(Image: Heidi Marfitt)
A NEW five-in-one food, drink and wellness destination has officially opened in Ilkley on Saturday, bringing together a neighbourhood café, evening restaurant, movement studio, authentic Andalucian-style Tabanco and cocktail bar under one roof.
The opening weekend saw a positive response from local residents and visitors, with husband-and-wife team Luke Downing and Laura MacLeod celebrating the launch alongside the team behind Ají.
Ají has opened at 3-5 Cunliffe Road, Ilkley (Image: Heidi Marfitt)
"It was amazing to see so much positivity and support for the concept," says Laura.
"We're extremely proud of the team and the effort they put in to make sure we opened on time and with minimal hiccups.
"There's a long road ahead and we're always learning, but we know we made the right choice coming to this stunning little town.
"We can't wait to get started on the Studio and Ají by Night, and to really show everyone what we're about.
"Lastly, we'd really like to thank everyone who visited us over the weekend.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, although we know we weren't without our mistakes.
To those who 'get it', persevered and remained supportive and helpful, thank you."
Ají has opened at 3-5 Cunliffe Road, Ilkley (Image: Heidi Marfitt)
Named after an Andalucian colloquial expression associated with doing your own thing rather than simply following a trend, Ají reflects Luke and Laura's approach to their new venture.
The couple, originally from Leeds, have spent their careers working in restaurants around the world and have both worked as chefs.
They have previously owned and managed award-winning restaurants, but Ají is a new concept created specifically for Ilkley, bringing together their passions for food, wine, cocktails, movement and hospitality.
"We wanted to create something that felt like us," says Luke.
"Ají is about following your own path and not just doing what's fashionable.
That really sums up what we're trying to create here.
It's somewhere with personality, character and warmth, where we can be creative and bring together the things we're passionate about under one roof.
"It's a new business and we want it to stand on its own.
We're not looking to replicate anything we've done before.
We want to build something that feels right for Ilkley, put our heart and soul into it and grow with the town."
Ají will open in stages throughout October, with Ají by Day the first to open.
Ají has opened at 3-5 Cunliffe Road, Ilkley (Image: Heidi Marfitt)
Ají by Day
The first part of Ají is a neighbourhood café, serving from 9am to 4pm with good coffee, seasonal food and a relaxed place to meet, work, eat or simply take some time for yourself.
Speciality coffee, fresh juices, smoothies and other drinks will be available throughout the day, while the café will be walk-in only.
Dogs are welcome inside the café or on the outdoor terrace.
Ají by Night
Launching later in October, Ají by Night will offer a weekend evening restaurant centred around seasonal cooking, Yorkshire produce, carefully selected wines and cocktails.
The food will combine traditional techniques with a modern approach, taking inspiration from the Mediterranean and further afield while keeping the best of Yorkshire produce at its heart.
Wine will be a key part of the evening experience, with a selection of classic varieties and regions alongside lesser-known bottles and wines chosen for their quality, character and value.
Luke and Laura have visited many of the wineries featured on the list and will work with independent wine merchants.
The cocktail menu will also change with the seasons, combining familiar favourites with original creations and local ingredients.
Luke has a particular passion for cocktails and will explore techniques including fermentation, fusions, macerations and foams to create drinks that are imaginative but approachable.
Downstairs, Tabanco Ají will offer a different experience, inspired by the traditional Tabancos of Andalucia.
With its own entrance and menu, the intimate space will focus on simple, authentic tapas, wine and sherry, creating a more informal place for sharing food and enjoying good conversation.
A full selection of sherries will be available by the glass, allowing guests to mix and match different styles with the tapas menu.
The space will also be available for private hire and will host educational sessions and masterclasses.
Studio
The fifth element of Ají is the Studio, a movement and wellness space focused on movement, flow and resilience.
Led by Laura, the Studio will offer a community-focused space for people of all abilities, bringing mind and body together under the same roof as the café and restaurant.
The five elements of Ají have been designed to work independently while giving Luke and Laura the freedom to keep developing the business and introducing new ideas.
Monthly tasting events, masterclasses and community-led initiatives are also planned.
Luke and Laura will remain closely involved in the business, working alongside a skilled team to deliver the different elements of the concept.
Both are qualified chefs, while Laura will also lead the Studio.
They plan to train and mentor their team while being actively involved with guests and continuing to develop Ají.
Ají has opened at 3-5 Cunliffe Road, Ilkley (Image: Heidi Marfitt)
For the couple, the focus is on creating something with its own identity and becoming part of Ilkley's independent food, drink and business community.
"We want Ají to have its own personality," says Luke.
"We're bringing something new to the town, but we also want to become part of what is already here.
There are so many amazing independent businesses in Ilkley and we want to find our place alongside them.
"This is a new business and it will grow with us.
We're going to be learning and developing as we go, and we're really excited to take people on that journey with us."
Ají by Night, the Studio, Tabanco and Cocktail Bar will launch in stages throughout October.
For more information, visit www.ajecafe.co.uk where you can subscribe to their mailing list to find out the latest information.
Ají has opened at 3-5 Cunliffe Road, Ilkley (Image: Heidi Marfitt)
Ají is at 3-5 Cunliffe Road, Ilkley.