Chef Stuart Gillies will open his new restaurant and bar, Number Eight

Chef Stuart Gillies will open his new restaurant and bar, Number Eight, in the historic market town of Sevenoaks in Kent on Wednesday, March 2nd 2022

Co-owned by Stuart and his wife Cecilia, Number Eight will be a family run business occupying an impressive 16th century corner site. 

Stuart said: “Cecilia and I are so excited to bring Number Eight to Sevenoaks. The opening of Bank House in Chislehurst in 2019 has given us the perfect launch pad from which to integrate ourselves further into the local community. Sevenoaks is such a vibrant town full of incredible independent operators, we can’t wait to be part of it all, sharing our passion for good honest food and great wine with locals and visitors alike." 

The menu takes inspiration from Stuart's culinary journey as a chef, working with some of the biggest names in the industry from Stockholm to Rome, New York to London. Dishes on the menu not only capture his diverse chef journey but offer diners eclectic choices, including whipped cod’s roe with a sprinkling of hazelnuts, green beans and homemade focaccia; truffled artichokes with creme fraiche dressing and Mache salad; Buttermilk chicken, bbq sauce, blue cheese shavings; Confit leg of Goosnargh duck, roasted ceps, Cavolo Nero, garlic fried potatoes; Rye Bay Monkfish curry; roasted loin of Chart Farm venison, swede mash, sour cherry, chocolate sauce and Fettucine of Dorset crab, chilli, spring onions, garlic.

Keeping it local, a concise and carefully considered wine list with a nod to English sparkling Blanc de Blanc and local vineyards (Kingscote, Gusbourne, Chapel Down) provide the perfect aperitif alongside a selection of biodynamic and organic wines from Cave De Pyrenne.

About Stuart Gillies

Stuart Gillies is a high profile, well travelled, ingredient-led chef boasting a career that spans 35 years and many countries.

His chef journey has seen him pass through a number of significant career pillars. From the Royal Garden, Riche in Stockholm to the Lord Byron Hotel in Rome, Daniel Boulud in New York to leading roles in acclaimed openings at Teatro (where he met his wife and business partner Cecilia), Angela Hartnett at the Connaught Hotel, Caprice Holdings and Gordon Ramsay at Boxwood Café.

Working closely alongside Gordon saw Stuart moving on to be appointed Managing Director, and then CEO of Gordon Ramsay Holdings in 2011, where he oversaw the successful overhaul of the large portfolio with the restructure and rebuild of the restaurant group during his 7-year tenure.

In 2018, Gillies stepped down as CEO presenting a refreshing new chapter in his career both personally and professionally, allowing him to pursue his dream goal of opening a restaurant and wine bar in his hometown of Chislehurst, alongside his wife Cecilia, with a focus on ingredient-led dining, sustainability and fostering local talent.

Bank House Wine Bar and Kitchen opened its doors in 2019 - the creation of a new style hospitality experience offering accessible luxury without the fuss. Being a chef operator, Gillies was able to draw on a wealth of expertise and experience to ensure his dream of owning a new modern style business that was local but different, was fully realised. 

Main photo credit @stuart_gillies1