THE owners of an award-winning British cuisine restaurant in Cirencester are celebrating their one-year anniversary in charge.

Vanessa Curnock and Amol Patil own and run Jesse’s, the only restaurant in the town to have won two AA Rosettes, recognised by Michelin and in the 2016 Hardens Guide, having bought the Black Jack Street eatery in 2015.

Situated in an old stable yard on the popular tucked away street, the restaurant is right behind Jesse Smith’s butchers, a stalwart of the town since 1808, from which the bistro takes its name.

Jesse’s menu of contemporary British cuisine using modern cooking techniques is largely thanks to David Witnall, the 32-year-old head chef who has been at the restaurant since 2009.

Vanessa said: “When we took over I did not want to change much, David and the team have done a brilliant job. I wanted the kitchen team to really show what they can do and we have not been disappointed with the results.”

David has worked under Ian Mansfield at The Forest, the Birmingham Marriott and five star Swallow Hotel, while under owners Vanessa and Amol he has explored arguably his most innovative ideas, having designed the entire menu himself.

Vanessa said he is producing “some of the best food I have ever tasted.”

Before arriving in Cirencester, the entrepreneurial pair were no strangers to the restaurant scene either.

Amol trained and worked as a chef for some time in the UK, while Vanessa began in Australia with various restaurants before owning her own in the resort town of Noosa, and then quickly going on to manage various establishments all around the globe.

She said: “Our aim is to look after you, we don’t know what sort of a day you have had but we want you to come here and enjoy your evening.

“Our dining room can seat 45 and we now have a private dining room if you are looking for something more intimate.”

Visit jessesbistro.co.uk for more information.