A POP up restaurant overseen by Great British Menu chef Mark Ellis has been hailed a success.

Mark, chef patron at Allium, gave restaurant guests at Inspired Villages in Tattenhall a flavour of what’s in store for later living destination over the next few years.

Part of the local community and home to 48 luxurious retirement apartments, Inspired Villages welcomed the acclaimed chef onsite for a bespoke lunch. Famed for his eclectic style and imagination, Mark’s ‘Taste of Things to Come’ lunch menu featured an array of dishes including; fire pit coal baked celeriac, burnt apple, smoked ewe’s curd and toasted walnut, roast pig belly, crispy black pudding fritters, roasted carrots, carrot puree, carrot foam, pig jus and Lemon curd, Turkish delight, baked meringue and white chocolate.

Originally from the Wirral, Mark first worked in a number of local restaurants before joining Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor where he rose through the ranks to become senior sous chef. Following his time at The Chester Grosvenor, he worked in some of the UK’s top restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay’s Pétrus, before moving to Peckforton Castle as head chef in 2007. It was during this time that Mark starred in the second series of BBC Two’s Great British Menu. He launched his first lone-venture, Allium, in 2016.

Mark said: “It was fantastic to see everyone enjoying the bespoke menu we created for the ‘Taste of Things to Come’ event. We think what Inspired Villages offer to the community is fantastic and I loved receiving the guest’s warm compliments after the meal.”

In the second phase of development, Gifford Lea will be opening a high-quality restaurant which will focus on the ‘best of British’, as well as a wellness centre offering a spa, swimming pool and extensive gym facilities.

James Cobb, Sales and Marketing Director, added: “We want to thank Mark and his team for providing a truly show-stopping lunch. The whole event was thoroughly enjoyed by all and gave both guests and residents alike, a flavour of what we have in store for Inspired Gifford Lea in Tattenhall.

“Work is well underway for Phase Two of the development, which sees the completion of luxurious penthouse apartments with panoramic views of the Cheshire countryside, a wellness centre that is designed to empower and support people and, of course, the Brasserie, which will include changing seasonal menus and a stunning selection of wines from around the world.”