The former Manchester House head chef will reportedly open 20 Stories in Spinningfields next year
Former Manchester House head chef Aiden Byrne is set to leave Living Ventures and take up a role with the D&D restaurant group, according to Confidential sources.
The London-based restaurant group is due to open new restaurant-bar 20 Stories on the rooftop of No.1 Spinningfields in early 2018, and it is understood that Byrne, 45, has been brought in to head-up the kitchens.
Byrne – who in 1994 became the youngest chef to gain a Michelin star during his time at Adlard’s in Norwich - has been with the Cheshire-based Living Ventures group since 2013, when he was tasked by late LV boss Tim Bacon with bringing a much-coveted star back to the city at Manchester House.
But despite a £3 million investment, four AA rosettes and a BBC documentary, the little red star remained elusive. Byrne has since been moved into a wider consultancy role within Living Ventures, with Nathaniel Tofan, 28, taking over as head chef at Manchester House.
It is thought the appointment will be officially announced by D&D in the coming days.
20 Stories will be D&D's first Manchester venue, joining the likes of the Michelin-starred Launceston Place in London, Angelica/Crafthouse in Leeds, Alcazar in Paris and Guastavino’s in New York on the group's portfolio.
The nineteenth floor space will feature two restaurants – a high-end restaurant and a more casual grill - plus two separate bars, one inside and one out on the terrace (100 metres above Hardman Square).
D&D have appointed New York-based architect and design firm CetraRuddy to design the 440-capacity space, which features a living green wall, silver birch trees and an opulent gold leaf ceiling.
Confidential have approached both D&D and Living Ventures for comment. More to follow...
Living Ventures statement (21 Nov, 14:56):
Following the appointment of Aiden Byrne’s long term prodigy Nathaniel Tofan as Head Chef at his city centre collaboration with Living Ventures earlier this year, the company announced today that Aiden Byrne is leaving the business in January for pastures new.
Commenting on the move Byrne said; “I feel the time is right for Nat to get the recognition he deserves at Manchester House. He has been running the show for a long time since I widened my role within Living Ventures and been by my side since the day we opened, so is more than ready to put his own mark on the menu. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with! I’ve had a great time at Manchester House and am very proud of what we’ve achieved. I know that the business is in safe hands”
Jeremy Roberts CEO of Living Ventures commented: “We’re sorry to see Aiden leaving us and I want to take this opportunity to thank him publicly for his enormous contribution in establishing Manchester House on the culinary landscape of the city. We wish him every success for the future. Living Ventures have a history of developing young talented people within the company and we’re excited to see Nat achieve his potential.”
Aiden Byrne confirmed that he will be joining D & D Restaurants.
