Arnaud Stevens acquires the George and Dragon restaurant and hotel

Chef Arnaud Stevens has acquired the George and Dragon in Buckinghamshire and announced plans to refurbish the restaurant and hotel for a March opening.

Stevens, already owner and chef-director of Plate in Shoreditch, London, plans to transform the property in the National Trust village of West Wycombe into the perfect place for a luxury country getaway.

He said: "With the success of Plate restaurant, Shoreditch, my team and I are incredibly excited to start the next chapter at the George and Dragon. It's an exciting time for us and the opportunity to fully utilise the location and produce that the beautiful village of West Wycombe has to offer is one we look forward to taking on. My close relationship with Sir Edward Dashwood, owner of EJ Churchill and the West Wycombe Estate which will supply game to the restaurant], will mean my team can work seamlessly alongside him and fully utilise his incredible produce."

The 10-bedroom property, which dates back to the 1700s, will incorporate an à la carte restaurant and adjoining bar area.

Stevens plans to serve dishes including whole slow-roasted guinea fowl; cod loin with south Devon mussels and homemade sourdough bread; crispy white bait with cumin salt and spiced marie rose sauce as well as Chapel & Swan smoked salmon, with capers, chopped Tracy Swallan eggs and their signature Marmite bread.

He was previously executive chef at 30 St Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin, and has also worked at Maze Grill, Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier, La Tante Claire at the Berkeley, and City Rhodes with Gary Rhodes.

Revelations: Arnaud Stevens, owner and chef-director, Plate, London>>