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’ The 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. Ironically, the move seems to be a straight swap as MAYA’s previous chef Gabe Lea, who helped earn them a spot on the Michelin guide, is now set to take his place over at Edinburgh Castle, meaning both restaurants will no doubt continue to pump out unreal food.

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

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

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

Eats

10 rooftop bars and restaurants in Manchester with amazing views

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester

The Manchester skyline is ever-changing, and there’s nowhere better to soak in the views of our city than up high in a rooftop bar or restaurant.

Our city used to be pretty terrible for outdoor drinking space full stop, and even worse for sky-high terraces, but there’s been a real switch in recent years.

Now, there are glamorous restaurants perched way above our heads, cosy pubs spilling onto their rooftops, and even hotels with secret terraces and gorgeous views.

Manchester recently gained a brand-new rooftop terrace in the form of Chotto Matte, which had us thinking about where else to head for a sky-high cocktail or three.

Have a read of the best rooftop bars, restaurants and terraces in Manchester.

Chotto Matte, St Michael’s

Chotto Matte opens in Manchester on 10 October
Chotto Matte opens in Manchester on 10 October
Cocktails with a view
Cocktails with a view

The newest, shiniest addition to the city centre is Chotto Matte, a glamorous restaurant serving a Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei menu that includes sushi, robata, and plenty more.

This stunning new restaurant at Gary Neville’s St Michael’s development has 360º views of Manchester, and from its 348-capacity rooftop terrace, one of the best outlooks in town.

The all-weather rooftop terrace overlooks Albert Square and the Manchester Town Hall, which is slowly but surely emerging from behind its scaffolding.

Read more about it HERE.

YES, Charles Street

YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester
YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester
YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester

YES has not one, but two amazing outside spaces – one a ground-floor terrace that’s weirdly just across the road, the other a gigantic rooftop terrace.

There are cocktails on tap, great happy hour deals, and a few different food spots to order from like Pepperoni Playboy and the Trippy Chippy.

And back downstairs, YES hosts regular gigs and club nights in its iconic Pink Room.

20 Stories, Spinningfields

20 Stories is Manchester’s highest rooftop terrace, and probably our city’s best-known spot for a sky-high dinner.

Perched way up above Spinningfields, you can see most of the city centre from up here, in a swanky setting.

Dining here at any time is a special event, with breathtaking panoramic views adding an extra bit of oomph to the equally top-tier food and drink offering.

King Street Townhouse, off Albert Square

Spritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
Spritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotel
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotel

Tucked up on the sixth floor of the award-winning boutique hotel King Street Townhouse, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city’s skyline.

As Manchester buzzes along beneath you, you can tuck in to everything from full charcuterie grazing boards to seasonal snacks and small plates, all served alongside an impressive wine and cocktail list.

This often-overlooked local spot is a firm favourite of those in the know, thanks to its sheltered location that basks in the sun all afternoon, and when the Town Hall refurbishment is complete it’ll have the best view in town.

Big Hands, Oxford Road

Miles away from the glitz and glamour of the city centre rooftops is Big Hands, a cool, weird and wonderful bar that’s seriously popular with students and gig-goers, thanks to its proximity to the Manchester Academy venues.

With decent prices catering to those gigging on a budget along the busy university strip of Oxford Road, a lovely dimly-lit aesthetic complete with gig posters galore; a rooftop garden terrace adorned with twinkly lights and plenty of plants, it’s a pure vibe in here.

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The views might not be the best, but the vibes are right up there, and you can grab some amazing Italian street food from Rizzo’s – formerly T’arricrii) while you’re here.

Climat, Blackfriars House

Climat. Credit: The Manc Group
Climat. Credit: The Manc Group

Most of Climat is long and narrow, following the expanse of the open kitchen – and that happily means that almost every table gets a front-row seat to the views from this rooftop restaurant and wine bar.

Popped up high on Blackfriars House (but not so high up that everyone feels like an ant beneath you), it’s got a spectacular outlook over historic landmarks like the Barton Arcade, St Ann’s Church, and the Royal Exchange.

There are more than 250 different wines on the menu as well as a menu of ‘food you want to eat’, as if you needed any more temptation.

Terrace, Thomas Street

Now this is a proper Manchester OG rooftop terrace – a surprisingly sizeable rooftop terrace jammed into the middle of the Northern Quarter.

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Grab a craft beer, a marg, or a sangria, and sit up here just away from the madness of Thomas Street buzzing along beneath you.

Then you’re in a prime spot to hit up the rest of the Northern Quarter bars straight after.

Brewdog, Fountain Street

Look, say what you want about Brewdog, these guys know how to build a rooftop terrace – and Manchester is no different.

The top floor of the Brewdog Doghouse Manchester Hotel has its very own rooftop bar, a stone’s throw from the horrors of Market Street.

You know the sort of beers on offer here – they’re mostly Brewdog’s core range.

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Atlas, Deansgate

It might be a bit of a stretch to call this one a rooftop terrace, but it is a terrace, and you can see a lot of rooftops from up here.

Atlas has been part of Manchester’s bar scene for some 25 years, with a sizeable collection of gins.

There’s also a vast draught and bottled beer range, if you don’t fancy a gin and tonic.

The Deansgate, Deansgate

The view from The Deansgate's roof terrace has been covered by a new skyscraper
How The Deansgate rooftop terrace used to look

When The Deansgate opened under new ownership, the thing that had everyone excited was its multi-storey outdoor terrace.

At the time of its refurb, the rooftop had incredible views over towards Deansgate Square and was a right sun trap.

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Sadly, that view has now been obstructed by a massive tower that literally wraps around two sides of the pub – but it’s still a fantastic outdoor drinking spot in all weathers.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Kore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Kore Studios - A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in Manchester

A brand-new reformer pilates studio has opened in Manchester, with its own on-site acai bowl and smoothie bar.

Kore Studios is a new wellness destination for the city, just off the busy drag of Deansgate.

It’s a design-led, calming space, all neutral natural textures and soft lighting, with 12 premium reformer beds in the studio and a full health bar in the front.

On the menu here you’ll find a menu of nutritious smoothies, juices, acai bowls and matchas, including beautiful dupes of the viral Erewhon smoothies.

Highlights from the Kore Studios acai menu include the Amazon Classic with banana, strawberries, granola and coconut, and the Power Bowl with peanut butter, banana, chia seeds and almond butter.

There are also tropical acai bowls, and some piled with a dollop of Nutella for more of a treat.

As for the smoothies, expect drinks like the Avocado Matcha Magic, a Tropical Sunshine, and a Green Glow Detox, plus a selection of flavoured matchas.

Erewhon dupe smoothies at Kore Studios
Erewhon dupe smoothies at Kore Studios
Kore Studios - A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in Manchester
Kore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in Manchester
A selection of acai bowls
A selection of acai bowls
Inside the Kore Studios smoothie and acai bar
Inside the Kore Studios smoothie and acai bar
There are 12 reformer pilates beds
There are 12 reformer pilates beds
The beautiful changing rooms at Kore Studios
The beautiful changing rooms at Kore Studios

The fitness studio itself at Kore Studios brings another reformer pilates spot to Manchester, with top-quality equipment stashed within reaching distance of every bed (no awkward queueing to grab a set of hand weights).

The team have gathered some of the city’s top instructors together for a best-in-class schedule of reformer pilates sessions, as well as mat pilates and barre classes, with something to suit all abilities.

Kore Studios is open now at 31-33 King Street West in Manchester city centre.

Memberships start at £80 per month with a special £10 introductory offer class aimed at first-timers.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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