Recently in Gary Rhodes Category

Word has reached Kitchen Rat that the Dorchester has appointed a replacement for Aiden Byrne, the former head chef of the hotel's Grill restaurant, who has left to run his own pub in Cheshire.

Fellow scouser Brian Hughson, former head chef of Gary Rhodes' Michelin-starred Rhodes W1 Restaurant at the Cumberland hotel, has taken over the reins.  

Byrne, who announced his departure last year after obtaining the leasehold on the Church Green Pub in Lymm, Cheshire, was set to leave the Dorchester at the end of January. But as Hughson already started his new role in December, Byrne was set free early and is now fully concentrating on getting things off the ground at his own venture.

According to Byrne the Dorchester is "shooting for Michelin stars" so hopes will be high for Hughson to deliver in the 2010 guide. Well, at least he's got some time.

Aiden Byrne to leave the Dorchester 

Interview with Gary Rhodes and Brian Hughson on winning a Michelin star 

Michelin starred chef and housewives favourite Gary Rhodes is to return to our TVs this weekend but it'll be on the dance floor rather than behind the stove.

While Raymond Blanc is back with The Restaurant, the formerly spiky haired one, who beefed up and stripped off for Men's Health earlier this year, is seeking to dazzle with his two-step on Strictly Come Dancing.

Rhodes and dancing partner Karen Hardy will take on a field of largely recognisable stars of sport and stage, no doubt with the dedication on Rhodes's part that helped him achieve a second Michelin star earlier this year with business partner Compass Group.

However, such is Gary Rhodes's competitive drive that word reaches Kitchen Rat that the opening of his forthcoming new restaurants with Harbour Hotels in Dorset has had to be put back while he works on his moves so he can truly dazzle on the dance-floor.

Question is will he go one better than TV chef James Martin, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, and make the final?

Minute on the clock: James Martin, Strictly Come Dancing>>

Gary Rhodes would enter the celebrity jungle for TV show>>