A Co Tyrone chef with plans to open a new restaurant in his hometown next year says he wants it to be part of the fabric of the co0mmunity there for a long time.
Dungannon chef James Devine has purchased the former McGrath’s bar on Irish Street in the town and earlier this year received planning permission for his new multi-storey restaurant, Moghrá.
Ahead of work beginning on the premises in the new year, James has been setting up stall at a new local craft market in the Co Tyrone town and been delighted at the feedback received so far.
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While he is still on the books at the highly regarded Noble in Holywood, James says his heart is in Dungannon.
“For a long time I’ve wanted to be my own boss. Now that it’s here I’m beyond ready for it,” James told Belfast Live.
“It’s what makes me happy, I prefer getting up in the morning when it’s for my own back. I’ve worked for some great people but it was never my ambition to be helping somebody else grow their business.
“We’re hoping to start the work on the property early next year and realistically it could be a year from now before we get the doors open
“It’s a big property and we’re planning an extensive build with multiple floors, so the goal is to get it open as soon as we can really
“I want the restaurant to be more than just a business or a place that serves food. For me it’s all about being embedded in the fabric of the community.
“I want it to be the place where people from Dungannon and the nearby areas go when they’re celebrating their birthdays or their anniversaries or whatever else.
“I’m hoping to do everything I can to drive the town forward and that’s as important as what the food is on the menu. I had opportunities in other places but it was so important to be in my hometown, because I grew up here and I want it to be in the fabric of Dungannon for a long time to come.”
James’ stall at the Artisans at the Space market in the Square has proved popular at the fortnightly event, and the former Great British Menu says it is a great testing ground for the new establishment.
“It’s been an amazing opportunity for me because it gives you the flexibility to test out whatever ideas you want.
“It’s a good opportunity to help showcase yourself and your brand and help build that brand for yourself.
“I’m doing a lot of slow cooked barbecue stuff, so I’m maybe starting at 7pm the previous day and then getting up throughout the night checking on the meat so it can be ready for people to enjoy.
“By no means is it an easy job, but it’s a proper labour of love and the real reason I do it is for that freedom of answering to nobody but your own customers.
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“It’s nice when you do take a chance and you do something and it’s well received, that’s very encouraging for the next steps for me.
Last Christmas James was involved with a local charity and helped to provide hundreds of free meals to Dungannon residents on Christmas Day.
Now a board member of the Me You and Them charity in the town which provides meals to those who need them as well as a variety of initiatives to tackle poverty in the area, and his business is one of many helping out again this year.
“Myself and some other local businesses are sponsoring a giving tree which provides gifts and presents to families in need.
“We’ll also be doing the Christmas meals again this year. I have the easy job in that i just have to cook the meals.
“The charity does amazing work around the logistics of it and getting those meals out to the families. This is what I mean when I say it’s important to be part of the fabric of the community here in Dungannon.”
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