Restaurant protests against energy bills by serving tasting menu without power

A restaurant in Cheshire is to serve customers without using electricity or gas in an act of protest against soaring energy bills.

Next Door will hold the ‘Back to Basics’ event on 19 October, which will feature a nine-course tasting menu that will be prepared in the absence of electricity and gas.

The team have been planning the event for months, thinking of creative methods such as cold brewing coffee, serving herbal teas from the fire and cooking on charcoal.

In keeping with the theme, guests will dine by candlelight to live music without heating, card payments or Wi-Fi in the restaurant’s 17th century building.

It comes after the Insolvency Service reported that the number of company insolvencies has risen by 59% over the past year amid spiralling cost pressures, with 216 insolvencies of hospitality businesses occurring in July this year, up from 158 in June.

Richard Nuttall, head chef and co-owner, said: “We’ll be cooking solely on charcoal, using no refrigeration, no technology, all by candlelight! We are 100% committed to zero power, even in the preparation of the courses. It’s pushing us well out of our comfort zones to operate like this and keep up our usual high standards.

“Our suppliers have been incredibly supportive of our ambition and are delivering fresh goods immediately before they are due to cook due to the lack of cold storage”

Vicki Nuttall, sommelier and co-owner, added: “This event is a bold statement of independence and defiance against the ever-tightening constraints faced by our sector. We’ve already watched some of our favourite restaurants and pubs forced to close their doors, despite being busy – this is our way of showing that this isn’t acceptable.

“This is a light-hearted way to make a serious point about our industry.”

Next Door opened in the setting of an old butcher’s shop in Frodsham in 2017.