By Angela Green, Content Executive, H&C News: New head chef at Binks Yard.
The Island Quarter has expanded its team of talented chefs with the appointment of Lee Coates as new head chef of the bar and grill, Binks Yard.
From pub kitchens to Michelin star restaurants, Coates has extensive experience in catering for every level of dining, starting as an apprentice chef.
Since then, his career has seen him working for some of the finest restaurants up and down the country, from London to North Wales. Moving back to Nottingham in late 2011, Coates met chef patron Laurence Henry where he helped Laurence with his Snobby Burger venture which launched during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Launching this autumn, with chef patron Laurence Henry at the helm and supported by Coates and a talented team of chefs, Binks Yard is a new canal-side hospitality venue that will bring together the best of causal drinking and dining. The menu features a wide selection of high-quality dishes celebrating great produce and flavours. From its wood-fired sourdough pizzas which boast creative pairings, and its pinchos and tacos selection, the menu is crafted for everyone to enjoy.
Binks Yard is just one of the brands set to launch this year at The Island Quarter and together with finer dining restaurant Cleaver & Wake, marks the first phase of the project which is set to be one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects to date.
In his new roleCoates will be drawing on his wealth of fine dining experience and eye for detail to help lead the kitchen at Binks Yard.
Talking more about his new role, he said: “I am so pleased to have been appointed as head chef at Binks Yard. Being a local lad from Nottingham it’s always been a dream of mine to work for such an iconic restaurant, to watch it grow and be close to home.
“There’s so much I’m excited to share with customers. We use a wood-fired pizza oven to create a really authentic taste, we also have an amazing Ox Grill which we’ll be using to do a lot of flame cooking over the charcoals to create a true smoky flavour.
“We’ve got some of the best talent around within the team and it’s exciting to be a part of that. I’m looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming customers to what is set to be a really special place.”
