The dish: Ramsay moves inn

Britain's richest chef, Gordon Ramsay, is planning on becoming a publican.

He has decided against increasing his haul of seven Michelin stars by opening new restaurants in Britain - instead he wants to open a chain of country pubs.

His business managers are drawing up plans to buy several country inns.

Although the establishments would sell beer and spirits, their primary role would be to serve food and they would sit in the Ramsay empire alongside such names as Claridge's and The Savoy Grill.

Ramsay's move into pubs is a sign of the former footballer's ambition and also shows how modern television cooks are finding new ways of making money.

The 39-year-old was named by British newspaper The Independent as Britain's richest chef, with a fortune totalling £67 million ($193 million).

Tapas by Gordon

As if Peter Gordon didn't have enough on his plate.

The chef, who owns restaurants in Auckland and London, is designing the menu for a new Spanish tapas bar due to open at 91 Federal St, Auckland, in November.

The bar, Bellotta, will be part of SkyCity and opposite Gordon's restaurant dine by Peter Gordon.

It will have an extensive range of Spanish and European wines by the glass to complement appetisers.