An award-winning chef has taken the reins of a Workington pub, creating 17 jobs.
The Briery, at Stainburn, will have its official opening tomorrow after a revamp by Scotland’s Mark Greenaway.
Mark, who has restaurants in the Lake District, Edinburgh and London, has been working behind the scenes at the venue for the last four months.
He said he wanted to open another restaurant in the Lake District and came across the Briery online, almost by accident.
He visited the venue and said: “It’s a great building and yes, I fell in love with it.”
The reopening has created 17 jobs.
Work has been carried out at The Briery over the last two months and Mark said: “It will be a gastropub that is for the community, with a great price point. We’ll have free barbecues for locals during the summer and our Sunday lunch is £15.”
The menu includes slow roast belly pork, fish and chips, beef steak and bone marrow pie, steak and desserts like sticky toffee pudding and chocolate mousse.
The Briery said: “We’re passionate about using the best local ingredients, sourcing as much as we can from right here in Cumbria and the surrounding areas.
“Each dish reflects the heart of the region, combining fresh, local produce with Mark’s incredible skill and creativity.”
Mark will be based in Cumbria for the next six months or so. The menus are his design and his style, he said and added: “We’ve got a head chef and they will have their input into the menus and we’ll also see what the locals want. I always involve all the staff so they have input.”
The Briery said: “The Briery is designed to be more than just a place to enjoy a meal; we aspire to be a beloved hub for the Stainburn community – a gathering spot where locals and visitors alike can indulge in exceptional food, great company, and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
“We aim to forge lasting relationships with our customers and become a cherished institution in the heart of Stainburn.”
Word-of-mouth has already seen the Briery receive around 1,000 reservations and Mark said New Year’s Eve was already almost fully booked.
He added: “We haven’t even got entertainment on for New Year’s Eve. Gastropubs are all about great food, great atmosphere and great service. That’s what we’ll concentrate on and then we’ll look at entertainment, quizzes and the like in the new year.”
Plans are also afoot to offer five en suite bedrooms at the Briery from next spring.
The Briery officially opens tomorrow, Wednesday October 23 at 4pm.
