Two Michelin starred chef Simon Rogan, is to make his permanent London debut with an opening at London’s Claridge’s hotel, following the departure of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant at the hotel earlier this year.
With his Michelin starred Cartmel restaurant L’Enclume topping the Good Food Guide this year, Rogan now operates two new restaurants at Manchester’s Midland Hotel- The French and Mr Cooper’s House and Garden- along with his other established venues The Pig and Whislte and Rogan & Co in the Lake District. Now one of the UK’s top chefs, Rogan also opened Roganic in London in 2011 but closed it in early 2013 after the two year lease at the site in Marylebone ended. He additionally runs a development kitchen which has private dining for up to 6 covers and his own 13-acre farm.
Rogan’s new Claridge’s restaurant is to open in spring 2014 and will take the 90-cover space that Gordon Ramsay previously operated from for the past 12 years. Head chef will be Dan Cox who has already worked with Rogan at Roganic and the majority of the food will be sourced from Rogan’s own farm in Cumbria. The restaurant will not carry Rogan’s name but a name has not yet been revealed.
Claridge’s general manager Thomas Kochs said: “We are very excited about bringing Simon Rogan to Claridge’s. He is a home-grown British talent and we believe his inspiring culinary concept for the hotel will lead the way for a new dining direction, building on the bold approach for which Claridge’s has always been known.”
Commenting on the news, Simon Rogan said: “I have long been looking for a permanent London home and in Claridge’s I feel we have found a true partnership of creativity and worldclass excellence. My team and I are looking forward to the challenge of marrying my culinary style with the phenomenal heritage of Claridge’s – this is a massive honour and we are focused and determined to create a truly outstanding restaurant.”
GRH previously operated four restaurants at Maybourne's London hotels (Claridge’s parent company), including Angela Hartnett at the Connaught and Pétrus and Boxwood Café at the Berkeley. None of the restaurants' contracts were renewed upon expiry and are now occupied by Hélène Darroze; Marcus Wareing and Pierre Koffmann respectively.