Marco Pierre White opens third Sussex restaurant

Last Thursday, he hosted a charity auction in aid of Help the Heroes after a press lunch attended by transport minister and Lewes MP Norman Baker.

The Rainbow is Marco’s latest venture to open under the Wheeler’s of St James brand, following hard on the heels of The Chequers in Maresfield.

The concept is simply a ‘restaurant which serves a good pint’ according to Marco who hopes the diverse menu ‘provides something for everyone at a decent price point’.

Pierre White signature dishes such as steak with garlic snails (£22.50) sit alongside English classics like fish pie (£14.50) and sausages and mash (£13.50) - but all with Marco’s attention to detail and quality produce guaranteed.

On the launch night the auction raised a total of £6,300 for Help the Heroes.

Throughout the evening guests were treated to canapes, glasses of Champagne, and Marco’s own The Governor Ale and cider.

Julian Dawson, partner at Gorringes Auction House in Lewes whipped up a bidding frenzy as he romped through an array of lots.

Highlights included a morning deer stalking with Marco which he bidded up with added extras such as breakfast and dinner until it raised £1,300. He took pity on the unsuccessful second highest bidders offering a night stalking as a runner’s up prize.

An overnight stay at The Chequers in Maresfield fetched £400 and tea for tea at the House of Commons, kindly donated by Norman Baker himself earlier in the day, raised a further £340.

The total on the final cheque, which will be presented to Help For Heroes next week exceeded the organisers’ expectation by more than £2,000.

James Burns from Help for Heroes said: “We’re thrilled with the amount The Rainbow and Marco raised tonight – it’s fantastic to see at first hand how an event like this can really pull in the community spirit and make such a fantastic contribution to our charity.

“Help for Heroes is a national charity which provides practical, direct support for our current wounded, injured and sick service men and women.

“We are very active in Sussex with a network of volunteers who generously give up their valuable time to offer support to fund raisers throughout the county.

“We thank everyone involved including Marco and Tarquin and their hard working team for their warm and generous hospitality and everyone who paid for tickets and placed bids for the auction prizes.”

The Rainbow Inn is Marco’s third Wheeler’s venue in Sussex. He launched The Chequers Inn in June 2010 followed closely by The Kings Arms in Fernhurst in October 2010. It is the second joint venture with business partner Tarquin Gorst, the first being the Hansom Cab in Kensington (co-owned with Piers Morgan), which he refurbished and successfully re-launched in Kensington last October.

Marco Pierre White was the first, and youngest ever, British chef to attain three Michelin stars who began his classical training as a commis under Albert and Michel Roux at Le Gavroche.

Today he is one of England’s culinary giants with a portfolio of restaurants in the UK and Dubai. He is undertaking a further five Wheeler’s over the next year including the Carnarvon Arms in Newbury, due to be launched next month.

For more information visit www.marcopierrewhite.org