Selfridges is planning a permanent restaurant on the roof of its London department store following the massive success of Pierre Koffmann's pop-up restaurant.
The iconic store on Oxford Street has revealed it is looking for a chef to head up the potential venture.
Koffmann, the former three-Michelin-starred chef patron of the famous La Tante Claire restaurant, was initially scheduled to run his temporary eaterie for one week as part of the London Restaurant Festival. But it was extended for 39 days following the huge number of requests for bookings.
Selfridges food and restaurants director Ewan Venters said demand far exceeded expectations, with the restaurant catering for 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 last month announced plans to open a new restaurant 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."
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Interesting... so Koffman is looking for a location for a new restaurant and Selfridges is now looking for a chef for the roof top location. Wonder if this is a precursor to a permanent Koffman at Selfridges?
Thanks Kavey. That thought did cross my mind as well but I think Koffmann will resurface in his own restaurant next year. Let's hope he finds a suitable site quickly, I'm gagging for another pistachio soufflé!
i previously dined at the pop up restaurant on the roof and i felt leaving disapointed, please dont get me wrong the food and service was good and i feel the way the restaurant was planed out was fantastic, but i felt the food lacked the pierre koffmann magic. I may be the only one thinking this but i also felt for the price it was not amazing value for money considering the amount of fabulous restaurants in London, althought i know we was paying for Pierre Koffmann experience i just left feeling disapointed. Would love to see him make a comeback into London still!!
I think one of your chefs that already works at one of your establishments should be offered the place...perhaps Ben Murphy? I have tasted his food its a good match for Koffmann himself. Thanks