AMBITIOUS chef Michael Riemenschneider hasn’t only got the champagne on ice after taking over Altrincham’s famed fine dining restaurant Juniper.

For Michael is a former professional ice hockey player – and couldn’t believe his luck to find his new home town is also the region’s ice skating capital. Swiss chef Michael is the new boss of Juniper, which for 10 years has remained the only restaurant in Greater Manchester to retain a prestigious Michelin Star.

It was that foodie accolade that drew Michael here, but, since arriving, he’s discovered he will be able to reignite his ice skating passion at the town’s Silver Blades Ice Rink.

The 26-year-old chef took over the Juniper keys from former head chef Paul Kitching only a fortnight ago. Paul announced he was to quit the restaurant earlier this year to open a restaurant and hotel in Edinburgh.

Michael is now working hard on a revamp of the venue with plans to reopen on Wednesday – just in time for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival.

Michael, who has experience of Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe and also owns acclaimed restaurant The Abbey in Cornwall, was a semi-pro ice hockey player in Switzerland and Germany. He even picked up a professional contract.

But after getting an eighth hernia he called time on his career on ice – and headed for the heat of the kitchen instead. Now, he’s relocated to Greater Manchester’s ice skating capital his passion for the sport, which at his peak saw him play at centre for top German league club Frankfurt Lions, has been reborn.

Michael has already been down to Altrincham ice rink to see how he might pick up his stick again.

He said: "When Paul approached me to take on Juniper, ice skating was the furthest thing from my mind. I thought it was a great opportunity to take forward a fabulous fine dining restaurant.

"But, when I got here, I quickly discovered there was an excellent rink just down the road and popped down to see if I could play.

"With the hours I work it’s difficult, but they have found a slot late on Friday night which might work as service at Juniper will be over."

He’ll also be taking a keen interest in the progress of Manchester Phoenix, the team which grew from the ashes of Manchester Storm and which is based at the rink. But, meanwhile, he’s racing against the clock to get Juniper open.

"My priority is to get the restaurant refurbished and reopened. We’re extending the dining room, reopening the bar and introducing one or two things which we think Manchester diners will like," he said.

"I’ve got the builders sleeping in the bar and I’ve moved into a flat above Juniper so we can commit every waking hour to finishing the work."

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