Dine with a true Master!

Simon Wood

THE menus have been revealed, the grand opening is imminent ­­- and we have a meal for two at Wood Manchester up for grabs!

The Chronicle has collaborated with "MasterChef" winner Simon Wood to offer a lucky reader lunch for two from the sophisticated lounge menu and a glass of fizz at his first fine dining restaurant in First Street, Manchester (Ts and Cs apply).

Star chef Simon, from Chadderton, is set to announce the opening date very soon and you could be among the first to dine there with our fantastic competition.

The owner and chef has produced an a la carte menu, a blind tasting menu to be served in the restaurant or at the prestigious six cover chef's table in front of the open kitchen and a menu featuring the three dishes that bagged Simon the 2015 "MasterChef" title.

There's also a first-floor private dining room to seat 16-20 people with a gallery and glass fronted view over the restaurant and dining area.

The focus is to create a relaxed, un-intimidating dining atmosphere for guests to enjoy Simon's dishes.

From wild mushroom raviolo with sage, chestnut and pangrattato or the pigeon, fig, endive & belazu lardon starters to the mains featuring cod, leek, tar, fennel, chicken and parsley and the giant sharing tomahawk steak, each dish is served with playful authenticity using classic flavour pairings. One of the stars of the show is the josper smoked gnocchi which will be served throughout the menu.

His blind tasting menu will change dependent on seasonality, ingredients available and what he feels like cooking! It will be presented to guests, who must book in advance, on a sealed scroll. The chef's table will only be available on Friday and Saturday nights.

"MasterChef" judge John Torode said Simon takes something ordinary and makes it special.

For guests hungry to find out what it was that helped Simon win the "MasterChef" title, they can order from the Final Show Menu and try each of the dishes he cooked for the judges on that day including fizz and amuse; squid, chorizo, aged sherry, brunoise and frisse; pigeon, watercress, pommes, heritage carrots and nut and citrus tutti-frutti and lime air.

The lounge menu includes simple dishes such as flat iron steak, smoked gnocchi, rocket Parmesan pesto and leaves, Simon's trademark Italian take on steak and chips.

There will be mushrooms or seared squid and lighter bites including cured salmon, sourdough croute, bagna-cauda and pickles or a take on a Waldorf chicken salad, plus small plates including pork belly bites, josper pimiento de padron peppers and josper smoked gnocchi.

"I'm really excited to get these menus out there and see what the response is," said Simon. "My focus is on simple dishes and ingredients that pack a punch. The smoked gnocchi is such a simple dish but it tastes amazing. Also I've included my 'MasterChef' dishes because so many people say they'd like to try them."

COMPETITION

TO win lunch for two at Wood Manchester answer this simple question: What year did Simon win the MasterChef title?

Send your answer ­— titled Lunch for two at Wood Manchester Competition — to gillpotts@oldham-chronicle.co.uk or to Gill Potts, Oldham Evening Chronicle, 172 Union Street, Oldham OL1 1EQ.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, July 26, and the winner will be notified soon after.

Date and time of lunch to be arranged at a date and time of mutual convenience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Prize is for lounge menu only which is available Monday to Friday, 12-6pm.
Fizz may be substituted for soft drink of choice.