A CELEBRITY chef could be set to cook up a storm in Ipswich after it emerged offers have been made for a trendy new waterfront restaurant. Work on the impressive 600 square metre building in front of Orwell Quay is close to completion and interest has reached fever-pitch.

A CELEBRITY chef could be set to cook up a storm in Ipswich after it emerged offers have been made for a trendy new waterfront restaurant.

Work on the impressive 600 square metre building in front of Orwell Quay is close to completion and interest has reached fever-pitch.

Simon Jackaman of Christie & Co, the firm marketing the building said several offers are currently under consideration by developers Persimmon including one made last Friday.

It is understood a celebrity chef is among the interested parties although Mr Jackaman remains tight-lipped on details of the prospective buyers.

The building, known as the Marquee Restaurant, has a marquee-style tented roof with glass panelling providing a panoramic view of the quayside.

The rear of the building has been clad in cedar board to match the exterior of the apartment blocks in Orwell Quay.

Despite the interest in the landmark structure Mr Jackaman said it could be a while before a deal is struck.

He said: "It's too early to say whether we will be able to move forward."

Meanwhile it could be up to two years until another waterfront site is transformed into a restaurant.

The 5,000 sq ft site, spread across the first and second floor of Neptune Marina, has been unsold since the building was completed in 2005.

Mr Jackaman, who is also marketing the Neptune Marina property, said: "We have interest in the other site and we are talking to two interested parties.

"In a couple of years I think it's going to be working site but while it's a bit of a building site and it's dusty it's difficult to complete a deal.

“There is also a lack of car parking along the waterfront.

“These are issues we are trying to overcome.”