Liam Nichols is the chef behind The Northwic, a new restaurant in the heart of Norwich which opens to the public on Wednesday. Here, the Great British Menu contestant shares his culinary journey
Listening to Liam Nichols talk about his culinary journey, it is more than a little apparent that he’s had a lot of fun along the way. And fun is going to be at the top of the menu for his first solo venture, The Northwic, which is opening in Norwich Lanes this week, offering open kitchen dining upstairs, and a bar plus a private dining space downstairs. It is something of a homecoming for Liam as he describes himself as Norwich through and through – his family moved to the city when he was one.
He started his career at The Wildebeest in Stoke Holy Cross, “I did the washing up when I was 14”. A week after leaving Hethersett High School, Liam was working fulltime. “I was 16 and just cracked on. I did college one day a week. I loved doing the apprenticeship route.”
From there, he went to work at Midsummer House in Cambridge, under Daniel Clifford, gaining Michelin experience at the 2* restaurant. “I was there two and a half years and did a good stint.” This was followed by a stint at Sat Bains in Nottingham, another 2* restaurant. “I loved it and learnt a lot. It was very cool.” In-between, he adds: “I went into ski season in France. I’ve always loved skiing so that was a fun six months.”
He would go on to work in Melbourne, at the Press Club under George Dimitrios Calombaris (a former judge on Masterchef Australia); and in New York, at Momofuku, under Shaun Grey.
Liam then returned to the UK. “I went to work for Tom Kerridge, I was one of the opening team of Kerridge’s Bar and Grill. That was fun. It was a busy team.” Next was a spell in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, “to a private island which was super fun. I love travel.
“That took us to Covid and that brought me back to Norfolk.” In 2021, Liam headed up the 16-seater Stoke Mill restaurant, STORE, where he earnt his first Michelin star within two years.
At the start of 2024 Liam was in Series 19 of the Great British Menu. How was that experience? “It was very good overall. There’s a lot of prep that goes into a show like that. It was hard work but, overall, a really good experience and nice to be asked to do it.”
After four years at STORE, Liam and his partner went travelling for eight months, taking in 17 countries, mostly in Asia. “They were the best eight months of my life,” he says. They returned in May of last year. Liam went back to the Caribbean for a spell, before becoming a private chef in Surrey.
For the last few months, he’s been “juggling getting the restaurant ready on a Friday and Saturday then working as a private chef Sunday to Thursday.” How did he manage to keep all the plates spinning? “I just kept smiling.”
The Northwic is going to offer Modern British Dining, although diners can expect a “big Asian influence”, says Liam. And he adds: “I like cooking the French classics…I like all food!”
As for the ingredients, he says: “I will use the best. If it comes from Norfolk and it’s good, then great.” Liam mentions Fen Farm Dairy (“their cheese is fantastic”); Easters Norwich, Nurtured in Norfolk micro greens, and potatoes from Elveden.
There will be three tasting menus to choose from: a three-course menu, available at lunch and Wednesday dinner; a five-course menu, built around what Liam is most excited to cook; or seven courses, for ‘maximum fun’. The restaurant upstairs seats 18 whereas the private dining space downstairs will seat up to 10. The Northwic promises to be ‘wine-focused’. “Wine is a massive passion. I love wine,” says Liam. “Just don’t expect New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as I hate it!”
Following a successful launch party at the weekend, Liam is looking forward to opening to the public on Wednesday. So, what can people expect, in a nutshell? “A good, fun night out.”
The Northwic, 15/15A Lower Goat Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1EL, opens to the public on Wednesday October 7, 2026. The restaurant will be open for lunch, Friday and Saturday (12-1.30pm); dinner Wednesday to Saturday (6-7.30pm). The bar will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm; Friday and Saturday, from 12 noon. The Northwic is closed Sunday to Tuesday. Visit thenorthwic.co.uk and email hello@thenorthwic.co.uk.
Featured image of Liam Nichols by Folk Features
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