Masterchef finalist David Crichton and Michelin-starred chef JP McMahon to host one-off kitchen takeovers
A Masterchef finalist and Ireland’s Michelin starred maverick will be heading over to two top Manchester restaurants over the next couple of months for special kitchen takeovers.
On 27 June, Masterchef 2018 finalist David Crichton will be cooking a one off, six-course menu at The Rivals restaurant in the Royal Exchange Theatre. The pilot and food blogger from Bramhall will join resident chef Anna Fysh (pictured above with David) to produce the type of dishes that wowed the judges of the popular BBC cooking show and earned him a place in the nail-biting final.
Masterchef judge Gregg Wallace described David as ‘unflappable’ adding “his food has developed into something special." At the one-off Rivals takeover, guests can enjoy courses such as smoked chicken and beetroot sorbet with celery and walnut salad, followed by truffled parmesan mousse, ricotta and nduja tortelli and a main course of smoked fillet of beef fillet.
Fans of David’s sugary tribute to George Michael, the chocolate themed ‘careless Wispa’ dessert, might be disappointed not to see it on his takeover menu. But sweet consolation can be found in his two pudding courses; a strawberry and tonka bean affogato and a ‘reconstructed’ apple crumble.
The Rivals head chef Anna Fysh said: “David is an extremely talented cook and the team can’t wait to get working on his menu. There was a real synergy between myself and David when we met, we are both passionate about creating original, delicious menus that diners will love. David’s menu is really exciting and this unique evening will be a brilliant experience for customers but also for all of us in the kitchen too.”
Jamie Langrish, who co-owns The Rivals with his partner Goska, and former Corrie actor and publican Rupert Hill, has described the chef collaboration as a ‘tester event’, promising that there are more exciting kitchen takeover events in the pipeline.
“We’re talking to some exciting chefs at the moment,” he told us. “We’re also going to be working closely with the Royal Exchange Theatre to use the space to be able to put on something quite dramatic.
David Crichton at The Rivals is on 27 June. The six-course tasting menu is £55. An additional wine flight is available for £45. Tickets and menu details are available here.
A #chefswap series at The French in the Midland Hotel has so far seen Adam Reid partner up with a medley of Michelin starred chefs including Tim Allen from Daniel Clifford's Flitch of Bacon pub in Essex, Kevin Tickle from The Michelin-starred Forest Side in the Lake District, and Josh Eggleton from Michelin-starred pub Pony & Trap near Bristol.
JP McMahon, who owns three restaurants in Galway, including the Michelin-starred Aniar, award-winning Spanish restaurant Cava Bodega, and Tartare Café & Wine Bar, has been revealed as the next culinary collaboration guest chef. He’ll be joining Adam Reid on Wednesday 18th July to create an eight-course menu, which has yet to be revealed – but we suspect there will be a strong Spanish influence.
McMahon is a chef, restaurateur and author. He is culinary director of the EatGalway Restaurant Group, and also runs the Aniar Boutique Cookery School. JP is committed to the educational and ethical aspects of food, to buying and supporting the best of local and free-range produce, and engaging directly with farmers and producers.
JP is the founder and host of one of Europe’s biggest and most talked about international food events, Food on the Edge, which features some of the best international chefs from across the globe. Director, founding and current chair of the Galway Food Festival, JP is an ambassador for Irish food and a network leader for the global Cook it Raw project. He is also the ambassador for Spanish food in Ireland in particular promoting the wines of Rías Baixas (Galicia) and Jerez. JP is currently a commissioner for Euro-Toques Ireland and sits on its Food Council.
"I enjoyed having Adam over to cook with me in Galway last year,” says McMahon, “and I am looking forward to bringing a taste of Aniar and the west of Ireland to Manchester.”
JP McMahon's eight-course menu on 18th July is £75 per person. A matching wine package, including five carefully chosen wines to match will also be available on the night at £140. Tickets are available here.
