Wahaca to add Mexican spice to Wharf lunches

Co-owners Mark Selby and Thomasina Miers pulled the same trick with their other outlets in Covent Garden and White City, and they're willing to pay up to £4,000 for the right person.

Entries are already arriving in the inbox of the two-year-old company, which offers Mexican market food with a pinch of speed and affordability.

Mark said: "We've had lots of entries and a really high quality of artist has applied.
"The idea is inspired by the markets of Mexico. They have so much vibrancy and colour, and there's a street stall honesty to the design."

Mark previously worked with EasyGroup's Stelios Haji-Ioannou in setting up new "EasyBusinesses" before moving to Capricorn, which led the UK expansion of South African chain Nando's. Thomasina won the 2005 MasterChef competition before heading off to Mexico. It was a shared love of the food and market culture of that country that drove them to open Wahaca's first outlet in Covent Garden in 2007.

Mark said: "I think it's the variety of flavours that's most exciting. Chillies, cocoa, tomatoes and corn are all indigenous to Mexico.

"They've been designing different types of food around these elements for a long time.We first got started when we looked at the Mexicans we have over here compared to the food they have over in Mexico.

"There's a market over here, but it's very driven by alcohol and the food is a secondary element to that.

"Our emphasis is on the flavours and the different chillies, herbs and spices.

"Our biggest challenge at first was persuading people. We used to say that we were Mexico and not Mexican. People have this idea of what Mexican food is like.

"We've spent a lot of money on our products. All our meat is free-range, we have organic pork, it's British produce and our fish is of the highest recognised sustainability standard. We've invested a lot of money in having the best suppliers we can.

"It's very similar to what you'd find in a Mexican market, freshly prepared and out very quickly, but at affordable prices. People can be in and out in 20 minutes or linger for two hours."

The third restaurant chain in the Canada Square Park Pavilion will feature 150 covers and an upstairs cocktail bar. A takeaway service is set for January.

Mark said: "We had so many requests from people visiting Covent Garden saying we should open in Canary Wharf for lunches. They're a well-travelled group there. They know their food and like eating out.

"Mexican food is about sharing. It breaks down the barriers straight away. You just get stuck in with your hands.

"The food is going to be up there in terms of quality. But the prices are very affordable and the service is quick. It's going to be perfect for lunch in Canary Wharf."

For more info on Wahaca and its competition, go to blog.wahaca.co.uk