Ben Murphy to depart Launceston Place
Murphy, who originally joined the well-known West London restaurant as head chef in 2017, gave no specific reason for the departure, saying only that it is 'time for a new chapter'.
He has no definite plans for his next role and is looking at a number of options.
Murphy’s begun his career at Koffmann’s at The Berkeley with Pierre Koffmann back in 2010, where he advanced from commis chef to sous chef.
He then moved to France to Michel Guérard’s Michelin three-starred Les Prés d’Eugénie in the Aquitaine region, followed by a stint at Epicure at Le Bristol in Paris
Returning to London, he was appointed sous chef at the two Michelin-starred The Greenhouse in Mayfair, followed by his first head chef role at The Woodford in east London.
Murphy’s impressive CV was further bolstered in 2022 when he was named National Chef of the Year, a year after he was promoted to chef patron at Launceston Place.
Reflecting on his decision to leave, Murphy said: “[Launceston Place] has been a remarkable stage in my working life, and I have grown both personally and professionally.”
The restaurant originally opened in 1986 and has been home to a number of big names over the decades including Tim Allen, Tristan Welch and Rowley Leigh.
D&D London, which took ownership of Launceston Place following its acquisition of Image Restaurants in 2017, is yet to confirm who will replace Murphy.
Murphy’s last service will be on 31 October 2024.
