WORLD OF WEDGWOOD
Michelin Chef comes back home
W
orld of Wedgwood warmly welcomes celebrity chef Niall Keating to a new modern dining concept opening at their Barlaston site in Staffordshire,
this Winter. Ed and Craig of The Great British Experience Company (the minds behind The Great British Drive In, London s Best Experience The Murder Express & Alberts Cafe) have invited Staffordshire born Chef, Niall Keating, to oversee Lunar; a new, elegant dining experience in the heart of Staffordshire. Niall is one of the small handful of chefs in the UK to currently hold two Michelin stars, giving him a reputation as one of the leading chefs in the country today, many recognizing him as BBC s Great British Menu Champion of 2020. The opening of Lunar is just one of many exciting developments at the historic Wedgwood estate. Lunar will take over the former dining hall; the once laid-back canteen-style setting will be no more as it is transformed into the sophisticated Lunar. From upcycling furniture to working with sustainable suppliers, Lunar has a passion for sustainability and encourages strong environmental and ethical standards throughout the restaurant. There will be a prominent focus on local produce and nurturing local talent, making it a space that Staffordshire is proud of. Jemma Harrison, the newly appointed Head of World of Wedgwood, said: We are delighted to welcome Lunar to Barlaston. The restaurant space has been developed with incredible creativity and enormous respect for the heritage of the beautiful estate and the Wedgwood brand. The combined passion and experience of Niall, Ed and Craig bring something unique and very very special to Staffordshire; it s been a real privilege to be involved in this project and I m so excited to see the concept come to life at World of Wedgwood. Diners will be served their food exclusively on Wedgwood fine bone china, from the brand's most loved tableware patterns, including the striking Arris and vibrant Wonderlust collections. Josiah s DNA will be tremendously apparent throughout the dining experience, from the interior colour scheme that has been carefully chosen, influenced by Josiah Wedgwood s experimentations with colour through oxidation, down to the industrial aesthetic as a nod to Wedgwood s place in pioneering the industrial revolution. The name Lunar was inspired by the legendary Lunar Society, a supper club formed during the Midlands enlightenment , of which Josiah Wedgwood was a founding member.
The Wedgwood estate is becoming quite the hub for exciting times ahead, as alongside Lunar they welcome their new garden Landpod, in which guests can enjoy takeaway afternoon tea in a quirky, woodlandstyle outdoor seating alternative. In 2014, London's Victoria and Albert Museum, otherwise known as the V&A, announced their partnership with World of Wedgwood, acquiring the Wedgwood collection, which remains on the World of Wedgwood premises in Barlaston within the former Wedgwood Museum, now known as the V&A Wedgwood Collection. Co-director, Craig Wilkinson, said: We are delighted, inspired, enthused and extremely proud to be working with Wedgwood. The history of Wedgwood is something everyone locally should be aware of and as the home of curious, creative, imaginative people we feel perfectly at home and well placed to make Lunar a world class destination. The synergy, values and ambitions we all have could not be more aligned and we re looking forward to making Lunar a destination that we can all enjoy and be proud of for many years to come.
