Eats

‘Manchester Chef of the Year’ takes over the MAYA kitchen

A huge get for the still fledgling fine dining location.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 23rd October 2024

The current Manchester ‘Chef of the Year’ is set to take over the kitchen at the much-loved city centre restaurant, MAYA, over in the Gay Village.

Shaun Moffat, formerly of Ancoats’ Edinburgh Castle and Lamb of Tartary in the Northern Quarter, joined MAYA at the start of October and has been working up his new menu ahead of its full launch next month.

Promising to deliver elevated bistro favourites, super indulgent Sunday Roasts and hearty winter dishes just in time for the usual seasonal menu change, his appointment as head chef of the Canal Street spot is one of the most exciting bits of Manc foodie news we’ve heard in a while.

If you ever tried the offerings at Edinburgh Castle or its sadly short-lived spin-off that took over the old Cottonopolis site, you’ll know his food is something to be very excited about.

The South African chef spent nearly a decade and a half in London before moving to Manchester back in 2022 but has already garnered a great reputation in the local hospitality space.

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Moffat’s culinary approach, which is always grounded just as much in seasonal ingredients as it is in bold flavours, will be on full display in both MAYA’s dedicated Bistro and Dining Room settings.

A spokesperson for the exclusive city centre eatery said of the announcement: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Shaun to MAYA. His passion for Modern British cuisine, combined with his commitment to showcasing the best local ingredients, is a perfect match for our vision.

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They went on to add that “the menu will offer guests a unique dining experience that’s both comforting and sophisticated.”

All sounds good to us.

MAYA Manchester new head chef
maya manchester canal street
Credit: Supplied/The Manc Group

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As mentioned, Moffat won Chef of the Year at the 2024 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards for his ability to blend his creativity and modern flair with tradition to create unique twists on timeless British classics.

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If his new menu is anything like the quality we’ve already seen from him, or indeed that we’ve seen from MAYA’s previous kitchen output, then we think it’s safe to say Manchester’s culinary scene is on to another winner.

You get a better glimpse of the restaurant itself down below:

Inside MAYA, Manchester’s stunning new three-storey canalside restaurant

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Images (supplied)

Eats

Gulf – The Middle-Eastern cafe hidden inside a Northern Quarter bookshop

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Gulf in Manchester is a Middle Eastern cafe hidden inside Chapter One Books. Credit: The Manc Group

Chapter One Books has been part of the Northern Quarter furniture for almost a decade – but now this much-loved bookshop-cafe hybrid has a Middle-Eastern cafe concealed inside too.

Visitors will be able to get lost in flavours and books thanks to the arrival of Gulf, where you’re instantly transported to the Middle East from the minute you see the restaurant’s decor to the moment the food hits your tastebuds.

All the meals prepared at Gulf are inspired by foods which have been brought to the middle east by migrants from India and Pakistan – expect authentic chapatis with traditional fillings like egg and soft cheese or falafel with labneh and tahini.

The interior is an instant stress soother with a stone water fountain acting as the venue’s centrepiece with lots of intricate decorations which help to frame the eatery’s many chairs and tables.

You feel as though you’re stepping into a mini holiday with the Moroccan-inspired space, just tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main cafe.

There are hand-painted walls, comfy cushions and warm-toned rugs everywhere.

Gulf are packing little tastes of the continents into all of their meals.

The cheesy garlic pide is a must-have – it’s the ultimate cheesy doughy pick-me-up to power anyone through their next study or work session. 

The ultimate foodie fuel - cheesy garlic pide at Gulf
The ultimate foodie fuel – cheesy garlic pide at Gulf
A full table of food at Gulf in Manchester.
A full set-up of all the various Gulf menu favourites we tried.
Hot drinks at Gulf
Hot drinks at Gulf
Credit: The Manc Group

The oval shaped flatbread came with a creamy hummus topped with chilli flakes and fresh herbs. This pairing is a match made in heaven.

Their Karak tea is a signature drink on their menu, a hot drink brewed for around an hour with a secret blend of spices. It’s no surprise that the flavours with this are unmissable as the word ‘karak’ translates to strong. 

The gulf toast is another highlight – their take on French toast has all the usual rich flavours from the caramel and ice cream, with a Karak tea pouring sauce for the more adventurous foodies.

Served in a cute dainty pot, the tastes coming from this warm and creamy sauce are anything but small. It contains the same secret spice blend giving any sweet tooth a perfect pairing of flavours.

Gulf’s menu is quietly geared towards vegetarians, with only a beef quesadilla and keema chapati containing meat.

And that’s not the only hidden gem space to discover inside Chapter One.

There’s also a mini library, with bookshelves adorning all four walls, nestled at the back of the building.

Find your next read during your visit to Chapter One Books.
An overview of most of the seating area at Chapter One Books & Gulf.
Socialise with friends and play some board games provided by the cafe.
Credit: The Manc Group

With an array of tables and cozy armchairs, workers can sit back and sink into an environment which wouldn’t feel too out of place in Hogwarts.

Both Gulf and the mini library are quiet zones within the bustling establishment, where you’ll often find masses of people sat at laptops or socialising over a coffee.

Diners can have the best of both worlds as they respond to those relentless emails while enjoying a taste of the Middle East. 

In the evenings, the space even has some zen time for after the working day is done. There are a variety of classes and groups that take place in the workspace including a free meditation workshop every Thursday from 6pm and a creative writing group every Tuesday from 6.30pm.  

Both Gulf and Chapter One Books are open everyday from 10am until 9pm meaning guests have a whole 11 hours everyday to sample all their incredible delicacies.

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Featured Image: The Manc Group

Eats

Popular city centre coffee house Michaels to open new Manchester Arndale cafe

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Arndale is set to welcome another new resident very soon.

Michaels Coffee House is already one of the best-loved places to get your caffeine fix and a bite to eat in the city centre, but now it’s been announced this week that it’ll become the next independent Manchester business to move into Manchester Arndale after signing a 10-year lease to occupy a space on Halle Place.

The beloved business was founded by Thanasis Michael back in 2017, and has been serving up high-quality and ethically-sourced coffee in Manchester’s Royal Exchange ever since.

As well as offering an extensive range of hot and cold coffee drinks, you can also get smoothies, milkshakes, and juices, as well as curb your hunger cravings with toasties, breakfast buns, soups, pancakes, and so much more.

Popular city centre coffee house Michaels is opening a new Manchester Arndale cafe / Credit: Michaels Coffee House (via Instagram)

You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with a collection of different pastries, cakes, and cookies.

Everything you know and love about Michaels, including all of the limited-edition seasonal specials launched each year, will be moving to the city’s biggest shopping centre very soon.

Speaking on the announcement of Michaels’ move to the Arndale, Scott Linard, who is the Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate – one of the joint asset management companies for Manchester Arndale – said: “It’s great to welcome another growing Manchester-based business to the centre as we continue our commitment of supporting local independent brands who are seeking to grow their presence in the city.”

Steve Gray, who is the Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, called Michaels an “exciting independent cafe” providing shoppers with a great choice of food and drink options.

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No formal opening date for Michaels Coffee House in Manchester Arndale has been confirmed at this point, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements.

Featured Image – Supplied

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