Two chefs who were part of the opening team at Stockport’s high-flying foodie hotspot Where The Light Gets In eight years ago have teamed up to launch their own restaurant and wine bar, Cantaloupe, in the Cheshire town.

Josh Reed-Cooper and Mike Thomas stayed in touch while working their way through some of greater Manchester’s best-regarded kitchens before opening Cantaloupe, a small European-inspired venue tucked in between the air raid shelter and the historic Plaza cinema on the edge of Stockport’s Old Town.

Josh worked at Tast, the Catalan specialist co-owned by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and Mana, where he was head chef, while Mike worked at the likes of Canto, Hawksmoor and The Creameries, where he rose to become sous and then head chef.  

Mike said: “Our menu takes inspiration from regions across Europe, predominantly Italy and France, but also the Basque Country, Catalonia and the western parts of Croatia, to name but a few. We work with small producers from the UK and Europe and our menu reflects what is available in season.”

The wine list is likewise drawn mainly from small producers scattered across Europe, supplemented by a few bottles from the New World and further afield.