Manchester noodle queen Pippa Middlehurst (aka Pippy Eats) has revealed plans to open her long-anticipated Noodlehaus site on Ancoats Marina this year.
The cancer research scientist turned cook has developed quite a following in the city, hosting various sell-out dumpling and noodle-making workshops as well as pop-up supper clubs at different venues in Manchester over the past few years.
Since winning the BBC’s Britain’s Best Home Cook in 2018, she’s also gone on to publish a number of cookbooks, with her latest – Bowls & Broths – available to pre-order.
Now, Pippa’s revealed plans to move her restaurant concept into a brand new unit facing onto Ancoats Marina. Neighbouring much-loved bakery Pollen and the soon-to-open Flawd, a new concept from the team behind Higher Ground, Noodlehaus will certainly be in excellent company.
Noodlehaus will become a new home for her popular workshops, supper clubs and events, as well as selling cookware and kitchen equipment in its own dedicated section.
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It doesn’t seem like it will all be about Pippa, either. Rather, there has been mention of plans to bring in other local independents to host their own workshops and supper clubs here as a way of championing other small foodie businesses in the city.
Pippa’s plans to open a restaurant of her own have been on the cards for some time, but between the pandemic and issues with the initial unit, everything has been somewhat delayed and frustrated – up until now, that is.
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She initially set up a Kickstarter last year to raise funds for the space and smashed her initial £30,000 target out of the water – eventually raising nearly £45,000 from over 800 different backers after pledging some amazing rewards like a private six-course supper club for ten cooked by Pippa and a year’s supply of her famous chilli oils.
Now, after some setbacks (and stress), she’s finally in her new unit fitting it out with a potential opening date planned for September.
Sharing the news about her new home on the Noodlehaus Instagram, Pippa said: “Thank you all so much for your patience, it’s been a tough old year.” “Even though it’s been a really stressful time, it kinda feels like everything happened for a reason, and in the exact right timing.
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“The repeated extensions of lockdown preventing us from opening so I didn’t end up hosting any events in that space. The new space coming onto the market at the precise time I realised it was time to get the F out of the old space, and when I reached out to the developers, they were familiar with the Noodlehaus project and welcomed me with open arms.
“The new space being part of a small community of indie businesses, some of which are friends. Everything has fallen into place so perfectly, is somebody watching over me?! “I’m guilty of being too trusting, too optimistic. But I feel grateful I followed my gut when it was time and that lockdown allowed me that grace period. “The old space, the stress involved, the nightmare that it ended up being, was only experienced by me – and it will all fade from my memory and will not be remembered as part of the Noodlehaus journey. I’m grateful for that too. “I’m so so bloody excited [sic].”
With a provisional opening date of September currently on the cards, there’s definitely a lot to look forward to.
To keep up to date with developments in the lead up to the launch, you can follow Noodlehaus on Instagram here.
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.