Kwok Pao, a Chinese takeaway on Heaton Road in Newcastle, still celebrates the day in 2014 when Cheryl and Simon Cowell visited during a break from X Factor auditions, collecting an order that came to just over £82.
Celebrity Visit During Audition Schedule
Cheryl had returned to The X Factor in 2014 after a four-year hiatus, which included a brief stint on the American version of the show. She was mentoring the Girls category, having previously won with Alexandra Burke in 2008 and again in 2009 when South Shields singer Joe McElderry topped the public vote.
That year, Cheryl, Simon, Mel B and Louis Walsh took over the Baltic in Gateshead for auditions. During a break, Cheryl took Simon to Kwok Pao, her favourite takeaway near her childhood home, where her younger brother Garey phoned in the order.
The Order and Owner's Reaction
The pair's order included salt and chilli ribs, salt and chilli chips, prawn toast, chicken egg foo young, and mixed vegetables in satay sauce. A fellow customer present at the time told ChronicleLive: "I couldn't believe it. They were really nice and they were saying hello. I took a picture of the lad who owns the place with them. It was a massive surprise."
Owner Kevin Shek, who still runs the takeaway, told The Chronicle in 2014: "It shows Cheryl and Simon have good taste in food. Cheryl has always come here. Her mum or brother usually ring in the order. Cheryl's favourites are the salt and chilli ribs and the Cantonese crispy beef. She loves them."
Rebrand and Recent Reopening
Kwok Pao underwent a rebrand in 2020 to change the exterior of the building. After a brief closure earlier this year, it reopened for business in June. The takeaway holds a 4.4/5 rating on Google, with one recent review reading: "Excellent food and service, very good delivery service. Best takeaway."
