Coventry restaurant helping hundreds into hospitality celebrating after winning major public award

A Coventry restaurant which has helped hundreds of young people get into the hospitality sector is celebrating after the public named it as one of their favourite places to eat in the city.

Metropolis, owned by leading national training provider PET-Xi, won the ‘Taste of Coventry’ award at the Coventry & Warwickshire Foodie Awards, held at The Box in FarGo Village.

The Taste of Coventry award celebrates the best of the city’s food and drink businesses, and is decided by a public vote.

And Metropolis proved the most popular among restaurant-goers in Coventry, winning the award ahead of many successful businesses in the city.

Metropolis, the result of a partnership with Historic Coventry Trust which opened on Earl Street in 2021, plays a key role in upskilling young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) to work either in the kitchen or front-of-house in the hospitality industry.

It has already worked with hundreds of young people to kickstart their careers in the sector through courses funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The restaurant’s latest success follows the two Foodie Awards it bagged in 2022 – the Food Hero Community Award and Employee of the Year Awards for former kitchen porter Kevin Prior.

Fleur Sexton, CEO and co-founder of PET-Xi said: “I am so happy for all the amazing team at Metropolis, especially Head Chef Stuart and General Manager Simone. I would like to congratulate the team and the fantastic young trainees starting out on their hospitality journey thanks to the wonderful training provided by PET-Xi.

“We’re so glad that our guests took the time to vote for us and give our staff the recognition that they truly deserve for their hard work and skill.

“It is great to see the hospitality sector in Coventry booming, with so many great restaurants, hotels and nights outs recognised with the awards. 

“We’re now looking forward to continuing to serve superb food and drink to our visitors and training up more young people as we head into the run-up to Christmas.”

Metropolis is wishing to build on the great news as it hosts its Christmas parties on Friday, December 1 and Friday, December 15 including a three-course meal, welcome drink, photo booth, DJ and fun competitions.

Tickets are £47 per person, and anyone interested in booking should email metropolis@pet-xi.co.uk