Owner, Zeligs: Maria Rose McHugh

Entrepreneur credited for turning Liverpool restaurant into success story

28th September 2010, 10:36am

An ambitious businesswoman is being celebrated for turning around the fortunes of Liverpool ONE restaurant Zeligs – transforming it into one of the city's most popular eating and entertainment establishments.

Initially holding dreams of a career in accountancy, Maria Rose McHugh flirted with a career in accountancy initially and became a tax manager before starting her own successful cleaning business and winning contracts with some of the city's top venues including Baby Cream and Revolution.

Eventually, having enjoyed her time working in the bar and restaurant industry in between work and studying so much, McHugh "jumped at the opportunity" to use her 10 years experience as a business owner to become the owner of Zeligs where she has worked since 2008.

Putting her success down to her previous work with the restaurant with her cleaning business McHugh said: "I knew Zeligs had a great offering but I knew there were a lot of things that needed sorting out. I was passionate about the venue and wanted to give it a new lease of life.

"The kitchen is the spine of any business so I knew if we could get this right, then the restaurant would never look back."

As well as receiving the credit for "breathing fresh life" into the Zeligs restaurant McHugh has also been responsible for enhancing the restaurant bar's offering with new "cocktails supremo" Nick Skillicorn introducing one of the city's largest cocktail menu, while a new 'bar slaves' service is also up and running.

And the restaurant is also growing as a hospitality venue after being earmarked recently as the host venue for this year's Liverpool Food & Drink Festival Awards and a charity fashion show for Claire House in November.

McHugh added: "I'm really enjoying my journey at Zeligs. I have simply worked on the basic principles of good food and good service, along with good entertainment. As a result turnover is good and is improving week on week."

"This for me is just the beginning. ZeIigs is more than just a restaurant and I have lots more I want to achieve with the venue. I want to add much more to the customer experience launching cookery classes for adults and families. I would also like to trademark Zeligs and open up a second, smaller restaurant in the city."

Related Articles:

• 24 Sep 2010 - Lunya named Liverpool's top restaurant - just six months after opening
• 02 Sep 2010 - James Martin headlines Liverpool’s festival of food
• 20 Aug 2010 - Liverpool ONE restaurant to host Liverpool Food & Drink Festival Awards
• 15 Mar 2010 - First 'Jamie's Italian' venture to open in Liverpool ONE
• 26 Jul 2007 - LEADING CATERERS LINE-UP AT LIVERPOOL ONE

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