Babylon denies report of chef's walk-out

Richard Branson's new restaurant, Babylon, in Kensington, London, denied that its head chef Vincent Hiss had walked out, following a press report that one table waited an hour for the main course because the chef had left.

"I don't know where that came from. Vincent is still here - he had a couple of days off last week, but he came back on Monday," said Peter Insall, general manager of the restaurant.

The food critics of the national press have given Babylon a rough ride since its opening, criticising the food and the prices of the restaurant above the Kensington Roof Gardens.

"We are open for people to come and eat and criticise. We are addressing the issues raised and are getting busier each week," said Insall.

Insall said the menu change due to come in September was planned prior to opening and will include more seasonal produce such as game and shellfish. It is not a response to the criticism received, he added.