SOUTH Cumbria's celebrity chef Simon Rogan is set to open a new restaurant in London.

Aulis London will be modelled on the similarly-named venue in Cartmel, which functions as a "development kitchen" for the two Michelin-starred L'Enclume.

This London operation – the location of which will only be revealed on booking – will have only eight seats and no regular menu will fulfil the same function for the chef's upcoming Roganic restaurant in Marylebone later this year.

Anyone who attends will have their food and drink selected by the chefs that day.

It will mark a return to the capital's restaurant scene for Mr Rogan after he left Fera restaurant in Claridge's Hotel in April.

The kitchen will make use of high-quality ingredients, including some from Mr Rogan's Our Farm.

He said: "I am really excited that Aulis will be returning to London and we’ve found the perfect spot for it. Aulis is an integral part of our operation in the Lake District and it will be no different in London.

"We’re also very excited to be launching Roganic in Marylebone later this year, and Aulis London will offer guests the opportunity to sample dishes not yet seen on Roganic menus. With only eight seats, Aulis London can give our customers a really up close and personal insight into how we operate.

"We are going to have a lot of fun there.”

Heading up Aulis London will be chef Rafael Cagali who has worked at several Michelin starred establishments such as including Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck and Fera at Claridge’s.

The head of development will be Harry Guy, who trained at Saison in San Francisco and was the winner of the prestigious Roux Scholarship in 2016.

Mr Rogan was born in Southampton and worked with several famous chefs, including Marco Pierre White, before setting up L'Enclume in 2002, the only restaurant in Cumbria to hold two Michelin stars.