Chef Tom Kerridge is launching a £15 lunch menu at his Bull & Bear restaurant in Manchester to give people an opportunity to dine out during the cost of living crisis without spending too much money.
The chef, who admits the offering will make him ‘no money at all’, is launching the special menu at three of his restaurants nationwide from Monday (September 5) including the Michelin-starred The Coach in Marlow and Kerridge's Bar & Grill in London.
The two-course deal, which is initially set to run throughout September, will feature a range of classic pub favourites and school dinner puds, such as jam roly poly and cake and custard. Diners will be able to add a third course to their meal for an extra £7.50.
READ MORE: Manchester's 'most eccentric pub' named best in the country
Kerridge said the menu, which also features caramelised onion sausage with mash, lasagne and cottage pie, alongside original takes on spotted dick and crumble, was created to bring ‘the excitement’ back to restaurants all while allowing diners to pay a fraction of the cost for their meal.
“It’s going back to school day on Monday, so the idea was to bring back some of our favourite childhood memories and what we all enjoyed as part of school dinners and do them in our own special way,” Kerridge told the M.E.N.
“It’s about getting the buzz back into restaurants, giving people an offer that’s too good to be true and helping them out as they go back to school. People are under a lot of pressure at the moment, so it’s nice to be able to give people the chance to go out to a restaurant without necessarily having to break the bank.
“It’s not going to make us any money but we’re hoping it will also help to motivate our staff. When you have a full restaurant, it creates a lot of buzz and excitement and people thrive in that space."
Kerridge’s Manchester restaurant, located in the Stock Exchange Hotel on Norfolk Street, was recently nominated for great service at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2022. Since 2019, the restaurant has served British classics in an 'informal and elegant setting'.
The chef said he initially carried out a similar lunch menu during the 2008 recession after coming up with the idea with his wife. He said the recent cost of living crisis had encouraged him to launch another cheaper set lunch menu.
He explained: “Back in 2008, when the country hit a recession and people were very worried about the money in their pockets, I was deep in the kitchen trying to work out how to strengthen and lay the foundations for a young business.
“Beth and I came up with what sounded like a ludicrous idea but could be fun…’why don’t we do a set lunch menu that’s price feels like it is too good to be true.’ So, we launched a one choice lunch menu that made absolutely no money but filled the pub with noise, excitement and laughter. It was incredibly motivating for staff and the team and it felt like the guests were having such a great time as it was such value for money.
“Now, in 2022, it feels like those times are here again. You can’t turn on the TV, look at social media or read a newspaper without the grim news of the cost-of-living crisis. So, it is time to bring back the ‘too good to be true’ offer.”
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