Rick Stein to open new venture in Winchester

Rick Stein has announced that he is to open a new restaurant in Winchester, Hampshire, which will be offering classic dishes including turbot hollandaise, slip sole meunière and grilled lobster, as well as some inspired by his travels around the world.

With a high street position secured in the town, the restaurant is set to open in late autumn and will seat 70 for lunch and dinner.

Celebrating the signing of the lease last week with business partner Jill, Rick said: “I love Winchester; it’s steeped in heritage, with beautiful architecture and seems to have a love of great food.  Our new restaurant is about fresh fish, simply cooked. This is a big and exciting move for us, our first outside Cornwall, and we can’t wait to bring our passion for seafood to Winchester.”

Since Rick and Jill opened their first flagship seafood restaurant in 1975, the Padstow based business has grown to include five restaurants, accommodation, retail outlets and a cookery school, but it is still very much a family-run operation with Rick, Jill and all three sons involved in the business.

With the lease signed, renovation of the interiors will now begin with eldest son Edward working with Jill on the design, Jill comments “The interior design of our Winchester restaurant will be understated with an urban feel and a subtle nod to our coastal roots. We want to create a space where people can enjoy relaxed dining.”

Executive chef and middle son, Jack Stein, is overseeing the menu development and kitchen. Jack said “With a great local supplier base already established in Cornwall, we will be looking to work with high quality food and drink producers from the Winchester area.” Youngest son Charles works for The Vintner in London and will be supplying some of the wines for the restaurant.

Speaking of the opening of Rick Stein's new restaurant in Winchester, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, Councillor Seán Woodward, said; "It is fantastic to hear that Rick Stein has chosen Winchester as the location for his next restaurant. The city has for many years been highly regarded for its food offering, as home to Europe's biggest farmers market and many unique and high quality restaurants and eateries. The Rick Stein restaurant will be a really welcome addition to this, attracting people from far and wide to the city and wider Hampshire county."

Interested diners can keep up to date with the latest news and developments from the new Winchester restaurant at www.rickstein.com or @SteinWinchester on Twitter.