DINERS at a new restaurant in Winchester might find celebrity chef, Raymond Blanc, cooking their meal.

The French culinary master plans to open a venue in the city next year.

He is currently plying his trade on the BBC2 programme, The Restaurant. In the show, he advises rookie owners on how to make fledgling eateries successful.

Outside of television, he has an exclusive restaurant in rural Oxfordshire, and six urban venues called 'Brasserie Blanc'.

Another is now set to open in England's ancient capital, which will be smallest city in Britain to have one.

The firm's managers have chosen a building in Jewry Street that is nearing the end of a £5.5m overhaul.

Winchester-based developer, Mohamed Bakhaty, has spearheaded the project, which started in 2005.

The property, which is Victorian and stands beside the new Discovery Centre, is undergoing a major revamp.

It is due to finish in October, by which time the building will have new offices, four apartments and the restaurant.

Once the keys are handed over, Mr Bakhaty said the venue would take around three months to furnish.

He added that having one of Raymond Blanc's establishments in the building was quite a coup.

"I'm very pleased to bring one his restaurants into Winchester, and I'm very pleased to see a good name coming into the city," he said.

Brasserie Blanc managing director, John Lederer, said they were looking for a cathedral city, and were attracted by Winchester's "individuality".

The firm's chairman, Jeremy Hardy, also attended Winchester College, which counted in the city's favour, he added.

The company plans to spend £750,000 on furnishing the venue, which will have a less urban and more "homely" feel, said Mr Lederer.

He added that the dishes - which are mostly French - would be prepared using Monsieur Blanc's recipes.

The celebrity chef also regularly appears at his restaurants, and Winchester would be no exception, said Mr Lederer.

"He'll come in sometimes and you'll see him out front, or he might be in the kitchen doing some cooking and instructing the chefs," he added.

City centre manager, Graham Love, added that Brasserie Blanc's arrival was a boost for Winchester.

"Jewry Street is developing as a centre for culture with the Discovery Centre and Theatre Royal, and this development by Mr Bakhaty is very good news for Jewry Street, and if he can attract a quality name to Winchester then that will further develop the local economy," he said.