Two star chef Paco Perez to open Manchester restaurant

His Tast Cuina Catalana restaurant has the backing of Manchester City FC manager Pep Guardiola, club director Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano.

Perez is the chef-patron of Miramar in Girona, Spain, and Enoteca at the Arts Hotel in Barcelona, both of which hold two Michelin stars. He is also behind the one-starred Restaurant Cinc at the Hotel Das Stue in Berlin.

Tast will serve traditional Catalan dishes, ‘tastets’ – small portions and nibbles to share - and a tasting menu in its private dining room.

The restaurant will have 120-covers spread across a casual dining and bar area on the ground floor, a first-floor dining room and second floor private space

Despite Perez’s record with Michelin, an statement announcing the opening says Tast will not be "pursuing awards” and is aiming to create a “friendly and affordable atmosphere”.

"We are delighted to bring the Catalan cuisine to Manchester and to be part of the amazing team behind Tast,” says Perez.

The chef and the trio of investors have teamed up with the Fazenda restaurant group, which has one site in Manchester, for the project.

“Catalonia has a distinctive identity and culture from that of Spain and our ambition is to introduce people to its wonderful tastes and flavours,” says Fazenda director Tomas Maunier.

“Paco’s reputation is immense and we will serve some of his and Pep’s favourite Catalan dishes, both traditional and with innovative modern twists.”