The Michelin-starred chefs will be heading up the kitchens at two of the Berkshire venue’s restaurants during the five-day flat race meeting in June.
Kerridge, who’s Hand and Flowers gasropub won the National Restaurant Awards last year, will be operating ‘On 5’ – Ascot’s new multi-million restaurant situated within its iconic Grandstand.
The new concept is based on five craftsmen: the farrier, the trainer, the groom, the saddler and the jockey. Guests will enjoy panoramic views of the racing from a roof terrace, with Kerridge serving up his modern take on British classics with a five-course luncheon and afternoon tea.
“I am thrilled to be invited to host the new On 5 restaurant this year during Royal Ascot week,” said Kerridge. “It’s an amazing facility that suits the history and elegance of Ascot. I had a lot of fun hosting a restaurant during Royal Ascot last year and look forward to returning with some new ideas to help make this year’s event one to remember.”
Panoramic Restaurant
Meanwhile, Benares chef Atul Kochhar will be taking his modern Indian cuisine to the Panoramic Restaurant, situated at the top of the Grandstand with views down the Straight Mile from the restaurant’s private balcony and rooftop terrace.
Kochhar said: “I love British ingredients married with Indian techniques and Royal Ascot is the perfect place to showcase this. Indian cultures go back a long way and Royal Ascot is of course one of the great British institutions.
“It is a special occasion where people come to celebrate and I think we’ve come up with a menu and experience in the Panoramic Restaurant to reflect this.”
Horses for courses
Kocchar and Kerridge are the latest in a line of big-name chefs to partner with major sporting events this year. Albert Roux and his son Michel, for example, recently partnered with Cheltenham Racecourse where they will run a restaurant during the four-day Cheltenham Festival.
Speaking of these two culinary additions to Ascot, the racecourse’s commercial director Juliet Slot said: “Ascot has been synonymous with world-class racing, style, pageantry and wonderful service for over 300 years, but we truly believe that 2014 is a breakthrough year for us in terms of fine-dining and catering options.
“Our efforts to deliver a premium customer experience have focussed on the food, the service and an attention to detail around customer service in order to exceed all our guests’ expectations, whatever their budget, from the moment they book with us.”
For this year’s Royal Ascot, which takes place between 17-21 June, the venue will be introducing other new dining options across general admission areas including a Great British Afternoon Tea and seafood and Champagne bars.