Pep backs bid to bring Tast of Catalonia to the city
BLUES BOSS SUPPORTS TOP CATALAN CHEF IN NEW VENTURE
CITY manager Pep Guardiola has backed a new restaurant opening on Manchester’s King Street this summer.
The Blues boss has teamed up with club CEO Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain to invest in Tast Cuina Catalana, a new restaurant bringing a taste of his native Catalonia to the city.
World-renowned Catalan chef Paco Perez is being brought in to oversee the venture, which is being launched by independent restaurant group Fazenda.
Perez has five Michelin stars to his name, including two each at Miramar, in Llançà, Girona, and Enoteca at the Arts Hotel in Barcelona – a city where he has six restaurants in total.
He is also behind the Michelin star Restaurant Cinc at the Hotel Das Stue in Berlin.
“We are delighted to bring the Catalan cuisine to Manchester and to be part of the amazing team behind Tast,” he said.
Despite his pedigree, the team say they will not be chasing awards at Tast, where their aim is to create a warm, friendly and affordable atmosphere for anyone wishing to experience the best of Catalan food and drink.
Based in the site formerly home to Suri and previously Quill, the 120-cover restaurant will be spread over three floors, with a casual dining and bar area on the ground floor, a first-floor dining room and a second floor with private rooms offering a tasting menu.
Along with traditional Catalan starters and mains, Tast will also offer ‘tastets’ – small portions and nibbles to savour and to share. Fazenda director Tomas Maunier says: “We are hugely excited to be working with these amazing creative talents.
“Catalonia has a distinctive identity and culture from that of Spain and our ambition is to introduce people to its wonderful tastes and flavours.
“Paco’s reputation is immense and we will serve some of his and Pep’s favourite Catalan dishes, both traditional and with innovative modern twists.”
Tast Cuina Catalana, which roughly translates as Taste from the Catalan Kitchen, is expected to open in June. Guardiola, Begiristain and Soriano are acting in a personal capacity to invest in the restaurant. The opening will put them in competition with Spanish tapas restaurant Tapeo and Wine, which is backed by the father of United footballer Juan Mata. Launched in May 2016, the Deansgate restaurant saw United’s Spanish contingent out in force for the opening night, with Mata joined by team-mates including Ander Herrera and David de Gea.
Catalonia has a distinctive identity and we want to introduce people to its tastes and flavours Tomas Maunier