REAL Junk Food Manchester will finally open the city’s first waste food pay-as-you-feel restaurant in August 2017 thanks to the support of commercial property group Bruntwood.
On the site of the former Milkjam pop up at 85 Oxford Street, the new enterprise will include an ethical coffee bar in partnership with Second City Coffee, takeaway breakfast and lunches and a 40 cover 'pay as you feel' restaurant that will offer breakfast and lunch five days a week plus regular fine dining evenings.
Since the amazing success of their Crowdfunder campaign in January this year, which saw the project raise over £39,000 in 28 days, nearly doubling its original target, the team have been desperate to move on to the next phase – Ancoats was the chosen site – but have been hit by a series of delays. Until Bruntwood’s rescue offer of this temporary site.
Corin Bell, Director of Real Junk Food Manchester director Corin Bell tells us: “The support that we received from the Crowdfunder was just amazing, beyond all of our expectations. The delays have been unavoidable, but really tough.
“It’s just fabulous to have contracts signed and know that we’re not far from being able to fulfil our promise to everyone who’s supported us. We’ve been popping up for long enough now, and we can do so much more in a full time space of our own. “
Toby Sproll, Bruntwood’s head of retail, said: “Real Junk Food Manchester is a fantastic addition to this busy metropolitan area and we are delighted to be partnered with them.”
Real Junk Food Manchester is all about reducing food waste and its huge environmental impacts in and around Manchester and producing tasting meals from raw materials otherwise being discarded.
It has been a pop-up operation since mid 2014, with renowned chef Mary-Ellen McTague (below) leading in the kitchen since early 2016. The innovative social enterprise has hosted a huge range of “waste food” events, including pop-up restaurants, weddings, gala dinners, and support for a range of social and community projects helping people struggling in the current
Mary-Ellen remains Executive Chef and Director of the project after taking over running Manchester Art Gallery’s cafe, indeed offering there a pay-as-you-feel children’s menu, with all ingredients being supplied by Real Junk Food Manchester.
The hands on, ‘people before profits’ nature of Real Junk Food continues at the new site – as well as recycling unused cookery equipment, they are seeking qualified and experienced electrical and plumbing contractors who might be willing to them build the restaurant alongside an army of vounteers. They are also recruiting a senior sous chef. If you are interested email [email protected].