Leon takes on the fast food big boys

Fresh fast food restaurant celebrates its first anniversary at Bluewater, and Wellbeing was there to see, and taste, it!

Award-winning natural fast-food restaurant LEON opened its first out-of-London site at Bluewater in May 2009.

Best known in the capital for changing the face of fast food as it was, LEON restaurants serve food that tastes good and does you good, using only ingredients that are fresh and well sourced. It is this philosophy that founders Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent hoped would continue the chain's success in its new surroundings in Kent.

"We are trying to revolutionise fast food by proving that it can taste great and be good for you," says Henry, "So for us it's a significant milestone to be opening out of London, close to the big fast food players. We hope it will prove that we can be the new mainstream offering the best food to the most people. "

It was LEON's success and uncompromising commitment to change the common negative perception that ‘fast' food must mean ‘unhealthy' food that made it an attractive addition to Bluewater's fold of restaurants and cafes.
Andrew Parkinson, Bluewater General Manager said: "With over 50 restaurants and bars, Bluewater has something to offer all of our guests and we feel that the addition of LEON will add a great fast - but healthy - food option," and he was certainly right.

The LEON concept first began after Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent were suffering from the after effects of long periods on the road, with only unhealthy fast food, or sloppy stale sandwiches on offer- and decided that this was not how it had to be. The first LEON store opened on Carnaby Street in 2004 and was quickly named Observer Food Monthly ‘Best Newcomer of the year'. Since then LEON has won a number of awards including an RSPCA Good Business Award in 2008 and the Gold Palm Award for the most innovative, newly opened restaurant in Europe 2008.

We were certainly won over by the broad choice of food, containing only natural, fresh ingredients, and the atmosphere of the event- where the owners and their family joined their managers, staff, and loyal customers (who set up the infamous Facebook campaign to bring back the falafel when it was taken off the menu) showing that LEON is not just another money-making scheme, but establishing itself as part of the community. Everything we were offered was delicious, causing us to go back for seconds, and maybe even thirds! If the gobi curry, sweet potato falafel, meatballs and flatbread wraps are tempting your taste buds then head down to Bluewater now- before we eat them all!

For more information, locations and menu's please visit the website www.leonrestaurants.co.uk