Heston Blumenthal set to open first London restaurant

Heston Blumenthal is planning to open his first restaurant in London, Caterersearch has learnt.

The chef patron of the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, is in discussions to launch a restaurant in the capital, and has been linked to London's Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

Renowned New York-based interior designer Adam Tihany, who created the interior for the hotel's Michelin-starred Foliage restaurant, has also been associated with the project. However, it is unclear when Blumenthal's restaurant will launch.

A spokeswoman for Mandarin Oriental declined to confirm or deny that the hotel was in discussions with Blumenthal.

"Mandarin Oriental is regularly in discussions with many of the world's most renowned chefs, including Heston Blumenthal, as we develop our brand and create new dining experiences in our hotels under development around the world," she said.

Blumenthal's spokeswoman added: "Regarding another restaurant there is no restaurant confirmed for London as yet, either with or without Mandarin Oriental."

The 200-bedroom Mandarian Oriental Hyde Park opened in 2000 after it had undergone a £50m refurbishment programme. Its flagship restaurant, Foliage, has held a Michelin star since 2002.

Blumenthal was forced to close his three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck restaurant for two weeks after up to 40 diners were afflicted with a mystery illness resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea.

The chef said the cause of the health care may have been the novovirus. For more on Heston see our Heston Blumenthal page >>

Guide Girl: Heston Blumenthal to launch a restaurant in London >>

Norovirus may have closed Fat Duck, says Blumenthal >>

Heston Blumenthal gets go ahead to reopen the Fat Duck >>

A Minute on the Clock with Foliage head chef Chris Staines >>

US designer Adam Tihany on his third project in London >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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