Marco Pierre White prepares for grand opening

Excitement is mounting as the final preparations begin for the grand opening of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s new Plymouth restaurant.

The Steakhouse Bar & Grill has created 24 new jobs in the city including chefs, managers and waiting staff who are getting ready to open the doors for the first time on March 17.

And with more than 60 website reservations made within its first 24-hours, news of the latest city eatery is spreading fast.

The restaurant, on the top floor of the Holiday Inn, has been completely gutted, re-fitted and redesigned.

And a new bar area has been created to make the most of the restaurant’s stunning views across the Waterfront and Hoe.

More than six tons of new crockery, cutlery and glasses has been ordered and the kitchen has been kitted out with some of the very latest equipment.

Holiday Inn manager Michael Wood said: “It has been a mammoth task and everyone has been working hard to make sure the restaurant is a success.

“We are really pleased with the team that has been put together, from the service staff to our talented head chef Gavin Hobbs. They are all excited and energised about bringing Marco Pierre White’s amazing food to Plymouth.

“With the best views in the city we believe people will love the Steakhouse Bar & Grill, not just for the great food but also the wonderful atmosphere.

“I really believe this is something the city needs and from the reaction we are getting people are genuinely looking forward to eating here.”

Marco Pierre White, who retired in 1999, curates the menu himself and diners can expect tasty steaks and timeless English and French classics ranging from Welsh Rarebit to Chicken Kiev - using the best locally sourced ingredients.

Since his retirement from the kitchen Marco Pierre White has been developing his own restaurant brands, including Marco’s New York Italian, Wheeler's of St. James’s, Bardolino and Mr. White’s English Chophouse.

He described his new Plymouth dining experience as “affordable glamour”, adding: “We hope it's an experience our guests will want to return to again and again.”

Marco Pierre White, dubbed the Godfather of modern cooking, became the youngest British chef to win a third Michelin star in 1995.

The new restaurant, on Armada Way, is part of Valor Hospitality Europe’s, the management company behind Holiday Inn Plymouth, refurbishment programme re-branding the hotel to a Crowne Plaza in April 17.