Whitchurch restaurant takes record bookings after TV cooking competition success
After being closed for four months amid lockdown restrictions, a restaurant in Whitchurch has taken record bookings after its patron’s successful TV appearance.
Docket No.33, in Whitchurch, is getting ready to re-open its doors on May 20 and the restaurant has received a record number of bookings, hailing chef patron Stuart Collins’ success on BBC Two TV show, Great British Menu.
Stuart was crowned winner of the ‘central region’ heat in the first week of the much-loved show with this year’s theme of ‘British innovation’ and is now through to the national final, set to air in May.
Stuart said: “Taking part in Great British Menu has been such an exciting journey.
"After a really tough year for the hospitality industry it’s been a great platform to showcase my dishes and put the restaurant and town of Whitchurch on the map.
“The support has been really overwhelming; we’ve had to update the website server as we had over 140,000 people trying to get onto the website when the show aired.
“We’re fully booked until November and our Docket at Home offering has also been really popular and sold out within 10 minutes most weekends.
“It’s still new for me getting recognised when I’m out about but our customers and the local community have been incredible and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back when we reopen.”
Mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Bev Duffy, added: “As a town, we are extremely proud of Stuart’s achievements on Great British Menu; the local support has been phenomenal.
"Stuart’s hardworking nature and passion for food shines through everything he does.We wish Stuart all the very best in the finals.”
Docket No.33 opens on May 20.
