CELEBRITY chef Marco Pierre White will officially open his Merseyside restaurant later this month.

But don’t expect him to prepare your dinner.

The 48-year-old, triple Michelin starred-chef has hung up his apron and will run The Swan Inn at arms length.

White announced he was giving his name to the Aughton venue – as well as to Chester’s Doubletree restaurant – in November last year.

The Swan is currently going through a soft opening, which will culminate in a visit from White on February 25. It is his first venue outside of the South East.

But, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Post, Leeds-born White said: “I’ll never cook there, I don’t cook anymore – I’ve retired.

“I’ll be going up around six times a year for a couple of days at a time.

“I like going up North – let’s not forget, I’m a Northerner.”

While the Hell’s Kitchen star won’t cook at the 100-seater Swan, White will help shape the menu.

He was brought on-board by his long-term friend and Cheshire restaurant entrepreneur Francis Carroll. The pair met while working together at London’s Le Gavroche, where White was a chef and Mr Carroll one of the front of house team.

They will set the Swan’s menu alongside the chefs and Liverpool-born general manager David Thorneycroft.

Justifying his decision not to be hands on at the Swan, White added: “Let’s not forget, I’m not charging £150 to £200 per head just because my name’s above the door.

“My ambition is to take good eating to the nation at affordable prices.

“I wouldn’t go up north and start charging £150 per head and not be there – that’s the flaw in that model.

“When you’re paying that amount of money, you would expect the man to be behind the stove.”