Jason Atherton in talks with Restaurant Associates about Tower 42

Jason Atherton is in talks with Restaurant Associates (RA) about a potential partnership at Tower 42.

The Pollen Street Social chef-proprietor said: "I am talking to Restaurant Associates about a possible partnership to turn the dining space at Tower 42 into a Jason Atherton restaurant."

Although it is believed that no contracts have been signed, Atherton is expected to take over the site of Rhodes 24, which celebrity chef Gary Rhodes and RA have operated for 10 years.

RA, the executive dining arm of Compass Group, confirmed to Caterer in March that it would be parting with Rhodes, and that Rhodes 24 was likely to cease trading in September.

The 2012 Catey Chef Award winner teamed up with RA in July 2010 to help create bespoke concepts for individual clients. His consultancy also includes staff training and menu creation.

This news comes hot on the heels of his latest London restaurant opening, Little Social, a Parisian-style bistro featuring classic and modern French cuisine, which opened across the road from his flagship restaurant Pollen Street Social late last month.

Atherton is also due to open Social Eating House with former Pollen Street Social head chef Paul Hood later this month. It will feature a ground-floor restaurant offering mid-priced bistro fare; a basement area with a chef's table and a 15-seat bar; and a top-floor cocktail bar (called the Blind Pig), headed by mixologist Gareth Evans and with a separate street entrance.

Atherton is hosting a fundraising event for Hospitality Action at Social Eating House on 16 April, two days prior to its opening. To buy tickets for the exclusive event, contact Giuliana Vittiglio at HA on 020 3004 5504 or via e-mail at GVittiglio@hospitalityaction.org.uk.