A chef who developed his culinary skills working all over the world has taken over a popular Penrith bistro, creating eight jobs.
Stephen Tierney is the new owner of Grant’s of Castlegate and he is hoping he has the recipe for success as he embarks on the new venture.
Penrith diners may already have tasted some of his cuisine as he takes on the role after 11 years as head chef at the Cross Keys pub in Carleton.
Customers may also recognise another familiar face with Stephen employing former Cross Keys colleague Heather Leece as Grant’s front of house manager.
Stephen, 48, lives in Penrith’s Castle Hill Road with his wife Leah and their daughters Millie, aged 15, and 11-year-old Sadie.
He has a catering background of 25 years working as a chef.
He started in country hotels in the North East and Scotland before stints working in Edinburgh and London.
He then left the UK for more exotic climes working on celebrity cruise liners in the Caribbean, Central America and Alaska.
This was followed by a six-month lease running his own restaurant in Sydney, Australia.
From 2006 to 2009, Stephen was head chef at Carlisle Racecourse, which preceded his 11 years at the Penrith pub.
With the Cross Keys recently changing hands, Stephen decided the time was ripe for him to go it alone again.
He said: “I have always liked Grant’s as a nice venue.
“The previous owners were Willy and Allison Davidson and I want to carry on and build on the good work they did.”
Grant’s of Castlegate will serve modern British bistro dishes and continue as a wine bar.
Grant’s was relaunched by Stephen with an open night for friends and family last week prior to his first customers coming through the door on Thursday.
Stephen added: “We’ve got off to a good start and hope to build on that.
“Our unique selling point is cooking fresh, quality, local ingredients in a careful and considered manner to give the customers quality fresh food and friendly, polished service.”
Stephen added that changes do lay ahead at Grant’s with him keen to further develop the existing outdoor area and try to cater for all ages of diners, including families.
Promotions are also in the pipeline including Sunday lunches and afternoon teas.
The new ownership created eight jobs in the town in a mixture of full and part-time roles to cover the bistro’s lunch and dinner opening hours, Wednesday to Sunday each week.
