Eats

Manchester’s reigning Chef of the Year unveils new restaurant

Forks and knives very much at the ready.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 7th February 2025

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’.

We can also confirm the name: Winsome.

The first three images to appear on Winsome’s social media (Credit: Instagram)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

Winsome will debut on Manchester’s ever-growing foodie scene this spring and we have everything faith it’s going to be very good.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images

Eats

The Head Of Steam to move into site of short-lived Northern Quarter gastropub

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Head Of Steam to move into site of short-lived Northern Quarter gastropub. Credit: Supplied

Well-known pub group The Head Of Steam has revealed plans to take over a prominent Northern Quarter site.

The craft beer brand will move into the Grade II-listed building that was (very briefly) home to the Lamb of Tartary gastropub, which sadly shut down after just six months.

Prior to that, the landmark building was the home of Cottonopolis.

It’s been empty since Lamb of Tartary shut down more than a year ago, but now The Head of Steam is swooping into Manchester city centre to bring it back to life.

Their plans include 30 beer lines (24 keg and six cask), augmented reality darts, live sports across six screens, and a dedicated pop-up kitchen from a local operator, also making its debut in Manchester City Centre.

Spanning 2,800 sq ft, there’ll be space for 180 guests, with a design that will mix ‘industrial character and Northern warmth’.

It sounds like there are changes in store from the Lamb of Tartary days – there’s talk of a striking circular central bar, surrounded by exposed brickwork and restored original features.

Behind that bar you’ll be able to enjoy a UK craft beers, plus a vast collection of Belgian beers, alongside a rotating selection of cans and bottles, as well as a fresh cocktail menu and quality spirits range.

The Head Of Steam to move into site of short-lived Northern Quarter gastropub. Credit: Supplied
The Head Of Steam to move into site of short-lived Northern Quarter gastropub. Credit: Supplied
The Head Of Steam to move into site of short-lived Northern Quarter gastropub. Credit: Supplied

The Head of Steam was established back in 1995 and is part of Camerons Brewery. The group already has 15 venues across 13 cities, including an existing Manchester pub out in Didsbury.

Mark Connor, Head of Operations & Brand for The Head of Steam, said: “We’re excited to be joining the Northern Quarter community and to bring our favourite UK brewers, alongside classics from our extensive Belgian range, to this vibrant part of the city.

“The location is incredible, and being able to offer something new and exciting to the area is fantastic for us.

“We can’t wait to open our doors later this year, meet our neighbours, and become a part of this iconic area of Manchester.”

The Head of Steam will open at 16 Newton Street in the Northern Quarter later this year.

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Featured image: Supplied

Eats

Chorlton’s Horse and Jockey is reintroduced to the suburbs after stunning transformation

Danny Jones Danny Jones Horse and Jockey refurb Chorlton

The much-loved Horse and Jockey in Chorlton is back open for business following a major and marvellous refurb, which has seen the heart and soul of the pub restored to its former glory.

Opening just in time for the bulk of cosy boozer season, we’re about to spend A LOT of time in here.

As announced this past summer, the south Manchester favourite has been taken over by the impressive hospitality team behind the similarly revived Black Friar in Salford.

With an impressive culinary pedigree to boot, the ‘new and improved’ Horse and Jockey was always bound to be a hit with critics and natives alike, we just weren’t expecting them to knock it quite so far out of the park – or, in this case, Chorlton Green.

Giving the already gorgeous 200-year-old structure a new lick of paint and then some, the new Horse and Jockey looks set to reassert itself as one of the prettiest, cosiest and tastiest pubs you’ll find in central Manchester.

Benefitting from sitting just outside the city centre, you’ve still got plenty of footfall from those who have seen Chorlton become a foodie destination all of its own, and those who have lived there all their lives.

Yes, you’ll still find plenty of old boys sipping their well-deserved pints and dogs curling up on the carpets here.

Now boasting up to 82 covers outside in the familiar evergreen beer garden, with table service in the summer, you can see this being a go-to spot for grub and a reliable watering hole for all year-round.

It’s also worth noting that it’s a pretty roomy venue inside as well, with an entirely refurbished upstairs seating area and a dedicated private dining space now, too.

horse and jockey refurb
The Horse and Jockey is glistening once again ahead of reopening this month. (Credit: The Manc Group)

Other touches we especially liked are bringing Chorlton Pale Ale – which used to be brewed right here in the Jockey itself prior to Covid – back on draught. It may be made elsewhere nowadays, but we’re glad to see it being shipped back to and served out of its ancestral home.

And it just gets better.

As well as supporting the local art scene by sourcing works from Greater Manchester creatives, they really are aiming to make this a community cornerstone.

They’ve taken the holistic idea of a public house right back to its roots, providing not only a place to meet, eat and drink for regulars, but also a real social outlet right in the middle of the suburb.

It’s also about supporting and celebrating traditional British pubs and the Northern working-class culture that goes along with it.

There’s still a recognisable style and familiar feel to the Horse and Jockey refurb. (Credit: The Manc)

The majority of the furniture is even salvaged from the pubs we sadly lost up and down the country, not to mention other businesses that have unfortunately closed post-pandemic and the continuing struggles facing the industry.

We’re lucky to have people like this putting drinks in our hands and keeping our bellies full, so we’re glad that they’re doing what they can to pay homage to those who have come before them as well.

Perhaps most heartwarming is that not only have they kept pre-existing staff in post during the switch-over, but they’re all welcoming back familiar faces from the past. Once again, this is about championing the beauty of British pub culture in all of its facets.

This is a proper foodie pub at its core, boasting cosy vibes just in time for the colder months; they even restored three of the five original fires that used to burn through the autumn and winter back in the day.

Bookings are live already, and if you’ve tried the Sunday roast at The Black Friar, you expect this place to fill up just as quickly – we’d reserve our tables early if we were you…

The food offering is substantial, filling and full of flavour. (Credit: The Manc Eats)

This may be a big rebrand and transformation, but there are also still the same old Joseph Holt favourites on the taps for those who love the classic lineup, and they’ve even used their ‘Trailblazer’ stout glaze on one of their cheesecakes. Safe to say, they have our undivided attention with that one.

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Owner Neil Burke, who formally acquired The Black Friar two years ago and now heads up the revamped Horse and Jockey, said of the reopening: “I have a personal history with the Horse & Jockey and it’s always held a special place in my heart.

“It’s such a beautiful building, but it hasn’t been shining the way it should in recent years. As a local myself, I felt Chorlton deserved a proper foodie pub – somewhere that delivers brilliant food in a setting that does justice to the building’s history.”

To top things off, they’ve got Michelin-trained head chef Paolo Bianchi leading things in the kitchen.

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“The Horse & Jockey is an iconic part of Chorlton’s history and I’m proud to be leading its kitchen with the brilliant Black Friar team”, says Bianchi. “After gaining years of experience in Paris, Dubai and London, it feels great to be rooted in Manchester, a city I’ve really fallen in love with.”

“My vision is simple, to serve British classics that people know and love, elevated with seasonal local ingredients, touches from my Italian heritage and international experience. The menu will be ever-changing, so guests can expect something fresh every time they visit.”

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As for your job, it’s simple: expect great, hearty pub grub classics elevated to a gourmet level, with all the welcoming warmth of a traditional English pub.

This isn’t just a metropolitan boozer trying to be a country-style pub; the Horse and Jockey is a Chorlton gem reborn. It opens on Monday, 20 October, and you can guarantee you’ll be seeing us there.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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