As coronavirus fears continue to grow, an independent restaurant in Yorkshire is offering 200 free meals a week for local NHS workers and their families for the next three months.

The award-winning Punch Bar & Tapas in Honley, near Huddersfield, has launched the initiative in support of the doctors, nurses and NHS staff working hard to fight the Covid-19 outbreak.  

With a weekly changing menu, NHS workers will be able to choose from a range of family dishes, such as braised meatballs, roast red onion gravy and sauté new potatoes; Uno beef and pork ragout, pasta, grated parmesan and Italian herbs; roast chicken thighs, white bean and spinach casserole, braised tomatoes and basil; and roast cauliflower tagine, chickpeas, spinach, natural yogurt and coriander leaf – all served with homemade garlic bread.

The initiative is being funded by a local couple who live in Honley. As well as assisting NHS staff, they hope it will allow the restaurant to survive these incredibly difficult times: “Punch Bar & Tapas is such an integral part of the village”, they said.

With the chefs locally-sourcing their menu ingredients, Yorkshire-based food suppliers are also likely to benefit from the project – including Atkinsons Butchers in Holmfirth; Roger's Bakery in Marsden; CJ Fresh Foods in Honley; Birkby Cheese Company in Huddersfield; and Wilson Fruit and Veg in Huddersfield.

NHS staff are invited to complete an online registration form to receive a link to make their menu selection, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Wayne Roddis, Punch Bar & Tapas co-owner and chef, said: “We are keen to show our gratitude to all the doctors, nurses and NHS staff working so hard to combat the coronavirus outbreak. We hope that, by offering fresh, homemade meals for them and their families, we can make these difficult days a little bit easier.”

Jason McCartney, MP for Colne Valley, said: “At this challenging time for all of us, it's genuinely heart-warming to see a local couple partner up with the Punch Bar & Tapas to provide our wonderful local NHS staff some quality, tasty takeaway food. As well as thanking our wonderful NHS workers, it also helps keep the Punch team busy in their kitchen at a time when the main restaurant has had to close to help combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus.”

Located in the heart of Honley village, Punch Bar & Tapas brings a taste of Spain to the Holme Valley. It has been awarded Best Restaurant in Yorkshire at The Food Awards 2018 for its British twist on tapas and cocktails.

NHS employees can register for the Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday service on a first-come-first-served basis here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/punch-bar-tapas-nhs-menu-tickets-100555221374

ENDS

For further information please contact Nicky – nicky.swire@gmail.com or call 07920063314. 

Links: 

• Instagram: instagram.com/punchhonley/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/punchhonley/
• Twitter: twitter.com/punchhonley
• Website: punchhonley.co.uk

Independent restaurant Punch Bar & Tapas brings a taste of Spain to the Holme Valley. It was awarded Best Restaurant in Yorkshire at the Food Awards 2018.

It provides a casual, social dining experience, great for a catch up with friends, a family get together - it has a popular kid's menu - or a relaxed date night. The menu combines traditional Spanish with a modern British twist ranging from albondigas, croquetas and squid to braised pigs cheeks and onglet steak. The produce reflects this with many ingredients imported from Spain such as the classic Bellota Jamon and Jabugitos Chorizo. 

Owners and chefs, Rick and Wayne, are long established within Honley and have two restaurants and a craft bar in the village – Punch Bar & Tapas, Uno and KRAFTY.

They believe in supporting local businesses – including Rogers bakery delivers fresh Sourdough and Atkinsons butchers provides the restaurants with fantastic cuts of meat.

Address: Punch Bar and Tapas, 11 Westgate, Honley, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD9 6AA

Phone: 01484 662359