NEW restaurant, champagne and piano bar The Dean is set to officially open its doors today at 4pm.
Chefs have been busy preparing since last night for today's official launch.
Husband and wife team Eddie Dean and Victoria Zsigmond Dean have transformed the former Willowbrook Hospice shop on Barrow Street.
Eddie, 47, said: "We planned to open a little place on the beach in Spain, open for three nights a week, then enjoy the rest of the time off.
"Last year I applied for Masterchef after doing plenty of cooking and supper clubs but became a Masterchef reject.
"So I thought, what should I do with this now, I'll open up a restaurant and go on Masterchef professionals and win that instead.
"The restaurant then became a reality and seems a long time ago even though it was only 12 weeks.
"The whole idea has developed massively, we've brought in young chefs previously held back in their training.
"So many people are trained and are there just throwing out food.
"They have free rein in the kitchen, under my watchful eye.
"But I'll promise you this, when you dine here, you will dine here again.
"The people of St Helens will not only support this place, but it will be wider afield.
"This isn't a hobby, this is to prove a point. You don't have to be a big name to have a great restaurant.
"You can have good quality people in that kitchen providing good quality food so you can eat well.
"We are here to give people an experience, supper clubs, champagne nights, afternoon tea, wine tasting.
"There is lots happening in here."
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