A former finalist of South West chef of the year is set to open a new patisserie at the Five Valleys shopping centre in Stroud.
Josh Ambridge, who previously ran The Choux Bun Appétit from his home in the Cotswolds, will open his new venture’s first store at the retail complex’s indoor market.
Mr Ambridge used to work in the kitchens of the Trouble House restaurant and the Calcot Manor hotel and spa near Tetbury, as well as the Lords of the Manor hotel near Stow on-the-Wold.
As well as two appearances in the finals of the South West Chef of the Year competition, the French pastries specialist also made the finals of Young National Chef of the Year, where he did a cooking presentation before an audience at London’s Olympia exhibition centre.
The Choux Bun Appétit joins 20 other artisan producers and street food vendors at the centre’s market, which has been inspired by London’s Borough market.
Mr Ambridge said: “I am so thrilled to be opening my first patisserie business in Five Valleys. I have developed a great love for working with pastry and providing people with something really special to enjoy.”
Jessica Derham, Five Valleys centre manager, added: “We are so excited to see Josh join the line-up of artisan traders already here at our indoor market. This offer will complement the rest of the market so well and add something really special to the centre.”
The eatery is the latest to join the retail facility, formerly called Merrywalks, with current tenant and Gloucestershire chain Fat Toni’s Pizzeria recently announcing the expansion of its restaurant there.
The shopping centre, located on King Street in Stroud town centre has undergone a major programme of redevelopment by South Yorkshire owner and operator Dransfield Properties.
As well as an upgrade to its multi-storey car park, nine luxury apartments, including a basement flat and a townhouse, have also been created in the space above the site’s retail and office units.
The project’s next stage of development is under way and includes a £6.5m medical centre and a further two-bedroom apartment above the shops in the arcade area of the scheme.
The scheme's other business tenants include Halfords, Home Bargains and Wilko.
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