A celebrity chef has begun a new culinary chapter by launching a roast dinner service he will cook and deliver himself.
Mark Sargeant, the former owner of Rocksalt in Folkestone, has revealed plans for a business centred around one of Britain’s most-loved meals.
Announcing the project on social media, ‘Sarges Sunday Roasts’ will see the award-winning chef trial freshly made roasts delivered directly to customers’ doors.
It comes less than a year after The Restaurant MS in Folkestone, also owned by Mr Sargeant, closed its doors for the final time, despite holding a five-star Tripadvisor rating.
Speaking at the time, the 52-year-old said he felt “compelled” to give up the Clifton Gardens venue in February due to “challenging market conditions”.
Now, instead of running a traditional restaurant, he is testing an entirely different model – using his decades of experience to create a county-wide delivery service.
Posting to his 39,000 Instagram followers, Mr Sargeant wrote: “Coming soon. Cooked and delivered to your house by me!”
“As it will just be me cooking and delivering, the numbers will be fairly limited to start.
“It will all be bought, prepared and lovingly cooked by me.”
Rather than arriving piping hot, customers will receive their meals on the Saturday – designed to be reheated the following day.
The reaction online has been positive, with foodies praising the idea and rushing to register interest.
Nathalie Bridges commented: “I’m so up for this! Cannot wait!”
While Sarah Mead said: “Sounds fabulous! Yes please!”
Mr Sargeant says Sarges Sunday Roasts hopes to cover the whole of Kent, with enquiries from Maidstone, West Malling and Folkestone all being given the green light.
The TV chef is no stranger to ambitious projects having worked alongside Gordon Ramsay for 13 years.
He was also crowned National Chef of the Year in 2002.
Mr Sargeant once spearheaded a Kentish culinary empire that included Rocksalt, The Wife of Bath in Wye, and The Duke William Ickham, before stepping away in 2021 due to “unresolvable differences” with business partner Josh De Haan.
