MasterChef: The Professionals winner Alex Webb opens his first restaurant as patron next week – seafood-focused Orion in Wimbledon Village.
Classically trained Alex worked in top London kitchens including Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, Dinner by Heston and the Savoy before his 2020 MasterChef win, followed by a residency under his own name at the Intercontinental on Park Lane.
He has taken over the premises of the former Lighthouse on the Ridgway in Wimbledon, and aims to bring West End-style hospitality to the southwestern suburbs – but “with a neighbourhood feel, somewhere for a birthday or celebration, or just to pop in for a glass of champagne and oysters”.
“There’s nothing like this in the area, and it really needs it,” he says. “Orion is what I’ve always dreamed of as my own restaurant.
“There’ll be a raw bar at the front with oysters on ice lobster and king crabs, so guests can start with a glass of champagne here. There’ll be a chef’s counter overlooking the open kitchen, a private dining room seating 12 and the main dining room with 55 covers.
“We’re seafood-led, with a menu including whole fish to share, but there will also be steaks to share and a selection of specials that will depend on what my suppliers have. We’ll also be doing lunches, when there will be set two-course and three-course menus. Opening hours, to begin with anyway, will be dinner Tuesday to Saturday and lunch Wednesday to Sunday.“
The name refers to the three stars of the constellation Orion’s Belt, which have a special meaning to Alex: “I proposed to my husband in the Maldives, and when we looked up there were the three stars – and I thought of my dad and two grandpas looking down on me. I also have three diamonds in my wedding ring.”