A CHEF passionate about wholesome, local and seasonal produce needs your help to open his brand new restaurant, The Warren, in Carmarthen this September.
Deri Reed, known to many as The Ethical Chef, has launched a Crowdfunder to help him secure the funds to open The Warren, a friendly venue that serves simple and honest food and drink.
Having been a chef for ten years, gaining experience in numerous restaurants and winning awards for his street food, Deri Reed decided it was time to fulfil his life-long dream and open his very own restaurant.
With a menu focussed on homegrown vegetables, great Welsh produce, specialist craft beers, local ciders and quality wine, as well as focussing on becoming an exciting venue for music, art and performance, The Warren promises to be the next big thing in Carmarthen.
The Herald spoke with Deri Reed about his 70 seater restaurant, which will open on Mansel Street very soon.
Deri told us that he has wanted to open a restaurant for ten years, and became a chef for this very reason.
“I needed to find the right location and the right people,” he told us, “The business has grown organically.”
The chef travelled around the country, but did not find the right venue for his first restaurant while on the road.
“There’s nowhere like home,” Deri told us when we asked why he finally settled on Carmarthen.
He believes that The Warren will have a very good impact on the town because it’s ‘not just another fast food chain’ – it’s wholesome, it sources its products locally and it gives people a choice.
Deri said: “Food choices are very important and we want to give people a sustainable option. We only have one planet – one shot – and we need to look after it.
“We don’t want to force people, however, so we’re not completely vegan, organic or raw – we don’t want to be pretentious.”
Sourcing their products from nearby farms, as well as growing salad and vegetables on their very own roof, The Warren’s dishes will be as local as local can be!
“It’s a worthwhile project and your money will be well spent. We’re providing a congenial environment for like-minded people to exchange coversation,” commented Deri.
“We want to do things right from the off; it’s very difficult for small businesses in the food infustry so we want to get it right because we want to stay here for a long time.
Deri is amazed by the support that his Crowdfunder page has already received. He told us that a Swedish man messaged him to say that he wanted to donate £500 to the project despite the fact that he did not want any of the rewards that came with the large amount.
“He just wanted to go for a run with me,” said the chef, who is also a keen barefoot marathon runner, “He really wanted to support me and all he wants out of it is to go for a run with me when he visits.
“He’s the first ambassador – it’s incredible.
“Another person emailed me this morning to say that they wanted to donate more than the biggest pledge (£2,000). People really want to see it work, it has a loyal following already.”
You too can support Deri by going to his Crowdfunder page (http:// www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thewarren). Whether you pledge £10 or £2,000, there’s something incredible on offer for you!
Everyone who pledges £20 or more will receive a ticket to The Warren’s launch evening, where the wonderful Jodie Marie will perform, taking place on August 27.
Other rewards include being part of The Warren’s ‘Wall of Fame’, attending a tasting evening, desigining a dish for the menu, a membership card, becoming an amassador and a VIP evening for you and 30 friends.
Despite the fact that Deri will be extremely busy with his new restaurant, those who love his Ethical Chef street food and catering need not worry.
The Ethical Chef will continue and is even doing a cooking demonstration at Abergavenny Food Festival (Sep 17-18) in front of thousands of people this year.
Deri stated: “The Ethical Chef is how I made the money to do this and there will be a heavy influence from that project on the new restaurant.
“It’s been designed by the people involved in it – The Warren will be built by the people working here.”
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