The restaurant will hold its final service on 28 June.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Handling confirmed that the Carbis Bay Estate had enacted a break clause in the restaurant’s lease, and went on to hint that the Ugly Butterfly brand will live on elsewhere.
“Our landlord has enacted the break clause after an amazing chapter and I couldn’t be prouder of everything the team have achieved,” he wrote.
“I have nothing but positivity here because when one door closes, another one opens. And, for us, the story is just beginning.
“Our mission here isn’t complete yet, so stay tuned…”
Handling launched Ugly Butterfly on Chelsea’s King’s Road back in late 2019, billing it as a ‘sustainable casual’ restaurant and champagne bar that sought to ‘demonstrate that zero-waste can be luxurious’.
That restaurant subsequently closed in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic before relocating to Cornwall in the summer of 2021.
Overlooking Carbis Bay, Ugly Butterfly’s Cornish outpost is positioned as demonstrating the breadth of sustainably conscious fine dining.
The tasting menu focuses almost entirely on produce sourced from within the Cornish borders, with drinks and snacks served at the Ugly Butterfly bar using trims and offcuts from the ingredients used in the main restaurant.
“Ugly Butterfly has brought a new dimension with its approach to sustainability and zero food waste, creating unique dishes,” says Stephen Baker, owner of Carbis Bay Estate.
“The Estate, with the Ugly Butterfly Restaurant and Bar situated directly above the sands of Blue Flag Carbis Bay Beach on breath taking St Ives Bay, has a steadfast commitment to duty of care towards its environment and we welcomed Ugly Butterfly to further enhance our offering and complement our vision.
“We wish Adam and his team all the very best in their next chapter.”
An announcement about what will replace Ugly Butterfly at Carbis Bay Estate will be made in the coming weeks.
The Adam Handling Collection includes one other venue in Cornwall, The Tartan Fox in Newquay, which launched last year.
The chef’s portfolio also includes his flagship Frog by Adam Handling restaurant in London’s Covent Garden; The Loch & the Tyne in Old Windsor; and Eve Bar, also in Covent Garden.
Earlier this year the chef opened the Adam Handling Chocolate Shop close to his Frog restaurant.