Two of the UK’s most influential chefs, Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White, are to launch a restaurant in a Bath hotel.
Pierre and Marco, pictured, who between them have amassed six Michelin stars, are working with The Abbey Hotel to finalise plans for the new venture, which is expected to open in September.
Koffmann & Mr White’s will be a brasserie-style eaterie serving the kind of classic English and French dishes which have made the two famous over many years.
Pierre Koffmann was awarded three Michelin stars at his La Tante Claire restaurant in London – where Marco Pierre White trained before moving on to gain his own three stars at Harvey’s and The Restaurant Marco Pierre White in the dining room at the Hyde Park Hotel.
Now the charismatic chefs and the four-star hotel’s new owners, who acquired it in February, hope their shared vision of a new dining experience for Bath will appeal to diners wanting good-quality, affordable food in a relaxed, stylish and unpretentious environment.
Marco said: “For many, many, many years I reflected on my career and one of my deepest regrets was not spending more time with Pierre in the kitchen. I am looking forward to being the apprentice once again.
“Personally, I’m also thrilled to be opening in Bath – a city which is very close to my heart. The Abbey Hotel has a brilliant central location and together we’re looking forward to creating a fantastic new restaurant for the city.”
Pierre added: “Marco is one of the most talented chefs I have ever worked with. I am very much looking forward to our collaboration.”
Abbey Hotel general manager Josh Watts said his team were “hugely excited” to be working with two such iconic chefs as Pierre and Marco in bringing this new restaurant to Bath.
“The city is already a culinary hotspot but this adds a whole fresh dimension to Bath’s restaurant scene,” he added.
The opening of Koffmann & Mr White’s is the first phase of a wider planned reinvigoration of The Abbey Hotel over the next 12 months by new owners KE Hotels, as it seeks to cement its position as one of Bath’s leading independent hotels.
Josh Watts added: “Being located right in the centre of the city and close to the Abbey, we are the perfect setting for both locals and tourists looking for a quality place to stay, drink and dine.
“The elegant surroundings of the new restaurant will complement the location and will make this a great place to come and enjoy some classic French and British food.”
The Abbey Hotel’s existing Allium restaurant will deliver its final service this summer before closing ahead of its transformation into Koffmann & Mr White’s.
The new restaurant will operate under licence from the Marco Pierre White’s Black & White Hospitality business, with the existing team leading daily service under the guidance of the two culinary masters.
The 62-bedroom Abbey Hotel, pictured, was bought by KE Hotels from Bath hoteliers Ian and Christa Taylor, who had bought it in 2012 for £5.5m from Compass Hotels. Financial details of the sale to KE have not been disclosed.
The deal took KE’s portfolio to three, joining its 87-bedroom Best Western Linton Lodge in Oxford and a yet-to-open 147-bedroom Moxy by Marriott in Manchester. The company also own several hotels in America.
The Taylors, who also own Bath’s No.15 Great Pulteney boutique hotel, have since acquired the four-star, 22-bedroom County Hotel on Pulteney Rd.
Bookings for Koffmann & Mr White’s are expected to open next month.
