Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens introduces BYO alcohol policy

Celebrity chef Tom Aikens has introduced a bring your own (BYO) alcohol policy at his Michelin-starred restaurant in London’s Chelsea for two months.

The chef is offering diners the chance to bring their own wine to his eponymous restaurant during lunch service during September and October.

Aikens, who also runs Tom’s Kitchen, told Caterersearch the offer has been designed to attract new customers to the restaurant and has been prompted by existing diners trading down.

“People have stopped drinking at lunchtime to a certain degree – or they’ll just have a glass as opposed to a bottle,” Aikens said.

 “We’ll be doing it at lunch with no corkage and the idea is to bring in some new clientele. Now we’re heading towards winter it’s nice to give people that option and it’s a good way for our sommelier to try some different wines.”

The BYO policy has also been adopted by restaurateur Sam Harrison at his brasserie Harrisons in Balham, which gives customers the chance to bring their own alcohol into the restaurant every Monday throughout September.

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