February’s Foodie News in Dorset, in collaboration with Dorset Biz News.
Written by Andrew Diprose, Editor of Dorset Biz News.
What a busy few weeks on Dorset’s food and drink scene!
New ventures launched, the expansion of a popular wine estate and a very different kind of snack food.
Here’s a bite-sized selection of our latest stories on Dorset Biz News. Just click on the links to read more.
- Award-winning restaurant Al Molo is to expand into Dorchester creating ten new jobs. Co-owners Giuseppe Vannucci and Tim Newton have secured the lease of the historic Judge Jeffreys building on High West Street. The listed 17th century lodgings contains two Jacobean rooms, Tudor fireplaces and is one of the few surviving timber-framed buildings in the town. Refurbishment work has already been commissioned with Al Molo Ristorante Di Pesce due to open its doors this Spring. https://www.dorsetbiznews.co.uk/good-news-for-foodies-and-job-seekers-as-award-winning-al-molo-moves-into-dorchester/
- They’re the single-minded vision of a ‘foodpreneur’ – and going down a treat in both the UK and beyond. Dorset-made Pep & Lekker’s Seed Snacks are a lightly baked and moreish range of sweet and savoury themed treats. High in fibre, and supporting good gut health, the vegan snacks can be eaten out of the pack or crumbled into soup and salads (savoury) or scattered over ice cream (sweet). Susan Gafsen, Founder and Director of Pep & Lekker, comes from the most unlikeliest of backgrounds for a ‘foodpreneur’. https://www.dorsetbiznews.co.uk/made-in-dorset-late-blooming-foodpreneur-susans-vegan-snacks-prove-to-be-very-moreish/
- Dave Tonkes is living proof that dreams really can come true. His vision of opening the South’s first independent alcohol-free bar and coffee shop has become reality. Sobar – a variation on ‘sober’ – officially opened its doors at 5pm on February 18. The former premises of Bennetts Family Bakers in Ashley Cross, Poole, have been transformed into a chic, chilled-out and trendy venue. https://www.dorsetbiznews.co.uk/raise-a-glass-daves-dream-of-owning-the-first-alcohol-free-bar-in-the-south-becomes-a-reality/
- A delicatessen launched in response to customer demand looks set to be another sure-fire success for one of Dorset’s best-known beachside restaurants. Queues had formed by the time The Noisy Lobster’s new Deli, Shop and Bakery officially opened for business on Mudeford’s Avon Beach. Around £50,000 has been invested in the venture which involved a total revamp of the previous beach shop. Cured meats, seafood and The Noisy Lobster’s own sauces and condiments are now available to buy together with flavoured butters, fresh bread and other items made in the kitchens. A range of local brands are also stocked including Dorset Spice Shed, Dorset Sea Salt and Dorset Ginger. https://www.dorsetbiznews.co.uk/deli-icious-the-noisy-lobster-launches-new-deli-shop-and-bakery-in-response-to-demand/
- Award-winning Dorset wine estate, Langham, is to expand its vineyard by 184 per cent in a bid to keep up with the growing demand for English sparkling wine. The project, costing more than £500,000, will see the area grow from 30 acres to 85 acres. The expansion will increase production by 200 per cent, from 50,000 to 150,000 bottles. The new vines will be planted at the same Crawthorne vineyard site, about 11 miles from Dorchester. https://www.dorsetbiznews.co.uk/grape-news-award-winning-wine-estate-is-to-increase-production-by-200-to-meet-demand/
Until next time…
Andrew Diprose – Editor, Dorset Biz News
All images used with permission from Dorset Biz News.
