Top London Chef comes home to Swansea to open The Shed Restaurant at SA1

At Bayview Oxwich we love a good story. And this one takes some beating. Especially since it’s about food which is of great interest to our family here and of course, to our guests.

This is the tale of Jonathan Woolway, Swansea born and bred, who, after 16 years as Head Chef at one of London’s most highly regarded restaurant, St John, has recently returned to his beloved city by the sea to realise his ambition of opening his own restaurant – The Shed at SA1.

It was after completing a history degree, and chance work experience at classic bygone Patrick’s restaurant in Mumbles, that he went to London to be at the heart of a foodie scene driven by sustainability and a commitment to locally-sourced and seasonal produce.

All this he has brought back to The Shed at SA1, a beautifully renovated space in a red-brick warehouse building in the former Victorian industrial and dockland hub of Swansea. Jonathan, Executive Chef and Co-owner of the restaurant, opened the doors in early February this year and already the accolades are many.

With Gower on the doorstep, Jonathan is guaranteed being able to source the finest seasonal produce from land, sea and pasture. As he says, he’s blessed with ‘nature’s larder’ of quality reared meat, fish and vegetables.

And here’s where this story takes another interesting twist as the meat that Jonathan is now serving is sourced from his life-long friend, award-winning traditional Gower butcher, Philip Tucker www.tuckersbutchers.co.uk. Jonathan remembers giving his pal a ‘cwtch’ (Welsh for cuddle) 38 years ago when he was just 5 years old, and he is thrilled to be working side-by-side again with Philip.

And there’s more to highlight the quality of this winning combo as Philip Tucker has just scooped the title of ‘Welsh Butcher of the Year’ and the ‘Gold Medal Award’ at the Welsh Craft Butcher of the Year finals at the Welsh International Culinary Championships at ICC Newport.  But, we knew he was world-class anyway at Bayview Oxwich as we get our meat regularly from his shop in Newton Road, Mumbles as do many of our guests! And another interesting little addition to the story is that Bayview owner, Ellen’s step-father at NB:Design www.nb-design.com created the distinctive logo for the Tucker branding!

The Shed SA1 will also source the finest fish from Mumbles, and from Swansea’s indoor market, which has recently been voted the best indoor market in the UK! All this will be available on a menu that changes daily, in a convivial atmosphere, by a chef that is committed to not only souring the finest local ingredients, but the finest local talent to nurture skills and sustainable employment in Swansea’s food scene.

For more information about The Shed SA1 including details of the lunch and dinner menus, how to book and some beautiful images, take a look at www.theshedsa1.com

The Shed is just a 30-min drive from Bayview Oxwich which we’d love you to make your base. For more information on our luxury contemporary cottages and apartments, and our exclusive private retreat, please contact Wanda and the Team who will be happy to advise on what best suits your requirements.

Imagery: © The Shed SA1 / NB:Design