DINNER BY HESTON BLUMENTHAL TO OPEN AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON IN DECEMBER 2010

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Fat Duck Group have joined forces to create Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Chef Heston Blumenthal’s first London restaurant which will open at the award-winning Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London in December 2010. Blumenthal, of the three Michelin starred The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire and The Hinds Head pub of the same village, has won international acclaim for his unique and multi-sensory approach to cooking. This first restaurant to open outside of the village of Bray will feature the chef’s inimitable style of culinary alchemy with a menu heavily influenced by his ongoing research and discovery of historic British gastronomy. Focusing on the revival and modernization of traditional British recipes, the menu at this highly anticipated new restaurant will feature simple contemporary dishes inspired by Britain’s historic gastronomic past and recipes dating as far back as the 16th century, such as Scallops with Cucumber Ketchup and Peas, Bergamot cured Mackerel Salad and Slow Cooked Short Rib of Beef. Mandarin Oriental and Heston Blumenthal are working with the internationally renowned designer, Adam D. Tihany, to create the restaurant interior. Inspired by Chef Blumenthal’s deep interest and knowledge of 16th century cookery and his use of local ingredients, the design is a contemporary British Brasserie concept; an innovative illustration which influences the senses, yet remains true to British culinary and design traditions. Tihany plans to highlight rich, natural materials such as wood, leather and iron – historical elements at the root of 16th century British style – incorporating them in contemporary ways to reinforce Heston’s revival and modernization of traditional British recipes. With uninterrupted views over Hyde Park, the restaurant will also feature floor to ceiling glass walls providing a glimpse into the open kitchen and an unusual one-of-a-kind large scale pulley mechanism. This contemporary chrome and steel contraption has been modelled after the 16th century pulley system originally designed for the Royal British Court’s kitchens. A selection of 16th century British recipes sourced from rare antique cookbooks will be on display behind a one-way mirror in the bar area, and a private dining room will be available for up to 12 guests as well as a chef’s table for six located within the kitchen. During the summer months, a terrace overlooking Hyde Park will provide guests with one of London’s finest al fresco dining locations. Seating 140 guests, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will serve lunch and dinner and from March 2011, afternoon tea. The kitchen will be headed by Ashley Palmer-Watts, group executive chef of the Fat Duck, who has worked with Blumenthal for ten years. The etymology of the word ‘dinner’ gave rise to the name of the restaurant. In Britain, ‘dinner’ still means the main formal meal of the day, and it is usually served either in the middle of the day, or in the evening, depending on where you are in the British Isles. Originating from the 13th century French word disner (pronounced dee-nay), dinner was in fact originally eaten at breakfast time. The rise of social and economic changes, including technical innovations such as gaslight and electricity, allowed for the timing of this main meal of the day to be eaten later in the day. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will be open from 12 noon to 2.30pm and from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Three course set lunch from GBP 25 Three course a la carte dinner from GBP 55 Reservations can be made from mid October on +44 (0) 20 7201 3833. For further information please visit http://www.mandarinoriental.com/london/dining/ Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels, resorts and residences. Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 41 hotels representing over 10,000 rooms in 27 countries, with 17 hotels in Asia, 12 in The Americas and 12 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental, connected to the Group’s properties. Photography of Mandarin Oriental is available to download, in high and low resolution, in the Photo Library of our Media section, at www.mandarinoriental.com. For further information, please contact: Agency Contact Henrietta Carnegy (henrietta@annscott.co.uk) Katerina Panayotopoulou (katerina@annscott.co.uk) Ann Scott Associates Tel: 020 7823 9988 Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London Holly Johnstone (hjohnstone@mohg.com) PR Manager Tel: 020 7201 3616 www.mandarinoriental.com/london Corporate Office Anna Glover (aglover@mohg.com) Group Communications – Europe, Middle East & Africa Tel: 020 7908 7812 www.mandarinoriental.com