Marco Pierre White steakhouse to open in Salisbury

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White is set to open a restaurant at The Stones Hotel in Salisbury: The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill.

The result of a deal between the venue owner, David Matton, and Black and White Hospitality - which holds the franchise rights to eight of the chef's restaurant concepts,including Wheeler's of St James', Mr White's English Chophouse, Bardolino and Wheeler's Fish and Chips - the new establishment will replace the current restaurant on site, which has been closed since March because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The news comes as the chef is set to launch another of his steakhouses in Swansea, which has been planned since January this year, where it will create 40 jobs.

David Matton said: "We're absolutely delighted to have someone of Marco’s calibre open one of his restaurants here at The Stones Hotel. This is great news for both the hotel and area.

"It's a hugely exciting addition that will, we believe, offer a first-class dining experience and is perfect for the stunning location of the hotel."

He added: "The Army relocating programme has resulted in an influx of forces families to the area while redevelopment and new housing has also inclreased the city’s population so we’re expecting the new restaurant to prove popular with those who live locally.

"The new restaurant will also prove attractive to tourists visiting Stonehenge which is close by plus business travellers which forms a high proportion of our weekday customers."

Nick Taplin, chairman and chief executive of Black and White Hospitality, added: "This is fantastic news for Salisbury. The Steakhouse fits perfectly with the four-star environment of The Stones Hotel’s customer base and we’re hugely excited to work alongside David and his team to get this new venue open as soon as possible."

Once known as 'L'enfant terrible,' Marco Pierre White shook up the UK's hospitality scene, becoming the youngest chef - and the first in the country - to achieve three Michelin star status. 

More recently the chef has featured in the press for his inciendiary remarks about women, award-winning restaurants, and advice on how to "absorb pressure" in the kitchen environment. 

Love him or hate him, the chef is so widely known that a biopic on his life is being written, directed and played by Russell Crowe.