Victorian Baker under lock and key at Cuffs

Expert baker John Foster takes a trip back in time to visit the original Victorian kitchen of Crumlin Road Gaol

Cuffs Bar and Grill welcomed John Foster MBE from the BBC TV series Victorian Bakers and owner of the successful Barnsley based Foster’s Bakery to the Gaol on his recent visit to Northern Ireland. Celebrating the month dedicated to Bread and Baking in the NI Year of Food and Drink calendar John was taken back in time as he went through the doors of the original Victorian kitchen, which was known as the Scullery.

Opened in the Year of Food and Drink, which celebrates the quality and creativity in the industry,  the new restaurant at Crumlin Road Gaol prides itself on ‘keeping it local’. Head Chef Damian Blaney explained that all ingredients are fresh and sourced locally. They have developed a good relationship with small independent suppliers such as Ewings, Belfast’s oldest fishmongers and Dromore meat suppliers, Carnbrooke Meats. Damian has worked in a number of top restaurants in Northern Ireland and further afield. His career began in a well-known local inn at Crawfordburn before moving abroad and working in several top renowned restaurants around the world including Switzerland, the West Indies. He then returned to Northern Ireland where he took up a post with Compass Group in the Northern Ireland Assembly before taking over the kitchen in Cultra Manor.

Phelim Devlin, Managing Director at Crumlin Road Gaol said “We are delighted that John took the time to visit Cuffs during his visit to Northern Ireland.  Cuffs Bar & Grill is in an incredibly unique setting as it is the only restaurant in Northern Ireland located in the original kitchen of a Victorian gaol. It offers a dining experience with a difference and we are looking forward to welcoming locals and tourists to the restaurant over the coming months and during the Christmas period when we will be offering a festive menu”.

Michelle Shirlow, CEO of Food NI said “We are delighted to have John Foster visit Northern Ireland during the bread and baking month in Northern Ireland’s year of Food and Drink. Being a Victorian baker one of the highlights on his whistle stop tour of Northern Ireland was his visit to an original Victorian kitchen which has been recently refurbished to a new restaurant Cuffs Bar & Grill”.

Cuffs Bar & Grill opens daily from 12pm – 10am, with exquisite menus created from locally sourced produce, Cuffs Bar & Grill is a welcome addition to the North Belfast restaurant scene and aims to boost Northern Ireland’s food and drink reputation by putting it at the heart of the tourism experience.

TO MAKE A RESERVATION CALL 028 9075 5822 OR EMAILcuffsgrillbar@crumlinroadgaol.com