Rick Stein's praise for Weymouth's Les Enfants Terribles

Owner and chef at Les Enfants Terribles Eric Tavernier met his 'food hero' Rick Stein ahead of the celebrity chef's appearance at Weymouth Pavilion.

And Mr Tavernier was delighted when he heard that Mr Stein - also a restaurateur and television presenter - mentioned his Weymouth harbourside restaurant a number of times during his 'An Evening with Rick Stein' show.

In the show - which is touring around the country - Mr Stein 'delves into his lifelong love affair with cooking and his unwavering devotion to the brilliance of great British produce'.

Mr Tavernier had invited the top chef to the restaurant before the show to enjoy a meal.

He said: “I knew he was coming to the Pavilion, so I reached out through his team. I admire his work and I wanted to invite him and his team to have a meal.”

Unfortunately, the plan changed, and Mr Stein was unable to make it to the restaurant - but he was still able to meet Mr Tavernier before the show and even gifted him a signed cook book.

He went on to sign the chef's copy of his autobiography, ‘Rick Stein Under a Mackerel Sky.’

Mr Tavernier was unable to see the show for himself as he had to be at his restaurant - but was told by one of his regulars that Les Enfants Terribles was mentioned a number of times by Rick Stein during his talk.

The signed books (Image: Hollie Carr)

Mr Tavernier said: “I still managed to meet him and spent 20 minutes with him at the Pavilion before the show. He was a very humble person and seemed very happy to meet me.

“I have all his cookbooks and we talked about his show - it was nice to talk to someone who I have looked up to for so many years.”

He added: "It felt like my moment – there was nobody else but me and him. It felt like a magical moment.

“I wish that I could have been there and seen his show, but I had to cook. I was very grateful that I got to meet him.”

He explained that over the years he has been inspired by Rick Stein’s work.

He said: “It’s simple cooking with simple ingredients and we try and use locally sourced ingredients. We showcase the fish – there is no need to cook fish for hours and hours.”

The restaurant has launched a new 'Local's Lunch and Dinner Menu' in an effort to 'look after the local community.' Residents must show proof of residency.

Les Enfants Terribles Locals Lunch and Dinner (Image: Les Enfants Terribles)