Deli to open in Darlington serving food inspired by travels

The Deli House will open on the site of the former Mr Hutton’s Barbers & Bar on Blackwellgate today (Wednesday, June 11).

The deli is the work of Barbara Howe and Veronika Kuntorova. Veronika also runs The Pasta Shop in Darlington.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Barbara, known as Boo, told The Northern Echo: “We are both really passionate about good food and homemade food. We chatted for quite a long time, became friends through that and decided that together, we could do something really wonderful for Darlington”.

Boo Lowe outside The Deli House. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) The Deli House will offer an “amalgamation of food”, which will bring together Boo and Veronika’s love of food from other countries.

Dishes from The Pasta Shop will also be sold in The Deli House.

Veronika said: “Every Friday we’re going to have a different pasta, for example fresh Blackberry pasta paired with a sauce from The Pasta Shop. You will also be able to buy pasta and sauces at The Deli House.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) “People will also be able to buy our tiramisu and cheesecake. The number of things we are hoping to offer is endless”.

All the sandwiches and salads on offer are inspired by people and places the pair have met throughout their life, with Boo telling the story of the sandwich named Ethel.

“Ethel was an elderly lady I met in New York who survived Auschwitz. She was the funniest, most amazing, crankiest Polish woman ever, and that sandwich is based on her and what she liked.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) “The bread we will use for the sandwiches is Tuscan Schiacciata, which is like a flatter focaccia. We cut it in half making a nice big open sandwich which will be filled with lots of wonderful ingredients”.

Another sandwich is called King Lou, a sandwich based on Boo’s son who did not eat a vegetable until he was 14, but is now a vegetarian.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Veronika believes The Deli House will bring something different to Darlington.

She said: “I think people will be excited to try something different, to try something that they would not be able to get in supermarkets. We aim to bring to Darlington something the town doesn’t have. It’s a small place but it is very different to anything else in Darlington”.

The pair hope the deli will also bring the community together and support local charities, with their book nook.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Boo explained: “My daughter is 13 and has down syndrome, so I would really like to support charities in the area. People can come and hang out here, take pictures of recipes. It was a nice way to use the space, and hopefully it can bring the community together. We want this to be a really happy, joyous place”.

The Deli House will also be offering masterclasses in a variety of different cuisines. 

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Veronika said: “Upstairs, we plan to run events, such as showing people how to make pizza. We are going to have classes on how to make gelato and you will be able to have a glass of prosecco whilst doing it”.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Recommended Reading:

Boo added: “There will be pasta classes, I make sourdough bread myself so we will be running classes on that”.

And there has been a great deal of interest in the deli, which has pleased Boo.

She said: “It’s absolutely thrilling to think that we’re just going to be a really wonderful addition to Darlington. I think people are yearning for more places like this”.