One of Brighton's best-known arts venues is cooking up new jobs as part of its redevelopment.

Komedia in Gardner Street, Brighton, which helped launch the careers of comedians Graham Norton, Johnny Vegas and Al Murray, is recruiting staff for its new kitchens, which will open in September.

Komedia completed the redevelopment of its first-floor theatre and bar in May as part of a £1.4 million revamp and the introduction of a larger kitchen sees the venue "inching closer" to its original aim of being able to provide a full evening out.

Komedia started out in Manchester Street, Kemp Town, but relocated to the central Brighton site in 1998.

Gail Craig, head of operations, said: "When Komedia was in Manchester Street there was a cafe and the concept was that people would get food and drink and spend the whole evening there.

"We've been waiting to build a new kitchen for a long time but it has taken a while to work out the financial side of things."

The kitchen, which is being built in an extension at the back of the original building on Regent Street, will provide a tapas-style menu.

It is anticipated that a full-table waiting service will operate in the upstairs venue for cabaret-seated events and a self-service option will operate every night in the downstairs cabaret.

Customers will have a choice of a pre or post-show meal for most events.

Komedia currently employs between 50 and 60 people, including part-time employees, and the new kitchen should create between ten and 15 additional jobs.

The venue is currently recruiting chefs and kitchen staff and this will be followed shortly by a drive for a table-waiting team.

Ms Craig said: "The atmosphere is fantastic and we have some great people working here. We have lots of fun and you get the chance to see some great performances."

She said the venue was busy all year round.

It is open 363 days a year and expects to promote more than 700 live events, and welcome audiences of up to 150,000, by the end of December.

Thursday July 10, 2003