A colonial property is being restored in a mystery part of town and a team is being recruited… Marco Pierre White’s Singapore restaurant The English House is really happening.
Chef Marco Pierre White was the world’s youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars, famously ‘returned’ them when he walked away from his restaurant during the height of his fame, and is known as the ‘original rockstar chef’. He’s notorious for his hard stance in the kitchen, but we also know he has a soft spot for Singapore… and loves the chicken rice at Purvis Street.
The chef-restaurateur and now television star behind Hell’s Kitchen Australia has been hinting about opening a restaurant in Singapore since late last year, but now, his vision for The English House is beginning to crystallise. Recruitment for the opening team has kicked off and a colonial property (which has seen been pinpointed on Mohamed Sultan Road) is currently being restored.
On his last visit to Singapore, he dropped a few breadcrumbs for us: Robertson Quay was a hot contender for The English House’s location, and he hinted that the menu would focus on ‘simple’ food and sharing plates, with produce being sourced from the UK. After feasting, guests would be able to retreat to a guest room above the restaurant.
Marco Pierre White has been hailed as forever changing fine dining, but his straight-talking personality and brutally honest books remain just as fascinating as his food. His protégés include the likes of Heston Blumenthal of foodie Mecca The Fat Duck, Jason Atherton (who previously backed local faves Esquina and Pollen) and Gordon Ramsay, with whom he shares a particularly salty relationship.
With Singapore inching closer to becoming Celebrity Chef Central, we’re beyond curious to see what the man who mentored the best (and bristles at the words ‘celebrity chef’) will bring to our food scene. Watch this space…
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