Exclusive to Dubai

He's been honoured with an OBE, he's renowned for serving British classics with a twist and he's on his way to Dubai.

The doyen of smart British cookery, Gary Rhodes has an amiable style that has kept people returning to his restaurants around the world for more than 10 years.

And now the Michelin star chef is putting his name, reputation, flare and style into a Dubai restaurant for the first time.

Mezzanine at the Grosvenor House, West Marina Beach, will have its menu touched by Rhodes, creating an exclusive signature restaurant in his name.

Inspired

Speaking from an ultra-modern red Perspex chair with the back-drop of his new squeaky-clean white-walled restaurant behind him, Rhodes told tabloid! what people can expect from Mezzanine by Rhodes.

He said: "I am so excited about this new venture. I have visited Dubai on more than one occasion for the food festival and it's safe to say I have been inspired by the place. "The place is changing all the time and as the place changes, so too should the flavours and the foods.

"I have big plans for this restaurant and I am determined to make my mark and show people that British classic can still be options with style."

Responsible lad

Rhodes's interest in cooking began at the age of 14, when his mother went back to work and he became responsible for cooking his own meals. Realising cookery was his passion, he went on to train at a catering college in Broadstairs, Kent, and was later named Student of the Year.

After leaving college Rhodes secured a position at the Amsterdam Hilton. Not long after, he was hit by a tram and had to undergo brain surgery. This life-changing event propelled him to propose to his girlfriend from catering college, and made him determined to succeed in his chosen vocation.

Rhodes returned to England and worked for various restaurants in London's West End before moving to the Castle Hotel in Somerset, where at just 26 he was
awarded his first Michelin star. In 1990 he joined the Greenhouse in Mayfair, London, and won his second Michelin star.

What's in a name?

He said about his restaurant: "We still haven't decided on an exact name but I think we will change it in some way. I love the clean-white modern look of the décor so I think I will only make minor changes. What will change is the crockery, cutlery and of course the menu.

"Some of the more popular dishes will remain for the valued current customers; however, everyone can expect some new dishes with a fresh new twist."

Over the years Rhodes has developed a reputation for serving British classics such as faggots, oxtail, and bread and butter pudding. His love of British cuisine was taken a step further in his first TV series, Rhodes Around Britain, in 1994. Another Michelin star followed two years later.

Queen's honours

On June 17, 2006, Rhodes was named an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) in the Queen's birthday honours, which he said was even better than getting a Michelin star.

He said: "There are many things I have achieved which I'm proud of, so I'm always looking for new things. Cuisine in Dubai is exquisite and I'm pleased to be able to be a part of that movement."

Rhodes has gone on to present many more successful television series including a children's cookery series based on Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes. He has also hosted MasterChef and appears on ITV's Hell's Kitchen, the Great British Menu and Saturday Cooks.

A family man

Based primarily at Rhodes 24 in London's tallest building, Tower 42, Rhodes also owns Arcadian Rhodes on the P&O superliner Cumberland Rhodes, and Rhodes Calabash, in Granada. He is a contributor to the BBC Good Food Magazine, and is leading the UKTV Food's search for the nation's ultimate "Local Food Hero".

A family man, Rhodes lives in Kent with his wife Jennie and their two sons, Samuel and George.

We asked him why people should eat in his new restaurant when it opens in the next few weeks at the Grosvenor House.

He said: "I am the Tiger Woods of cooking. If you want to improve your round, then come and eat here."