Award-winning Indian restaurant and street food trader Chaat Cart is opening a Stockport town centre site.
After making a name for herself with her south Indian cookery at her Marple restaurant, Aarti Pandey is taking up a spot in The Produce Hall.
She's a familiar face on the street food circuit too, trading at events including last week's Foodie Friday in the Market Place as well as previous residencies at projects such as The Kitchens and B.Eat Street in Manchester city centre.
Chaat Cart will be taking up a pitch in the newly-redeveloped market building next to Cambodian restaurant and fellow Marple incomer Angkor Soul, bringing some welcome independent flavour to the food hall.
The stall will serve the street food menu Aarti takes to markets and events alongside a selection of dishes from her main restaurant and a daily-changing tiffin lunch deal.
Aarti was invited to take up a spot there by restaurateur Steve Pilling, who was appointed by the council to take over the building, along with Blackshaw's Cafe, as an 'anchor tenant' to drive more visitors to the Market Place.
They have both been popular additions to the flourishing food and drink scene in and around the Market Place, where its neighbours include foraged fine dining destination Where the Light Gets In, Viking-themed tapas bar Vinabod, Mobberley Brewery's Project 53 taproom, The Angel Inn and Baker's Vaults pubs and Remedy Bar and Brewhouse.
"I think the area around there is just beautiful," said Aarti.
"I think it's just going to grow and grow and we're really excited to be part of it."
A 'tentative' opening date has been pencilled in for July 22. Angkor Soul opens tonight.
