THE head chef at one of the region’s leading restaurants has taken over and relaunched the venue.

Stephen Hardy was head chef at The Gourmet Spot, in Durham City, for four-and-a-half years before he took over the destination earlier this year.

With wife Helen, he has redecorated Farnley Tower and rebranded the venue as Restaurant DH1.

The venue will open to the public tomorrow night (Tuesday, March 11).

Mr Hardy said: “When the opportunity to take over the restaurant came up earlier this year we jumped at the chance and so Restaurant DH1 was born.”

Restaurant DH1 will be open from 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday. During March a seven-course tasting menu is available at £45.

For more information, visit restaurantdh1.co.uk or call 0191-384-6655.

The Gourmet Spot was Michelin 2012 recommended and won Restaurant Magazine’s Best Dessert in Britain prize.

Its former chefs include “chemical chef” Sean Wilkinson and Ashley Paynton.