A brand new restaurant from Manchester Chef of the Year, Shaun Moffat, and a small team of hospitality heavyweights is opening in the city centre.
The former Manteca, Hix and St. Leonards chef, who has gone on to earn even plenty of local acclaim thanks to his work at the Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats and most recently Maya in the Gay Village, is now set to embark on his own venture and will soon become the Chef Patron of a brand new concept.
Although there aren’t too many details just yet, Moffat and co. are promising to focus on two core principles: ‘Northern hospitality and thoughtful British cooking’.
Set to take the lead on Winsome Restaurant sooner than you think, should everything stay on schedule, Moffat and the new restaurant will be housed on Princess Street, adjoining the Whitworth Locke Hotel, as they cook to the masses from this historic corner of Manchester.
Winsome will be opening in the old Peru Perdu site, which sadly closed back in May 2024 after being given notice by the landlords next door.
The South American spot had proved a popular one for half a decade but has sadly been vacant ever since, but neighbours Foundation Coffee and the aforementioned Whitworth remain frequented city centre destinations.
With that in mind, the man voted ‘Chef of the Year’ at the most recent Manchester Food and Drink Awards and who notched a spot in the UK’s Top 50 Gastro Pubs during his time at the Castle, will be hoping to welcome diners back into the building and continue his success at Winsome.
The aim, more specifically, will be to bring local and seasonal produce and deliver a regularly changing menu that showcases the very best of ingredients, all with a comforting familiarity and a touch of Moffat’s own modern flair. But there are plenty more brains and pedigree behind this new opening too…
The drinks programme at Winsome will be led by none other than Tom Fastiggi, who previously worked at the industry-leading and equally award-winning Schofields. There will be a selection of hotel classics and familiar drinks alongside a strong no and low selection and some of Fastiggi’s own creations.
Wine will also be a focus with a sommelier served and curated list focusing primarily on old-world wines delivered again with Winsome’s laidback personality and flair.
Fastiggi and the Winsome team will also take over Whitworth’s stunning Atrium hotel bar (pictured above), providing a space for diners, hotel guests and passers-by to enjoy memorable bar food paired with delicious cocktails in the quaint setting of the Locke’s iconic glass structure.
“The Atrium space truly gives a unique feel to this bar. The drinks will be familiar and a warm welcome will await all guests. It’s a great new addition to Manchester’s hospitality scene”, says Tom Fastiggi.
Completing the team will be Owain Williams, founder not only of the renowned Belzan in Liverpool but, more importantly for us Mancs, Kampus’ Madre and Medlock Canteen over on Deansgate, among a number of other notable hospitality venues across the Northwest.
Quite the trio of talent with a wealth of expertise behind them.
Speaking on launching his own restaurant, Shaun Moffat added, “Opening the doors will be a big moment in my career, I am truly excited to share Winsome with the people of Manchester.”
Pizza Pilgrims – why Manchester’s newest pizza joint isn’t ‘just another pizzeria’
Daisy Jackson
Pizza Pilgrims has finally opened its very first restaurant in Manchester, and its 26th in the UK.
It is another pizza joint for a city packed with pizzerias, but it’s not ‘just another pizza joint’ – it’s got a lot of heart and story behind it.
Pizza Pilgrims was co-founded in 2011 by brothers James and Thom Elliot, who took a trip to Italy on a pilgrimage… of pizza.
They picked up a three-wheel Piaggio Ape van, drove thousands of kilometres, immersing themselves in all things pizza along the way, falling in love with the traditional, floppy-bottomed style of Napoli.
To this day, Pizza Pilgrims has strived to remain committed to the authentic Neapolitan style.
That means both sourcing the very best ingredients from this Italian region, as well as trying to bottle the frenetic, lively spirit of Naples itself.
When The Manc headed over to Naples with James and Pizza Pilgrims, they gave us a lot of insight into the inspiration behind this popular pizzeria, from the San Marzano tomatoes harvested at the foot of Mount Vesuvius to the world-class 00 Caputo flour used in the bases.
Completing the ‘holy trinity’ of ingredients that goes into a Neapolitan pizza is the Campanian Fior di Latte mozzarella they use too.
The brothers want your dinner at Pizza Pilgrims to replicate a holiday to Naples in just one hour – though hopefully without a moped almost running over your foot.
Inside their first Manchester restaurant, they’ve called upon artist ad Mancunian legend Stanley Chow, who has immortalised those three producers in his signature style, their portraits proudly displayed inside.
He’s also immortalised Napoli footballing legend Diego Maradona, whose likeness is plastered all over Naples city.
Pizzas here include classics like a margherita that shows off those beautiful imported ingredients, a salsiccia e friarielle topped with Italian sausage and wild broccoli, and a mushroom and truffle pizza with a white ricotta base.
Inside Pizza Pilgrims in Manchester
You’ve Got Maiale and a CarbonaraCacio e pepe bitesInside Pizza Pilgrims ManchesterThe retro Fiat Panda barNeapolitan pizzas at Pizza PilgrimsColourful interiorsPizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next weekA Nutella ring with ricottaPizza Pilgrims opens on Deansgate in Manchester next weekClassic margerita with chilli oilFiat Panda seats in a boothColourful interiors at Pizza Pilgrims ManchesterThe Pizza Pilgrims workshop spaceA Maradona margarita The retro Fiat Panda bar
Then there are Pizza Pilgrims favourites like the carbonara, with crispy guanciale bacon, black pepper, and even spaghetti; and The 8 Cheese, with eight. different. cheeses.
The interiors of the new Manchester Pizza Pilgrims are extravagant, colourful and playful, including a retro Fiat Panda turned into a cocktail bar and mismatched laundry hanging overhead like bunting.
You’ll dine beneath vines studded with lemons, while a slushy machine churns up a Maradona margarita at your side.
So pull up a seat at a checkered tablecloth, count all the Maradonas on the wall, and prepare to feel like you’ve spent an hour in Naples.
Pizza Pilgrims Manchester officially opens on Monday 18 August, but there’ll be a free slice giveaway from 12pm on Wednesday 13 August.
The Salmon of Knowledge – An Irish pub has opened at MediaCity for the first time ever
Daisy Jackson
For the first time in MediaCity’s history, there’s a new Irish boozer now open for business.
It’s a third site for The Salmon of Knowledge, which also operates busy pubs in the Northern Quarter and in Didsbury, making part of the infamous Didsbury Dozen pub crawl.
The new pub at MediaCity threw open its doors last week, serving legendary Irish fare like Guinness and spice bags (skin on fries, tossed in house seasoning with buttermilk chicken tenders, fried onions and sliced chillies).
The Salmon of Knowledge opened at the Salford hub over the weekend, with a packed schedule of traditional and contemporary live acts, as well as sporting events shown on the big screen.
It’s still operated and owned by the same team behind Dockyard, which previously stood on this site and was part of Salford Quays for 13 years.
Joe Foster, Managing Director of Northern Lights Group, is behind the original Dockyard and the brains behind the other Salmon locations.
He says the pub will have ‘the same local soul and community spirit lives on, just with a bit more Irish charm this time round’.
Stephen Kirk, Head of Asset Management at MediaCity said: “The Salmon of Knowledge is one of the many businesses joining us at MediaCity during our phase of growth and we’re particularly proud to be supporting homegrown talent, after their successful debut in the Northern Quarter.
“We are confident that the new opening will help us work towards our aim of bettering our spaces, not just for businesses, but also for our residents and visitors.”
Joe Foster, Managing Director of Northern Lights Group, the team behind The Salmon of Knowledge said:“We’ve felt the love in the Northern Quarter, and now it’s time to bring the magic to MediaCity.
“Salford’s got soul, and we can’t wait to add to the soundtrack with great tunes, great food and, of course, great Guinness.”
For more food and drink news, follow @themanceats on Instagram.
Danny Jones -
7th February 2025 
