Hotel Terravina merges with Alan Murchison's 10 in 8
The move, which has involved both companies buying shares in the other, will see a sharing of expertise across both businesses and includes the appointment of Nina Basset as managing director of 10 in 8.
Speaking to BigHospitality, Gerard Basset said the move was more about sharing skills and expertise, rather than make radical changes to his New Forest venue or any of Murchison's restaurants, which include l'Ortolan near Reading and La Becasse in Ludlow.
He said: "We have been friends with Alan for 12 years and last year we were talking about doing something together, so we have been developing this idea since.
"The idea is not to make a revolution, or change everything straight away, simply to slowly add expertise. For example, we can offer help in wine and service and in the hotel area. We don't have a Michelin star but Alan has, so we will work with him to improve our dining. We will keep our chef, but he'll now have the support of Alan and his team."
Cookery school
Nina Basset reinforced the concept of both parties working together to develop skills on both sides and said there were plans already being made through the partnership to create a cookery and wine school based close to Hotel Terravina in the New Forest to 'further strengthen' its existing Fine Dining Academy.
She said: “We have been watching 10 in 8’s progress over the last few years and admire their vision and strategy to develop individuals with raw talent into some of the industry’s most renowned chefs and restaurant managers. This merger will enhance that strategy as we intend to develop the Terravina concept wherever 10 in 8 has a fine dining restaurant.
"We have already worked with 10in8 informally on a couple of joint projects and it was clear that the mix of Gerard’s wine skills when combined with Alan’s culinary expertise created a potent mix of talent that in our opinion is unsurpassed in the world of hotel management and fine dining."
Experienced team
Announcing the merger, Richard Pursey, chairman of 10 in 8 said he was looking forward to working with the Bassets and their experienced team to develop the business in different areas.
"Led by Alan Murchison, we already have a number of the country’s leading chefs in our team but now, we have probably the most decorated sommelier in the world spear-heading our fine wines business. Perhaps as importantly though, Gerard and Nina’s experience in hotel management will give us great depth to our board."
Murchison, who set up 10 in 8 in 2010 with the ambition of operating 10 Michelin-starred restaurants by 2018 recently announced he would be opening two new restaurants this year with locations yet to be revealed.
