Former Orrery Head Chef Tristan Mason has gone solo and opened his first restaurant in West Sussex.
The 31-year-old, who quit the D&D-owned restaurant in February, has taken over Stan’s Way House restaurant in Horsham and is determined to win back a Michelin star.
“I do want my accolades back, but that’s not the be all and end all. Most of all I want to get this place busy and have my customers enjoy it,” he told BigHospitality.
Restaurant Tristan, which had a soft launch on Tuesday, serves “modern British food with French influences” the ingredients for which Mason said he will source locally where possible.
Starters include Squab Pigeon with Onion Soubise and Pickled Young Onions and mains include Best End & Neck of Lamb with White Beans, Anna Potato and Lavender and Turbot with Clams, Red Wine Risotto and Young Artichoke.
Mason had just one week to change the 34-cover restaurant around to its current format. Four staff – two kitchen, two front of house – who were employed by Stan`s Way House owners Steven and Stephanie Dray have remained.
Mason started out at the Greenhouse in Mayfair and then worked under Marco Pierre White at Mirabelle before running the kitchen at the Hare restaurant at the Hare and Hounds in Hertfordshire where he gained his first Michelin star.
The chef, who remains tight-lipped about his reasons for leaving the Orrery after a year in the job, said he had been looking for a suitable restaurant for his solo venture since his departure.
He said: “It’s always been in the pipeline to set up on my own, but because of circumstances it has happened a bit sooner than I thought it might.”