Andrew Sheridan joins Craft Dining Rooms

Craft Dining Rooms has announced the appointment of Chef Andrew Sheridan as its new executive chef. He will join both Craft Dining Rooms and Craft English Garden, which is due to launch in Birmingham in 2020. Sheridan will continue the site’s dedication to providing an all-British menu, using locally sourced produce and “focusing the offering to embrace traditional British food with a modern execution”. The new menu is said to “champion” seasonal British produce, and signature dishes will include: confit salmon, cucumber and butter sauce, glazed pig with apple and squash, venison, Plymouth cod, and wild mushroom tart. Desserts will include carrot cake trifle and craft surprise souffle. The wine list will consist of British wines that champion small, local vineyards, with producers from Kent, Devon and Sussex, amongst others. There will be an on-site sommelier to provide advice and descriptions of the wine on offer. Emma Morgan, founder of Craft, said: “We are delighted that Andy has joined us to lead the restaurant moving forward, and pioneer and embrace our concept of traditional British cuisine with modern execution. “As a family business it’s important to us that our offering remains in line with our principles and our guests are exposed to an exciting, unique and tasty culinary journey.” News of Sheridan’s appointment follows the announcement of a collaboration between Craft Dining Rooms and Chef Aktar Islam, of Michelin-starred Opheem, Legna and Pulperia. Sheridan says: “Having met Sam, Emma and Aktar, I could see the passion they all had for Traditional British Dining, I believe together we can create and dining envision which creates a journey from the 1940s to 2020s. “We want to ensure that the menu invokes childhood memories and excitement and whilst the offering will be considered high quality this doesn’t mean it’s not accessible, relaxed and open to all.” Sheridan joins Craft Dining Rooms from his role Stargazy Inn in Cornwall. Prior to this, Sheridan ran Sosban in Llanelli, South Wales, and worked alongside Michael Caines at Abode in Chester. He also appeared on the television show Great British Menu in 2018 and 2019 representing Wales.