ONE of Newcastle's best-known restaurant managers is moving to his boss's latest business venture.

Nick Shottel, restaurant manager at Caf 21, on Newcastle's Quayside, is to be in charge of food and drink at chef Terry Laybourne's latest venue, Jesmond Dene House.

Mr Shottel has been with the 21 Restaurant Group for 17 years.

Jesmond Dene House, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Newcastle's Jesmond Dene park, is due to open on September 1.

It will have 40 en suite bedrooms, a 74-seat restaurant, a private dining room for 18 and a function room for up to 120 guests.

It will specialise in serving fresh, seasonal, regional produce.

Mr Shottel said: "I am relishing the challenge of opening Jesmond Dene House.

"The new property will represent all the values of the 21 Restaurant Group.

"It will be a fun place to eat and drink, it will be run by passionate, knowledgeable people, and will offer the highest quality cooking in a relaxed environment.

"Jesmond Dene House will become a landmark for the city, something for the area to be proud of, and I am very excited about being involved in the project from the beginning."

Bastiaan Hogelucht, who has worked for the 21 Restaurant Group for the past five years, will be restaurant manager at Caf 21.