- Gordon Ramsay has described restaurant influencers as “the most powerful critics” in the industry today. In the first episode of the Netflix documentary Being Gordon Ramsay, which follows the opening of five of his venues at 22 Bishopsgate, he said that online influencers now have more impact than traditional critics. Ramsay also noted that influencers have been instrumental in promoting his recent London openings, including Lucky Cat, Bread Street Kitchen, and Gordon Ramsay High. Reflecting on his 25-year career, he acknowledged that some criticism in the past became personal, citing the infamous 1998 incident with Sunday Times critic AA Gill.
- East London’s Nest restaurant announced it will close late next month and rebrand as a more informal British bistro called Tavern. The Shoreditch restaurant, known for its whole-animal cookery and monthly changing tasting menus, will shift to a casual British bistro concept. Head chef Kirsty Easterbrook and executive chef Brendan Appleby, both formerly of St Barts, will oversee the kitchen alongside co-founder Johnnie Crowe. The menu will include snacks like lamb scrumpets and rose veal sweetbread burgers and main dishes such as turbot with English sparkling wine sauce, Welsh Wagyu rib of beef, and Tamworth pork chop.
- The Mount by Glynn Purnell announced it will close in March due to rising running costs, including food prices and energy bills. The Henley-in-Arden pub, opened in March 2022 by Glynn Purnell in partnership with Luke and Tania Fryer, will cease operations after four years. All staff will be supported during the closure, suppliers will be paid, and customers with vouchers are advised to redeem them before the final service. Glynn Purnell said the decision was “very tough” but necessary, and he will now focus on his other ventures: Trillium and Plates by Purnell in Birmingham, and The Wood Norton in Evesham.
- Food hall operator Boxpark has confirmed it has abandoned its plans to open in Bristol and Birmingham. CEO Matt Snell said that the sites were not near transport infrastructure, on a busy high street or near stadia or event spaces and therefore did not “fulfil the business’ core site selection criteria”. Talks for a venue in Bristol began in June 2021, with a call for traders issued the following year, while the company’s Midlands debut had been expected last year with the opening of a 17,000sq ft site in Birmingham.
- The Evolv Collection has appointed chef Miller Prada as group culinary consultant. Prada is best known for launching the Mayfair live-fire restaurant Humo in 2023, which won a Michelin star within its first year. He has also cooked under Jason Atherton at Pollen Street Social and Brett Graham at The Ledbury. Prada joined The Evolv Collection on the 9 February and has already played a key role in the recruitment of Pierre Minotti to relaunch the Orrery in Marylebone. Prada commented: “Joining The Evolv Collection at such a pivotal moment is a true honour. I’m excited to help shape the next chapter of a group built on the Conran legacy and a portfolio of iconic London restaurants.”