Menu
Picnic was launched as a healthy food delivery service by founders Lauren and Sam back in 2017. The brand gained popularity with locals following residencies in Liverpool’s Baltic Market and Grand Central Food Bazaar, their first permanent restaurant opened on Smithdown Road in 2019.
Picnic specialises in vegan and vegetarian dishes, focusing on convenient, fast food with added health benefits. From superfood salads and wholemeal wraps to plant-based burgers and freshly pressed juices, Picnic gives a convenient option for those looking for a guilt-free treat.
“Our customers describe us as ‘the beautiful inbetween’ – a place where they can indulge their fast-food craving without the guilt! We want our food to be accessible to everyone, to become a habit in our customer’s lives. Whether they choose to come and sit in with us, grab and go or have their food delivered, we’ll provide a healthy way for them to indulge.”
Sustainability is a key focus for Picnic. All ingredients are ethically sourced, 80% of the menu is vegetarian or vegan and all takeaway packaging is biodegradable or compostable. “Our goal has always been to build a sustainable business committed to offering healthier alternatives to traditional fast food. We want to provide convenient, fast food that is better for you, and better for the environment. To provide our customers with delicious, healthy choices for food on the go.”
If you’ve ever drooled over a photo of a gooey brownie or a warm cookie dough topped with ice-cream on Instagram then chances are you’ve seen The Midnight Delivery.
Founded in Liverpool, UK in 2015 owners Lloyd and Jasmin initially grew the business from the basement of Lloyd’s house, utilising social media to connect with local communities and eventually building up to opening their first store on Smithdown Road in 2018. They created a customer app that allowed them to take orders for delivery – years before Uber or Deliveroo were household names. “We just made it easy for the customer to order and receive a delicious and exciting sweet treat in the evenings.”
The business has grown considerably from its starting point in the family basement, with 8 stores located across Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington and several more in the pipeline. Innovation is one of the major contributors to their ongoing success. “We never sit still – our menu is constantly evolving to give our customers the flavours and treats they crave, and they come back to us time and time again for their favourites.”
The Midnight Delivery are currently recruiting and are keen to engage with individuals looking for a sweet business opportunity. “We want to grow the business at speed, but in a way that is sustainable and which supports our people and the local communities we serve. We’re looking for a team of store managers who are willing to put the hard work in to build their own business for the future.”
If you’ve never visited Carlisi on Dale Street, it’s safe to say you’re missing out on some of the best Italian food and drink in the city. Brothers Alessio and Federico started their business back in 2018 with the dream of bringing authentic Italian food, drinks and service to the people of Liverpool. Known for their exceptional service, the brothers go above and beyond to ensure that every customer has an experience to remember, whether they’re calling in for a quick coffee or spending an evening indulging in a deli platter and a bottle of the finest Italian wine.
Authenticity is also important to the Carlisi brothers. “We import a lot of our products directly from suppliers around Italy and we’re proud of our heritage. Our arancini are handmade in Sicily by a member of the Carlisi family, and we import the finest cheese, wine and meat from the best Italian suppliers.”
Carlisi recently partnered with local distillers Murphys Gin to create their own slice of Sicily to the UK – Agrigento Gin, named after their hometown. Every batch is hand-prepared by a member of the Carlisi family using authentic Italian ingredients and distilled locally using traditional methods. The aroma of fresh Sicilian lemons and hints of zesty orange combine with a pinch of sea salt, taking us on a journey from the mountains to the Mediterranean.
“At Carlisi we blend our proud Sicilian heritage with our presence here in Liverpool. We’ve been sharing flavours of our hometown through our food for years, and now we want a reminder on every shelf!”
If Shane looks familiar then there’s a good chance you’ve seen him somewhere before! Shane started his hospitality career in London, working for the famous Hard Rock Café where he spent 8 hours a day washing dishes before being promoted to a KP role. In 1997 he came to Liverpool for a night out, and shortly after he returned to London where he packed all of his belongings into a taxi and made the move to our great city!
He’s worked in more venues than you can count, including Uncle Sams, Yates, Wetherspoons, Lloyds Bar and The Merton, before taking a position at The Morris Dancers in Scarisbrick where he spent 4 years as Deputy GM. He was responsible for establishing the Kaspa’s brand in Liverpool, opening their first site in the city and overseeing recruitment, operations and compliance, before moving on to popular pizza restaurant Crust, and eventually Manhattan Bar & Grill.
In 2021 Shane finally realised his dream of owning his own restaurant, and all of that experience is now being put to use in one of Crosby’s most exciting new ventures. Shane has recruited a young, energetic team and is keen to provide them with the opportunities he had when he started out in his own hospitality career. He’s passionate about developing great people and building a team that treats their guests like family, and who can help him to take Sesay’s confidently into the future.
CB Sushi is the home of vegan sushi in Liverpool, and founder Chloe creates plant-based goodies that almost look too good to eat!
Founded in 2018, CB Sushi are on a mission to revolutionise plant-based eating, with a goal to prove that plant-based eating is just as good as (if not better than) traditional foods, as well as playing a pivotal role in benefiting the environment.
CB Sushi sell wholesale and retail, even delivering their tasty vegan to homes across Liverpool through their own website and third-party delivery platforms.
Founder Chloe says “Born and raised in Liverpool, I grew up cooking and creating. With a background in Prosthetic Makeup, I have always journeyed through life with a creative eye, and having lived a vegan lifestyle myself, built a desire to change opinions that vegan food is tasteless and boring. We cater for all occasions. From off the shelf lunches and snacks found at independent supermarkets, pop up events, to private parties.”
But CB Sushi are not just makers, they’re educators too, running some seriously fun sushi-making workshops for customers, and consulting for other businesses who are looking to upgrade their own vegan offering.
Sebastian Linares is a young entrepreneur who’s passionate about vertical farming, and he’s currently working to discover more about his passion for growing sustainable produce.
Sebastian wants to change the way we eat. “When you think of the vegetables, herbs, and fruits you consume at home, like lettuce, arugula, basil, or strawberries, do you ever think about where it comes from? Or how was it grown? These are critical questions to answer when it comes to supplying the needs of the British population, and we need to find solutions if we are going to meet those needs in a sustainable way.”
Sebastian is working hard on the solution to this problem… “Let me introduce you to indoor vertical farming, a technique of growing crops all year-round. Optimal conditions for healthy plants are created, such as temperature, humidity, sunlight, this allows us to grow crops consistently. Instead of growing outwards, our crops grow upwards, with racking systems or towers using space much more efficiently than traditional farming. Because vertical farming is done indoors in a closed environment, pesticides are no longer required, and the result is much healthier and tastier produce.”
Sebastian believes that ‘Growing Up’ is the future of farming. He joined Liverpool Food Network because he also wants to see businesses working together to support the transition to a more local supply chain within the city, making Liverpool self-sufficient when it comes to leafy greens and herbs, and taking ‘go local’ to a whole new level.
Ever dreamed of converting your living room into a commercial bakery? Well, that’s exactly what Umrana (aka Dungaree Baker) chose to do when she started her own business making traditional American-style fruit pies!
Dungaree Baker Pies are sold at a number of venues locally including Claremont Farm and Neighbourhood, as well as festivals and farmers markets across the North West.
But if you’re really keen to get your hands on one they’re also available to order through the @dungaree_baker instagram page!
Wirral-based Born to Bake supply some of the finest baked goods we’ve ever tasted!
Founded by Mike Kerr, Born to Bake have an impressive client list on both sides of the Mersey Selling both retail and wholesale – which comes as no surprise once you’ve tried their croissants!
We love having Born to Bake as members of Liverpool Food Network as they’re always willing to share their thoughts and knowledge to support businesses who are starting on their own journeys.
Chip’d is an independent family business run by Andrew and his wife Laura with their two children Will & Anna working on the chipper at weekends.
Inspired by the way they cook chips in the Netherlands, Andrew and Laura decided to bring this to the UK so that everyone could experience what real chips should taste like!
Their business began in 2019 and has continued to grow each year due to the support of those around them.
In addition to their home store in Chester, Chip’d now trade from multiple locations across The Wirral, Liverpool, and the North West.
Sophie Cook is the incredible woman behind Sophie’s Kitchen Liverpool, a home-based bakery. Sophie first started baking in 2015, after struggling with an eating disorder. “Baking became my therapy, and my kitchen became my safe place. Over time it’s become my passion and something I love to do!”
As well as private orders, Sophie now provides baked goods to venues across the city including Alive Coffee in Crosby, and fellow network member Fletcher & Co. She’s keen to develop products her customers will crave. “I love experimenting and trying new things out so I always tell my customers – if you can’t find what you want on the website, just drop me a message and I’ll try my best to make it happen for you!”
Sophie has amassed a substantial following on Instagram and is known for her ‘statement bakes’ – a tasty take on current media topics and the state of UK politics. Sophie is keen to use her platform for two purposes – providing some boss baked goods, but also to raise awareness and money for mental health causes. “I’m happiest when I’ve got my girlfriend at my side, a pint and a pack of crisps.”
Kilty & Co was Founded by chef Eddie Kilty in 2018. Eddie is a rising star in the world of food, having headed up the AA Rosette kitchen at The Inn on the Lake as well as working for a host of Michelin starred chefs including Tom Kerridge, Andrew Pern and Emily Watkins.
Eddie’s range is vast, and he’s cooked for guests in some of Europe’s most beautiful private villas. The Covid-19 meant Eddie spending more time at home here in Liverpool, where he decided to diversify his offering and bring the restaurant experience to his customers through his ‘At Home with Kilty & Co’ meal kits. He’s since sold out a number of pop-up events at restaurants across the city including The Bagelry and Neighbourhood, skilfully crafting tasting menus which focus on seasonal and local produce. His signature beef-dripping popcorn is also a huge hit amongst his loyal patrons!
Eddie recently launched his latest brand – The Kilt & Mitt – which will focus on serving up contemporary pub street food for weddings, festivals and events this summer. He’s also working in collaboration with fellow network member Liam Jones – host of An Hour With An Indie and founder of Pilla – to launch The Collective Dinner, bringing together chefs and culinary students across the city to raise funds for hospitality support networks.
Network members Paper Cup Coffee just happen to be one of the most amazing venues in the city right now…
You see, at Paper Cup they work with people who have experienced homelessness across the city, offering them training and support in hospitality skills which will help them to secure permanent employment.
We love having a community-focused organisation like Paper Cup in our network, and founder Michelle also happens to have the best taste in wallpaper – it’s worth paying a visit for that alone!
Specialising in pancakes and brunch, The Interesting Eating Company’s menu is truly inclusive with options to accommodate customers who are gluten free, vegan or intolerant to allergens.
It’s fair to say that inclusivity is in the DNA at The Interesting Eating Company, as they pride themselves on being a safe and accessible space for all and their team are vocal allies to the LGBT+ community. They’ve created a space which is physically accessible for less able customers, and they provide highchairs and space for buggies for families. Even furry friends are made to feel welcome with doggy treats, a dedicated Instagram page, and customer donations going towards the local Animal Rescue.
Established in 2019, Mo’Bay Shack is an independent family business based on Smithdown Road. The family have been producing and supplying traditional Rum Punch and Purple Rain for over two decades, starting out at private functions before making the decision to commercialise their products and extend the offering. In 2022 they introduced a range of authentic Jamaican food with classic dishes including Curry Goat, Brown Stew Chicken, and Ackee and Salt Fish.
The founders’ own Caribbean culture and heritage has heavily influenced the identity of Mo’Bay Shack, bringing their wealth of experience and knowledge in the hospitality and catering industry forged in the heart of Jamaica to the heart of Liverpool.
Members across the city and beyond are all benefiting from our collective purchasing power to leverage discounts – in fact one of our members recently saved 18% on their takeaway packaging costs using our negotiated supplier discount!
Membership starts from just £25 a month and in addition to discounts, our members also receive regular updates on industry news and events, funding and PR opportunities.
Oh, and our WhatsApp group chat is one of the best in the city… What are you waiting for?!
