Meet our Food Partners
Real Food. Bold Recipes. Made in Birmingham.
Alfred Works is powered by a collective of 15 independently owned Food Partners, a curated line-up of Birmingham’s most exciting culinary talent, each one bringing something original to the table. From globally inspired plates to locally rooted favourites, every dish is a celebration of craft, culture, and serious taste.
No chains. Just real food made by real people.
Whether it’s street food with a twist, comfort classics reimagined, or bold new ideas from emerging chefs, our kitchens are where creativity flourishes.
Swing by for a quick bite, settle in for a long lunch, or turn dinner into a full-on flavour tour. With something new around every corner, Alfred Works is Digbeth’s go-to destination for food lovers who crave variety, authenticity, and a little adventure.
Hungry yet?
Fuego 1987
Mexican-American Fusion
Meet Hamza, the soul behind Fuego 1987. Starting as a solo independent founder at the Manchester Christmas Markets, he worked tirelessly and caught naps in his van to bring Fuego to life! This culinary story traces back to Hamza’s food-tech sessions in GCSE, where his major passion for cooking grew. From then on, a lot of late-night grit and unwavering dedication all came together to make Fuego a reality.
Fast forward just a year since Fuego’s official launch at Kargo MKT in Salford Quays in 2024. Since, they have taken on Cutlery Works in Sheffield, Tower Bridge Collective in London, and now Alfred Works in Digbeth!
What’s their secret? It’s all about that “California meets New York” Mexican fusion. They’re famous on TikTok for their viral Birria Ramen. Seriously, it’s a game-changer that gets millions of views. Their Shin ramen cup features a deeply rich, slow-simmered beef consommé that’ll get you head over heels for it!
Whether you are in for a chicken taco lunch or a “heavy-hitter” Birria dinner, Fuego is here to bring people together through seriously good food.
Jimmy’s Burgers
Burgers born from obsession.
Founders Paddy and Jimmy didn’t just build a burger brand; they built a journey. Jimmy went from pot-washing at 14 to smashing burgers and inventing sauces for fun. Paddy grew up a mini foodie, learning hospitality at his dad’s side and cheesecake secrets from his grandma.
They’ve nailed every detail: hand-rolled patties, carefully chosen fat ratios, and top-tier ingredients. Ginger Pig beef, Paul Rhodes buns, the works. No shortcuts. No compromises.
The result? Burgers that are big on flavour and heavy on craft. The “Oklahoma” goes full comfort with caramelised onions and gherkins. It’s fast. It’s fresh. It’s northern to the core. And once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back.
Clapping Seoul
Korean Street Food
Meet Jay, the founder, and Emma, Operational Manager at Clapping Seoul! A Korean-owned, authentic street food concept with a twist on modern fusion dishes. They pride themselves on unique and ever-changing menus to keep guests interested in their offerings.
With their strong and unique branding in a bright and playful way, they pull in a brilliantly diverse crowd to hit the sweet spot for families & students, and even something for everyone. Their name and logo comes from the phrase “to clap like a seal” when happy and the Korean reads “the clapping seal”. Emma and Jay paired the cute seal with a retro twist, and suddenly an unforgettable brand burst into life. This unforgettable little brand was born.
They will be serving Korean street eats from crispy Korean fried chicken to viral cheese pull corn dogs, and even traditional food like bulgogi beef or chicken rice. Best get hungry, Birmingham, because Clapping Seoul has something for everyone.
That Kick
Kickin’ Pan Asian Flavour
That Kick, founded by Richard and Fleuri in 2023, is a bold, high-energy Pan-Asian food concept built on passion, craft, and uncompromising standards.
Leading the kitchen is Richard, an English chef with over 20 years of professional experience. He’s the driving force behind That Kick’s culinary craftsmanship, overseeing cooking techniques, plating, workflow, and kitchen culture.
Alongside him is Fleuri, originally from Indonesia, with 18 years of experience in authentic Pan-Asian cuisine and restaurant business development. With a strong academic background in Food Technology and Business, and currently pursuing her PhD at Nottingham Trent University, Fleuri is the architect of That Kick’s flavour identity.
Together, Richard and Fleuri form a powerful creative partnership, where chef-driven execution meets flavour intelligence and cultural depth. Drawing inspiration from Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Singapore, Korea, and the Philippines, the menu celebrates the energy and diversity of Asia’s most iconic street food.
Every plate is crafted to be visually striking, boldly flavoured, and relentlessly consistent. This is food that commands attention, excites the senses, and delivers a true kick.
Baity Palestinian Kitchen
Authentic Palestinian Flavours
Meet Ali, the owner of Baity with clear missions to bring the authentic flavours, passion, and rich heritage of his homeland, Palestine, to the vibrant city of Manchester. With Baity, he embarked on a culinary journey that aimed to introduce Mancunians to the wonders of Palestinian cuisine.
In just five years, Baity has become a firm favourite on the south Manchester food scene. Their dishes have captured the hearts and palates of diners, with the Jerusalem-style hand-whipped hummus taking 72 hours to make, ensuring its velvety smoothness and exceptional taste. The Musakhan chicken, adorned with confit sumac onions that provide a tangy punch for a wow factor, never fails to impress
From a cosy Didsbury kitchen to national recognition, Baity is more than a restaurant; it’s a love letter to Palestinian cuisine.
narākum qarīban fī Alfred Works!
FUKU Food
Comfort classics with a modern Asian twist
Get to know Anna, the mastermind behind FUKU Food, a fresh take on Asian-inspired comfort food that mixes family recipes for authentic Asian flavours with the vibrant energy of street food.
Their star dish? Salt & pepper chicken, carefully crafted to strike the perfect balance between a satisfying crunch and a juicy bite. Paired with a carefully chosen array of homemade sauces and fresh, seasonal sides, FUKU Food is here to help you unwind and escape the everyday hustle!
Little Penang
Authentic Malaysian-Chinese flavours
Meet Jack, originally from Penang, Malaysia, and proud to have called the UK home for over two decades.
Jack has spent the past 10 years immersed in the food industry.
Before moving to Sheffield, he ran his first restaurant in a busy London food court (now known as Bang Bang Oriental). When his business partner returned to Malaysia, Jack made the difficult decision to sell the restaurant, as running it alone was simply too much.
Since then, he has waited for the right opportunity to start again.
When Blend Family announced Europe’s largest food hall in Sheffield, the spark reignited. Supported by the local Asian community and fuelled by his lifelong love of cooking, Jack finally brought his vision to life, creating a Malaysian-Chinese food haven in the heart of the city.
Little Penang proudly serves Malaysian-Chinese hawker food inspired by the vibrant street food of Penang Island. Expect bold, comforting, flavour-packed dishes rooted in Southern Chinese culinary traditions, including Char Kway Teow, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Wonton Soup Noodles, Claypot Rice, and many more, celebrating Malaysia’s rich and diverse food culture.
Sapore
Classic Italian soul food
Introducing Michael, the mastermind behind Sapore, serving up seriously crave-worthy Italian comfort in the heart of Digbeth.
Think highly stacked Italian schiacciata sandwiches, rich & creamy risottos, and tasty gnocchi, each dish is a celebration of tradition, creatively reimagined with a vibrant, modern flair.
You haven’t truly experienced Sapore until you’ve tried Nonna’s Meatballs. These aren’t just a side dish, they’re a labour of love. Hand-rolled daily using a signature blend of premium meats and aromatic herbs, they are slow-simmered for hours in a rich, velvety San Marzano tomato sauce. The exact ratio of spices? That’s a secret Michael carries with him, a flavour profile that tastes exactly like a Sunday afternoon in a bustling Italian kitchen.
Esmie’s Caribbean Fusion
Caribbean-rooted cuisine
Esmie’s Caribbean Fusion was founded by Heaven-Leigh’s mom, Esmie, around 10 years ago! They started out with a food truck in Digbeth, traveling around the midlands to lots of events like weddings and festivals. Since then, Esmie’s opened a restaurant in Coventry for 7 years before finally coming back to Birmingham, and now back to Digbeth.
The fusion aspect of the food is influenced by Heaven-Leigh’s family background: her dad is Jamaican, her mom is from St. Kitts, her granddad is from the British Virgin Islands, and her grandmother is from St. Martin.
Heaven-Leigh describes her food as hearty and comforting, remarking that Trinidadians have told her that the food reminds them of home! All the spices, the jerk, and seasonings are made in house by Esmie herself, you can really taste the love!
House of Habesha
Bold Flavours, Rooted in Home
Inspired by the word ‘Habesha’, a term that unites Eritrean and Ethiopian people, House of Habesha serves comforting, flavour-rich dishes made using traditional methods, with a warm welcome on the side.
From slow-cooked lamb curries to fragrant vegan stews, every plate is packed with heritage and heart. Whether you go for injera or rice, plant-based or meat, it’s all bold, hearty, and mostly gluten-free.
And for a twist? Their fusion dishes, like loaded fries and spiced-up burgers, bring Habesha flavour to familiar favourites.
This is soul food, spiced differently.
The Milkcake Man
Dreamy desserts, made with love
Introducing Sheraz and Leena, the founders of The Milkcake Man. Their story is a testament to the power of a craving and a leap of faith. This journey began just before COVID, when Leena missed the milkcakes she loved in the UAE, and her husband, Sheraz, kept testing out the recipe at home.
After perfecting a phenomenal blend of flavours in their home kitchen, both Leena and Sheraz took to Instagram. In an era of home bakers and lockdown cravings, their content resonated instantly, growing from a bedroom project into a viral sensation. As the business outgrew their home, they took bigger risks without thinking further, pouring their life savings into an amazing cafe.
Their journey started with a “grab & go” and pop-up stall concept. As their brand went viral on TikTok and Instagram, it led to massive queues for their signature milkcakes and inventive treats like taco pancakes and charcoal coconut ice cream.
Tai Wei
Taiwan’s signature spice, heat and heart on a plate
Tina has been a foodie since she was young, from tasting new flavours around the world to exploring new restaurant openings, and even travelled abroad to attend a professional cookery programme!
Tina’s aunt visited her family all the way from Taiwan, whose traditional Taiwanese cooking filled Tina’s home with unforgettable aromas. After trying all the food, the flavours inspired Tina to test the recipes during the Covid pandemic, a period of deep culinary experimentation.
Now, with a professional foundation and a loyal following, Tina is ready to bring her signature flavours to the wider community!
Thatziki
Pure Greek goodness
Two brothers. One bright blue food truck. And a dream to bring proper Greek street food to the UK, Thatziki-style.
What started in a Worsley car park went viral fast. Now, Jack and Luke are serving up their gyros from spots in Chorlton, Leeds, Salford Quays, and soon to be in London!
Everything’s made from scratch, from secret marinades to the daily tzatziki, using no frozen meat, no shortcuts. Just bold flavours, real Greek ingredients, and a whole lot of graft.
Get ready to eat like you’re on the islands…