The innovative team behind the multi-award winning Damson restaurant are bringing their nationally acclaimed style of modern British cuisine to MediaCityUK – becoming the first completely independent food brand to arrive at the international media hub.
Damson was established in 2009 by Steve Pilling and Simon Stanley. Known as the ultimate neighbourhood restaurant, the team have been bringing beautiful food to the suburbs for the last 3 years, and have picked up a cluster of awards and plaudits in the process.
Now Damson’s authentic real food ethos is to be brought to MediaCityUK in January 2013. The new restaurant is situated at the heart of the complex, on a second floor location with 140 covers, overlooking the garden and piazza.
Bespoke training for hospitality learners
The new site has been developed in association with Salford City College alongside their multi-million pound new skills centre ‘FutureSkills at MediaCityUK’, which is being constructed within MediaCityUK with phase one opening early 2013 and phase two opening in the Summer.
This unique partnership will allow Damson’s expert team to deliver bespoke training to Salford City College’s hospitality learners via apprentice schemes that will allow students to immerse themselves in the business to gain real experience at the same time as gaining industry relevant qualifications.
Steve and Simon are no strangers to training and investment in the industry’s future. Apprentices trained by the pair have gone on to pursue careers at some of the best restaurants in the country including Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, The Star Inn and Bath Priory.
Combining food, technical epicentre and education
This opening combines real, honest food with the North’s most innovative, modern, technical epicentre, and education too – all in all it’s a dining concept to get excited about.
Graham Pennington, Deputy Chief Executive of Salford City College said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this partnership with Steve, Simon and all the team at Damson. MediaCityUK is the perfect home for such an innovative project and this combined with Salford City College’s reputation for high quality training ensures a highly successful partnership.
“We are excited about the new training opportunities that both FutureSkills and Damson will bring to MediaCityUK, and we are sure that it will attract learners from throughout Greater Manchester and beyond due to its unique offer and quality provision.”
Stephen Wild, Managing Director of MediaCityUK said:
“Fusing academia with business is key to developing and nurturing talent, that’s why the Damson restaurant partnership with Salford City College is significant to MediaCityUK.”