Michael Caines sets sights on London restaurant

Two-Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines is looking to launch a restaurant in partnership with a London hotel.

Caines told The Caterer that since resigning in July as food and beverage director of Brownsword Hotels, he has been pursuing the development of his consultancy business. He has already signed agreements to oversee the food and beverage operations at the 16-bedroom Kentisbury Grange hotel, near Barnstable, Devon, and at the yet-to-open Townhouse restaurant in Oswestry, Shropshire,

In a new arrangement with Andrew Brownsword, the founder of Brownsword Hotels, Caines is continuing in his role as executive chef at Gidleigh Park in Chagford, Devon, and consulting on the Michael Caines restaurants in the city centre Abode Hotels. But, he now has more freedom to explore new opportunities.

Caines is currently recruiting staff for Kentisbury Grange, where the restaurant has been renamed as the Coach House by Michael Caines. He is providing operational support for both the kitchen and front-of-house at the Grade II-listed Victorian manor house, which opened last year.

"I am hugely excited about this new partnership," said Caines. "Kentisbury Grange already offers a wonderful hospitality experience, with its stunning location in such a beautiful part of Devon."

Meanwhile, the Townhouse restaurant is set to open on 4 December. Owned by Mike Scott and Ollie Jackson, the Townhouse is located in a Georgian property which has been refurbished to provide a mix of traditional and contemporary styling. Alongside the main "affordable but stylish" restaurant, there are also private dining rooms that will be able to cater for eight to 100 covers.

Caines has been involved in recruiting key staff, designing, the kitchen, creating the menu and helping with the online reservation systems. "Although I will not personally be in the kitchen at The Townhouse on a regular basis, I very much look forward to regular visits and to lending my support for key events," he said.

Beyond Kentisbury Grange and the Townhouse, Caines is keen to work with other hotel and restaurant owners, particularly in the capital.

"London is very much on my radar," he said. "I came very close to agreeing a proposition at a prestigious hotel in London, but it didn't happen. However, I am now in talks with another hotel. It is important that it is the right property."

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