Ben Murphy to leave the Woodford
Ben Murphy has announced he will be leaving the Woodford restaurant in South Woodford, north-east London after just 10 months, with the intention to open his own restaurant next year.
Murphy, who won the Young National Chef of the Year competition in 2012, opened the Woodford with help from investors in March 2016. He is due to leave on 1 January 2017.
Discussing the departure, Murphy told The Caterer: "I'm looking to open my own place with some support. Ideally it would involve moving closer into London.
The decision is said to be mutual between Murphy and business partner Stephen Andrews, an Essex restaurateur who invested in the business.
The team, which Murphy recruited from established restaurants such as the Greenhouse in Mayfair, London, Koffmann's in Knightsbridge, London, and Le Bristol, the 8th arrondissement, Paris is expected to follow Murphy to his next venture.
Murphy said: "I hope William [Yarney, restaurant manager] will come with me, but I think most of the team will follow depending on what their direction is. Stephen has supported me a lot; it was a decision made between the both of us."
Murphy, a protégé of Pierre Koffmann, has worked at top restaurants including the Michelin-starred Le Bristol hotel and three-Michelin-starred Epicure restaurant, both located in the 8th arrondissement, Paris, and three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York.
It has not been confirmed who will take over as head chef at the Woodford.
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