Simon Rogan designing AO Arena members-only menu

Harley Young 19 January 2024

The Mezz menu to be designed by Three-Michelin chef with protege Tom Barnes

AO Arena will join forces with award winning Chef Simon Rogan and UMBEL Restaurant Group alongside Chef Tom Barnes on a new and exclusive culinary partnership.

The alliance will see Rogan and Barnes partner with the venue on the launch of The Mezz, the brand new world-class premium bar and restaurant space set to launch at AO Arena in March following a major £50m redevelopment.

There’s nothing like this in UK arenas right now

2024 01 19 Simon Rogan Tom Barnes — **Simon Rogan & Tom Barnes** Image: Simon Rogan & Tom Barnes

The partnership will see the introduction of quarterly seasonal dishes, menu curation, plus regular appearances from the chefs themselves. The venue will also use and have access to produce from Simon Rogan’s farm ‘Our Farm’, located less than two hours away from Manchester, ensuring fresh, quality ingredients.

The partnership will launch in March 2024 as The Mezz opens its doors to members for the very first time.

2024 01 11 Ao Arena The Mezz Sketch — **An illustration of The Mezz at AO Arena** Image: ASM Global/AO Arena

Members will have exclusive pre-booking access across the UMBEL Restaurant Group, including Skof, Tom’s new restaurant set to open this year.

Simon Rogan MBE, Chef and Owner of UMBEL Restaurant Group said: “UMBEL is excited to embark on this partnership and to work alongside ASM by means of elevating its premium F&B offering at Mezz.

"Working alongside Tom Barnes, who has been a key part of my team for many years, we are looking forward to introducing special seasonal menus which champion natural ingredients and sustainability, whilst using ingredients from my farm in the Lake District.”

2024 01 19 Simon Rogan Nkc Three Stars Group Simon Landscape Copy — **Simon Rogan MBE, Chef and Owner of UMBEL Restaurant Group** Image: Simon Rogan

Tom Barnes said: “Our involvement with ASM and The Mezz enables us to share the UMBEL philosophy with a wider audience. Manchester is my favourite city in the UK, and now my new home as I also prepare to open Skof in the NOMA district of the city in the springtime, so I am proud to be a part of the city’s exciting food and drink scene in more ways than one.”

2024 01 19 Ao Arena — **AO Arena** Image: ASM Global/AO Arena

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