Chef Tom Simmons is opening his fourth branch of his acclaimed Ground bakery. The new café will be in the Cardiff suburb of Canton, a stone's throw from the original coffee shop on Pontcanna Street.
An Instagram post on the Ground account reads: "We are so pleased to announce that we are opening our fourth site in Canton in just a few weeks time! Just a short walk, and a few streets away from our original Pontcanna location, this site will give guests more takeaway options, bigger tables & more outdoor space but with all those signature Ground favourites we love."
Pembrokeshire-born Simmons, who became the youngest contestant ever to reach the quarter finals of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2011, and owns Ground with his partner Lois. The business, which has investors including Welsh rugby international George North, has grown from its Pontcanna start-up to venues in Penarth and Cowbridge.
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It is welcome news for city foodies as recent weeks have seen the closures of independent food and drink businesses in west Cardiff including the Smoke House and the Conway in Pontcanna, and Alex Gooch in Canton. Kindle in Sophia Gardens has also shut and other businesses have warned of a bleak outlook for the hospitality scene.
Announcing the newest venue, Ground wrote: "Whilst we put the finishing touches to the space and give it a coat of paint we are on the hunt for some amazing hospitality staff to join us. If you are a barista, kitchen assistant, brunch chef or waiting staff we would love to hear from you! All roles are part time with flexible day time hours, perfect for those balancing busy schedules. Interested in being part of our Canton team? Introduce yourself and send your CV’s to amy@groundbakery.co.uk."
Speaking previously, Tom Simmons said Ground is "inspired by our love of good coffee, bread and pastries". "Ground captures the very essence of French culture. We use only the highest quality organic ingredients combined with traditional artisan methods to produce our baked goods which range from classic favourites to our more experimental flavours. Our vision for Ground is a chain of welcoming artisanal boulangerie and speciality coffee houses located in the very best spots," he said.
