A celebrity chef makes a surprise visit to a rising Bolton g

A famous chef made an appearance at a fledgling gastropub in Edgworth this weekend.

British TV star and restaurateur Marco Pierre White paid a visit to The Spread Eagle on Bolton Road and is already 'making plans to come back soon'.

Joe McLoed of McLoed 9 took over the former Italian restaurant in June last year and it is already going from strength to strength.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Joe said: "I met Marco at Bolton Food and Drink Festival last year and he said that he would come along in the new year.

Food and Drink Festival

Marco Pierre White spent time in the kitchen with the team (Image: supplied)

"I got a call from chef Mike Harrison asking if we had space for Marco to come in for food as he was in the area.

"Marco was on fantastic form and had a chat and laugh. He gave us all the time in the world when he didn't have to.

"We got pictures together and had a good laugh in kitchen about the industry."

Pierre White

Marco Pierre White with team members at The Spread Eagle (Image: supplied)

Marco Pierre White is widely dubbed the 'godfather of modern cooking' and was the first British, and then the youngest, chef to earn three Michelin stars.

He headlined as a guest at the Bolton Food and Drink Festival (BFDF) last year marking his first-ever appearance at the event as it celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Joe was also invited to cook at the prestigious BFDF Gala Dinner alongside some of the UK's best-known chefs, creating one of the courses for VIP guests.

The bigger picture

Joe added: "When a chef of that calibre comes in, you're nervous about it! If you don't get it right, it could go wrong.

"Marco was very complimentary and said that he wants to come back soon.

"It was a lovely experience for the team; to attract chefs of that level is humbling,

Joe also announced that The Spread Eagle has just launched a new lunch offer from Wednesday to Saturday, where diners can try dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients from sustainable farms and producers for less than £33.

Spread Eagle

Morsels and Measures is a "McLeod 9 interpretation of bar food" with a selection of Joe's favourite snippets inspired by the restaurants tasting menu.

We got pictures together and had a good laugh in kitchen about the industry.

Reading the wider picture

Location, rent and staffing shape restaurant stories long before the food does, and the operators who last are the ones who plan around all three.

What to remember

British TV star and restaurateur Marco Pierre White paid a visit to The Spread Eagle on Bolton Road and is already 'making plans to come back soon'
Joe McLoed of McLoed 9 took over the former Italian restaurant in June last year and it is already going from strength to strength
Speaking to The Bolton News, Joe said: "I met Marco at Bolton Food and Drink Festival last year and he said that he would come along in the new year
"I got a call from chef Mike Harrison asking if we had space for Marco to come in for food as he was in the area
"Marco was on fantastic form and had a chat and laugh

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