The Cork family behind a thriving food business have unveiled big plans to start a major Irish restaurant chain - and their first location is opening on Leeside
Cork's Athula Fusion Foods, founded by former Hayfield Manor chef Athula Kurruppu Achichige and his wife Amila Nishali Perera, are working to open a new Sri-Lankan street food spot on Carey's Lane. It's the start of a major project for the duo, and in just a few years they hope to have sister restaurants across Leeside and over two dozen more spread throughout Ireland.
Athula, originally from the village of Hanwella in Sri-Lanka, told CorkBeo the eatery will have around 35 seats, do takeaway, and offer a menu that fuses the best of Irish and Sri-Lankan cuisine. The location will be a spin-off location from Athula's old stall "The Koththu Joint" at the Black Market on Monahan Road, which he said was "going very well and got very good feedback." This location closed in February this year, but staff teased online that they'd be back in a new location soon.
Planning permission to open the new restaurant was sought last month, with a decision due by 21st July this summer.
And of course, his upcoming restaurant will use products from his family businesses' own production kitchen in Carrigaline, which many Rebels are already very familiar with.
Athula Fusion Foods has been stocking Supervalu shops across Munster and as far north as Carlow for years with their range of tasty pasta and peri-peri sauces, seasonings and spices. Many of their products are made with ingredients harvested and shipped over from Athula's farms in Sri-Lanka.
Their kitchen currently employs 14 people, which includes the founders and their three hard-working kids - twins Anupa and Anuka (22) and Ama (25) - who often help out with production and admin work while balancing college classes.
The new restaurant should be a welcome addition to Cork city's thriving food scene as Athula has years of experience working as a chef in luxurious venues around the world. He currently runs the popular Albatross Restaurant at the Fermoy Golf club, and previously worked at Cork's well-known 5-star Hayfield Manor Hotel and the renowned Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo Hotel in Sri Lanka.
Speaking to CorkBeo, Athula said he and his family are very excited about the project and the chance to open restaurants across Ireland - but for now they're starting with Carey's Lane and 'seeing where things go.'
It's the latest good news for Cork's thriving food scene, and comes after a new boutique hotel and café, The Salty Dog, opened their doors earlier this month.
Ballycotton's latest addition held it's launch last week, opening just in time for the peak tourist season. It's located just a few hundred metres from the local cliff walk, serving as a great option for any hikers looking to refuel after enjoying one of East Cork's most scenic walkways.
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