Pierre Koffman possibly retiring?

[Paul Bell]

There was an article in the the business section of The Observer about the possible recession in the restaurant industry. It included a throwaway remark that this was a reason for Pierre Koffman retiring early. Nothing else no dates, anything, difficult to tell whether it was a rumour or fact as there was no other information.

Paul

[Paul Bell]

According to the Caterer Marcus Wareing is moving Petrus to the Berkeley Hotel to replace the Tante Claire next year. He is also going to be supervising the Savoy.

Paul

[SimonP]

La Tante Claire officially closes on Saturday 21st December, and say they don't know whether the restaurant will be re-opening. Which probably means it won't be?

I presume Petrus is not relocating to The Berkeley that soon, or we would have heard something by now? But don't know ...

Simon

[Jon Tseng]

right, anyone know the lead times on booking?

[Andy Lynes]

Here a link to the caterer report http://www.caterer.com/news/articledetail....articleID=45645 . No details on the exact date, but I suppose that depends on whether or not they refurbish.

[Tonyfinch]

I hope Koffman continues cooking in London. I had two lovely meals at the old Tante Claire,though I've not been since it moved.

Koffman is a classically trained "old school" chef who has determinedly avoided media glare throughout his career and concentrated on his restaurant. The article doesn't say why the Savoy is not renewing his contract but it would be a shame if it was because they felt he wasn't media savvy or high profile enough.

On the other hand I suppose if people are not going to his restaurant while they're queuing up to get into GR it must say something about how a restaurant and a chef need to market themselves these days.

[Andy Lynes]

My understanding is that the hotel wanted the kudos of a 3 star chef. Koffmann has arguably been on a slide since he moved there, being demoted to 2 stars straightaway. He now only scores 3 rosettes in the AA and 8 in the good food guide. Wareing on the otherhand is on the way up, almost certain to get a second star in January, and gagging for his third.

Koffmann has allegedly had problems with the management from the minute he moved in, with an arguement over LTC being used as a breakfast room for the hotel being reported in Caterer. Perhaps things never really settled down for him there.

[SimonP]

Jon,

I'm not sure about lead times for reservations, but what I can tell you is that I was able to book a table this morning for dinner on December 17th.

Probably best not to hang about if you want to go - now word is out my guess is an awful lot of foodies will want one last visit before December 21st, and reservations will fill up very quickly.

Simon

[Paul Bell]

Similarly we had no problem booking for Friday 6th December an hour ago.

Paul

[Tonyfinch]

Thought after my spouting on Koffman I should go for a last farewell. Booked for Thursday 28th Nov at 8pm no problem.

[Simon Majumdar]

12th December - No problem

S

[Vanessa]

v

[Tonyfinch]

12th December - No problem

Simon,I thought that since you were organizing the egullet dinner at The Sutton Arms on 12th December that you would want to be there,no? Or have I got the date wrong?

[Scottf]

[Simon Majumdar]

12th December - No problem

Simon,I thought that since you were organizing the egullet dinner at The Sutton Arms on 12th December that you would want to be there,no? Or have I got the date wrong?

oops meant 13th for Tante Claire

S

[Wilfrid]

I'm in on December 11. We should have had the eGullet dinner there.

[Vanessa]

   

I'm in on December 11.  We should have had the eGullet dinner there.

I thought of suggesting an e-gullet pre-dinner - but it's probably not a good idea.

v

[magnolia]

According to the Caterer Marcus Wareing is moving Petrus to the Berkeley Hotel to replace the Tante Claire next year. He is also going to be supervising the Savoy.

Paul

Well someone had better start supervising the Savoy, from what I hear from a friend who was there last weekend, the floor was basically a moving carpet of mice. Yuck.

[Matthew Grant]

According to the Caterer Marcus Wareing is moving Petrus to the Berkeley Hotel to replace the Tante Claire next year. He is also going to be supervising the Savoy.

Paul

Well someone had better start supervising the Savoy, from what I hear from a friend who was there last weekend, the floor was basically a moving carpet of mice. Yuck.

Times must be tight at LTC, I managed to book with 12 days notice for 16th November.

[Paul Bell]

Having booked twice recently (and had to cancel one) I get the sense that the restaurant is rarely full, which is probably one of the reasons why the contract is not being renewed. Equally it is I beilieve quite a large dining room, considerably bigger than Petrus, Capital etc and it is probably the most expensive restaurant in London? Which may account for a lack of business, if that is indeed the case. I imagine that Marcus Wareing's name (plus Gordon Ramsay associations) will mean the restaurant is full although it will be interesting to see if Petrus' prices go up.

Paul

[Tonyfinch]

Times must be tight at LTC, I managed to book with 12 days notice for 16th November.

Looks like you're the advanced guard,Matthew. Maybe you can report back and tell us if Koffman is demob happy and doesn't care anymore or whether he's going out in a blaze of glory.

[Lord Michael Lewis]

I don't know if Koffman is being pushed or if he's jumping, but either way this is a great loss for gastronomic London. It is also confirmation that food is below funny haircuts and marketing on the list of key qualities that ensure a restaurant's success in Britain.

I blame the press.

[dallardice]

According to caterer.com today, Koffman is not retiring and is looking to open a new restaurant after leaving the Berkeley, although it will likely not open until September 2003.

[Matthew Grant]

I don't know if Koffman is being pushed or if he's jumping, but either way this is a great loss for gastronomic London. It is also confirmation that food is below funny haircuts and marketing on the list of key qualities that ensure a restaurant's success in Britain.

I shall be wearing a black jacket as mark of respect

[Paul Bell]

That coz you have to. We were very politely reminded when we booked that gentlemen have to wear jackets.

Paul