and beautifully marked. Needless to say, the trays arrived a couple of days later. Warm madeleines, straight out of the oven, served with a hot coffee, are one of life's great pleasures. You can shut your eyes and transport yourself to a Parisian patisserie or a fine establishment in Rostrevor…
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I own Beyond Paradise's Ten Mile Kitchen and not all locals are happy about it'
BBC Deayj in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise has proed a hit with viewers and now the celebrity chef who owns the restaurant featured has spoken out The BBC's Death in Paradise and its UK-based spin-off, Beyond Paradise have captured the nation, with filming in Looe, Cornwall. Kris Marshall reprises his role as Humphrey Goodman from the original series, now leading a new troop of detectives in the quaint town of Shipton Abbott. The hit show delves into his personal life too, depicting his relationship with his fiancée, Martha Lloyd (played by Sally Bretton), who's recently launched The Ten Mile Kitchen. Yet, the real-life backdrop to this on-screen eatery is actually 2024 Great British Menu winner Ben Palmer's highly-regarded establishment, The Sardine Factory. Ben shared insights with the Daily Express regarding his restaurant's newfound fame as a viewer favourite and the contrasting opinions among locals witnessing its escalating renown. Since the third series of Beyond Paradise showcased it, the Sardine Factory has seen an astonishing hike in interest – its bookings shot up to 245, scaling a peak from a modest 45 the previous week, marking an eye-opening leap by 444%. While the surge spells great news for Ben's venture, not all residents are thrilled. Ben conceded: "You know you get a lot of kickback from a lot of locals saying, we don't want more people coming to town, but you know what it's so important to bring tourism to the restaurant business, we rely on it," reports the Express. Despite a mixed reception, Ben disclosed that many locals are enthused about the new attraction, saying: "As locals, we were all really proud when we saw our beautiful kind of hometown on the telly, it was really kind of cool, and everybody was kind of asking, 'where is this beautiful place?'" He added: "You know, we're incredibly lucky. It kind of gives you a sense of feeling like we're really proud that this is our hometown, and it just showcases it, making you realise how beautiful it is as well. "It's a lovely place, but then when you come to see it, you think, 'my God, it is actually,' we're very lucky. It's a very beautiful place, and then everybody wants to come and visit where they saw on TV, which was really cool." Ben even confessed his surprise at not realising the show Beyond Paradise's popularity, stating: "I never kind of really watched it, and then obviously I thought, you know, it's in my own town and stuff, you might catch a glimpse of someone you know. I started to watch it and, you know what? It's pretty good." In a bid to revitalise the area, Ben launched his restaurant in 2018, alongside the introduction of a museum for the town. Named 'The Sardine Factory', the restaurant honours its history as a former sardine processing plant.
