Your bumper briefing of news and what to look out for
Shaun Moffat reportedly moving to Maya
My spies tell me that following his departure from Edinburgh Castle (covered in last week’s Front Page) Shaun Moffat is set to take over the kitchen at Maya.
With head chef Gabe Lea having left the Gay Village brasserie last month, The Lamb of Tartary closing around the same time and Moffat’s Edinburgh Castle announcement last week, all seems to have clicked into place in the sort of managerial merry-go-round that is usually reserved for the Premier League.
Shaun’s cooking at Edinburgh Castle was of a great standard, and Maya is a beautiful building with a lot to offer, so should this pairing be going ahead it could prove a fruitful partnership.
Simon Wood on the lookout
We reported on Wednesday that Simon Wood has closed WOOD Manchester with immediate effect, citing a raft of rising costs including covid rent arrears.
Now the Oldham-born chef and onetime Masterchef champion is looking for somewhere to rattle his pans, and posted on Linkedin that he’s available for work.
The Footage to be edited
Student favourite The Footage on Oxford Road suddenly closed in May of this year, but in good news for students, postgrads and people who should know better, it is set to return as The Grosvenor.
Chris Tulloch, Managing Director of the independent local operator behind the transformation, said: "The Grosvenor is in the midst of an incredible transformation, and we're creating something truly special for Manchester. Our vision is to blend the best aspects of a sports bar, social venue, and nightclub into one vibrant, unforgettable space where memories are made.
“As we breathe new life into this iconic building, we’re excited to continue its legacy as a cornerstone of Manchester’s entertainment, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in to eat, drink and have fun in the adult playground.”
Now remember; play nice.
Chips No.8 gets chippy with big brand land grab
Prestwich fish and chip restaurant Chips No.8 took to Instagram yesterday (Thursday 3 October) to share its trepidation about the imminent arrival of some new neighbours.
Runaway pizza titans Rudy’s are opening a site in the old Barclays building, while bread behemoth and mum-magnet Gails Bakery is confirmed as moving into the NatWest site.
In a raising of the head above the parapet that’s quite rare nowadays, Chips No.8 were refreshingly honest and straightforward in voicing their concerns. See the post below, it’s worth a read.
Piqniq by La Choquette opens in Didsbury village
Didsbury artisan bakery La Choquette will open its sister site Piqniq on Tuesday (8 October). A purely takeaway operation, it will be serving up sandwiches, croque monsieurs and all things breakfasty and baked.
The baker told us with a crazed grin that he’d been up since 3am so expect the same dedication to high quality that made La Choquette such a success in the first place.
The Reach Piccadilly opens
Here’s some pictures from Harley’s visit to The Reach Piccadilly, newly opened on Ducie Street.
Overlap Live for St Ann’s Hospice
Gary Neville and Pals, otherwise known as the outrageously popular The Overlap podcast, is staging a live show at Aviva Studios to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice.
Taking place on Thursday 28 November, tickets will cost £60 and include a drink and pizza at the end of the show.
Here’s some information on what the money raised will be going towards.
“The exclusive live show is to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice’s Build it Together appeal. The appeal is to build a new hospice in Heald Green for the people of Greater Manchester.
“The hospice is raising money to build a new purpose-built hospice to replace the current Victorian building. St Ann’s new hospice will be a complete care facility in Greater Manchester that local people can access, from diagnosis of a life-limiting illness to treatment and beyond. It will be located on land next door to the current Heald Green hospice on St Ann’s Road North.
“The new building will house a 27-bed inpatient unit including individual en-suite rooms and access to private outdoor terraces. The development will also feature modern outpatient and day therapy services, dedicated bereavement and family support spaces, all surrounded by beautiful, landscaped gardens. ”
And here’s a few words from the Nev himself.
“As soon as we heard about the Build it Together campaign we wanted to do everything we could to support St Ann’s Hospice and their fundraising.
“Being able to bring The Overlap to the event is going to be brilliant and I can’t wait to get Jamie, Ian, Jill and Roy on stage for this incredible cause.”
Book tickets here.
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