The people

Xavier Rousset

Xavier Rousset is one of the UK's most successful and high profile young sommeliers. A protégé of Gerard Basset, Rousset rose to head sommelier of Hotel du Vin under his guidance. At the tender age of 22, Rousset won the UK Sommelier of the Year competition, gaining his Master Sommelier qualification along the way. In 2004 he was appointed head sommelier at the acclaimed Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons.

Agnar Sverrisson, Chef Patron

Awards
-Michelin Star, 2010 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland
-The Independent New Restaurant of the Year 2007
-Remy Martin London Restaurant Award in 2008
-Champagne Bar of the Year at the Drinking Out Excellence Awards 2009

Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, Agnar Sverrisson started his restaurant career as Chef de Partie at the Grill Room, one of Reykjavik's most renowned restaurants and became Head Chef in 1998. After leaving Reykjavik in 2001, Agnar joined the Michelin-starred restaurant Pétrus, owned by Gordon Ramsay, where he was a Chef de Partie under Marcus Wareing. The same year, Agnar accepted a Sous Chef position at the Michelin-starred Lea Linster in Luxembourg to deepen his understanding of French cuisine. He returned to England in 2002 to work under Executive Head Chef Gary Jones at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, the oldest Michelin double-starred restaurant in England. Agnar was soon promoted to Sous Chef and to Head Chef in 2005.

The concept

In September 2007, Agnar joined forces with Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons Head Sommelier, Xavier Rousset to launch Texture Restaurant where they combine their expertise to create a dining experience unlike any other in London. The modern European restaurant has many unusual attributes, namely an incredibly varied yet accessible wine list and a menu whose savoury dishes are created without the use of any butter or cream. This January Agnar and Xavier were delighted that Texture was among just six new one-star London restaurants in the 2010 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland. This award adds to other impressive list of accolades: as well as being voted The Independent New Restaurant of the Year 2007, Texture won both a Remy Martin London Restaurant Award in 2008 and Champagne Bar of the Year at the Drinking Out Excellence Awards 2009.