Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White are to work together once more – decades after Marco Pierre White left the mentorship of the French gastronome.

The pair will open a new restaurant at the Abbey Hotel, Bath – named Koffmann & Mr White’s – in September. It will be a brasserie, serving food from the Gascon alongside British classics. An announcement talks of “good quality, affordable food” in a “relaxed, stylish and unpretentious” environment.

This will be the first time Koffmann and MPW have worked together since Marco left his former mentor’s employment. Koffmann, while still a feature of the food scene, hasn’t put his name to a restaurant since the closure of his Berkeley Hotel outpost in 2016 (most of us will remember how widely it was praised).

White, meanwhile, has a string of eponymous steak houses and grills, though few of which have impressed our reporters or been viewed favourably by critics. Our roundup of Marina O’Loughlin’s best bad reviews includes one of MPW’s ventures.

Koffmann and Mr White’s

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Whether Koffmann & Mr White’s new venture results fulfils the hopes such a combination promises, or merits the cynicism cultivated by many celeb-chef spin-offs, remains to be seen.

Koffmann said: “I remember giving Marco a job at La Tante Claire – he was late for his first two shifts, but quickly returned to my good books when he boned a delivery of duck and pigeons for me – they were absolutely perfect.

“The kitchen is where I am happiest, so it’s a joy to be working on new dishes, and to be working with Marco again.”

Will they actually be cooking?

MPW added: “For many, many, many years I reflected on my career and one of my deepest regrets was not spending more time with Pierre in the kitchen. I am looking forward to being the apprentice once again. Personally, I’m also thrilled to be opening in Bath, a city which is very close to my heart.

“The Abbey Hotel has a brilliant central location and together we’re looking forward to creating a fantastic new restaurant for the city.”

• Read more: Bath Restaurant Guide