Michelin-starred chef Alex Bond is launching a home delivery and collection service of comfort food to keep spirits up during the coronavirus pandemic.
Alchemilla, in Derby Road, Nottingham, is continuing to open as normal with the extra option for stay-at-home dining as an alternative for those heeding the Prime Minister’s warning to avoid bars and restaurants.
And if necessary the chef added he’ll turn the restaurant into a corner shop selling homemade bread, pasta sauces, soup and crisps along with wine and coffee – and even soap and loo roll.
Different options from the usual plant-based tasting menu will be available for takeaway – and they’re all warming, comforting dishes.
The collection/delivery menu includes a homemade sourdough loaf, celeriac soup, ox cheek in bourguignon sauce, venison and mushroom ragu, and chicken and leek pie.
There are vegetarian options too of aubergine curry and butternut squash tagine.
And if ever there’s a time to indulge in a sweet treat, it’s right now, so the list of puddings is mouthwatering with classics of sticky toffee pudding with carmel sauce and clotted cream, chocolate tart, bread and butter pudding and rhubarb crumble.
The food will be available to residents in postcodes across Notts – from NG1 in the city centre to NG25 covering Southwell and Fiskerton.
The dishes can be refridgerated or frozen. Prices range from £4 to £8 per dish.
For delivery there’s a minimum order of £50 for free delivery, otherwise an extra £3 will be added.
Alex, who was awarded his first Michelin star last October, said: “The climate of the restaurant business is uncertain at best. During this tough time we are looking into various ways to not only survive as a business but also how we can give back to the community. With supermarkets struggling to keep up with supply and demand we’ve made a decision to offer a meal delivery/pick up service.”
The restaurant normally has 250 covers a week but since Boris Johnson’s announcement urging the public to avoid restaurants and bars, numbers have plummeted due to cancellations and bookings dropping off.
Whatever the outcome Alex is determined to look after the 34 chefs, waiters and other staff.
“I have a moral obligation to my staff. They are my family and while I have breath in me I won’t let any of them go. If the Government pays their rent, I will feed them,” he said.
The service will go live from Monday, March 23 and will cover certain postcodes on certain days for delivery. Full details are on the website alchemillarestaurant.uk
