Why I’m Launching emba – and Why I Need Your Help

This past year has been one of the toughest of my career. Like so many others in hospitality, I’ve had to take a long, honest look at the road ahead. I asked myself: do I still want to do this? Do I have the energy to keep going in this industry that’s changed so much? And if I do, what would that look like?

After some serious soul-searching, I found my answer—I’m not done. I love what I do far too much to walk away now. I’m not ready to give up on my dream, and that’s why I’m creating emba.

emba is more than just a new venue—it’s a return to my roots and a leap forward at the same time. It’s a place where I can cook the food I truly love to eat, surrounded by a team I believe in and a community who values warm hospitality and appreciates and know high quality food and drinks when they see them.

This concept has been brewing in my heart for a while: a vibrant, relaxed gastrobar where great food full of bold flavours meet real warmth. It blends the comfort of a cosy pub, the energy of a bar, and the satisfaction of properly good cooking—served without any of the fuss or formality.

We have the perfect space, just four minutes from Leeds station, tucked beside Granary Wharf, directly on the canal side. Now, we just need a little help to make it everything it can be. We’re not building a restaurant from scratch, but the transformation still requires investment—especially to bring the heart of emba, the open kitchen and charcoal grill, to life. It’s a big ask, but it’s also a big dream—and if you can help us get there, I promise it’ll be worth it.

emba is the most personal project I’ve ever taken on, and your support would mean the world.

I’ve launched a Crowdfunding campaign and you’re the very first small group off people and telling about it.  To find out more about what we need the help for and how you can help if you can CLICK HERE