HE cooked for an Arabian prince and now he can cook for you.

Hussein Ibrahim was the head chef for part of the royal family in the United Arab Emirates, and is now head chef at a new restaurant in Bridge Street.

The 55-year-old was headhunted from a restaurant in London and is now employed at Andalucia, which opened last Monday.

Hussein had worked for Prince Muhammed Rashid Al-Maktoun in Dubai for more than 13 years.

He enjoyed his work though Arab princes can be a bit demanding and can see their staff more like property than employees.

"Sometimes they asked for a special dish in the morning, or after half an hour they would ask for something else," laughed Hussein.

He learned his bosses' likes and dislikes - the prince's favourite was chicken stuffed with green wheat.

Lebanese-born Hussein is enjoying the quiet life in Warrington compared to London, and his family is back in Beirut. They were not hurt in the recent month-long war, he says.

"Lebanese people love food and they love to cook - they are very well-known in the Middle East," said Ali Eftih, the business partner of the restaurant's Spanish owner.

Lebanese food has a lot in common with other Mediterranean styles, such as Turkish food - dishes like falafel, mixed grills and hummus.

The restaurant is fitted out in a sumptuous south Spanish style that reflects the area's Arabic influence.

Ali said: "I think people are desperate for something good quality, for good service, for care of the customers and for a nice place to go out and eat and not get bored."