Hospitality industry members’ club Trade in London’s Soho is relaunching on 10 September as the Black Book, a restaurant and bar specialising in rare wines and classic brasserie dishes, open to all.
I first met, Xavier Rousset in 1997 when he came to work for me as a very young trainee and it did not take me long to realize his enormous potential. I am delighted, albeit not surprised, to see that Xavier has fulfilled all of his past promises. He is now a highly respected restaurateur/businessman, admired for his innovative spirit and his great contribution to the London restaurant scene. Xavier has quite naturally become a huge inspiration for a whole generation of budding restaurateurs/entrepreneurs. I am very proud to have known him for so many years, to watch his career grow and for him to have become such an accomplished professional.