Earlier this month, it was revealed that Gwen – a more casual counterpoint to Ward’s nearby two-Michelin-starred Ynyshir – was closing after a three-year run.
However, Ward and his wife Amelia Eriksson now appear to have had a change of heart.
The project is being billed as a return to the stove for Sanchez-Iglesias, who closed his sole remaining Bristol restaurant, Paco Tapas, last year shortly after the Harbourside restaurant lost its Michelin star.
Sanchez-Iglesias is best known for his progressive modern British fine dining restaurant Casamia, originally launched by his parents and later taken on by him and his brother, Jonray Sanchez-Iglesias.
The restaurant won a Michelin star in 2009 and held it until it closed in 2022 to make way for a more casual Italian concept, Casa, which has also since closed.
The chef is also understood to have recently parted ways with Decimo, the Spanish-Mexican restaurant he launched at The Standard London in 2019.
In an Instagram video, Ward said: “There’s one man in this world who hasn’t been cooking in a kitchen who should 100% be cooking because, in my opinion, he’s one of the best chefs this country has ever seen. I’ve got so much love and respect for this man. To get this guy to take on Gwen restaurant is just mind-blowing. I feel like I’ve signed Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Sanchez-Iglesias added: “I’m overwhelmed by it. I want to thank Gareth and Amelia for the opportunity. We’ve always wanted to find a way to work together. The stars aligned, everything was meant to be, so here we are.”
According to the video, the restaurant will be up and running in a few weeks in its new guise.
Details about the format and positioning of the restaurant have yet to be revealed.