From the kitchens of MasterChef and the acclaimed Peace & Loaf restaurant in Jesmond to North Shields’ newest indoor market, award-winning chef David Coulson is preparing to serve up something special.
There’s a familiar name from the North East’s food scene joining Common Ground, and this one comes with quite a culinary history.
David Coulson, the chef behind Newcastle’s acclaimed Peace & Loaf restaurant and a finalist on BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals, is bringing his latest venture, Peace of Pie, to North Shields.
And yes, as the name suggests, it’s all about proper pies.
FROM MASTERCHEF TO NORTH SHIELDS
David has spent around 25 years working in hospitality, building a reputation for imaginative cooking, quality ingredients and taking familiar British dishes in interesting directions.
In 2010, he reached the final of MasterChef: The Professionals, where his cooking impressed some of the biggest names in the industry. Among the dishes he became known for was his chicken pie — a traditional favourite given the attention and creativity of a fine-dining chef.
He later appeared on BBC’s Great British Menu, further establishing his reputation on the North East’s culinary scene.
Perhaps his best-known achievement was founding Peace & Loaf in Jesmond, Newcastle, a restaurant that earned widespread recognition for its inventive menus, seasonal ingredients and relaxed approach to fine dining.
Now David is taking that experience in a different direction.
INTRODUCING PEACE OF PIE
With Peace of Pie, David is returning to something wonderfully simple: good, honest food, made with care.
The new business will celebrate traditional British pies, combining familiar, comforting flavours with fresh local ingredients and the creativity of an experienced chef.
The idea is to bring David’s approach to food into a more relaxed, everyday setting, where people can enjoy something properly made without the formality of a restaurant.
There’s something rather fitting about a chef who has spent years at the top of his profession turning his attention to one of Britain’s most loved foods.
After all, who doesn’t appreciate a really good pie?
A NEW CHAPTER AT COMMON GROUND
Peace of Pie will become part of Common Ground, the new independent indoor market taking shape inside the former Wilko premises at the Beacon Centre in North Shields.
The market is bringing together a growing collection of independent businesses, food producers, vintage traders, artists, makers and specialist retailers.
Food will play an important part in creating somewhere people can spend time, meet friends, enjoy a bite to eat and discover businesses they might not otherwise encounter.
For David, Peace of Pie represents another chapter in his culinary journey, with an opportunity to support local suppliers, share his passion for food and become part of a new trading community.
For Common Ground, it’s an exciting addition to the mix.
And for the people of North Shields, it’s another reason to look forward to seeing what’s behind those doors.
WE MEET ON COMMON GROUND
Common Ground is being developed by the Beacon Centre, with the first phase planned to open in November 2026.
The aim is to create somewhere that brings independent businesses and people together. A place to browse, eat, discover something new, enjoy a conversation and perhaps bump into a familiar face.
From established names to people starting their first businesses, every trader has a different story.
David’s journey has taken him through professional kitchens, national television and one of Newcastle’s best-known restaurants.
Now it’s bringing him to North Shields.
We’re looking forward to welcoming David and Peace of Pie to Common Ground — and, of course, trying those pies!
FIND PEACE OF PIE
Business: Peace of Pie
Founder: David Coulson
Instagram: @peace_of_pie__
Location: Common Ground, former Wilko, Beacon Centre, North Shields
Opening: Planned for November 2026
Follow I Love North Shields for more stories from the independent businesses joining Common Ground.
Common Ground is being developed and operated by the Beacon Centre. Trader recruitment and curation are being undertaken independently by Simmie Harper on behalf of the centre. I Love North Shields is a media partner, sharing the stories behind the businesses and the transformation of the space.
