Viewing entries tagged
Covent Garden Restaurant

Birchwood at The Conduit opening 22 June

Will Devlin in Covent Garden (photography by Bracken)

Chef Will Devlin launches Birchwood - The Conduit in partnership with The Conduit and Levy in central London

Chef and Founder of Acre, Will Devlin announces details of Birchwood - The Conduit, his first London hospitality space. Launching in partnership with leading guest experience specialists Levy and its venue partner, The Conduit, a community of global changemakers, Birchwood - The Conduit will open in the heart of Covent Garden this summer.

Launching on 22nd June, Birchwood - The Conduit is the product of a strategic collaboration between the three partners and is centred on the shared values of creativity, craftmanship and conversations that inspire social and environmental change.

Based at The Conduit in Langley Street, Birchwood - The Conduit is a café and wine bar concept and will be followed by the autumn debut of a rooftop restaurant offering an à la carte dining experience, with views over London’s skyline. Both dining experiences will make sustainability inspiring and deeply enjoyable - advancing the partnership’s commitment to deliver unforgettable experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Jon Davies, CEO of Levy, says: “We are proud to collaborate with Will Devlin and The Conduit, to bring Birchwood to the capital. At Levy, we are committed to working with visionary chefs who put the planet at the heart of the plate. By bridging the gap between independent, ethical farming in Kent and the vibrant energy of central London, we are creating a destination that proves sustainable dining can be accessible and deeply impactful.”

Will Devlin comments:Birchwood - The Conduit will grow from our core values of integrity, seasonality and sustainability - the pillars of everything we do at Acre and ones we share with our partners, Levy and The Conduit. Our food has a deep connection and respect for land, having farmed our own land at The Small Holding and Birchwood Taywell in Kent for eight years, while always pushing flavour and freshness to the forefront. We are excited to be bringing these values of independent, ethical farming and season-led cooking into central London.”

Paul van Zyl, co-founder and CEO of The Conduit, said: “With the opening of Birchwood - The Conduit, we’re inviting our community to pull up a chair at a truly sustainable table.  Thanks to our partnership with Will and Levy, we are creating a soulful space with a menu that delights throughout the day in celebration of exquisite flavours. Uniting purpose and excellence, this carefully curated experience in the heart of Covent Garden is testament to our shared vision of making the most responsible choices the one we desire most, in surroundings that are both effortless and beautiful.”

Birchwood - The Conduit

Building on Birchwood at Taywell Farm in Kent and Will’s mission to ‘Honour Nature’s Bounty’, Birchwood -The Conduit is a versatile, yet intentional dining concept – whether served to stay or to go. At the heart of Will’s cooking is a deep respect for land, animals and the people who care for them. His approach is rooted in provenance, restraint and responsibility, celebrating the seasons and British farming to create food that is always delicious, generous, honest and unmistakably of its place. At Birchwood - The Conduit, whether guests want to grab a quick takeaway or sit down for a plate of British cheeses and a glass of wine in the evening – they can be confident that they’re effortlessly making a good choice, that’s better for the planet, people and what goes on their plate.

The interiors and food at Birchwood - The Conduit

Birchwood - The Conduit is a cosy and versatile space, using natural materials and earthy colours, that allows for flexibility in service style and a menu defined by its versatility. By day guests can choose from a selection of items such as Block Butchery Sausage and Egg Muffin, from Acre’s own farm and butchery in Kent, pastries, sandwiches such as Beef Topside Pastrami Ruben on Rye Bread; Cured Kent Ham and Ashmore Cheddar Toastie and salads such as Sutton Hoo Chicken, Smoked Bacon and Gem Lettuce and fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices.

By afternoon/evening the takeaway offer stops and the whole space becomes a place to meet friends over a glass of wine, cocktail or homemade shrub with small plates, cheese and charcuterie to accompany the conversation. Small plates include Wild Farm Sourdough with Hook & Son Butter; house made charcuterie from Acre’s own farm including Fennel Salami, Beef Bresaola and Cured Coppa; Mushroom Croquettes and Black Garlic; Braised Green Lentils, Smoked Beetroots, Pickled Red Onion and Blackwood Feta. Bringing a little bit of Kent and Sussex to central London something sweet might include Kentish Gypsy Tart and Poached Gooseberries; Bean Smitten and Cobnut Cake and Kuroda Carrot Cake and Meadowsweet Cream Cheese.

Birchwood - The Conduit will open seven days a week from morning until evening.

ENDS

Will Devlin partners with Levy and The Conduit for new café and restaurant offering in central London

Will Devlin at Spratsbourne Farm, Kent

Will Devlin partners with Levy and The Conduit for new café and restaurant offering in central London

Images can be downloaded here.

A new sustainable hospitality dining experience is coming to the heart of Covent Garden this summer, thanks to a strategic partnership between three major forces in the industry.

Will Devlin, founder of Acre, a group of purpose-driven restaurants in Kent, including The Small Holding (Michelin Green Star, 360 Guide Three Circles and 3 AA rosettes) and Birchwood Taywell (Bib Gourmand) today announces a new collaboration with leading guest experience specialists Levy and its venue partner, The Conduit, a community of global changemakers with a vibrant members’ club.

Based at The Conduit in Langley Street, this new hospitality offering will launch to the public in two phases over the coming months. The rollout begins with a unique café and wine bar concept in early summer, followed by the autumn debut of a reimagined rooftop restaurant offering an à la carte dining experience.

Will Devlin comments, “Having enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Levy, I know together, Acre, Levy and The Conduit share a passion for impact, sustainability, meaningful connection and world-class hospitality and this strategic partnership represents an incredible synergy of aligned values and purpose. We are very excited to bring a little piece of the Kentish countryside to the city.”

Operating with the same guiding principles, integrity, seasonality and sustainability that Acre and Will Devlin are known for, the two new dining concepts are defined by respect for land, animals and people, bringing the values of independent, ethical farming and season-led cooking into central London, with menus constantly changing in response to the landscape.

Meat will come from Acre’s own butchery, Block, allowing full transparency and whole animal use; fish is sourced with the same integrity as meat, only responsibly caught British seafood is used; vegetables sit at the centre of the plate, not as garnish but as substance. Much of the produce is grown close to home in Kent and Sussex with a focus on soil health, flavour and resilience. Imperfect, seasonal vegetables are embraced, allowing the ingredient to dictate how it is cooked rather than forcing uniformity.

This is a natural partnership with The Conduit, given its founding purpose of convening a community committed to creating a just, prosperous and sustainable future. As Paul van Zyl, founder and CEO of The Conduit, said: “Our partnership with Will Devlin and Levy is a celebration of what’s possible when purpose and excellence share space at the same table. Together we are creating a dining experience that makes sustainability inspiring and deeply enjoyable - advancing our commitment to making that which is ethical also desirable, while bringing even greater joy to our members.”  

Levy CEO, Jon Davies, commented: “At Levy, we believe the future of hospitality lies at the intersection of purpose and experience. This collaboration with Will Devlin and The Conduit is a powerful example of what’s possible when values, creativity and operational expertise come together. It’s about raising the bar for sustainable dining while delivering an experience guests genuinely love.”

This collaboration builds upon the broader strategic partnership recently announced between Levy and The Conduit. This "meeting of minds" sees both organisations joining forces to set new benchmarks in purposeful hospitality, combining Levy’s industry-leading operational expertise with The Conduit’s mission to accelerate social and environmental change.