Bespoke Hotels ends contract with MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace

Bespoke Hotels has decided to end its association with MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace at its Bermondsey Square property in London.

The restaurant which opened in February 2012 as Gregg's Table with British retro dishes from the 1970s, such as spam fritters, boiled beef and carrots, lobster thermidor, was initially panned by the critics. Marina O'Loughlin in the Metro described her meal as one of the worst she had ever eaten.

It was later renamed as Gregg's Bar and Grill, serving a more contemporary menu.

Robert Holland, general manager at the 80-bedroom hotel, confirmed that the rolling one-year contract with Wallace, who was originally brought up in the Bermondsey area, would not be renewed at the end of the year.

"The restaurant will continue as the bar and grill that it is, but without the branding of Gregg Wallace," explained Holland. "Gregg's name is well known in the area and originally brought prominence to the restaurant.

"Although the initial reviews were not great, we addressed the original 1970s' concept and we have now got the restaurant where we want it, with a good team on board. We believe that we can now move forward without the association of Gregg."

The news of Wallace's departure from the Bermondsey Square hotel comes just days after the former greengrocer turned TV presenter was involved in a brawl with a guest at an event held at another Bespoke Hotels' managed property, Wood Norton Hall, near Evesham, Worcestershire.

The Bermondsey Square hotel was the the setting for the Channel 4 reality TV programme Hotel GB, featuring Gordon Ramsay and Mary Portas.

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