CELEBRITY chef Raymond Blanc's Winchester restaurant has been relaunched with a packed reception.

Brasserie Blanc, which has been serving French food in Jewry Street for seven years, saw businessmen and women celebrate the eatery's refurbishment.

Mr Blanc said: “I feel it's going to be a great success because it's got a number of features different from what it used to be. It really works. I think the bar is brilliant; it's better in terms of the facilities and also because of the textiles and light. It's like a lemon soufflé; it just feels right.

“The way we eat has completely changed in terms of lifestyle, people eat at all times of the day. We care very much about the community and now they can pop in for coffee, and have a scone, whatever they want.”

The winter menu, created by the group executive chef Clive Fretwell, will be launched November 20 and includes seven new dishes and breakfast for the first time.

It also includes Mr Blanc's favourite beetroot tart and venison with a hint of dark chocolate.

“You're only as good as your staff and they are as good as you train them and that's at the core of what we do,” he added. “We maybe a group but we may be the only group which cooks our food in each kitchen - there is no central kitchen. We offer four new menus a year and that's four times more work. Seasonality is at the heart of our gastronomy and we make a point of using local produce.”