Millennium Hotels and Resorts, the hotels arm of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Singapore controlled Hong Leong Group has announced a global expansion of the restaurant concept branded Mju.
Following the successful launch of the concept at the Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge, the international hotel company intends to introduce the Mju brand into selected gateway cities throughout the world.
Mju London in Knightsbridge’s Sloane Street was established by Millennium Hotels and Resorts in conjunction with Tetsuya Wakuda, the world-renowned Chef from Sydney, Australia. Tetsuya has gained a global reputation for his Sydney restaurant – Tetsuya’s.
Mju restaurants will operate independently under Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Tetsuya Wakuda will provide an advisory role.
The Mju operation will be introduced later this year in the USA. Further expansion is to be considered for introduction in Singapore, Paris and the USA as well as various locations in the Middle East in destinations where the company may develop new hotel ventures.
Following the establishment of Mju London, Tetsuya will advise Millennium Hotels and Resorts in the opening of further Mju outlets with key staff who have been trained in Tetsuya’s unique cuisine.
Chris Behre, presently Executive Chef at Mju London restaurant will be taking a lead role to extend the Mju brand into Millennium Hotels and target restaurants outside the UK. He and a number of his team members, already with many years of experience under their belt, have acquired intensive experience working with Tetsuya and share his spirit and passion in exquisite culinary skills.
Tetsuya Wakuda said: “I am pleased to have assisted Millennium Hotels and Resorts in establishing the Mju concept in London and look forward to advising on future developments. During the past two years both myself and my team in Sydney have enjoyed training and developing Millennium staff in the discipline of our cuisine.”
Tony Potter, Chief Operating Officer, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc, commented: “We are pleased with the success to date of the Mju concept and look forward to Tetsuya advising on future developments. During the period of Tetsuya’s consultancy a full team has been trained in his kitchen and restaurant. Our talent at Mju is fully experienced in Tetsuya’s style and we will continue to utilize the Sydney restaurant to further develop expertise in the future for any Mju outlets.
“We have enjoyed working closely with Tetsuya and are delighted that a relationship will continue in the future.”