Former Red Hot World Buffet manager brings world cuisine concept to Oldham

18-Dec-2013 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 11:34 GMT

The 60-cover restaurant offers dishes from India, China, Thailand, Italy, Great Britain and the US

A seasoned restaurant worker and former manager of Red Hot World Buffet in Manchester has embarked on his first solo venture with a new restaurant in Oldham offering his own take on global cuisine.

Sandeep Manhas, who has some 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, has just opened The Neighbour’s Chef in the town centre, featuring an a la carte menu with dishes from India, China, Thailand, Italy, Great Britain and the US.

“I think that it’s very important to bring something different to Greater Manchester that isn’t necessarily a high street brand,” said Manhas. “A place with delicious food that feels homely and welcoming and that people regard as a social hub.

“I felt that Oldham was the ideal choice as it has such a great community feel, hence our choice of name, and it’s a fantastic place to do business. There are no other restaurants serving this type of food in the area, meaning that we can offer the people of Oldham a unique dining experience where they can taste a host of culinary treats from around the world, all in one sitting.

Manhas spent five years working at Red Hot World Buffet in Nottingham and Milton Keynes before being appointed general manager of the Manchester branch when it opened in 2011. There, he was responsible for building the venue’s reputation and loyal customer base, serving some 45,000 diners each months.

Expansion plans

For his first solo venture, which opened earlier this month, Manhas spent months searching for the right venue before selecting former pub and Indian restaurant, Ruchi’s Inn, on Ripponden Road.

The 60-cover Neighbour’s Chef restaurant, which has undergone a complete revamp, represents a £50,000 investment. Menu specialities include salads, hot and cold starters, burgers, pasta, curries and a range of desserts.

The restaurant, which also caters to takeaway requests, is fully-licensed, serving a wide variety of wines, cocktails, soft drinks and specialty teas and coffees.

Manhas hopes to open more Neighbourhood Chef’s restaurants across Greater Manchester in the near future.

“I’m truly excited to see what the future holds for us,” added the restaurateur. “We’ve had great feedback from our customers so far. They have praised the high quality of the food and the restaurant’s relaxed atmosphere.”

The Neighbour’s Chef is now open at 744 Ripponden Road in Oldham.