NEWS ARCHIVE

TOP CHEF LAUNCHES NEW CITY VENTURE | 20/05/09

Acclaimed chef Albert Roux was in Norwich on Friday 15th to launch his latest dining venture.

Mr Roux has opened Roux Fine Dining within private members' club Reeds after identifying what he believes is a gap in the market.

The 73-year-old chef, who in 1967 opened Britain's first Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche with his brother Michel, said he had not been put off by the economic climate.

"I think the best time to open a restaurant is in a recession," he said.

"I've just opened in Inverness and people said I must be mad but I tell you, it's packed for lunch and dinner. Norwich is bigger - it's twice the size of Inverness - and it's all about the offering.

"My pricing is nothing to do with the recession; it's to do with studying what people need or want and being imaginative, using local and seasonal produce as much as possible.

"A name only lives once. People might say 'It's Roux. Should be good - maybe we should have a look, ' but if you don't deliver, it's gone.

"I will not lie and say will be here every night but I'm very close to my business and I will keep a close eye on what's going on. I will also be here for special events and will drop in when I'm up here, pike fishing on the Broads."

Head chef will be Mr Roux's protégée Des Artiss, who said: "I just want to maintain the Roux standard, bring a bit of Albert's knowledge to Norwich, give people an enjoyable eating experience and support local businesses."