Masterchef’s recipe for success takes shape
MASTERCHEF winner Simon Wood has recruited former Grenache restaurant boss Mike Jennings as his head chef to launch his first Manchester restaurant.
Simon is opening his Wood Restaurant at the city’s First Street in the summer, serving modern British cuisine.
And the 2015 MasterChef champion has today announced that acclaimed chef Mike will join his team as head chef to launch the new concept.
Mike says: “Simon’s vision and enthusiasm excites me, he’s not afraid to cook from the heart, something I share completely. I can’t wait to work alongside him creating amazing food that this incredible city deserves.”
Mike has worked under Nigel Haworth at Northcote and Shaun Rankin at Bohemia in Jersey, before taking over the former Grenache restaurant in Walkden in 2012, achieving a Michelin recommendation and two AA Rosettes among other awards.
Simon has also announced the appointment of well known hospitality figure James Cunningham as the restaurant’s general manager. James has formerly worked with Michael Caines at the ABode hotels in Manchester and Chester, as well as with Whitbread, Ramada and Harvey Nichols, and more recently at the former Quill on King Street.
James said: “It is a fantastic honour to be asked to be involved with WOOD Manchester. Simon’s cuisine and vision are incredibly exciting and will bring something new to the Manchester restaurant scene. I can’t wait to open this amazing new venture to the Manchester public!”
On the appointments, Simon said: “Within an hour of meeting Mike I knew that we would make a great team in the kitchen.
“We have the same passions and beliefs about what food should be and how it should look.
“Much in the same way James completely sold himself to me in the very short time that I first met him. I think he will give exactly the same impression of himself and WOOD Manchester when he greets my customers as they walk through the door every time they visit.
“What I thought could have been the two hardest decisions to make in recruiting our team were actually the most natural and fell into place right away.” since published a further two bestselling cookbooks and runs three delis.
On Saturday September 30, she will be bringing a deli to Manchester for one day only at the festival hub in Albert Square.
Festival-goers can try a selection of her trademark dishes at a ticketed lunch and dinner service, with a Q&A and book signing open to the public in between. Ella said: “I’m really excited to bring our delis to Manchester - it’s the first time we’ve taken the team to another UK city for an event, so it’s really special for us.”
The festival runs from September 28 to October 9 across Manchester with a huge programme of anniversary events still to be revealed. Tickets to Ella’s banquet will go on sale soon from foodanddrink festival.com.