Chef José Pizarro to open Surrey pub

Pizarro, who co-founded Brindisa’s restaurant arm, is to relaunch The Swan Inn in Esher as a British pub serving Spanish food.

The chef posted on Instagram: “It’s my 20th year in London, my 25th year as a chef and there is no better way to celebrate than with a new opening! Esher has made my dream come true!”

José Pizarro The Swan Inn will offer breakfast, tapas and an a la carte menu ranging from regional Spanish dishes to more classic pub grub given ‘a Jose’ twist’.

The warmer months will see food cooked outside over an open fire, and there will be five rooms in a converted barn next door for overnight stays.

The pub will offer real ales and draught beers, alongside predominantly Spanish wines and a small selection of English and European bottles.

Pizarro says the 'wonderful' team in his three existing London restaurants will allow him to devote a lot of his time to The Swan Inn.

“This is my dream and I am going to pursue it,” he says. “We are already looking for local people to join the brigade we will put together for Esher. Of course we seek the highest quality but we also want fun on both sides of the bar – customers and staff.”

Pizarro was chef-partner at Brindisa for eight years until he sold his shares to it alone.

He opened two Bermondsey restaurants,​​ Pizarro and tapas and sherry bar José in 2011, before launching José Pizarro at Broadgate circle in 2015.