Restaurant coupleNews on road to Mandalay
THE owners of the North’s only Burmese restaurant are to sell up for a new life – in Burma.
Ben Popplewell and his partner Myinzu Theint, of Cafe Mandalay, are hoping to set up a business in Myinzu’s native Burma, now called Myanmar.
But fans of the restaurant on King Street in Huddersfield town centre need not worry just yet – the couple aren’t planning to move until the end of next year.
Ben says the restaurant, which last year won a Food Porn Award, is still turning a profit.
But the young couple, both 25, have plans to marry and start a venture in Mandalay, Myanmar’s old capital and Myinzu’s birthplace.
Ben said: “The reason why we’re selling is because me and my partner have got engaged and we’re getting married in Burma.
“We’re in no rush; we’ve a year or more.”
Ben said he may even introduce Yorkshire food to a country where a delicately spiced, colourful cuisine rules.
“We’ve done a Burmese restaurant in Yorkshire so we’re possibly going to do a Yorkshire restaurant in Burma,” added Ben, with a smile.
While the business isn’t officially for sale yet Ben and Myinzu, a graduate of the University of Huddersfield, are open to offers.
Ben, originally from Cleckheaton, has even offered to pass on his Burmese cooking skills to the new owner.
He said: “We’re still going to be here for quite a long time but if anyone wants to approach us we’re looking to move to Burma at the end of next year.
“If someone wants to carry on doing what we’re doing I will happily train them up and our staff will still be there.”
He added: “If people want to book we are still going to be here. We’re not doing a midnight flit!”
Cafe Mandalay opened in May 2018 and the couple spent about £10,000 to refurbish the two-storey premises.