Chefs who plan to merge front and back of house hit funding target

Two chefs who aim to create a restaurant that merges front and back of house have raised the funds for their new venture.

Paul Wendholt and Jordan Sitwell have raised £11,290 via Kickstarter to open Grain in Colchester, which will offer small plates served to the table be the chefs preparing them.

The cash will add to the £30,000 the pair put in to launch the project, along with £25,000 in bank lending.

Having reached their £10,000 target on Kickstarter, the chefs said: "Just under 24 hours to go and we've smashed our target!

"We can honestly say we never thought we'd make it this far, so to the people of Colchester, Essex, and some even further we thank you all for everything and can't wait to see each and every one of you at grain soon."

Wendholt and Sitwell met working at Wivenhoe House hotel in Essex four years ago. Inspired by restaurants such as the Diary and Clove Club they set about planning a restaurant that merges front and back of house.

Wendholt explained: "The customers will get the chance to interact with everybody that's involved in the dining experience. The chefs will be involved in front-of-house service and waiters will be skilled enough [or trained] to contribute in the kitchen."

The food served by chefs at Grain will be modern British, served on small plates.

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