A CHEF is investing £500,000 in a flagship restaurant that aims to offer Michelin star-style food at affordable prices.

Oven, owned by Tarek Thoma, who famously cooked for George Bush and Tony Blair, when he worked at the Dun Cow in Sedgefield, will open at Central Point in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, in October.

The chef, who has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants including the L’Escargot in London and Chapter One in Kent, said: “The concept behind Oven is to offer Michelin star-style food at affordable prices. The restaurant’s chefs all will have been trained by professional cooks, who boast a Michelin star rating.

“The plan is for Oven in Middlesbrough to be the flagship restaurant in a series of establishments that we plan to roll out across the country.”

His decision to open Oven at Central Point marks a major milestone for the property, which is now fully let just six month after its redevelopment by Linthorpe Developments was completed.

Fitting out of the retail space at the former Midland House building is underway and when open, Oven, which will create 35 jobs, will serve contemporary French and English cuisine.

Linthorpe Developments' owner Geoff Hogg was so impressed with the plans for Oven that he decided to invest in the business himself.