WHEN Sean Brennan started washing pots at a Bicester Village restaurant he had no idea it would launch his culinary career.

But after training at Carluccio’s and several top-notch restaurants, the 27-year-old has returned to Bicester to take the reins of the kitchen at the Kings Arms Hotel and Restaurant.

Now head chef Mr Brennan is focused on making the 60-seater restaurant the place to eat in Bicester and first on the agenda has been a major overhaul of the menu.

The old menu has been ditched and replaced with a range of British dishes with a contemporary twist and a range of new vegan recipes.

The former Bicester School pupil said: “We have big plans for the Kings Arms and it is set to receive a major investment to help us achieve our long-term vision.

“The first thing has been is to get the bar and restaurant working properly. The menu has been a big job but ultimately we want to create a great place for people to enjoy good food and socialise.”

Alongside the new menu, which launches on Thursday, March 28, the Kings Arms is introducing themed evenings, including date night, pie and burger nights.

Mr Brennan, who has also worked at Oxford’s famous Mcdonald Randolph Hotel and a five-star hotel in Austria, said when he took on the head chef role at the Kings Arms he threw out the frozen food replacing it with fresh ingredients delivered daily.

He said: “All the restaurants I have worked for used fresh produce and made all their food from scratch and that was the first thing I changed when I took over at the Kings Arms.

“We really want to up the game and make the Kings Arms a place for the whole family to come and enjoy a really good meal.

“Already people coming here for the first time and have been pleasantly surprised by the service and quality. We really want to make our restaurant the first dining choice for people.

“We really want people to come and try the new menu, so between March 28 and March 30 we are offering a special discount of 35 per cent off food.”

The Kings Arms has long stood proudly in Bicester's Market Square, with the building dating back to the 17th century.