Cépages 2.0 sees the Notting Hill wine bar reopened as a bistro by a MasterChef The Professionals finalist

Five months ago, the French tapas spot Cépages quietly closed its doors in Notting Hill. Its founders decided they were leaving London to return to France to tend to their vineyard there (fair enough, really!). But what might have meant the permanent closure of this popular wine bar took an interesting turn when it was taken over by French chef, and MasterChef The Professionals finalist, Gaston Savina. He's now reopened it with a fresh new look and menu.

It's a neat closing of the circle for Gaston who first worked at the wine bar 12 years ago. "Cépages was one of the first kitchens that welcomed me when I arrived in London," he explains. "It’s where my story here began. When I heard it could close, I took it personally. This place has soul. I wanted to protect it."

Under its new ownership, the wine bar is moving towards more of a bistro feel with dishes including whipped goat cheese with truffle honey, 12-hour confit beef cheek Rossini with truffle jus, and foie gras crème brûlée. And fans who enjoyed his performance on MasterChef The Professionals, in which he reached finals week, can also try the Escargot Pie inspired by a dish he served up in the show.

Wine, obviously, remains a big deal and there'll be 100 wines on the list here with a focus on independent producers and family vineyards. "We want people to come for a great glass of wine," says Gaston, "and then be surprised by just how good the food is."