The chef, who ran The New Angel restaurant in nearby Dartmouth until 2007, will work with the hotel's existing kitchen team to help make 'the hotel a real destination' for tourists and locals, hotel owner Keith Richardson told BigHospitality.
"We’re very excited to be working with John. His background is in world-class dining, and that’s something we want to promote in The Grosvenor’s Brasserie and Terrace," he said.
"He’s lived in Devon for many years, so he knows how to really harness the best of what Devon has to offer. We aim to make the hotel a real destination, not only for tourists, but for locals too. We want to serve the very best food possible, and John is certainly the man to do it.”
Burton Race, who closed his London branch of The New Angel earlier this year, said he planned to have a 'real seasonal focus' at the restaurant.
"We’re so fortunate with the produce that’s on offer locally. The animal husbandry, the pastureland and the seafood of the county allows my menus to have a real seasonal focus.
“I’m already proud of the dishes we are planning to serve.”
Richardson, who, through his five-strong hotel group Richardson Hotel Group, bought The Grosvenor Hotel in 2012, said the new, as yet un-named restaurant would officially open next spring following refurbishment of the existing site.
Improved image
The move, which will see Burton Race also manage food and beverage for the hotel's 300-cover function space, forms part of a phased refurbishment programme being carried out on the 50-bedroom hotel. As well as the new restaurant, Richardson is planning to add a spa to the property next year.
"We are spending quite a lot of money on the property to turn it into a four star boutique hotel," he said.
Richardson told BigHospitality the move would help 'break the legacy' left by former owner Mark Jenkins, who brought it to fame through TV series The Hotel.
"It's been quite a burden to get over his legacy," he said. "We've had a job to change the perception of the hotel, so it's exciting to have a chef of John's quality to work with us to help improve the image of The Grosvenor Hotel and Torquay as a whole."
The Richardson Hotel Group also owns and operates The Grand Hotel in Torquay as well as three others in Cornwall.