Arts venue reopens with new dining experience

A new caf� and restaurant is opening at popular arts venue, the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)

Ready to welcome customers from Monday 24 May, KILN will offer diners breakfast and brunch though to lunch and dinner, with special culinary events planned for the autumn.

During MAC 's closure, the caf� has been fully refurbished following feedback from the venue 's loyal audiences.

The new caf� and restaurant will have seasonal menus and a wide range of vegetarian options, with meals cooked freshly on-site, including homemade sourdough pizzas, a range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, plus specially-made cakes and pastries.

KILN also boasts an impressive pizza oven and open-plan bakery section, overseen by the caf� and restaurant 's very own pastry chef, as well as a beautiful art-deco-inspired cocktail bar.

Deborah Kermode, chief executive and artistic director of MAC, said: “MAC 's ethos of collaboration and creativity runs throughout the arts centre and into the new caf� and restaurant.

“The name KILN was inspired by the ceramic kilns we have on-site that bring so many visitors together to be artistic. A kiln fires up amazing experiences - whether it is handcrafted pottery or delicious homemade pizzas - it evokes passion! ”

This renovation is part of a large-scale capital project, Making MAC More, which began in 2018.

As one of the last phases of the capital project, KILN is supported by Arts Council England and the People 's Postcode Lottery through the Postcode Culture Trust, to improve MAC 's spaces and elevate the previous food and drink offer.

Deborah added: “Business-wise, it is important to say that every customer 's purchase at KILN directly contributes to the charity 's earned income, enabling more art and artists to be supported.

“Eating cake and sipping coffee at KILN really will help MAC to survive a tough recovery programme as we go forward and we hope you will join us. ”

MAC has enjoyed a successful partnership with Birmingham-based company, 2G Design and Build, to recreate this contemporary space.

Every detail has been considered, such as the new recycled table tops, sourced from Foresso, a local company specialising in sustainable surfaces made from at least 65 per cent waste material.

To book your table, visit www.macbirmingham.co.uk/visit/kiln-by-mac

The caf� can also be found on Instagram @kilnbymac

Pictured: KILN caf� (credit - Tom Bird)