A SOMERSET village restaurant near Taunton that was once 'jinxed' is set to reopen under a completely new team and name.
Meadow Somerset café, which is located in the Somerset village of Bishops Lydeard, is set to open this month, with an official opening date confirmed for Friday, August 15.
READ MORE: Podshavers Restaurant, in Bishops Lydeard, reopens
READ MORE: 'Jinxed' restaurant that reopened near Taunton is now shut
READ MORE: New café and coffee shop opens its doors in Somerset village
Many will know the business by its former name, Podshavers Restaurant, which closed in 2024 - with former business owner, Jenny Tucker, saying it was jinxed.
Podshavers had a pretty tough time over the last few years, facing problems including roadworks and the Covid-19 pandemic, which shouldn't have overshadowed the fact that the business was award-winning and had some high-profile chefs on board.
This included former Executive Chef, Steven Kiernan, who has worked for Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver in the past.
Speaking in April 2023, when Podshavers reopened, Steven said: "It's a lovely, unique place in a barn.
"I went to have a chat with Jenny and thought, 'This place is different'. I was impressed by the attention to details, the great style and beautiful creativity.
"It's really quirky, but at the same time elegant and stylish."
In June 2023, shortly after reopening, Ms Tucker said that Podshavers was "struggling" and that she was doing her best to keep the business afloat.
Jenny called out for help from the local community in a bid to keep the award-winning restaurant going and said: "The hospitality industry is struggling, my business is struggling due to recent events out of my control.
"I’m trying my hardest to keep things ticking over, I have the most amazing team, stunning location and top-class locally sourced produce, but the numbers are low and without help from the Somerset community, our beautiful restaurant will not survive, and another restaurant will be lost."
Podshavers had won a clutch of awards in recent years and is in the running for further accolades.
Closing last year, Ms Tucker revealed that she thought the business, although it was a "special place", was "jinxed", she said: "The food and the ambience makes it feel like a family.
"We've been jinxed, and some days I've just cried, but this is very much my dream.
"When I first saw the place, I just fell in love with it. I had a vision of what it could be, and it's something I've always really wanted.
"It's such a special place. So many people have pulled together in just getting the kitchen up and running and the place back to where we want it to be."
Now, big changes are on the horizon, with Meadow Somerset set to open as a café & community offering wholesome dishes, house bakes, and barista coffee.
Speaking ahead of the opening this month, a spokesperson from Meadow Somerset said: "Something new is coming to Bishops Lydeard…
"I’m opening Meadow Café at the old Podshavers site, and we’ll be welcoming our first customers from 15th August.
"It’ll be a relaxed, family & dog-friendly spot for great coffee, fresh food, and a place to relax and unwind in a beautiful countryside setting.
"Right now, I’m looking for a few brilliant people to join the team, especially Baristas and Front-of-House staff with experience, who’d enjoy working somewhere with a great atmosphere and a supportive team.
"Would love to hear from local people – and really excited to open the doors to you all soon."
If you want to try the new place out when it opens on August 15, head to East Lydeard Farm, Pound Lane, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, TA4 3DW.
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