MasterChef: The Professionals winner Laurence Henry to open Nottingham restaurant

2018 MasterChef: The Professionals winner Laurence Henry is to open a restaurant at Nottingham’s Island Quarter development in spring 2022.

Named Canal Turn, it will be one of three different hospitality spaces within the scheme.

Henry trained at Ashburton Chefs Academy and won the BBC cooking competition aged just 25 when he was sous chef at Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham.

He has been in talks to run the Canal Turn, part of the £1b Island Quarter regeneration project, as chef patron for more than two years and has been involved in the planning process.

The development’s canal-side lower level will be a bar and grill with an events space, while the ground floor will be Henry’s signature restaurant. An events space with capacity for 200 people and windows overlooking the canal will take up the top floor.

Interiors are being designed by Macaulay Sinclair, which has worked with restaurant groups including Dishoom, Hawksmoor and Caravan.

Henry said he was keen to build on his MasterChef reputation to make the opening a success, adding: “I can’t wait to get started on this exciting new adventure and look forward to welcoming diners from all over the country.”

Robert Ware, chief executive of Conygar, which is behind the development, said: “We know that Laurence will make this venue his own with his unique style. Nottingham is on the map because of its Michelin star restaurants, and we know that this offer will be strengthened with the addition of Laurence Henry.”

Further information about the restaurant and bar menus will be revealed over the next few months.