Simon Gueller quits Leeds restaurant that bears his name

Simon Gueller has left the one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Leeds that bears his name in order to set up a specialist high-quality event catering business.

Replacing him as head chef is Martel Smith, formerly head chef at Restaurant Martel, which was in the Smith family home, Gateforth Hall, at Monk Fryston, 15 miles east of Leeds. That business and property was sold earlier this year and is now a private house.

Gueller made his reputation in Leeds with Rascasse, before opening Gueller in September 2000. Despite critical acclaim, the restaurant was put into receivership seven months after opening with debts of £697,000. Gueller himself was declared bankrupt last December with personal debts of £180,000. The restaurant was bought out of receivership by a local businessman who retained Gueller as chef.

When Gueller went into hospital for an operation this summer, Smith covered for his absence and has stayed ever since. When Gueller then decided he was not going to return to the restaurant, Smith became an investing partner and is now running the kitchen.

Smith says the food will continue to be in the modern British style for which both Gueller and his former business, Restaurant Martel, were known for. There have been almost no staff changes at the restaurant, and Smith says he is confident of retaining the restaurant's Michelin star. The name of the restaurant will remain Gueller until Christmas, when a new name will be chosen.

by Bob Gledhill
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 26 September - 2 October 2002