Vine & Fire opened in Waterloo last month and already boasts a number of regular customers
Vine & Fire’s Hannah and Josh Stanton(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A man went from searching for the perfect property to welcoming drones of regulars within less than three months. Josh Stanton, 28, from Crosby, managed the spectacular feat of launching his own business with no prior knowledge – and it’s already going down a storm in the area.
Vine & Fire opened on St Johns Road, Waterloo, on March 7. Josh boasts more than a decade working behind the scenes in kitchens across the region, working his way up the ranks to become somewhat of a culinary aficionado who can “do it all”.
Ready to channel his experience into a venture he could call his own, Josh took the leap from the kitchen to the head of operations. He told the ECHO: “This is the first time I’ve run a business but I’ve been in the industry the last 12 to 13 years.
“I’ve worked my way up from being a kitchen porter. I’ve worked in kitchens all my life from when I left school. I’ve done every role possible in the kitchen and now I thought it was time to run my own kitchen.”
Vine & Fire on St Johns Road, Waterloo, with Josh Stanton pictured(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Josh wasted little time in finding the perfect spot. In the space of less then three months, Vine & Fire went from concept to completion like it was nothing.
Josh added: “We didn’t start looking until January and then we got the keys in February. Me and my dad built everything in the restaurant and we opened the first week of March.”
Despite his industry knowledge, Josh was without prior business education and went about opening his venue blind, learning every step of the way what it meant to open your own business. Regardless of his naivety, business is booming.
He said: “It’s been fantastic. We’ve been very busy. I did not expect to be where [I am] now six weeks in. The amount of feedback we’re getting is unreal. Everyone is loving it.
“It’s one of the best streets on Earth. I’ve got regulars coming back to me and I’ve only been open six weeks.”
Vine & Fire on St Johns Road, Waterloo(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Vine & Fire offers Mediterranean small plates that are slightly larger than the typical tapas offerings. The menu is inspired from across the European continent – not just the hotter destinations- with Josh swaying away from “just one thing”. He added: “I can do anything in Europe food-wise.”
The restaurant’s wine list has been paired with a number of the restaurant plates in order to keep the taste experience collaborative for guests. Vine & Fire is prepared for a monthly rotation of both its food and drink offers to keep the experience exciting, fresh and ever-changing depending on the season and market.
Thrilled with accomplishing so much in so little time, Josh once again said: “It’s been fantastic.”