Liverpool’s new culinary hub, Duke Street Food and Drink Market, opens this week. Before it opens to the public, the ECHO has been given a sneak peek inside the six new unbiased food groups, flagship eating places, and three bars.
The development has been led with the aid of Graffiti Spirits Group co-founders Matthew Farrell and John Ennis (the team behind Santa Chupitos, El Bandito, Salt Dog Slims, 81ltd, and Santa Maluco) and Alexander Bennett, Joshua Marco, and Simon Marco from food and drinks operator Urban Food & Drink. Matt Farrell said: “We want Duke Street Market to be an artisanal hub for years yet to come, something that the human beings of Liverpool may be happy with.
“The construction appears first-rate and could be an area where quality, experienced operators can come together under one roof.” Duke Street Market will house a 50-cover showpiece eating place, Pilgrim, which appeared on BBC2’s ‘My Million Pound Menu’ in advance this year and earned the investment to bring their eating place and bar concept to existence. A host of additional buyers had been confirmed, consisting of a mix of main Liverpool talent, and the venue will also residence three specific bars and a terrace. Unlike different food halls, the food at Duke Street might be served to the tables using a waiting team of workers. Director of Urban Food & Drink Alexander Bennett said: “We intend to create a network spirit for visitors and the folks that work in the market.
“From apprenticeships to network workshops, we hope to provide something lower back to the network, and through activities, from yoga workshops to visitor chef appearances, we aim to create a buzz that will preserve site visitors coming again.” Two things in this life that none of us can do without are food and drinks. We must have food and drinks to survive, but they also play a major role in our social lives. Interactions include family gatherings, dating, or just sitting down with a friend for a drink or coffee. And how many business deals, both large and small, have been consummated over lunch or dinner? The answer is “countless.” Restaurants provide the ambiance for social gatherings and business meetings. After all, many of our parents had their first date in a restaurant and got to know each other over food and drinks. Had they not done so, some of us might not be here today.
With our cultural differences, food and drinks bring people together in different countries worldwide. In Hawaii, they have the Luau, Germany has Oktoberfest, Russia has Easter Feast, Mexico has Cinco de Mayo, and your hometown has the police officers at the donut shop. Imagine what life would be like if we ate just because we had to. There would be no festivals, no galas, and very few social gatherings. Of course, we would still see the police officers at the donut shop because…..well, just because.
