After a successful run of three sold-out pop-up events in Sheffield, Jack Wakelin and Tom Aronica are putting down roots and opening neighbourhood bistro Bench, in Nether Edge.
From taking over Testone Factory in Kelham Island, to hosting at Swallows & Damsons flower shop and Steam Yard Café, the Bench pop-up was all about collaborating with some of Jack and Tom’s favourite independent businesses in the city. With an ethos focused on communal dining and blurring the divide between kitchen and bar, they’re now ready to offer a more permanent seat at the table.
Jack says: “Bench is going to be a neighbourhood hangout. We want to create a communal setting for drinking and dining, as well as offering a shop where people can take something home with them.
“It’s something that we’ve been working on behind the scenes for a good few years, and have been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. We’re so
excited to finally be able to have a place we can call home.”
To celebrate the launch, Bench are collaborating with some of the UK’s most exciting chefs in a series of planned events. Tom says: “It gives us the opportunity to
get some mega talented pals over to cook in what we’re calling Sunday Sessions. To be able to share this experience with our guests is going to be something really special.
“We’ve invited two of our favourite places in Sheffield, Piña and VorV, as well as friends from further afield: Anglothai legends John & Diz, Brad Carter of Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley, Sam Grainger of Belzan/Madre, and Lee Wescott, most recently of Michelin-starred Pensons. Each takeover is going to be unique and will really showcase what we want Bench to be about.”
To help them hit the ground running in their first year, Bench are launching a crowd funder, and will be offering rewards as part of their campaign, including vouchers, merchandise and tickets to all of the Sunday Sessions. You can support them here.
