According to an Instagram post from the restaurant, Searley is leaving to fulfil a long-held ambition to open his own restaurant.
Current head chef Nathan Chapman, who has worked alongside Searley for seven years, will lead the kitchen from August, “continuing the values, standards and spirit that have made Quality Chop House what it is today”.
Quality Chop House can trace its history back to 1869, making it one of London’s oldest continuously occupied restaurant sites.
The site was acquired by William Lander (son of restaurant critic Nick Lander) and business partner Daniel Morgenthau in 2011.
The Farringdon Road restaurant relaunched the following year, with Searley – who had joined from St John Bread & Wine – leading the kitchen.
Known for its steaks, chops and smaller plates including Hereford mince on dripping toast, whipped cod’s roe and chicken liver parfait with truffle, the restaurant is part of Lander and Morgenthau’s Woodhead Restaurant Group.
Quality Chop House is also credited with helping popularise confit potatoes, which have since become a ubiquitous item on contemporary restaurant menus.
The restaurant is currently ranked 85th on Restaurant’s list of the top 100 places to eat in the UK.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the restaurant said: “It’s difficult to put into words just how much Shaun has meant to QCH. Since reopening the restaurant alongside Will and Josie in 2012, he has helped shape not only the food on the plate, but the identity, culture and reputation of the restaurant itself. His relentless pursuit of excellence, generosity as a leader and unwavering commitment to the team have been at the heart of so much of what we’ve achieved over the last decade.
“While we’re incredibly sad to see him go, we couldn’t be prouder to see him take this next step. As one chapter closes, another begins.”