James Cochran's chicken concept finds permanent home

James Cochran's fried chicken concept, Around the Cluck, which gained a cult following during the 2020 summer lockdown, has found a permanent home at a new bar opening in Islington next month. 

Valderrama's will launch to the public on 4 July, serving Beavertown beers on tap, as well as frozen margaritas and other cocktail offerings. Named after Carlos Valderrama, the iconic captain of the famous 90s Colombian football team, the venue will also screen regular sporting events. 

The menu will feature Cochran's crispy buttermilk fried chicken favourites, including The Original with whipped blue cheese mousse, bacon scratchings and Sauce Shop x 12:51 Scotch Bonnet Jam; Spice Up Your Life with mango chutney, pickled cucumber, curry sauce, Bombay mix, smoked yoghurt, poppadom and coriander; Hear Me Now with cheese 'n' truffle fondue, smoked mushroom relish and slaw; and The Veganator, which includes a crispy vegan patty topped with Gochujang, Asian slaw, peanuts and coriander. 

Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Thighs with chip-shop curry sauce or chicken gravy mayo, spring onions and seaweed bucket will also be offered, with sides including hash browns or French fries topped with jerk spice, gravy and crispy shallots or blue cheese and bacon. The 48-cover venue will also house a dog-friendly outdoor terrace.

"There's a new player in town," says Cochran. "Valderrama's is exactly the type of bar I've been searching for my whole life. I'm so happy to have found a permanent home for Around the Cluck, and where better than a bar I've created with some of the best in the business. This is a game changer."

You may also be interested in…