Member Article

Rebranding for popular Biscuit Factory restaurant

Food Social, the restaurant based at Newcastle’s Biscuit Factory gallery, is set to undergo a major rebrand for 2014.

North East chef of the Year, 27-year-old Andrew Wilkinson will continue to run the kitchen at the restaurant to be re-christened ‘artisan’ as part of a move to integrate it fully with the gallery next door.

Restaurant manager Robin Price took over the business just over 12 months ago from renowned regional chef David Kennedy, who has gone on to pursue restaurant activities on North Shields’ Fish Quay and in Northumberland’s Tyne Valley.

Work is currently underway to expand the gallery into the former NCJ media building on Stoddart Street, which will form a hireable venue called The Biscuit Room.

Gallery owner, Ramy Zack, said: “We are all very excited by this move. Food Social has always delivered a great overall dining experience with outstanding cuisine and service and is justifiably regarded as one of the North East’s finest restaurants.

“The merger had been on the cards for some substantial time. This has not been a spur of the moment decision. The restaurant is well placed to continue to grow and we are confident will do so alongside, rather than in isolation to, The Biscuit Factory.

“We are thrilled that Andrew Wilkinson will still be at the helm in the kitchen and we will be working with him and the rest of the restaurant team to incorporate their skills and vision into The Biscuit Factory.

“These have been tough economic times for many hospitality businesses, but it says much of Food Social’s status as a fine dining destination and its outstanding food offering that it has continued to hold its own.

“But it is time to move on and the name change will mark a new beginning and allow us to push on as we head into 2014 with the significant investment already being made in The Biscuit Factory.

“We will be making some cosmetic tweaks to the look of the restaurant in the New Year and Andrew Wilkinson will be working on some inspiring new food ideas and events.

“We are excited by what the future holds and we hope Food Social’s, soon to be artisan’s, diners will feel equally energised.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .