Black joins Gallagher at London restaurant

Steven Black, formerly head chef at Eastwell Manor in Boughton Lees, Kent, is joining Irish chef Conrad Gallagher at his 220-seat restaurant in London's Shaftesbury Avenue, when it opens in the first two weeks of July.

The restaurant, which will be called Conrad Gallagher at Shaftesbury Avenue, is the first British restaurant for the Irish chef, who has a Michelin star at Peacock Alley in Dublin.

Black said: "Having worked at Eastwell and Thornbury Castle before that, I had to decide what route I wanted to take. I wanted to work in London and I hope we can achieve a Michelin star and four rosettes."

Gallagher intends to be in the kitchen when the restaurant opens. He said he would be "behind the stove, on the floor, all over the place until I am happy with the food and the service".

Joining Black will be his senior sous chef Kirsten Mikklsen and junior sous chef René Pedersen, both of whom worked with him at Eastwell Manor. His wife, Marete Black, will be one of the restaurant managers.

The restaurant, which is aiming for 300 covers a day, will also contain a small delicatessen, Martini bar and lounge area for post-dinner brandies and cigars.

The average bill per person including wine is expected to be between £55 and £60.

The project is a joint venture between Gallagher and Vince Power, owner of the Mean Fiddler pub chain.

The restaurant was to have opened in April, but the builders will not leave until 1 July and Gallagher and Black will carry out a week or so of trials before opening to the public.

Black has been working at Peacock Alley in Dublin with Gallagher since February, creating the menus for the London restaurant.

"The food will be unique to the restaurant - it is a merger of mine and Steven's heads this time," said Gallagher.

by Sara Guild sara.guild@rbi.co.uk

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 7-13 June