The UK’s favourite Italian chef, Gino D’Acampo, is moving into premium casual dining with the launch of his restaurant brand.
Two new restaurants will open later this year. The first location will open in central London, in Euston train station, quickly followed by a site in the newly refurbished Corn Exchange building, in central Manchester.
The Manchester location will seat 250 guests and offers a sit at cicchetti and kitchen bar, with the addition of two large outside areas, one of which leads onto the bustling Exchange Square, facing high end retailers Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. More UK sites will follow and Gino also has his eyes on international locations.
Fast casual locations already in operation
Gino made the move into fast casual dining in 2013 with the launch of Gino D’Acampo – My Pasta Bar, serving a variety of Italian favourites – including fresh handmade pasta dishes and hand-stretched pizzas – to eat in or take away. Three central London locations are currently operating, at Fleet Street, Leadenhall Market and Bishopsgate.
Teaming up with Individual Restaurants
Gino has teamed up with friend and business partner Steven Walker, founder of Individual Restaurants. Gino has invested in Individual Restaurants and their food academy which includes its own butchers shop and bakery, to ensure everything is made in house rather than buying in simple yet important items like, artisan breads and patisserie.
Walker is also no stranger to Italian restaurants owning and operating 22 Piccolino restaurants across the country, with a turnover exceeding £38m and a restaurant profit of £8m, and employing some 400 Italians in this brand alone.
In addition to the Piccolino brand, Walker and his partners also own and operate more restaurants in London, major cities, affluent towns and suburbs across the country, as well as providing services to other leading restaurant brands.
Often frequented by celebrities, well known sports and TV stars, those additional brands include; The Restaurant Bar & Grill, Bank Restaurant & Bar, Q Grill and Vintage Salt.
Passion for all things Italian
Gino’s passion for all things Italian is well-known and, in particular, his dedication to bringing the best of Italian cucina onto our screens and into our homes. The third series of Gino’s Italian Escape will be broadcast later this year; each series regularly attracts 3m viewers and is accompanied by a best-selling cookbook.
Alongside his many television appearances, Gino also owns a successful Italian food import business, linking him to artisan suppliers all over Italy. He believes that this professional insight, plus his ambition to offer the very best Italian dishes, when coupled with the massive infrastructure behind Individual Restaurants, is going to be a key element in making Gino D’Acampo – My Restaurant, a fantastic project.
A move into premium casual dining has been in the planning for years, but, because of Gino’s busy television schedule and many other commitments, getting it off the ground has taken him a little longer than he would have hoped.
Gino explains: “I have been approached many times over the years to open restaurants, but it was Steven’s passion for Italian cucina, his eye for detail and his insistence that he would only partner me if I were truly involved, that attracted me finally to take the plunge.”
For more information about Individual Restaurants click here
To read more about Gino D’Acampo My Pasta Bar & Restaurant click here
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