A masterstroke of an opportunity for a Leeds chef coming home

Matt Healy outside The Foundry.

“We have taken on a reputation”.

That is how Matt Healy is looking at his new venture after having taken on one of the city’s hidden gems.

The Leeds born chef couldn’t get through the door fast enough when he heard that The Foundry restaurant in Holbeck was up for sale.

Healy, who turns 35 on Sunday, has bought the business from Phil Richardson and Shaun Davies who have been at the helm for 12 years - although he admits it wasn’t what he had in mind.

He told City Buzz: “We were looking for a site in north Leeds because we didn’t want the competition of major brands - independents do lose to these because we don’t have the capital - and there is already the likes of HOME and The Man Behind The Curtain which are amazing.“But one of the boys said he had seen a restaurant off Water Lane and I was like ‘we need to go now’. I have made big decisions on jobs, getting married, moving house and like that - this all feels right.”

For Richardson and Davies the sale was not just about the money, it was important to make sure the business and reputation they have built up over a decade went into the hands of the right person.”

They will work with Healy until mid April and then following a new look refurb, the restaurant will re-open at the beginning of May.

He will be joined by his own team of chefs and staff, led by his best mate Iain Silver, who has previously been general manager at Pintura and Blackhouse.

When asked if it will be ‘fine-dining’, Healy is quick to dismiss the term as it puts people off trying new places.

But he will be doing British food (think braised beef), brunches and be using seasonal produce to create simple dishes that might only have five ingredients at most.

It is different, in part, to places he has worked before and food fans may recognise the Horsforth born chef from Masterchef The Professionals.

Healy was runner up in 2016 but started honing his craft as a child when baking cakes and buns with his grandmother before progressing to helping to make the Sunday lunch for the rest of the family.

He then went on to work at Stewart’s Wine Bar, Babylon and Livebait before moving to Manchester and London.

His late father falling ill in 2011 brought him back to Leeds and he took a development role with an oven manufacturer but it was a flippant comment from his then wife that made him apply for Masterchef.

He recalls: “We were watching it and she said ‘if you think you can do it, do it’ and I thought ‘go on then’.“Every time I got through a round I thought ‘Christ’ and I was in the final.”

After the show he did some pop-ups but longed to come home and says he has found a very different food and drink scene from the one he left.

His picks would be Laynes Espresso for coffee, Neighbourhood, Dakota and Oporto for drinks and HOME for dinner.

He said: “ I love that Leeds is getting its act together, it was a good few years behind London and Manchester but is catching up and I think I can add to that.“It is a challenge to set up and I can see why people don’t do it but more independents should take the plunge and I am looking forward to getting back on the stove.”