PIAZZA BY ANTHONY
27.08.2008 Piazza by Anthony
Following the recent announcement that Leeds ’ most historic landmark
building was to be re-launched as a food destination, Anthony saw a unique
opportunity and moved quickly to secure the entire ground floor piazza
area for his £1 million venture.
‘The Piazza by Anthony’ aims to deliver a new concept that will serve a
much more diverse customer profile. The menu will cater for all tastes
from coffee and sandwiches through to a full al a carte menu. It will
include a 125 seat brasserie situated in the central open expanse together
with a more casual café - ideal for quick lunches. A new bar lounge will
feature with contemporary glass curtain walling that will also showcase
the kitchen and serving areas.
Occupying a huge 13,200 sq ft area The Piazza by Anthony will also feature
a series of retail shops where customers can purchase hand made breads,
chocolates and cakes as well as self made measures of aromas - something
that Anthony expects will also appeal to other local chefs. Each of these
retail units will also serve the Brasserie – a unique concept where
Anthony’s businesses can support each other and produce the freshest daily
produce for on site consumption or take away.
In addition, Anthony has confirmed that he plans to open a private lounge
that can be used for exclusive masterclasses and other private events.
Further space remains secured for exciting additions in the future.
Anthony Flinn has been hailed a genius by some of the UK ’s most respected
critics and applauded by the national media for his creativity and unusual
style of molecular gastronomy that creates outstanding dishes. Anthony
graduated from Huddersfield Technical College and was the first, and until
now, the only Englishman on the payroll at the world famous three Michelin
Star El Bulli restaurant in Spain , voted the worlds best restaurant for
four out of the last five years. At just 28 he has already made a much
bigger impact on the British restaurant industry than his peers Marco
Pierre White and Gordon Ramsay did in their early careers, and with his
recent appearance on this year’s BBC Great British Menu he has only just
begun. Despite this rising stardom Anthony remains grounded to his role
as a working chef.
Anthony comments, “Over the last four years we have built up a successful
and highly respected operation in Leeds under the Anthony’s brand.
Anthony’s Restaurant on Boar Lane, Anthony’s at Flannels and Anthony’s
Patisserie in the Victoria Quarter have all been borne out of our
commitment to bring a passion for modern British food to Leeds and push as
many culinary boundaries as possible, creating new and exciting textures
and flavours with the highest quality in local produce. My own obsession
with maintaining a ‘hands on’ presence is what differentiates us and we
are committed only to deliver excellence in all that we do.
“To have the opportunity to expand our proposition to a much wider
audience at Leeds Corn Exchange is an exceptional opportunity indeed and
our biggest challenge by far. The Piazza at Anthony will offer a much
more casual dining experience, but without compromise in quality. Leeds
Corn Exchange is a fantastic building, firmly in the hearts of the people
of Yorkshire who want to see it utilised in a way it deserves. We believe
that the new food concept at Leeds Corn Exchange will serve great demand
in Leeds and compete with fine food destinations in other leading cities
across the country.”
Richard Saul, Asset Manager at Threadneedle Investments that manages the
property for leaseholder Zurich Assurance adds, “We are delighted to have
secured The Piazza by Anthony as the anchor tenant at Leeds Corn Exchange.
We have always set out to revitalise Leeds most treasured building with a
unique new retail offer that can be sustained in the long term. This
agreement with Anthony’s not only supports that but also delivers against
our commitment to secure successful local and national operators with
individuality and flair.”