Selfridges has announced plans to make its rooftop restaurant a permanent feature, following the overwhelming success of Pierre Koffmann's recent pop-up restaurant.
The London department store is now looking for a chef to head up the new restaurant. Koffmann himself is set on returning to the industry with his own project.
The former three-Michelin-starred chef-patron of the famous La Tante Claire restaurant was initially scheduled to run the rooftop eaterie for one week as part of the London Restaurant Festival, but it was extended for 39 days following huge demand.
Selfridges food and restaurants director Ewan Venters told Caterer bookings far exceeded all expectations, with the restaurant serving 8,000 diners in total.
"We created an environment that equalled the quality of food produced by Koffmann, which led to so many guests say that we ought to have a permanent feature on the roof of Selfridges," he said. "So much so that the search has begun to find the right chef and concept for a future project, whatever that might look like."
Koffmann, who announced plans to open a new restaurant last month and is currently looking for a central London site, added: "I thoroughly enjoyed working with Selfridges and it was great being back in the kitchen with all the guys.
"I will really miss it and can't wait to get back into the kitchen again."
PIERRE KOFFMANN AT SELFRIDGES
- Pierre Koffmann Restaurant on the Roof was open for 39 days.
- Koffmann fed 8,000 diners and prepared 3,120 stuffed pigs' trotters and 3,020 pistachio soufflés.
- 85% of diners tried to rebook.
- Former Koffmann protégés in the kitchen were Eric Chavot, Tom Aikens, Tom Kitchin, Raphael Duntoye, Helena Puolakka and William Curley.
Pierre Koffmann seeks sites for new restaurant in London’s West End >>
Selfridges extends Pierre Koffmann’s pop-up restaurant yet again >>
Pierre Koffmann - Top of the pop-ups >>
By Kerstin Kühn
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