Is This 2024’s Most Star-Studded Chef Series?

Nottingham’s most famous eatery, the two Michelin star Restaurant Sat Bains, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special guest chef series. A string of the UK’s most famous chefs will be joining the eponymous founder in the kitchen to host a number of one-off collaborative dinners, reimagining dishes from the venue’s esteemed archive.

Sat Bains Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Guest Chef Programme

Names for the ‘Sat in the Kitchen with…’ series announced so far include Michel Roux Jr, a close friend of Bains; Clare Smyth, the founder of prestigious Notting Hill restaurant Core by Clare Smyth; TV chef James Martin; and Nathan Outlaw, known for his restaurant in Port Isaac, Cornwall. Many Sat Bains alumni will also feature in the series, including Gareth Ward (Ynyshir), Tom Spencley and Harry Cordon (The Ledbury), and sommelier Laurent Richet – who will all be joining forces for a nostalgic dinner on 10 October. The restaurant’s current head chef John Freeman will also be adding revamped versions of previous hits to the menu, including the famous Ham, Egg and Peas. 

Originally the Hotel des Clos, Restaurant Sat Bains opened in 2002 after Bains and his wife Amanda took over. Despite its unassuming location in an industrial estate under an A52 flyover outside Nottingham, the restaurant soon garnered critical acclaim – just one year later, it scooped up a Michelin star, followed by a second in 2011, both of which it has held onto ever since. 

A commitment to environmentally-friendly practices is pivotal to Restaurant Sat Bains. The garden is fed by fertiliser from a closed-loop composter, honey comes from the restaurant’s own beehives, and the restaurant offers a four-day working week, allowing balance for the team. In 2021, the venue’s initiatives were recognised with a coveted Green Michelin star. 

Sat Bains by Jodi Hinds

Over the years the restaurant has become known for its intricate tasting menus and culinary wizardry, with dish descriptions leaving diners guessing with elusive descriptions. Many of the ingredients are grown in the restaurant’s own kitchen garden – where guests can enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif – and there are seven guest bedrooms you can book out for the night.

The series will kick off on 10 October, with various more dates running throughout the autumn. Tickets will be available at restaurantsatbains.com