Exclusive: Tom Kerridge says London restaurant will be ‘a feel-good place which celebrates Britishness'
Chef Tom Kerridge has said that his new London restaurant, to be situated on the ground floor of the Corinthia hotel in the space formerly known as Massimo, will be "a feel-good place which celebrates Britishness, not a temple of gastronomy".
The restaurant, which has been operated by the Corinthia since the hotel parted company with Italian chef Massimo Riccioli in 2012, will close in June for a rebrand and is expected to relaunch in September.
Kerridge, who owns the Michelin-starred pub The Coach, the Butcher's Tap, and two Michelin-starred The Hand and Flowers, all in Marlow, exclusively told The Caterer: "The design and the feel of the dining room is changing and we are working with the David Collins Studio to create warmth and softness.
"The food will be very familiar to the people who know what we do in Marlow - it will be a modern style of British brasserie with ingredients roasted on the rotisserie served alongside lovely real ales, breads and cheese. It will be the most celebrated of British food and, naturally, everything will be well-sourced."
Speaking of Corinthia hotel managing director Thomas Kochs, the 2017 Catey Chef Award winner added: "Thomas Kochs is one of the most loveliest, gentle and warm guest-led professionals I've ever come across. Everything to him is about the guest and making sure they have the most phenomenal time. He is one of Europe's leading hoteliers who has operated major hotels brilliantly. From the moment we met, we had a genuine connection."
Corinthia hotel managing director Thomas Kochs said that bringing Kerridge to the Corinthia fitted with the hotel's aim of providing guests with an experience of true British hospitality.
"It's a great milestone in the history of the hotel," he told The Caterer.
"The conversations with Tom have been a pleasure on many fronts. When you talk to him about food, hospitality and people, it's just inspiring. The staff are in the right place to create a phenomenal restaurant."
Kerridge had been planning to open at the Rib Room restaurant at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower last year until Dubai Holdings, owner of Jumeirah, appeared to change its intentions for the restaurant.
By James Stagg and Amanda Afiya
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