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Hartnett to open her own venue in Mayfair
By Katharine Barney, Evening Standard 16.11.07
Preparation: Hartnett is said to be discussing a deal on Zen
Gordon Ramsay protégé Angela Hartnett is set to open a new restaurant in London after pulling out of The Connaught in a row over preparing meals for room service.
Ramsay's business is preparing to sign a deal on Mayfair restaurant Zen which has been closed since last month, apparently because of "technical problems".
A spokeswoman for Ramsay said: "We are in discussions on Zen but nothing has been signed yet." When asked if the site was intended for Hartnett she added: "I couldn't possibly say."
Hartnett opened her first restaurant at The Connaught in 2002 but it has been confirmed she will not be there when the restaurant re-opens after its multi-million-pound refurbishment.
Sources said Ramsay was unhappy about the hotel wanting Hartnett's food to be available by room service. It was felt it could compromise the quality of the food on offer and place too many demands on the kitchen, according to sources.
Hartnett, 38, is the only woman in Ramsay's team of top chefs. The Cambridge-history graduate first worked with him at Aubergine, rising to head chef at Pétrus. She earned her first Michelin star at The Connaught.
Hartnett has also been involved in his venture in Dubai and is likely to be part of plans for Ramsay to expand in the US. She has also followed his moves into television, taking part in Hell's Kitchen.
Ramsay's new venture at Zen will be designed to continue his hold on the top end of London's dining scene.
His other restaurants are the Michelin-starred Savoy Grill and Banquette at The Savoy, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, Maze at the Marriott Grosvenor Square, La Noisette at the Carlton Tower, the two-Michelin-starred Pétrus at The Berkeley and the three-starred flagship Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Royal Hospital Road.
Ramsay has also bought three pubs in which to serve food - The Devonshire in Chiswick, The Narrow in Limehouse and The Warrington in Maida Vale.
