Phil Thompson leaving Auberge du Lac to launch own restaurant

Phil Thompson says he is “looking forward to a challenge” ahead of his first venture into restaurant ownership next month.

Phil is leaving Auberge Du Lac on 25 October to take over at St Albans-based Darcy’s next month. The new restaurant, co-owned by Phil and his fiancé, will be re-launched as Thomson at Darcy's on 12 November.

Speaking to The Staff Canteen about the move, Phil said: “I’ve gone through all the emotions now. First of all it becomes exciting when it first comes up and you talk about it and you go through the process and then you feel sick and then you feel nervous and think am I doing the right thing? But it’s got to the point now where I just want to get in there and do it.”

Phil is used to producing fine dining and tasting menus for his customers at Brocket Hall, but is aware that he will have to adapt to his new surroundings.

He said: “I’m going to simplify what I do here. It is my first venture and it is St Albans. It’s a very trendy up-and-coming little town. There are a lot of restaurants and bars.

“I’ll go in nice and simple and aim towards a bistro style at first and just get my feet in the door, get settled and see what I can offer to St Albans. But I’m looking forward to a challenge. The most important thing for me is people realise I’m not taking the Auberge to St Albans. I’m not doing what I do here now.”

Darcy’s is well known for its Australian and Asian influenced cuisine but after assessing the staff and suppliers he has available, Phil will be making a few changes.

He said: “It’s the same ethos of treating the ingredients with a lot of care and a lot of love and producing what I like to eat. My heart’s on my sleeve when I cook.

“My style of food isn’t what she (current Darcy’s owner Ruth Hurren) cooks. With all the regulars that are there, it is going to be different for them. It might upset a few people but hopefully they'll give me a chance and like what I do.”