http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/4560330/Marco-Pierre-Whites-warning-to-restaurateurs.htmlMarco Pierre White's warning to restaurateurs
Since several restaurants owned by Anthony Worrall-Thompson and Jean-Christophe Novelli, the celebrity chefs, ceased trading last week they may feel sensitive regarding fellow gastronome Marco Pierre White's belated business advice.
For the fiery cook tells Mandrake that celebrity restaurateurs who resort to offering meal deals and special offers actually do more harm than good when it comes to attracting diners.
"It's a weakness," says White, 47. "You are attracting the wrong type of client. People come to your restaurant because they are going to save three quid, not because of your food.
"You have to stick with your loyal client base. They are the ones who will keep your business going."
Cold comfort perhaps for Novelli, 47, who sold meal vouchers at his White Horse gastropub before it closed or to Worrall-Thompson, 57, who was forced to shut down four of his restaurants.
His words of warning, however, may strike a chord with his former protégée Gordon Ramsay, 42, who has recently introduced a £30 set lunch menu at his restaurant at Claridges hotel.
