Hinch Brasserie - part of the new £15m Hinch Irish whiskey and gin distillery - opens later this month

By Kathryn McKenna
Published 7th May 2021, 12:09 BST
Updated 7th May 2021, 12:12 BST
Hinch Distillery Head Chef Leo Small is pictured with Dr Terry Cross OBEHinch Distillery Head Chef Leo Small is pictured with Dr Terry Cross OBE
Hinch Distillery Head Chef Leo Small is pictured with Dr Terry Cross OBE
Newest culinary offering on the NI restaurant map gears up for full launch as Co Down chef to the stars takes lead kitchen role.

One of Northern Ireland’s newest attractions, Hinch Distillery, is gearing up for the full launch of its restaurant later this month as it appoints Leo Small as Head Chef.

Hinch Brasserie, which will open fully on May 24 after a short period of outdoor trading, is set to wow visitors with a spectrum of dishes that employ the freshest local produce.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Its menu, which includes a number of dishes flavoured with the distillery’s already famed whiskeys and gins, features classic dishes with a twist including Ninth Wave Gin Cured Salmon, buttermilk blini, lemon butter and caviar crème fraiche followed by masterpieces such as Whiskey Cask Smoke Cured Beef Short Rib with malt roast onion, whipped potato king and mushroom butter kale.

Hinch Distillery Head Chef Leo SmallHinch Distillery Head Chef Leo Small
Hinch Distillery Head Chef Leo Small

A children’s menu also translates the fine produce into mini portions.

Head Chef Leo Small is behind the lovingly crafted menu. The Newcastle, Co. Down-born chef has a wealth of experience in the restaurant sector having worked at prestigious venues including The Savoy Hotel in London and the Michelin starred Peacock Alley restaurant in Dublin.

Closer to home, Mr Small was Executive Chef at Belfast Waterfront Hall ICC and Titanic Belfast while his non-commercial work includes the delivery of a bespoke menu for the red carpet Game of Thrones’ wrap party which was attended by more than 2,000 actors and behind-the-scenes