The opening of the London Cocktail Club with JJ and James

I am delighted to bring you news of my latest venture. As well as my work at Le Manoir, with Brasserie Blanc and with Maison Blanc. As well as filming a new series of Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets for the BBC… As well as finishing a new book…!

We are finally able to announce the opening of the new project with JJ and James, winners of last year’s series of The Restaurant, in conjunction with my wonderful partners, David Moore and Sarah Willingham – who you will remember as the Inspectors on the series.

This is a new and exciting venture: not a restaurant but a cocktail bar – the London Cocktail Club. It will be opening in the heart of London’s vibrant West End, in Goodge Street.

I know that many of you who watched the series thought that JJ and James were not ‘good eggs’. But I can assure you that they are in fact fantastic, dynamic, enthusiastic young men and truly fully fledged partners. They have been so great to work with, and have put so much into this project. They really know how to run a business – which is so important. And, furthermore, JJ has stopped winking and James has stopped flicking his hair!

I must thank my partners in crime, David and Sarah, and particularly Sarah for her incredible hard work in helping us to seal the deal on the property.

This is going to be a great venue and JJ and James are at the heart of it, and right there in the spotlight. They have employed a fantastic design company (dtwodesign.com) who have created an amazing, funky space – you will be in for a real treat for all your senses. The design is vibrant, colourful and off the wall – and will complement the incredible cocktails that the boys have created.

This is a cocktail bar, so the cocktails will be the stars… but there will be food to delight you –it will be simple, but with some little surprises too!

We are all so excited about the opening of the London Cocktail Club. I hope you will join me in wishing JJ and James the very best in their new venture.

The boys will also be updating their blog on my website over the coming weeks, as the opening date approaches, and adding pictures and details of the menus. You can also catch up with news from JJ and James on their own website: www.londoncocktailclub.co.uk

Best to you all

RB

For more information on the Raymond Blanc Cookery School, click here to visit Le Manoir's website

PS Please tell me what you think of my blogs and my website: I want to hear from you!

Follow Raymond Blanc on Twitter

Read RB's Le Blog for the catering profession on the Caterer website, by clicking here