A cheese barge? Whatever floats your culinary boat
If you thought the cheese conveyor belt was already pushing the limits, you haven’t seen anything yet – now, a cheese barge is coming to London. The new concept from Matthew Carver, the founder of the world’s first cheese conveyor belt Pick & Cheese and The Cheese Bar, is set to open this spring.
“Hailing from Jersey, I spent my childhood years messing around in boats. So, when the opportunity of opening The Cheese Barge came along, we couldn’t say no!”
Located on the Grand Union Canal at Paddington Central, the menu will serve seasonal dishes centred onthe best of British cheese. Head chef Reagan Ellenbroek is working alongside executive chef Ross Keeling to create a menu using small producer cheese. Dishes include medjool dates stuffed with Stilton and wrapped in bacon and Maida Vale cheese on treacle soda bread with smoked mackerel. f that’s not enough to get your cheese fix, sharing plates feature a half-kilo of baked Baron Bigod, made bespoke by Fen Farm Dairy.
In collaboration with Crown & Queue, The Cheese Barge will be combining its love of cheese and charcuterie to create a curd sausage with Young Buck. Meanwhile, head cheesemonger Sam Wilkin will be curating a list of seasonal British cheeses served with individual pairings, including Winsdale with chili dukkah and St Andrews cheddar with green kimchi.
Designed by Adam Richards Architects, the vessel’s design takes cues from the Electa bookstore in Venice, featuring a 40-cover lower deck dining room and an open-air upper deck space.
“Hailing from Jersey, I spent my childhood years messing around in boats. So, when the opportunity of opening The Cheese Barge came along, we couldn’t say no!” says founder Carver. He adds “The fact that it was British-made by real craftsmen appealed to our continued efforts to support British industry. Win, win! We’ve always set out to create fun restaurant experiences, and what could be more fun than eating the best of British cheese on the Grand Union Canal.”
The Cheese Barge will open in April at Sheddon Square, Paddington Central. For more information, visit the website here.
