By Owen Hughes
A brand that started up in a holiday park food truck before opening a now closed restaurant is making a comeback. The Coconut Kitchen launched back in 2006 at an Abersoch caravan site – offering Thai street food.
It later went on to open a restaurant in that village as well as developing a popular range of Thai cooking sauces and curry pastes. While the sauces continue to be sold across the UK, the restaurant closed in 2018.
Paul Withington, director of CK Foods and Drinks Ltd and one of the original founders of The Coconut Kitchen, has continued to develop the sauce and paste brand while travelling and doing some festivals.
But now he is making a ‘semi-permanent’ comeback not far from where it all began. Coconut Kitchen has taken on a position at Y Maes, Criccieth鈥檚 brand-new food and drink hub.
This is located in a beautifully restored historic building right in the heart of town and they are joining four other food vendors. Paul said they are signed up for three months – giving their former fans a chance to once again taste their Thai offerings.
Paul said: “We are heading back to where it all began鈥攕erving up delicious, authentic Thai food just a few miles from where their journey started 19 years ago.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited to be back where it all started. I was cooking Thai food in that first food truck almost two decades ago, and now, after years of travelling and cooking my way around Thailand, I鈥檒l be back behind the grill – this time in Criccieth.鈥
Every dish served will be made using The Coconut Kitchen鈥檚 award-winning range of retail sauces and pastes – which have racked up 13 Great Taste Awards to date.
Paul said: “Diners can expect restaurant-quality Thai curries, noodles and stir-fries, with the added bonus of discovering just how easy it is to recreate those flavours at home.”
Lloyd Edwards, the owner of the new venue, said: “Y Maes is delighted to welcome The Coconut Kitchen to join our food hub team this year.
鈥淎s an established and much-loved local business, The Coconut Kitchen brings a wealth of flavour, experience, and community spirit to our kitchen space.
“Their passion for authentic Thai cuisine and commitment to quality has earned them a loyal following across the region, and we couldn鈥檛 be more excited to have them join us here in the heart of Criccieth. Croeso cynnes i鈥檙 teulu 鈥 welcome to the family, Coconut Kitchen!鈥
The new venue already has four other kiosks operating – offering wood fired pizza, smash burgers, Mexican food, and puddings and smoothies.
Lloyd added: “Y Maes is an exciting new addition to Criccieth鈥檚 high street – a modern, welcoming space with five independent food vendors, a bar, and a large, open-plan communal seating area. It鈥檚 designed to bring people together over great local food and drink, making it the perfect showcase for a North Wales food brand with a national following.
“Whether you鈥檙e a local who remembers The Coconut Kitchen鈥檚 early days or a visitor looking for something vibrant and different, this pop-up is a not-to-be-missed summer food experience.” Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone