Kent chef Richard Phillips used to run Chapel Down Vineyard, near Tenterden

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A vineyard restaurant previously run by celebrity chef Richard Phillips is to re-open in the next few days with a new bill of fare.

Chapel Down, near Tenterden, has chosen The Swan at West Malling - caterers to The Globe Theatre, London - as its new partner in a seven-year deal.

The widely-acclaimed Swan was one of 12 bidders for the chance to run the £1m-a-year restaurant. It is already recruiting a chef, waiters and bar staff for the new venture.

Frazer Thompson, chief executive of the award-winning Chapel Down Group and English Wines, which runs the vineyard, said he was delighted with the choice.

He said: "They are really good operators and great partners for the future."

The restaurant, which is being refurbished before the new operators move in, would continue to offer good value high quality food that would showcase the wines, he said.

Mr Thompson added: "Richard Phillips is an outstanding chef but what we are trying to do is something slightly simpler, to let the wine shine and not make the food get in the way of having a fantastic experience. The food should be part of that but not the only reason to go there."

The new fare will emphasise local souurcing and freshness "rather than the complexity of terrific cuisine".

Breakfast could also be on the menu for the first time, as well as lunch and dinner.

Meanwhile, the Chapel Down Group, which has attracted national publicity for its Argentinian Malbec wine and an EU labelling controversy, has reported turnover up 41% to £3.7m in 2011. Pre-tax profit rose 158% to £218,000.