The 70-cover ‘Rick Stein’ restaurant will open in the late autumn, serving lunch and dinner menus developed by Rick and executive chef and middle son Jack Stein.
The menu will include classic fish and seafood dishes such as turbot hollandaise, slip sole meunière and grilled lobster, as well as more inventive offerings inspired by Rick’s travels around the world.
“I love Winchester; it’s steeped in heritage, with beautiful architecture and seems to have a love of great food,” said Rick.
“Our new restaurant is about fresh fish, simply cooked. This is a big and exciting move for us, our first outside Cornwall, and we can’t wait to bring our passion for seafood to Winchester.”
The business will seek to build a local supplier base in the Winchester area similar to the one the Rick Stein group enjoys in Cornwall, where it has five restaurants.
Rick’s wife Jill and eldest son Edward will oversee the renovations and interior design of the new venue, for which the lease has just been signed, while youngest son Charles will be supplying some of the wines for the restaurant through his position at The Vintner in London.
“The interior design of our Winchester restaurant will be understated with an urban feel and a subtle nod to our coastal roots. We want to create a space where people can enjoy relaxed dining,” said Jill.
Winchester welcome
The news of the Winchester restaurant was welcomed by Hampshire County Council, whose executive member for Economy, Transport and Environment, Councillor Seán Woodward, said; "It is fantastic to hear that Rick Stein has chosen Winchester as the location for his next restaurant.
“The city has for many years been highly regarded for its food offering, as home to Europe's biggest farmers market and many unique and high quality restaurants and eateries.
“The Rick Stein restaurant will be a really welcome addition to this, attracting people from far and wide to the city and wider Hampshire county."
Want to work with Rick Stein? Find the latest vacancies at jobs.bighospitality.co.uk