From Paradisi to Peterlee: Chefs help families enjoy a taste of the Med with new food spot

With many of us losing out on our break in the sun this year, one business is helping people to still enjoy a taste of abroad.
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When the lockdown kicked in and closed down cafes and restaurants, they returned to their roots as a street food trader, offering a collection and delivery service from the box.

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But in the meantime, they set about preparing for a move to their new home in Peterlee, taking over a former cafe on the South West Industrial Estate to run their own sit-in ‘taverna’ ready for when the Government lifted restrictions, as well as a takeaway service.

Richard Parker inside of Spread From The Med as the finishing touches were put to the taverna in Peterlee.Richard Parker inside of Spread From The Med as the finishing touches were put to the taverna in Peterlee.
Richard Parker inside of Spread From The Med as the finishing touches were put to the taverna in Peterlee.

The guidance released since means they will now be able to host small numbers to sit in their cafe space, with the collection and delivery service still running.

They are offering gyros, shawarma, kleftiko, kofta, meatballs, grilled platters, bifteki and stifado, with an alcohol licence in line so people can also enjoy a Mythos, Keo or red label Peroni at home.

They are also busy stocking a shop, giving people a chance to get their hands on ingredients to make their own Mediterranean meals at home.

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Spread From The Med has opened off Fern Court on the South West Industrial Estate in Peterlee.Spread From The Med has opened off Fern Court on the South West Industrial Estate in Peterlee.
Spread From The Med has opened off Fern Court on the South West Industrial Estate in Peterlee.
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Richie said: “We have 18 covers, but for now we just have space for six people, nobody else, so if a family is in, it's all theirs, then we clean it ready for the next people.

"It’s all Mediterranean-inspired, so it’s what most people would associate with their holidays and that’s what people have found, because these last couple of weeks have been when people would have been going away.

"A lot have come in or ordered from us and said 'we should have been going on holiday now’, so they’ve ordered from the deli or had it delivered, sat out in the garden with a drink.”

The taverna and shop are open from the morning until 8.30pm and can be found off Fern Court.

Richard Parker runs Spread From The Med with business partner Chris Walls. Picture by Frank ReidRichard Parker runs Spread From The Med with business partner Chris Walls. Picture by Frank Reid
Richard Parker runs Spread From The Med with business partner Chris Walls. Picture by Frank Reid

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