An authentic celebration of Catalan food and wine from world-renowned Catalan chef Paco Perez will launch in June on King Street, Manchester. This celebration of Catalan regional cuisine comes with the opening of Tast Cuina Catalana, roughly translated as ‘Taste from the Catalan Kitchen.’
It’s not every morning one of the world’s top football managers announces a partnership with one of the world’s top chefs, so we had a chat with Fazenda director Tomas Maunier to find out more.
Tomas Maunier, Director of FazendaThe term passionate can be over used or too easily applied, not with Tomas when he started to talk about Catalan food and the forthcoming Tast Cuina Catalana. Thomas told us:
“Nobody in the UK fully understands the range of regional cuisine from Catalonia, Chef Paco Perez and Tast Cuina Catalana will change that. Catalan cuisine has strong Mediterranean influences, especially French and Italian. Catalonia is Catalonia with its own style and taste, it stands by itself and Paco’s food will guide our diners through the region.
We are delighted that Pep Guardiola has invested in introducing Catalan food and drink culture to the UK in Manchester. Pep is a globally recognised ambassador of Catalonia, Barcelona and Manchester. Barcelona and Manchester share many cultures, both are industrial cities with a strong working-class background and heritage. Both are also highly creative, so Manchester is the perfect location to introduce Catalan cuisine to the UK. “
‘Tast’ will bring worldwide interest to the growing links between Manchester and Catalonia, bringing the talent of multi-Michelin star chef Paco Perez.
Paco is the renowned international patron-chef of two Michelin 2* restaurants – Miramar, in Llançà, (Girona) and Enoteca at the Arts Hotel in Barcelona, a city where he has six restaurants in all. He is also behind the Michelin 1* Restaurant Cinc at the Hotel Das Stue in Berlin.
Pep Guardiola, Txiki Begiristain, Ferran Soriano are among the investors in the restaurant. Acting in a personal capacity, the investors have teamed up with the independent Fazenda group, whose directors’ passion for South American cuisine has made their award-winning ‘rodizio’ grilled meat restaurants in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester (and recent Edinburgh opening) a great popular success.
Chef Paco PerezTast will have 120-covers over three floors, with a casual dining and bar area on the ground floor, a first-floor dining room and a second floor with private rooms offering a tasting menu.
Despite Paco Perez’s record, Tast is not pursuing awards, but will simply create a warm, friendly and affordable atmosphere for anyone wishing to experience the best of Catalan food and drink.
Catalonia is renowned worldwide for its gastronomy. Geographically diverse, it produces a variety of fresh, high-quality seafood, meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables. The Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees are the perfect environment for unique produce, and its distinctive cuisine benefits from French and Spanish influences.
The region produces some of the best old world wines with renowned D.O’s (Denominació d’Origen) including Penedès, Montsant, Empordà, Tarragona and Costers del Segre and one D.O.C (Denominació d’Origen Controlada), Priorat.
As well as serving traditional Catalan starters and mains, the Tast menu will offer ‘tastets’ – small portions and nibbles to savour and to share.
Paco Perez says: “”We are delighted to bring the Catalan cuisine to Manchester and to be part of the amazing team behind Tast.”
Tast Cuina Catalana, 20-22 King Street Manchester, M2 6AG.
click here for opening date and information.