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A MASTERCHEF star has announced his plans for an exciting new venture.
TV foodie William Sitwell is set to turn a village pub in Somerset into a posh hotel and Italian restaurant.
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The MasterChef regular and top restaurant critic has revealed he has snapped up The White Hart in Wiveliscombe after it recently shut its doors.
Signs suddenly appeared on the pub saying it was “temporarily closed” sparking fears it had gone for good.
Food pro Sitwell — who is a regular guest judge on the hit BBC show — says he’s stepping in to give the place a new lease of life.
The GB News commentator told his 25,000 Instagram followers he wants to transform the spot into a “chic hotel and Italian restaurant” to keep the much-loved site alive.
The Biting Talk podcast host revealed: “STOP PRESS!! NEWS!!! As The White Hart, Wiveliscombe, West Somerset, closes I’m delighted to announce my plan for it to rise again as a chic hotel and Italian restaurant.
“Casa Wivey will be a fabulous, accessible family restaurant with a great bar and work space and I’m teaming up with the best in the business in the area to make it happen.
“After 25 years writing about food and drink this is my first serious venture into the hospitality business alongside the hugely successful Sitwell Supper Club.
“Join me in on my journey and become an investor. Click on the link above for more info. Let’s do this!! Long Live Wivey! Keep Wivey Great!”
Fellow chefs offered their congratulations. John Torode wrote: “Bl**dy brilliant… happy to help where I can!!”
Phil Vickery agreed: “Great news and wishing you every success.”
Aldo Zilli penned: “Best of luck mate finally you will be on the other side.”
Somerset residents praised: “Wow, looks forward to watching what happens and visit as live locally.”
Another commended: “Very exciting and brilliant news for West Somerset!”
“Brilliant News and excellent plan,” noted a third happy local.
The star is set to relaunch the historic 17th century coaching inn alongside Jon Coward and his wife Millie, who operate various pubs in West Somerset, including the Carew Arms in Crowcombe.
New venue Casa Wivey will serve classic Italian dishes, pastries and open ciabattas and will also include a bar specialising in negronis and prosecco.
The chic hotel will also boast 16 individually-designed ensuite rooms and co-working space.
Sitwell wrote: “I believe there is a real need and a keen appetite for such an establishment, a convivial, comfortable place of great service, fabulous food and drink and one that can provide a much-needed aspect of hospitality to the area.
“Not to mention providing local employment and investment in the supply of local ingredients.”
The food writer, editor, broadcaster and critic is the former editor of Waitrose Food.
He has also appeared on a number of TV shows including Britain’s Best Dish and Michelin Stars: The Madness of Perfection.
Sitwell left the editorship of Waitrose Food magazine in 2018 after mocking vegans.
In an email to a freelance journalist, he suggested a piece should be written exposing vegans “hypocrisy” and joking they should be force-fed meat.
He immediately apologised, but stepped down with immediate effect regardless.
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