A MUCH celebrated Cornwall chef has pulled out of a new venture launching a fine-dining restaurant at a country house hotel in Mithian. Kevin Viner was due to launch Viner at the Rose during a VIP dinner tomorrow evening (FEB 8) at the Rose in Vale Country Manor.
He walked out last week following a heated exchange with the owner, James Evans, who took over the hotel in 2006. Mr Viner had been hoping to use the new venture as a way of rebuilding his reputation following a long-running feud with his former landlord, Eric Randle, who owns Summercourt where Mr Viner ran Viners Bar and Restarant.
Mr Randle has since taken possession of the site and launched his own restaurant Stiltskins, with his son as the chef. Mr Viner, who brought Cornwall's first Michelin star, told the West Briton that he walked out because of "professional differences," saying he could no longer work at the Rose in Vale.
Mr Evans said he was "furious and bitterly disappointed" at his decision to leave without giving any notice. The restaurant would now be rebranded as Rose in the Valley, he added, dropping any connection to Mr Viner.
"Mr Viner came in with a list of demands. I wanted a master chef not someone to tell me how to run my hotel and restaurant. We have the same team of chefs working for us and we will be open for our VIP night tomorrow (FRI 8) and Saturday which is fully booked. The chefs team is a young team; headed by Anthony Theobald, from a multi-Rosetted background including Celtic Manor, St Mortiz and Rick Steins."