Southampton restaurant owner wins first food industry award

Daniel Rogan, Chef Patron at Restaurant AO, is the winner of the One to Watch accolade in prestigious industry awards The Staff Canteen Awards.

Dan, who has just relocated the restaurant from London Road to Sunnyfields Farm for more of a 'farm to plate experience', picked up the award almost exactly a year after opening AO on December 1, 2022.

READ MORE: The charming riverside pub dating back to 1751 which was part of TV history

He told the Daily Echo: "It’s a very proud moment and it means a lot.

"There’s a lot of expectation on me because of my Dad, so winning this award means I’m doing something right.”

The opening of his own restaurant was a long-held dream for Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay trained Dan, the son of chef Simon Rogan, once named Britain's top chef.

He was inspired by childhood visits to L'Enclume, his father's three-Michelin-star flagship restaurant in the Lake District.

Dan worked at L'Enclume, Marcus at The Berkeley and for Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea as well as at several New Forest restaurants like The High Street Kitchen in Lymington and TerraVina in Woodlands before launching his own private dining business before Restaurant AO came about.

Judges at the Staff Canteen Awards described him as an 'inspiration' who has had 'some of the best chefs in the world as mentors' but who is 'independent in his mission to become one of the greatest'.

From 1071 nominations, nearly 50,000 foodies voted from a shortlist of four for each of the eight award categories. 

The Chef of the Year award was picked up by Tom Shepherd of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, a Lichfield restaurant with a Michelin star. 

AO Restaurant offers an ever-evolving signature ten course tasting menu using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, plus a superb wine pairing menu.

To celebrate its first year trading, a new specially curated five course lunch has been launched, and will be available every Friday and Saturday from December 1.