A SUNDAY Brunch star and her Michelin chef partner announced they are closing their restaurant after just two years.
Samyukta Nair, who has appeared on the popular Channel 4 cooking show, and Claude Bosi, who has won two Michelin stars three times, broke the sad news to fans.
They revealed their beloved Mayfair restaurant Socca, in London, will be serving last orders tomorrow, Saturday November 30.
Samyukta told Restaurant Online: “It is with great sadness that we have decided to close Socca.
“I have loved working with Claude on this project, and it has been an incredible journey for me and all the team.
“Watching so many diners come through our doors has brought me so much joy, and I want to say a huge thank you for dining with us over the last two years.”
Socca welcomed customers in 2023 with their French-inspired dishes.
Claude added: “It has been a pleasure working with Samyukta at Socca, we are very grateful for all our guests, and their loyalty over the years.”
LSL Capital are keeping the site and are searching for the next venue to open.
Samyukta and LSL Capital still own several Mayfair restaurants including Bombay Bustle, Jamavar, MiMi Mei Fair, KOYN and KOYN Thai.
They have also just opened Nipotina, an Italian eatery.
It comes as a MasterChef winner is closing down his Michelin-recommended restaurant after just three years.
Top chef Stu Deeley announced his award-winning eatery Smoke, in Hampton Manor, Birmingham, will serve its last customers in weeks.
Meanwhile, another TV star opened up about his “lost dream” after shutting an award-winning restaurant.
Top chef Simon Wood said his fine dining establishment WOOD, in Manchester, was forced to close and that “it’s bleak”.
Elsewhere, another restaurant owner was forced to shut his Michelin-starred establishment overnight, claiming the decision was completely out of his hands.
The eatery was boarded up after the landlord “made the decision to close” the doors.
Plus, a chef who worked at one of Jamie Oliver’s restaurants has announced he will shutter his food spot, leaving diners devastated.
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.
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.
