A MasterChef winner has introduced the sudden closure of his Michelin Star-recommended restaurant amid hire arrears and hovering prices.
Simon Wooden, 48, opened his self-titled bistro WOOD Manchester seven years in the past however has now ceased buying and selling on the venue – saying ‘We simply can’t make this work’.
The daddy-of-four’s advantageous dinery institution noticed friends fork out £125 for his ‘Chef’s Choice Menu’ and wine flight – which featured Veal Sweetbreads and hand-dived scallops.
Simon, who grew to become knowledgeable chef aged 38 in 2015 when he received the beginner model of MasterChef, took the restaurant to a double AA Rosette award and Michelin-recommendation in 2019.
On Wednesday, the restaurant’s web site was nonetheless promoting its £60 per head Christmas menu when Simon took to social media to say it had shut for good.
He advised prospects that he was’ very proud’ of what his crew had obtain, however burdened the restaurant could not stay open in an ‘more and more tough market’.
Simon Wooden, 48, grew to become knowledgeable chef aged 38 in 2015 when he received the beginner model of MasterChef
Simon opened his self-titled bistro WOOD Manchester seven years in the past however has now ceased buying and selling on the venue – saying ‘We simply can’t make this work’
Simon took the restaurant to a double AA Rosette award and Michelin-recommendation in 2019
Writing in a put up on Fb, he mentioned: ‘Expensive Pals, Prospects and Suppliers of WOOD Manchester.
‘It’s with a lot remorse that I’ve to tell you that I have to shut the doorways right here at WOOD for good, with rapid impact.
‘We’ve got had 7 years as a part of the Manchester Metropolis eating scene and I am very happy with what the crew and I’ve achieved.
‘Sadly with COVID hire arrears now being demanded by our landlord and an more and more tough market, power will increase, ingredient prices and shortly to be spiralling enterprise charges we simply can’t make this work.
‘I would wish to thank everybody in your help and patronage over time.’
WOOD Manchester’s closure comes as many different eating places battle to outlive within the present local weather.
In response to knowledge obtained beneath the Freedom of Info Act by accountancy agency Value Bailey, 1,932 eating places entered insolvency in 2023, equating to a median of greater than 5 closures per day.
Final 12 months, the variety of eating places closing was additionally up 45% from 2022.
Matt Howard, Head of the Insolvency and Restoration at Value Bailey, mentioned many hospitality companies have been on ‘life help’.
Simon was an information scientist for nearly 20 years earlier than he stop his job and took on a profession in hospitality.
The inside of Simon’s Wooden restaurant in Manchester, which he opened in 2017
Simon was an information scientist for nearly 20 years earlier than he stop his job and took on a profession in hospitality
The chef then went on to open WOOD Manchester in 2017 and WoodKraft, in Cheltenham, in 2018.
Wooden Manchester was awarded a Michelin Really useful, which implies a restaurant has been acknowledged by the MICHELIN Information for serving meals to a excessive degree however hasn’t but been awarded a coveted star.
Simon mentioned acclaimed exhibits like The Bear, which revealed the struggles confronted by many within the hospitality business, gave cooks the respect they ‘deserved’.
He mentioned: ‘I’ve seen all of the issues that occur on these exhibits sooner or later – even within the area of 40 minutes.
‘Individuals love the drama that comes with high-end hospitality, and I believe it is all proven in drama TV programmes like The Bear and Boiling Level.
‘It may be simply as intense in actual life. You get worrying moments the place all of the cheques arrive without delay, or somebody drops the sauce, burns the meals and cuts their fingers.
‘The flare-ups between one another [are realistic].
After successful MasterChef, Simon went on to open WOOD Manchester in 2017 and WoodKraft, in Cheltenham, in 2018.
Simon mentioned acclaimed exhibits like The Bear (pictured), which revealed the struggles confronted by many within the hospitality business, gave cooks the respect they ‘deserved’
‘Additionally, most undoubtedly the shouting, swearing, uncooked depth, you see in these programmes, I believe, is all very factual – It is true to the lifetime of a functioning kitchen.’
Additionally in 2023, Simon was slammed for ‘publicly shaming’ a buyer who made a particular request forward of her reservation at his restaurant.
Within the message, the nameless buyer began by asking if they might have a desk with a ‘good view’ for the event.
After this, they then requested the restaurant give them a complimentary pudding as a ‘shock’ for his or her companion.
The e-mail left a foul style in Simon’s mouth – which prompted him to share a screenshot of the trade along with his 33,000 followers on X, previously often known as Twitter.
The put up was seen by greater than 2.3million folks because it was shared final week – and sparked fierce debate within the replies – with some arguing Simon wanted to endure some ‘customer support coaching’.
