L'Ortolan could lose its Michelin star and head chef Galmiche

Chef Daniel Galmiche is expected to leave the Michelin-starred L'Ortolan later this summer as the restaurant remains shut and there are rumours it could lose its star.

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	Galmiche: looking for his own property

The restaurant, in Shinfield, Berkshire, which also holds three AA rosettes, has been closed since February to undergo a £250,000 refurbishment aimed at nearly doubling the number of seats to 85. Proprietor Peter Newman put the business on the market in February, saying he was looking for an outright sale or new business partners to help run the operation more successfully. When asked if Galmiche would be retained, Newman said: "It all depends on the price of the offer and the partner in question." Newman said that a number of high-profile chefs were interested, including former executive chef Alan Murchison, who left the restaurant last summer. Murchison confirmed that a deal was on the table but as yet unsigned. The restaurant is currently open for small events and conferences but not for general bookings, which has raised concerns that the star could be lost. It was expected to reopen in September. Galmiche, whose contract finishes at the end of August, said he is looking for a new property to open his own business. *Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 10 June 2004*