AN AWARD-WINNING restaurant owned by a former BBC Masterchef star is set to “abruptly” close down.
Owners of top vegan food spot, No. Twelve, made the decision to change direction with the business after admitting “everything is up in the air”.
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Co-owner of Nottingham-based No. Twelve, Ritchie Stainsby built up a strong relationship with his regular customers after starring on Masterchef: The Professionals last year.
He runs the restaurant alongside wife Lauren and despite the popular spot being filled up most days, Ritchie has called time on the project.
In a sudden statement on the closure, the TV chef said: “We got some sensitive news that’s out of our hands.
“We have loved doing this and the reason it’s coming to an end so abruptly is some personal circumstances for us and those around us that contribute to the restaurant closing.
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“No. Twelve hasn’t failed, to be honest we are busier than we ever have been.
“And because we’re a couple we guarantee people will think we’ve split up. Just to clarify we are a happily married couple.”
He ended the passionate message by saying: “Everything is up in the air at the moment and, even though we don’t know what’s going to happen, I’m still going to be a chef.”
The 33-year-old is yet to say what led to the closure of No. Twelve but he did confirm the brand would live on in the form of regular pop-up events.
Private dining bookings will also still be available for guests who want to get their tastebuds back with Ritchie’s tasty offerings.
No. Twelve can be found at Eldon Chambers in a busy part of Nottingham.
It was first opened up in 2017 as a small 24-seater cafe in Hounds Gate being the business was transformed into a fine dining restaurant in a converted redbrick Victorian mill, off Wheeler Gate.
They specialise in vegan dishes with an imaginative twist that has wowed everyone – including devout meat lovers.
Much of the meals forms an à la carte menu but there is also a seven-course tasting menu for people to try.
The last day for the budding restaurant will be May 31.
Ritchie confirmed until then the beloved spot will run as usual to provide diners with a culinary experience they won’t forget.
Lauren, 29, added: “What we want to do over the next three months is celebrate.
“One door closes, another door opens. We’re going to see it as something positive.
“It is sad but we don’t want to be sad about it because there is no point. It’s been a great journey for us.
“I started this when I was 22, now I’m going to be celebrating my 30th here. It’s amazing, we’ve done so well.”
Ritchie said despite the pair choosing to step away from the business sector for now, they could be convinced back one day.
He said if the right investor came in and made an offer which was good enough then they would go into business again.
One door closes, another door opens. We’re going to see it as something positive
Lauren
The chef said: “Whilst a change of location seems impossible at the moment, it’s not something we’d ever rule out.
“The economy, as it is, is tragic for our industry. While there are places opening we often find it’s people who have got big backing.”
It comes as Gordon Ramsay has revealed plans to take over a well-known Michelin-starred restaurant that has been seen on MasterChef.
The Mayfair site was known for its French cuisine and for being the first restaurant to be awarded consecutive one, two and three stars.
Ever since its opening in London in 1967, Le Gavroche has been synonymous with the English-French chef Michel Roux Jr.
That was until the two star eatery closed its doors last month so the 63-year-old could “make time for a better work / life balance”.
Foodies have also been left gutted to see another Michelin-hailed restaurant, owned by a beloved Masterchef star, scrapped.
The Scottish chef has been forced to shut down his restaurant two years after it opened – something he said was a “difficult decision.”
Tom Kitchin opened Kora, which offers inventive Scottish seasonal cooking, in Bruntsfield with his wife Michaela in 2022.
Top chef Simon Wood also announced the sudden closure of his Michelin-recommended restaurant last year, saying: “We just cannot make this work”.
Simon said his fine dining establishment WOOD Manchester had ceased trading as it faced down rent arrears, rising bills and spiralling ingredients costs.
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