Number 40 in Britain. Not a Sentence We’d Imagined Writing 20 Years Ago.
I promised myself this wouldn’t be one of those overly sentimental blogs. But unfortunately, being ranked 40th in Britain has given us far too good an excuse to look back on the journey of Blend Family.
Last week, we celebrated being ranked 40th in The Sunday Times Hundred 2026, a list of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies.
While we’re incredibly proud of the recognition, it’s also given us a rare opportunity to pause and reflect. Hospitality doesn’t often leave much time for looking backwards, especially when there’s always another opening or another project waiting around the corner.
But this felt like a moment worth stopping for.
Blend Family’s founders, Matt and Nina’s journey began in 2006 with the opening of The Milestone, Sheffield’s first Gastro Pub. Like most businesses starting out, they were focused on serving great food, creating memorable experiences and simply making sure people came back through the doors.
Thankfully, they did.
What followed was a series of food halls and countless lessons learned along the way. Some planned, many not. The biggest turning point came thousands of miles from home.
During regular trips across Asia, Matt and Nina found themselves fascinated by bustling food markets and communal dining spaces where families and friends and complete strangers could sit side by side, connected by great food. There was a warmth and authenticity to those experiences that stayed with them long after the flights home.
It sparked a question that would eventually change the direction of their business:
“Why can’t we create that same sense of connection here?”
That idea became Cutlery Works, our first food hall which opened in 2018.
Looking back, it’s incredible to see what has grown from that initial vision. What started as an attempt to bring communities together through food has evolved into a portfolio of thriving food halls, incredible independent kitchens, talented teams and guests that continue to shape every space that we open.
The ranking simply isn’t just about growth. It’s about every independent Food Partner who took a chance on us, every team member who has gone above and beyond, every visitor who has chosen to spend their time with us, and every community that has welcomed us into their city.
It’s also a reminder that some of the best ideas start out looking a little ambitious on paper.
With The Elephant Exchange opening on the 12th November, this milestone feels less like a finish line and more like more chapters in a story we’re still writing.
To everyone who has been part of Blend Family’s journey so far, thank you.
Twenty years ago, Matt and Nina hoped they were building a successful hospitality business. They didn’t realise they were also building a community, a team and a journey that would take Blend Family this far.
Though admittedly, I bet they didn’t quite realise how many emails would be involved.
We’ll spare you any more sentimental reflections. After all, there’s another food hall to open.