Murano’s head chef Pip Lacey to name first solo restaurant Hicce.

The former Murano chef who announced her departure from Angela Hartnett’s Michelin starred Mayfair restaurant in August says her new 40 cover restaurant will be called Hicce.

The open kitchen will provide customers with a "wood-fired dining experience" while the menu will serve modern dishes, using traditional techniques such as marinating, curing, pickling.

Speaking to The Staff Canteen about the new venture Pip said: "It's early stages right now as far as getting a site. We are currently meeting with potential investors, and looking at sites.

"We want people to have relaxed, involved and ongoing experience. That's why we want to start the experience now by getting people to join our journey from the beginning."

The Great British Menu 2017 contestant will launch the new London project, Hicce (pronounced ee-che) with business partner Gordon McIntyre, who has a background in front of house and has spent the past five years at Greene King pub group as an opening and operations manager.

Speaking about their relationship Pip said: "We worked together many moons ago and have been buddies ever since. It's always been a goal of ours to have our own place."

Pip began working with Angela Hartnett seven years ago, first at York and Albany and then later at Murano joining as sous chef before becoming head chef under Angela Hartnett’s direction. Pip will be going part time for the group while she develops her own restaurant.

She told The Staff Canteen: "My time at Murano has been incredible. I've grown in business and as a chef but like Angela herself it's now time to spread my wings and create a brand for myself. Angela's support has given me the confidence to make this possible.

"I'm currently considering investment opportunities for a new central London concept that will be an open kitchen, wood fired dining experience with a variety of great produce and cooking techniques. A fast paced 40 cover restaurant with a refined, inventive menu."

Who is the new head chef of Murano?

Taking over from Pip is a chef who was part of the Murano kitchen brigade 4 years ago. Oscar Holgado began working at Murano in 2010 as a demi chef de partie before moving up the ranks to sous chef. More recently, in 2016, Oscar was head chef at Pitt Cue in the City, after leaving Fera at Claridges, where he was part of the opening team.

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