READING about great food comes only second to sampling it for Taste of Manchester. And when the book is packed with easy to cook recipes like the new one celebrating 20 years of Chorlton institution The Lead Station what’s not to tuck into?
It’s hard to credit when the bar/restaurant set up in a former police station on Beech Road in 1995 Eggs Benedict and Thai Spiced Chicken were regarded as exotic fodder. By the time current owner Nick de Sousa took over, in 2007, it had laid the foundations for the cafe culture now essential to the community, opening all hours.
Their legendary breakfast kicks off The Lead Station: Celebrating 20 Years, part recipe book, part ‘day in the life’ of a busy bar and kitchen, guiding the reader through the pattern of a regular day. The whole Lead Station team collaborated to produce the book; the recipes written by the two head chefs with over 30 years’ Lead Station service between them.
The ‘dawn to dusk’ recipes are interspersed with fascinating local history, supplier profiles, tributes from fans (including Lead Station regular Damon Gough) and handy cookery tips, illustrated throughout with stunning photography (check out the mouthwatering bread and butter pudding, our main picture) in a lovely hardback format.
All the recipes are easily recreatable at home – everything from the perfect poached egg to a classic Margarita – and reflect the Lead Station’s approach – use excellent ingredients and make everything from scratch, the rest is simple.
Nick de Sousa said: “I am immensely proud of this place and my team; they are part of Lead Station and to some extent Chorlton history – that was worth marking. It’s a public acknowledgement of this and a ‘tip of the hat’ to all who have been involved.”
It’s obvious that despite opening a much-praised sibling, Tariff & Dale in the Northern Quarter, no eye has been taken off the ball at The Lead Station. Here’s to the next 20 years.
The Lead Station, 99 Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9EQ. 0161 881 5559. The Lead Station Cookbook costs £20.
Below: Eggs Benedict, Rosti Stack, Bangers and Mash, Beetroot Risotto and Posh Shepherd’s Pie.
