Is Marco Pierre White coming to dinner?

Cardiff is waiting to see if it will gain another famous name in the food stakes

Dominions House, Queen Street- proposed home of the new hotel (photo- NR)

It seems that Cardiff has not had its fill of celebrity chefs just yet, with news that Marco Pierre White could bring his chain of restaurants to the city.

Planning permission is still pending, but Sanguine Hospitality hope to convert Dominions House into a 92-bedroom, three-star hotel, with a MPW Steakhouse as the focal point.

Renowned Indian chef Anand George says, “I would warmly welcome the arrival of a project involving a great chef of the stature of Marco Pierre White in Cardiff. I feel we are entering the most exciting time for cuisine in Cardiff, with pioneering restaurants now gaining the interest of national restaurant reviewers. The benefits to the city in terms of jobs, the local economy and tourism will be immense.”

Competition?

Steve Lewis, manager of Jamie’s Italian on The Hayes, feels that Cardiff is up-and-coming as a culinary centre, but was quick to point out that he was unworried by competition; Jamie’s has been successful since opening, and he cannot see that changing. “There’s definitely room for more restaurants in Cardiff, but Jamie’s is the biggest thing in St David’s 2. You have to have confidence in your own business.”

Marco Pierre White was the first British chef to be awarded three Michelin stars, and his branded MPW Steakhouses are currently the focal point of Sanguine hotels in Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham and Manchester.

Walesonline broke this story on 15 November.

Anand George opens his new restaurant, Purple Poppadom, in December

Photo credit for feature photo to barron