New Lancaster restaurant manager strives for authenticity

Mark Berman-Thomas, 57, from Lancaster, said the Market Square restaurant’s long-term chef Matt Rawes is responsible for the establishment’s reputation for great food.

He said: “People don’t come here to dine out, they come for a flavour and taste sensation, and that’s all been down to Matt. We’re in the process of redefining the menu, keeping what is good, and introducing four or five weekly specials based on what’s fresh and hot in the market place.”

Mark started out as a chef himself, then went into management, becoming the youngest general manager for Beefeater Steakhouses in Kent. He then spent 17 years in South Africa managing hotels and running his own business, before returning to the UK in 2001.

He joined Mitchells and Butler, and then ran the Lancastrian in Morecambe Road, before taking time out to spend time with family.

He joined 1725 last month, and said his new assistant Samie Ammat, from Spain, was now in charge of ensuring the restaurant is authentic, while Helen Tyler Kelly was the venue’s live music envoy.