Marco Pierre White has high praise for The Duke on the Test in Romsey

Marco Pierre White, acclaimed three star Michelin chef, restaurateur and TV personality, stayed two nights at The Duke on the Test after fishing nearby with friends. 

He and his fellow guests also ate at the top-rated restaurant both nights and gave head chef Vince Cundev and his team high praise for the food.

Mark Pinn, general manager at The Duke on the Test, said: “It’s not often we have a celebrity chef stay in Romsey. To be able to host and cook for him over two nights was an absolute pleasure for the whole team.

“The first evening he and his guests enjoyed several dishes, cooked by Jamie MacDonagh, chef de partie, including our signature rack of English lamb which he said was one of the best he’d ever tasted. He then asked if our head chef, would cook him something from his home country, Bulgaria, for Thursday evening’s meal with his friends which Vince was only too happy to take up the challenge.

“When I spoke to Marco at breakfast, he said The Duke on the Test is a great place and he thoroughly enjoyed both evening meals. In fact, he gave us some glowing praise – from the rooms, the overall stay and especially the food which he said had been delicious. His note he left us read: ‘Thank you for a wonderful meal, Respect, M.P.W’.”

READ MORE: Hampshire country pub The Duke on the Test celebrates two awards

Head chef Vince Cundev added: “It was an absolute pleasure to cook for Marco and his guests. We were so excited and then to receive such great feedback felt like a dream come true for all the team. Marco even asked me if there was any leftovers from my Bulgarian dishes which he liked so much, as he wanted to take some home.”

The Duke on the Test is perfectly positioned so close to the River Test and attracts a wide range of guests staying and eating at the restaurant. The popular inn secured a five-star rating from VisitEngland as part of an assessment last year.

Mark said: "We are fast becoming the number one venue in Romsey - for our first-rate accommodation, breakfasts, lunch and dinners.”

The Duke on the Test is managed in conjunction with The Four Horseshoes in Nursling which also won a hat trick of TripAdvisor awards.

What Marco ate at the Duke on The Test: First night dinner - starters: Tempura prawns starters and asparagus, main course rack of English lamb, dauphinoise potatoes, carrot purée, fine beans with a red wine jus. Second night: Bulgarian pork shoulder kavarma, homemade cheesy flatbread.