MAQs Bistro in Egremont to launch with 'good-quality homemade food'

MAQs Bistro, in the former Cat Inn on Main Street, is being relaunched under the management of Matthew Hooper, who previously ran the popular Pasta Delight takeaway in Frizington.

The bistro will open from Friday, August 4, and will offer a range of dishes including pasta, burgers, steaks and ribs and traditional meals such as fish and chips, scampi and steak and ale pie.

Sunday lunches will also be available to eat-in or takeaway with a gluten-free option, from Sunday, August 13.  

Matthew, 43, said: “In Egremont there aren’t many places to sit-in.

"I want to give people in Egremont good-quality food with good size portions at reasonable prices but still make it a bit special.”

Matthew Hooper, pictured with his dog, Rox, previously ran Pasta Delight in Frizington (Image: Matthew Hooper)

Matthew, who is originally from Peterborough and now lives in Cleator, has worked as head chef at the Park Inn by Raddisson in Peterborough and has previously worked at Low Wood Bay Hotel and The Wild Boar in Windermere.

He most recently worked at the Sunny Hill pub in Whitehaven after making the difficult decision to close Pasta Delight last year, due to the rising costs of produce.

He said: “Prices were going up and up. It was a shame because I put my heart and soul into Pasta Delight. I was very passionate about Mediterranean cooking. It broke me when I had to leave there.

“It’s a new start for me. It’s exciting.”

Matthew has been cooking for 27 years and says it is 'all he has ever known'.

He said: “I had never met my dad. My dad was a chef and I had one picture of him in a chef’s outfit. Growing up, all I wanted to be was a chef.

“I was playing football one day and had the picture in my jacket pocket and left my jacket outside. The following day it had gone and I didn’t have the picture anymore.

“I have always wanted to be a chef. I couldn’t do anything else.”

MAQs Bistro will be open Wednesday to Saturday 12-2pm then 5-9pm. Sunday lunches will be available from 12-3pm.

The bistro will be on Food Hub and Coastal Eats for takeaway orders. Bookings can be made by calling 01946 328490.