Back at La Becasse: Alan promises mouth-watering future at top Shropshire restaurant
The man who owned one of Shropshire's most successful restaurants of all time without ever cooking there has given himself a new job – behind the stove.
Alan Murchison has bought the lease to La Becasse in Ludlow – just months after severing his ties with the venue. He plans to reopen the restaurant and restore it to its former glory.
Mr Murchison owned La Becasse when Michelin-starred chef Will Holland ran the kitchen.
But Mr Murchison did not actually cook there because he was running the kitchens of another restaurant at the time. He worked at L'Ortolan in Reading, where he held a Michelin star.
Mr Murchison and Mr Holland both severed ties with La Becasse and it ran into trouble under new ownership, closing its doors for the final time around Christmas.
But now Mr Murchison is finalising paperwork and creating new menus with a view to reopening the venue in April.
He said: "I always thought the restaurant has a great set-up and it has got a cracking kitchen. I have got lots of ideas. I want to get it back to being a wonderful destination restaurant."
Mr Murchison is one of the UK's most highly regarded chefs and held a Michelin star at L'Ortolan from 2003 until he left last year.
He is presently working in the kitchen at La Becasse and plans to remain there for the foreseeable future.
La Becasse was formerly one of Shropshire's most popular restaurants, held a Michelin star and had a starry client list, including The Hairy Bikers, movie star Keira Knightley and many more.
