A new steakhouse under the brand of a Michelin star celebrity chef is set to open in just one month's time.

The Marco Pierre White (MPW) Steakhouse Bar and Grill is planned to seat diners in Folkestone for the first time on Monday, August 20.

Bookings are being taken for the restaurant in the Clifton Hotel from this date on their newly established website.

Plans for the eatery were first announced in May by Leaf Hotels, who own the Best Western on the Leas.

It will be the first MPW restaurant in Kent.

The 82-cover restaurant will open out into a conservatory area at the 80-bedroom Victorian style guest house, which dates back to 1864.

Cooks at the three-star hotel will be serving up dishes curated by Mr White, who is well-known for a putting a French twist on things and using locally sourced ingredients.

It will include a mix of childhood favourites and modern day delicacies, ranging from prawn cocktail and shepherd's pie, to freshly dressed crab and a selection of 35-day aged steaks, along with cocktails.

White was once the youngest chef to hold three Michelin stars and dubs to Steakhouse label as 'affordable glamour'.

He said: "I'm delighted to be bringing my Steakhouse to Folkestone, the first one in the beautiful south east region.

"My restaurants are not stuffy and pretentious, instead they are about enjoying your evening, with great food and drink in relaxed surroundings and quite simply having a good time.

"The menu is all about classic, recognisable dishes, cooked simply using the finest ingredients to deliver delicious food.

"Delicious food, generous portions and great service - all delivered in a relaxed, welcoming setting is what our guests in Folkestone can expect.

"There's something to suit every taste and budget on the menu.

"I call it affordable glamour and we hope it's an experience our guests will want to return to again and again."

'My restaurants are not stuffy and pretentious, instead they are about enjoying your evening, with great food and drink in relaxed surroundings and quite simply having a good time... I call it affordable glamour...' - Marco Pierre White

With 16 years' experience in the hospitality industry and having travelled around the world, managing director at Leaf Hotels Kanagaratnam Rajamenon says he is very particular about the brand and franchise he would work with.

He said: "We have always wanted to be able to offer high quality food and beverage at our hotel and couldn't be more excited to welcome Marco and his team to the south east.

''We believe in quality and service standards and we always exceed the standards to provide a top notch service to our customers.

"The staff and management are hugely excited of this new outlet which adds to the already opened Ocean Bleu bar, Costa Coffee Lounge and the Patio.

"We very much look forward to welcoming our first guests in the near future."

The hotel was originally slated to open during the third week of July.

Nick Taplin, chief executive of Black & White Hospitality, which run the MPW franchises, said: "We are extremely proud that Folkestone will be home to our first Steakhouse in the south east.

"The team are very much looking forward to bringing something completely different to Folkestone's food scene."

Local Michelin-starred restaurateur Mark Sargeant, who runs Rocksalt at the harbour, recently spoke to KentOnline's sister paper, the Folkestone and Hythe Express about the imminent opening.

He said it's not about high-end competition in Folkestone: "The sign of a town becoming more affluent is brands coming in, and I think that’s where the restaurant sits.

"It’s a great location right on the Leas.

“I think it’s great to see another high-end restaurant in the town. But we want a mix with cool independents.”

It was also announced last month that a second MPW Restaurant under the Chophouse brand will open at the Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel & Spa.

For more information, visit the MPW Folkestone Steakhouse site.