Kochhar off to open own restaurant

Atul Kochhar has left his job as head chef of Tamarind, one of only two Michelin-starred Indian restaurants in London.

He has left the Mayfair restaurant, where he headed the kitchen for seven years, to open his own restaurant in the same London neighbourhood.

He has taken a lease on the site of the Cassia Oriental restaurant in Berkeley Square. Kochhar's restaurant, named Benares, will open in November and will have 90 seats, two private dining rooms and a bar.

Dinner with wine will cost £30 to £35 per person.

Kochhar said he was "excited, nervous, and emotional" about leaving Tamarind and setting up his own business.

Benares will be the fourth classy Indian restaurant in Mayfair. The others are Yatra, Tamarind and Chor Bizarre.

Former sous chef Alfred Prafad has replaced Kochhar at Tamarind, which has closed for two weeks for a £250,000 refurbishment. It will reopen on 2 September with a new menu and interior.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 22-28 August 2002