Pontypridd's dining scene is set to welcome two Welsh foodie legends as Hills Burgers from Brecon and Matty's Chop Shop BBQ make their debuts at the local pub Bunch of Grapes this summer. Food lovers in Pontypridd can now enjoy these Welsh culinary experiences without a 30-minute drive.
Four-Course Tasting Menu
On Friday, September 18, Matty O'Brien, known for his backyard pop-up and BBQ school, will host a four-course dinner at the pub, which is listed among the 100 best local pubs in the UK. The menu features smoked caramel pork belly, oak-smoked beef short rib, and charred pineapple with coconut and burnt lime.
Unlike his usual events, the menu will be known in advance. Across the four courses, Matty will share stories, inspirations, techniques, and the flavours that have shaped his journey. His Penarth-based events have attracted attention from Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt, who called his short rib a 'need to try' dish, and his supper clubs are booked up almost a year in advance.
Beer and Live Music
A collaboration between the pub's microbrewery and Matty will feature his Open Range 4.2% American Amber on the bar, alongside independent beers, handcrafted cocktails, wines, and no-alcohol alternatives. Live music will also be part of the evening.
Hills Burgers Debut
Hills Burgers, open since 2017 and known for its towering burgers, will also make its Ponty debut. Favourites include the gravy and chips burger, buttermilk chicken, and specials like crispy shredded beef and Duck a l'orange. At the Bunch of Grapes, two new specials will be introduced: the Barti Ddu and the Cwrw Otley beer burgers, served from their recognisable airstream at the back of the pub, with a cocktail menu and beer pairings on offer.
Bookings for Matty's dinner are expected to fill quickly, with tables available via the pub's booking system. More details on these events and the chefs' stories are available through the Bunch of Grapes and their respective websites.
