A RENOWNED chef who starred in a Channel 4 show and won multiple awards has announced the sudden closure of his popular restaurant after 10 years.
Gary Usher, who starred in the documentary “The Rebel Chef: My Restaurant Revolution”, made the announcement in a video posted on X.
The famed chef had opened Burnt Truffle in July 2015 in Heswall, Merseyside, then the second outlet in the portfolio of his company, Elite Bistros.
In a message posted on Wednesday, Gary spoke from the restaurant and described the closure as a “sad day”.
He said the lease of the restaurant had ended and that they had chosen to not renew it as the “honest truth” was that they had “never been able to make it work” at the site.
The star chef also reminisced about the earlier days of the restaurant, including how the venue quickly amassed two rosettes and was the first crowdfunded restaurant with non-investment crowdfunding.
In light of the closure, the chef said: “We carry on, we just keep going, we keep trying, we keep innovating to get through these tough times.”
His post added: “Thank you to all the team & all the guests over the last 10 years.
“Our lease has come to an end & we have decided to part ways.
“All our bills are paid & all vouchers will be redeemed.
“From all of us at Burnt Truffle, thank you & good night.”
Fans were gutted at the news, with many commenting their sadness below Gary’s post.
One said: “Really sad to hear this, but a sensible time and way to do it.
“Loved all my visits here over the years, I just wish there could have been more.”
Another added: “Gutted to hear this I am sure like others they will have amazing memories that will last a lifetime big love from us x”.
The chef owns five other restaurants, a pub, and a bakery as part of his portfolio.
He added that any customers concerned about any vouchers they may have for the restaurant could use it at any other of the chef’s sites.
Gary had founded the award-winning Elite Bistros group in 2011 before opening up a string of successful restaurants in the North West.
THE star of a hit Channel 4 cooking show and Michelin starred chef has suddenly closed down a popular London restaurant after 23 years.
Giorgio Locatelli, 61, has been forced to pack the kitchen up at his Italian venue Locanda Locatelli and shut for good.
Restaurant bosses said the shock permanent closure is “out of our control” just days after a busy New Year’s Eve service.
A statement on the restaurant’s site read: “With a heavy heart, for reasons out of our control, we are now permanently closed.”
It is not yet clear what the reasons behind the sudden closure are.
The hugely successful eatery did however hint at a new future as they thanked their loyal customers.
The statement added: “We will miss all of our clients, many who have become friends.
“But when one door closes, another opens, so please check our social media for updates on our new project.
“We wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025 and thank you all for your custom over the last 23 years.”
Giorgio, who appeared on Channel 4′s Celeb Cooking School teaching celebrities how to cook, had opened the joint with his wife Plaxy in 2002.
It received a Michelin star one year after opening.
Burnt Truffle had been launched through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, opening ten years ago after it received backing from 891 people.
Gary gained fame after some of his replies to customer reviews of his restaurants went viral.
In 2019, Gary was the subject of the Channel 4 show The Rebel Chef: My Restaurant Revolution.
The hour-long documentary witnessed Gary’s quest to crowdfund £50,000 to build a French-style bistro in Prescot, Merseyside.
That same year he was shortlisted for the coveted Best Restaurateur accolade at the GQ Food and Drink awards.
