Acclaimed chef Anthony Flinn makes return as The Tetley launches restaurant venture

A NEW bar and restaurant based at the iconic 1930s Tetley Brewery headquarters is set to open later this month, marking the return of acclaimed chef Anthony Flinn.

For the first time, the public will be able to dine in the formal rooms once graced by generations of Tetley’s directors, including The Boardroom which retains much of its original furniture and paintings of former chairmen which still hang on the oak panelled walls.

Bar & Kitchen is run by new venture Project Space Leeds Enterprises, the trading arm of Project Space Leeds, the contemporary visual arts charity behind The Tetley.

The PEL team comprises Dirk Mischendahl, joint managing director of Leeds communications agency Logistik and former IoD young director of the year, and The Tetley co-directors Pippa Hale and Kerry Harker.

Profits from Bar & Kitchen will be re-invested back into The Tetley to support the artistic and educational programmes also based at the building.

Some of the region’s most creative culinary talents have combined for Bar & Kitchen including Leeds’ celebrated chef Anthony Flinn who makes a welcome return to the city’s restaurant scene in the role of specialist advisor to The Tetley through his new venture Darkside Consultants.

Well-known restaurant Anthony’s closed its doors in June, along with all the other ventures run by Flinn and his father. 

Bar and restaurant consultant Seema Dhiman from Leeds-based Demon Consultants has assembled the Bar & Kitchen team which also includes head chef Joe Welch and general manager Sam Gundelfinger.

Designed by Leeds-based Chetwoods Architects, the ground floor Bar & Kitchen will seat 87 in the bar area and 65 in the dining room which is located close to the newly created galleries and exhibition displays.

Ms Hale said: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to bring together the best possible talents, not only for the galleries but also to create an altogether new dining experience for Leeds. When The Tetley opens, we hope that everyone who comes will be as inspired and nourished by their experience of the Bar & Kitchen, as they will by the contemporary art exhibitions and installations.

“We have spent many months researching and planning for what we want to be a relaxed kind of place where everyone will be welcome and we are looking forward to the public of Leeds enjoying for the first time this wonderful building which has been given a very special new lease of life.”

Bar & Kitchen at The Tetley opens on November 29.