The Rooster Stove... Jersey’s answer to Nando’s?

Friday 06 January 2023

A husband and wife duo with decades of experience in the hospitality industry have teamed up to launch what they hope could become Jersey's answer to Nando's.

The Rooster Stove, a new rotisserie serving hot meals, sandwiches and wraps opened its doors at Kensington Place, just behind the hospital, before Christmas.

The restaurant is run by Cristian Mihaila and his wife, Brenda.

Originally from Brașov in Romania, he moved to Jersey in 2008 and has been working in hospitality ever since.

He has 20 years experience in the industry, and has worked in some of Jersey's most prestigious spots, having worked as front of house at L’Horizon for eight years and having been the assistant manager at Cheffins. 

Pictured: Cristian Mihalia, owner of 'the Rooster Stove'.

Cristian and Brenda, who previously worked at the Grand Hotel, worked together before in the hospitality industry. Now she works front of house at the new business whilst looking after their two children, Alexei and Jessica.

Cristian said he was inspired to start the family-run venture as “I wanted to work for myself, to start afresh, you know, I like the challenge." As for the name, he said: "I just liked it, I thought it was pretty catchy."

Cristian took over the space at the end of July - but conditions were less than ideal, with Cristian describing it as a "mess".

However, after two months of cleaning and repair work, they finally opened at the beginning of November. Things have been a little quiet to begin with, but hungry customers are starting to trickle in from nearby offices and some of the hospital staff are quickly becoming regulars.

Pictured: Christmas special at 'The Rooster Stove'.

Indeed, Cristian hopes the nearby hospital will be a ready source of business, and was part of the reason he chose to open up in this spot.

He also hopes that builders working in the area will start to drift in on their lunch breaks, or pop in for a bite to eat to start their day.

Rooster Stove's main speciality is its roti.

Pictured: The Rooster Stove's Roti Pork Belly.

The restaurant offers rotisserie chicken and pork belly - in a wrap, with focaccia, with corn on the cob and, of course, with Piri Piri sauce.

You can get burgers, fajitas, shawarma and even a Crispy Pork Gyro - all of this, from 07:00 to 20:00, with Cristian planning to open at 06:00 in the summer months. 

The sight of chicken galore, Piri Piri sauce and even the famous rooster on the sign might strike a chord with those fans of the famous chain of chicken restaurants, Nando's.

Fans of a cheeky Nando's will no doubt be hoping that  'The Rooster Stove' might just be able to fill that Piri Piri chicken-shaped hole in Jersey's culinary landscape.

When asked about the comparison, Cristian said: “Well, I wish I was as famous as them!" he laughed, later adding: "Just give me time.”   

Pictured: The Rooster Stove's Roti Chicken, complete with Piri Piri sauce. 

Cristian is aware that it's an uncertain time to open up a new business - "you never know what the future might hold" - and says It has been particularly difficult to find staff.

He said he would be immensely grateful for any support for his "small, family-run" business from the community, as Roosters aims to take flight.