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News from April 2008

Jean Christophe Novelli launches new menu for Manchester's 110 Restaurant

Date: 01/04/2008

Description: Jean Christophe Novelli at Circus Casino

At the suggestion of eating in a casino, what springs to mind? The majority of people would think chese and ham sandwiches washed down with a tea of coffee.

Not anymore. Casinos have had to up their game.

Enter Jean Christophe Novelli. The multi Michelin-starred TV chef, has been drafted in by Genting Stanley Casinos to add some je ne sais quoi to their menus. The smoking ban and the nation's insatiable appetite for fine dining has meant casino bosses have had to change their eating habits if they want to first get the punters in and then persuade them to stay.

110 restaurant in the Circus Casino on Portland Street looks the business. There's an open plan kitchen practically in the round so watching the drama at the hotplate shouldn't be too much of a strain.

Tasteful décor with low lighting creates a completely separate ambience to the hurly burly of chips flying all over the place.

Novelli has an academy for chefs in Hertfordshire where he lives. And the kitchen staff sweating over the saucepans here have already had the Jean Christophe education.

"I don't want to impose my recipes on people, I want them to enjoy it." he says.

"I think in general, society has moved on and with over 30 years experience as a chef I know this to be the case. If you wish a sandwich you can have one but you can also have a very well refined three course menu with a lovely touch and the good thing is you don't have to spend a fortune."

If you fancy a meal here it will set you back £25 for three courses, not too pricey.

"What is very important is not trying to impress or pressure the customer," he insists. "What we want is to try and please people that come to the casino. Therefore it's a combination of enjoying yourself, tasting new dishes and feeding yourself properly."

Serious would be apt to sum up Jean-Christophe. More than once, he fixed me with that intense stare and it's evident that he believes very passionately in everything he does.

As for the new setting for his gastronomic endeavours, Jean-Christophe, says: "I'm not a gambler, I do not play the games because I do not understand them.

"But the thing that struck me the most is that you don't have to come to the casino to spend money or play games. I think there is more to enjoy, such as socialising and having a nice drink."

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