Business

New Derry restaurant creates 14 jobs in city's craft village

Pictured at the new Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill in Derry are head chef Raymond Moran and local entrepreneur Ciaran O’Neill
Pictured at the new Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill in Derry are head chef Raymond Moran and local entrepreneur Ciaran O’Neill Pictured at the new Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill in Derry are head chef Raymond Moran and local entrepreneur Ciaran O’Neill

A NEW Derry restaurant is creating 14 jobs within the city's craft village.

Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill opened yesterday and is a partnership between head chef Raymond Moran and local entrepreneur Ciaran O’Neill, who operates the successful Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry.

The new restaurant will complement the existing eclectic offering of local crafts and artisan produce that are currently housed within the craft village

Using locally sourced produce, Soda & Starch is designed to cater to different tastes and appetites as it offers a range of options, from a simple sandwich lunch through to a four course formal dinner.

Head chef Raymond Moran said the aim of the new restaurant is to in introduce local people and new visitors to tasty traditional foods.

"Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill is all about the traditional home kitchen and the wonderful smells of classic soda and wheaten bread baking. We hope to recreate many childhood memories with classic dishes and puddings."

Mr O'Neill hopes the new restaurant will enhance Derry's growing food scene.

“We are excited to be expanding after successfully opening Bishop’s Gate boutique hotel in 2016. Partnering with Raymond in the opening of Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill was a natural choice. Raymond is an accomplished chef and he is very passionate about the food he serves. The city centre is quickly becoming a hive of good places to eat and we are delighted to add an all-day food offering."

Helen Quigley from the Inner City Trust believes Soda & Starch is a fantastic new addition to the craft village.

"Ciaran operates the award-winning Bishop’s Gate Hotel, which was developed by the Trust and which has transformed the streetscape, re-animated the surrounding area and proved a huge draw for tourists and locals alike. Ciaran has proved to be a first-class operator and we look forward to working with him and his team to further develop this hidden gem in our City centre," she added.