Full list of top TV chefs’ restaurants that have closed this year including Marco Pierre White and Monica Galetti
RUNNING a high-end restaurant is not for the faint of heart.
Dealing with rising bills, unsatisfied customers and keeping staff happy is hard for anyone to juggle – even TV’s most popular chefs.
Marco Pierre White, Simon Rimmer and Tony Rodd, to name a few, won over viewers’ hearts on screen – but when it comes to running their own restaurant chains, things haven’t always been as smooth.
In fact, a huge number of celebrity chefs have closed down branches restaurants this year, leaving fans gutted.
Experts say the cost of living crisis has left customers favouring a cheap dinner over splashing out on fancy evenings out in expensive restaurants, and this has made celeb chefs think twice about whether it’s worth continuing to run their business.
Paul Lochhead, managing director of Drinkstuff, told The Sun: “For celebrity chefs, these ventures are often passion projects rather than primary revenue sources.
“If a restaurant isn’t performing well, it may not be worth the continued investment, especially when compared to the other income streams they have.”
Check out the list below to see if your favourite celeb chef’s eatery is still up and running or has closed its doors for good.
Mr White’s – Marco Pierre White
Marco Pierre White’s restaurant Mr White’s Steak, Pizza and Gin House, located in London’s iconic West End, abruptly closed in January 2024 leaving customers baffled.
The 14,500sq ft restaurant first opened in 2021 at a former Chiqito site and marked the star’s first return to the West End’s food scene in over a decade.
But after initially saying it would be closed for maintenance over the New Year, the restaurant mysteriously never reopened, before confirming weeks later it had permanently shut.
A second Marco Pierre White location in Cardiff also permanently shut in the same month.
But, if you are still keen to try out the Michlien’s star chef’s cooking he has 30 other restaurant ventures, including a fish and chip shop, across the UK.
Copper and Ink – MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd’s restaurant
Former Masterchef finalist Tony Rodd was forced to close his restaurant in Blackheath, London after five years this January.
The tattooed chef who appeared on BBC‘s hit programme back in 2015, said rising energy cost left him with no choice but to pull down the shutters for good.
At the time, the chef told The Sun about a “terrifying” £80,000 energy bill had left him struggling to sleep.
Tony and his wife Becky said the pandemic, energy bills and other surging costs had forced them to put up prices – driving away customers.
But it is not all doom and gloom for the couple as t was announced in August that they took over a former Michelln-starred restaurant in Kent.
Mere restaurant – Masterchef judge Monica Galetti
The New Zeland born judge from the smash hit cooking show devasted fans when she announced the closure of Mere this April.
Monica and her husband David ran the restaurant, which had £159 bottles of wine on the menu , for over seven years.
In a post on social media, the couple said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Mere restaurant- but we feel this is the right time after 7yrs!
“We want to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank Alastair Storey and everyone who has supported us and our loyal patrons and dedicated staff throughout this journey.”
Why celeb restaurants go bust
By Paul Lochhead - managing director of Drinkstuff
THE recent wave of celebrity chef restaurant closures can indeed be attributed to several factors, with the pandemic being a significant one.
The hospitality industry, particularly high-end restaurants, faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Restrictions on dining, a shift to takeaways, and the need for social distancing significantly reduced footfall and revenue for these establishments.
However, the impact goes beyond the pandemic. High-end restaurants operate on a model that requires substantial overheads—premium locations, top-quality ingredients, and skilled staff.
With the economic uncertainty and a change in consumer behaviour post-pandemic, there’s been a shift in dining preferences. Many diners are now seeking more casual, value-driven experiences, which puts pressure on the viability of luxury dining.
Moreover, for celebrity chefs, these ventures are often passion projects rather than primary revenue sources.
If a restaurant isn’t performing well, it may not be worth the continued investment, especially when compared to the other income streams they have, such as media appearances, books, and endorsements.
Le Gavroche – Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr
Michel Roux Jr closed the doors on his iconic restaurant Gavroche in January after 56 years in business.
Roux, said he was shutting up shop on the iconic haunt which launched the careers of Gorden Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Marcus Warening to “make time for a better work-life balance”.
The Mayfair resultant was the first UK restaurant to win a Michelin star in 1974, and later went on to win a second.
Greens – Simon Rimmer
One Show Star Simon Rimmer announced in September that his last remaining Greens restaurant would close.
Greens was one of the first vegetarian restaurants in Manchester and the first fully vegetarian one to be featured in the Good Food Guide.
It had its original branch in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, which closed in January this year after being open for 33 years.
Simon blamed Covid for pushing up costs and the landlord increasing the rent by 35%.
And now the second restaurant branch in Sale, Greater Manchester, has also closed after being open for two years.
Cornerstone – Tom Brown
This Morning chef Tom Brown closed his diner in Hackney, London this June citing high costs and changing customer habits.
The 36-cover spot opened in 2018 and later went on to win a Michelin star in 2021.
Tom also owns the Pearly Queen, a seafood restaurant which is still up and running in Shoreditch, London.
Snack Bar – Freddie Janssen
Freddie was named one of Time Out’s Hottest Chefs in London in 2023 for her work at Snack Bar, an independent restaurant in Dalston.
The quirky diner, which sold Irish coffee slushies, is set to close after a five-year stint.
Freddie said the move was a “super tough” call and was due to the lease ending and a decision to pursue other things.
The Fox’s Revenge, and Onda – Ben Ambridge
The Cornish chef, who graduated from Jamie Oliver‘s Fifteen scheme, closed down both of his restaurants in Wadebridge this April.
In a post on Instagram, he said: “A post I never thought I would have to write, It’s with deep sadness that I announce the closure of both The Fox’s Revenge and Onda Wadebridge with immediate effect.
“I cannot put into words the feelings I have right now.
“Over the past four years I have tried with every ounce of determination to adapt, overcome and succeed, but the time has come where I just have nothing left.
He added: “For the past four and a bit years my whole focus and life has been around trying to survive, a position no business should be in or have to do.”
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.