Jason Atherton will be cooking for two nights - 4 and 5 October - during this year's London Restaurant Festival at a disused site on Binney Street, just off Oxford Street. He talks to Amanda Afiya about his involvement in the initiative
Caterer How did you get involved in the London Restaurant Festival (LRF)? Were you involved last year?
Jason Atherton No, this is my first year, but I've been to NYC Restaurant Week, which is a big success. So when Simon Davis and Fay Maschler [LRF founders] decided to launch it last year I thought it was a great idea. My thinking behind doing a pop-up restaurant is to try to maximise the time I have available [in the run-up to opening my own restaurant] to make some money for charity, for StreetSmart, and, logistically, Restaurant Associates has kindly backed me.
Caterer Why get involved?
JA It's really simple. For years and years chefs in this country have been too competitive. I'm lucky enough to travel abroad, where chefs really get behind one another and share information. It's starting to change here and I feel we're really starting to become part of one big family. It could be immense and the city has the potential to turn into a culinary powerhouse.
Caterer Tell us about the site. Have you cooked in a location like it before?
JA God, no. It's a tiny thing, barely a 35-seater. It's an empty Grosvenor estate location in an area that is likely to undergo some regeneration. So we asked if we could borrow the unit, give it a lick of paint and showcase some of what we're going to be doing at Pollen Street Social. I asked designer Russell Sage if he could help me out, which he agreed to, free of charge. PKL Enotria wines are sponsoring the wine, and many people are supporting us.
Caterer Are you sold out already?
JA Yes, we're only doing 35 covers a night, at £150 per head, but yes, we've sold out.
Caterer Will you get a chance to attend any of the special events going on during the festival?
JA I'm going to try my best. It's cool that Simon Rogan, Sat Bains and Tom Kerridge are coming to London for this - it's great for London.
Caterer We hear that Table No1, the restaurant you consult to, has just won Time Out Shanghai's Best New Restaurant?
JA Yeah, it's great. It's really good for the team out there. Scott [Melvin, head chef] is a fantastic chef and to think we were up against heavyweights such as Martin Berasategui and David Laris, it's brilliant.
Caterer Finally, how are things looking for Pollen Street Social?
JA Very good. We plan to open late January with a soft opening and then on 1 February, we're looking to open to the public.
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The London Restaurant Festival takes place from 4 to 18 October. For more details, go to
www.visitlondon.com/londonfestival
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By Amanda Afiya
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