Celebrity Chef Marco Pierre White 'backs West Country for new business opportunities'
It's not just one but two restaurants he and his son are opening during a pandemic
Last updated 18th Jun 2021
Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White says he's unphased by the impact a further four weeks of restrictions could have on his son's Dorchester restaurant - as they prepare to open a second one in Exeter's Princesshay.
Luccio's in Dorchester's Brewery Square is the first business venture of Luciano Pierre White. Luciano’s in Exeter will occupy the former Carluccio’s unit - and is unrelated to the Carluccios business.
It opened mid-way through the Tier system in December, meaning the restaurant's not known a time without coronavirus restrictions.
"I always look at the positives in life, I don't look at the negatives," he said.
"Luciano and Liam opened this restaurant just after lockdown and they were put into another lockdown. I think it's really good they're seeing the tough side of life as well.
"We've all seen bull markets and we've all seen bear markets, and the reality is if you've only seen a bull market then you don't know how hard it is when you move into a recession or a lockdown."
He added it's also been a chance for the restaurant to learn slowly.
"The reality is it allows them that little bit more time with their staff to train their staff, to share their knowledge with their staff, and for them to get to know each other.
"If you're really, really, really busy and a young man or a young lady starts with you and they haven't got the knowledge or the experience they think 'wow, the pressure's enormous'
"So slowly teaching people one, the job, two, to absorb pressure."
Marco Pierre White has also announced Luccio's will be opening a second restaurant Exeter.
When asked why they picked Exeter, he said: ""It's a university town, it's a city because it has a cathedral, not because of population, but I think with what Luciano does and Liam who's in partnership with him, and the price point and what they're delivering will work fantastically in a university town."