M&B names new concept TUK CHO

26-Oct-2011 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 23:15 GMT

Wheel deal: part of the new name derives from tuk-tuks

Mitchells & Butlers’ (M&B) new South-East Asian cuisine concept will be called TUK CHO, with a first restaurant under the brand set to open in Ealing, west London, in December.

The concept will open on the site of the Edwards bar and club in New Broadway and will offer “authentic street food in a vibrant environment inspired by Asia’s amazing street kitchens”.

The name of the new brand derives from ‘tuk-tuks’, the three-wheeled auto-rickshaws found all over South-East Asia, and ‘cho’ — the Vietnamese word for market.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the company had hired Adrian McCormack, former executive chef at Wagamama and Tampopo, to oversee the development of the offering.

M&B pulled out of talks earlier this year to buy the six-strong Tampopo chain.

It is also thought to have taken a close look at acquiring Wagamama last year.

The operator of the All Bar One, Browns and Harvester brands said it had identified an opportunity in the Asian cuisine category, both within some of its current brand menus as well as through working on the new concept.

McCormack has been heavily involved in helping to develop the menu content for the new brand alongside M&B’s existing operational team.

The development of TUK CHO forms part of the company’s strategy to diversify its food sales.