A highly-anticipated new restaurant boasting a giant pizza oven, classy décor, and fancy food will open to the public later this week.
Bazaar Restaurant, which will open on Captain Cook Square in Middlesbrough on Friday (July 26), is the brainchild of Tarek Thoma, who also owns The Oven Restaurant on Linthorpe Road.
This investment from Mr Thoma marks a continued transformation of Captain Cook Square, which has seen go-karting venue Level X, Fun Shack, and Wendy's open, or prepare to open their doors.
After having the idea two years ago, Mr Thoma set out to identify a building in Middlesbrough and create his vision for the venue - which he describes as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for adults".
Tarek has an extensive background in the culinary world, having worked at Michelin Star kitchens including L’Escargot in London.
He also famously cooked for former Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush while at the Dun Cow in Sedgefield in 2003.
When it opens on Friday, customers can look forward to an open plan kitchen-style, a large copper pizza oven, and slick decoration of orange and white, while artificial flowers adorn the ceiling of Bazaar.
In the kitchen area, there is an emphasis on theatrics, with charcoal ovens, a dry-aged fridge, and a skilled pastry chef who will operate a pastry kitchen alongside the main dishes.
Aside from the food, there is room for 86 people, while a private dining area or business space can be booked separately.
Given his experience, Mr Thoma is now eyeing up a potential Michelin star - but has emphasised that customers come first, and it's all about creating an experience for prospective diners.
Mr Thoma said: "We want to give people an experience - an immersive 360-degree experience, having people sat in the heart of the action, where they can watch the chefs, see their food being made and be surrounded in a great atmosphere.
"We want to put Middlesbrough and Teesside on the map. There's nowhere that I'm aware of that does something like this place.
"We want people to come from Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, and across the UK, and hopefully capture the attention of people from across the UK.
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When the restaurant opens, the general manager of the restaurant, Sheldon Oliveira, who has worked for royal families before, moved to the venue for its ambition.
He said: "We have built this place from an empty shell - and now have such a fantastic venue.
"We're excited to get going and the staff are ambitious with their plans."
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