A couple who met in high school have found love and success in the hospitality industry after opening a Whitefield Tapas bar.

Faye and Aaron Cummins, both 30, originally met as teenagers during their time at St Monica’s RC High School in Prestwich.

After being in the same class and leaving school, Aaron began working as a bartender at TGI Fridays in Prestwich, where Faye was a waitress.

The two hit it off and the rest is history.

They now run Moss Lane restaurant Campo Blanco, aptly named as it means Whitefield in Spanish.

Aaron said:  “We were in the same class at St Monica’s and after working together at TGI Fridays we got together.

“We have now been together for almost 10 years and have two children together, Matilda, two, and Max, six months.”

After finding love and leaving TGIs, the couple mirrored career paths once again, opting to become teachers.

Aaron said: “She taught at Holy Family Primary School, Rochdale, and I taught apprenticeships in Manchester.

“But it got to the point where we had both had enough and couldn’t decide if we should move to Spain or try a new business venture and open a restaurant.

“I have lived in Whitefield my whole life and Faye has lived in Spain and Prestwich.

"We both knew there weren’t any tapas bars so we decide to fill that gap and really become a part of the community.

“It all happened so quickly, I spoke to a chef, Pedro, who I use to wash pots for, and he said he would be up for joining us.”

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After trying a variation of Spanish translations, Campo Blanco (aka Whitefield) was chosen.  

Aaron said: “Started with me, Faye and Pedro doing 80 covers on a Saturday and within two months, we were doing 150 covers.

"It was just mental and so busy but it hasn’t slowed down since.

"Now we average 300 covers on a Saturday.

“We don’t call ourselves Spanish, it is Spanish inspired but a lot of dishes are Pedro’s own creations, he is from Chile so there is some inspiration from there too.”

Once lockdown down hit, Campo Blanco continue trading even when McDonald's closed.

Arron said: “Lockdown was scary, but we just didn’t stop trading.

"We did takeaways, hampers, and draught beer deliveries, and we set up a food bank whilst doing Facebook lives with tastings and teaching people how to cook.

“We did get into debt and also had two children during that time.

"We almost lost the business and our house when covid hit but we were so determined to make it work.

“Towards the end of lockdown, our neighbour was moving out and asked if we wanted the keys.

“We could only afford to renovate upstairs and extend but we have finally gotten enough together to do the downstairs.”

The Tardis of a restaurant is anything but small, with no dress code and no limitations.

With both owners having had such an extensive history in the Prestwich and Whitefield communities, they want Campo Blanco to remain in it and have shut down the idea of making more in other areas.

On Wednesday, August 17, the tapas bar will launch a new brunch menu and all staff have been given professional barista training so members of the community can use the space as a place to work or as a coffee shop.

Aaron said: “Looking back it is unbelievable.

“We have come out of Covid with loads of debt but the team that has stuck with us is what has kept us going.

"We’re all extremely proud and now, finally, the worries are starting to go and we can look forward to the future.”

You can read our review of the restaurant here.