Simon Rogan to launch two Hong Kong sites in first overseas development
Michelin-starred Simon Rogan is set to launch two new sites in Hong Kong in the chef's first steps outside of the UK market.
Rogan, who spent four nights as a guest chef at restaurant Dining at Murasaki in March, will launch a 12-seater version of his London restaurant Aulis in the city in early January.
This will be followed by a Hong Kong Roganic, which is expected to stick to the template laid out by his acclaimed London site.
They will join the roster of Rogan's five UK sites - including the two-starred L'Enclume, the one-starred Rogan & Co in the Lake District.
In October Roganic, formerly a pop-up, was handed its first Michelin star just nine months after being opened in its current permanent home.
Reflecting on its success after returning to the capital, he told The Caterer: "London is a tricky market, no doubt about it. Maybe it's because the expectations of the old Roganic - of its decor and the facilities - weren't high, they were just coming for a great meal with great service. But now obviously that's not enough.
"So we do try to give off as much spirit of the old Roganic as possible. I think people do watch their money a bit more now and, certainly a little bit more than the old Roganic.
"So we've been learning as we go along, changing things that we got wrong. But the stars up now so it's going well, and people are really appreciating what we do."
Simon Rogan takes over from Brian Turner as Bocuse d'Or UK president >>