Michelin-starred chef Paul Welburn has announced the opening of his new fine dining restaurant.

Mr Welburn has taken over as chef patron at the Swan Inn in Islip and within it opened Cygnet restaurant.

He was previously head chef of the Michelin-starred Rhodes W1 and was executive chef at Oxford Kitchen when it won a Michelin star in 2018.

The restaurant was one of only three places which held Michelin stars in the county.

The others being Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Great Milton and The Nut Tree in Murcott.

Mr Welburn tweeted: "Finally we are fully open … Cygnet restaurant within the Swan Inn Islip @MichelinGuideUK."

The Swan Inn has been taken over by Migg Inns, which is led by Islip resident Nina Gray. 

She said in April: “We had been looking to take on the Swan Inn for some time and make it a great destination pub and restaurant, but wanted to sign up the right person to lead the project.

“Meeting Paul was perfect timing. We are now working with Paul on the re-fit, so that it is in accordance with our combined vision. Obviously, we need to do this within the confines of an historic building.

"We are looking forward to bringing the Swan Inn back to life!”

Summertown venue Oxford Kitchen was rebranded 215 Kitchen & Drinks during the pandemic and Yorkshireman Mr Welburn stepped down from the restaurant at the end of last year saying he was taking a “step back” from the hospitality sector.

He said he left the restaurant because he felt he took “the site as far as it would go” and having a project and something he can “build” was very important.

He said: “I do not want to go into an existing restaurant that is established. I want to do something that needs a bit of work on it, needs a fresh outlook or a completely blank canvas project.”

And he told the Oxford Mail budding young chefs should “forget the negative things” they hear about the industry.

He said: “It is tough but if you want something enough you will succeed and you will do well in this industry.

“What you put in the early part of your career you will get back in the future.”  

“The thing with me is I am never someone who likes to stop – it is very strange.”

 

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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