Diamond Club signs star chef
January 2006 was a month of great signings for Arsenal and it also included acquiring one of the hottest talents in the gastronomical game, Raymond Blanc, who will join the Club in March 2006. Two Michelin starred Blanc - who is a keen Gunners fan - will be Chef Director for the restaurant at Diamond Club - the most luxurious offering in football - at Emirates Stadium.
Blanc, in partnership with Delaware North, will oversee the cuisine and design for the restaurant at Diamond Club — the exclusive members’ facility that will offer an unprecedented range of prestigious benefits from a selection of the world’s finest brands including Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Ritz and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Diamond Club members will enjoy a private lounge and an elegant restaurant and bar, serving complimentary food and wine throughout the day. Additional benefits will include valet parking and a private concierge service from Quintessentially. Members will also have the option of travelling to European away games on the players’ plane for a level of service never before achieved in football.
Blanc has achieved worldwide status as a culinary genius with a relentless drive for perfection. This prodigious talent is showcased at Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire, which has retained two Michelin Stars for 25 years. His sense of adventure is reflected in his new role at Arsenal; under Blanc’s direction, the Diamond Club will aim for an extravagant food experience, offering modern and traditional dishes cooked with typical flair and a focus on fresh, seasonal and organic produce.
Commenting on his involvement with Arsenal’s Diamond Club, Blanc said: "Food is my greatest passion in life, but football, and Arsenal in particular comes a close second. The vision for Diamond Club is inspiring, adding a new dimension to the Arsenal experience. When I was approached about this project there was no question of my not being involved. My Club, football and great food in an elegant restaurant is a combination I previously could only have dreamed of."