A restaurateur who has cooked for the stars wants to bring intimate fine dining inspired by top London venues to Kent.

Chef's Table in King Street, West Malling, opened in July and has already received a celebrity's stamp of approval after Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating dined there.

Chef and director, Brad Redding – who counts Peter Andre, Made in Chelsea's Sam Thompson and Love Island contestant Zara McDermott among his clients – says he wants to create an interactive dining experience.

"I think the idea came from the creative side of being a chef," he explained. "I’ve worked in many places – some that are very small with only six to eight guests.

"It’s more of an interactive experience as opposed to a general restaurant. We have created an open kitchen, so every table feels like a chef’s table.

"West Malling is a great area for us, as well as great clientele and community.

"It has some of the best produce in England from a 10-mile radius."

Chef's Table serves a six-course tasting menu, with fish, meat, pre-dessert, dessert, as well as petit fours to finish.

All dishes are made from sustainable food sourced and foraged from local farmers and producers.

It has just five tables, seating up to 12 people, with the menu changing every three to four weeks.

Brad commented: "Every guest can be visually involved with the plating up and the understanding.

"They are also encouraged to ask questions.

"It's more about the experience and interaction as our unique selling point.

"Once people have had a few drinks throughout the course of the meal, they start talking to other tables and it becomes more of a dining room.

"We are trying to create a really calm and chilled atmosphere here and still hit that perfection level."

The 29-year-old from Kings Hill previously worked in a number of Michelin star establishments – including Tredwells by Chantelle Nicholson in London and L'enclume, under Simon Rogan in the Lake District.

He said: "It was very intense, as a young chef you aim to follow others that stick to your ethos.

"I've spent the last 16 years in the industry and it has always been a passion.

"It’s the creative, artistic, patience and perfection of the role of a chef that first drew me in."

He added: "At L'enclume they grew everything nearby and it was picked and plated on the same day.

"There were techniques where recipes would take days to make and was an 18-course menu. It was incredibly inspiring."

Brad and his small team aim to only buy produce from a 10 to 15-mile radius.

He has previously sourced strawberries from Hugh Lowe Farm in Mereworth, and hired a forager from Maidstone to find mushrooms in the area.

"I think in the last five years, the sustainability side of restaurants has become massive," he said. "I believe that the county’s produce isn’t utilised enough.

"For example, we have cauliflower on the menu at the moment and none of it gets thrown away.

"We use the stems for a puree, florets for a crumb and the leaves are deep fried for a crunch.

"With a little bit of time and effort, you can be so creative in minimising food waste."

The new restaurant has already attracted celebrity status despite only being open for a few months.

At the beginning of November, it was visited by Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating.

"I’ve known him for a couple of years," Brad said. "I was a private chef during Covid, and I cooked at his private birthday.

"We have stayed in touch ever since.

"This month he planned an exclusive hire with friends and family for his wife Storm's birthday.

"I created them a special menu, they drank a lot and had a great time.

"They are an amazing, really nice and down-to-earth family. I’ve not got a bad word to say."

Brad has previously created meals for singer Peter Andre, Made in Chelsea's Sam Thompson and Love Island contestant Zara McDermott.

Other clients include reality series stars Jessica Wright and Kady McDermott.

He added: "Some are planning to come down in the next few months – I can’t say who – I’m sworn to secrecy!"

Chef's Table is open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday, 6pm to 10pm with the tasting menu priced at £89.

It is also available for lunch on Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 3pm with the Sunday menu costing £55.