Chef to celebrities like Elton John and Take That set to open new Asian restaurant at former Prezzo site in Stamford in partnership with owner of Otters Pocket

A chef to the stars including Elton John, Take That, Rihanna and Depeche Mode is opening a restaurant in Stamford.

Sam Letteri, has teamed up with Uffington businessman Chris Riddle to create Hoppi Dorri in All Saints’ Place.

Sam, 39, of Uppingham, ran the Fish Tank Sushi restaurant in Oakham, with wife Romy, which they shut suddenly in November, saying the closure was “to focus on the next exciting chapter”.

Now, after meeting Chris at his former restaurant, that chapter is to take place in Stamford’s former Prezzo restaurant, which closed about a year ago.

Sam says Chris called him over for advice about a new business and they decided to work together.

Whilst it is a business, the business partners want to do “something different and exciting”, creating a venue that delivers ‘an experience’ not just a meal.

The chef of 20 years sees the pair as custodians of the historic premises, leading to top class designers and a restoration of original features in the refit.

The food will be influenced by Sam’s travels: “A meal that reminds us of home - hearty, honest, pan-Asian soul food.”

Chris said he sold his Bourne-based plastics recycling business last year and was looking for a new venture. He had always wanted to open a restaurant as he had enjoyed ‘a buzz’ when doing catering after school, before joining the family recycling business.

Chris, 36, previously had plans to convert the nearby former Otters Pocket pub into a restaurant, but the former Prezzo site was better sized and situated for a restaurant. It will now become serviced offices.

‘Six figures’ will be spent on the renovations, including a new upstairs and outside ‘sun trap’, creating 25 jobs.

He added: “We have gone to town with no half measures.”