Celebrity chef Paul Rankin escapes bankruptcy

Celebrity chef Paul Rankin has escaped bankruptcy after agreement was reached with his creditors over unpaid debts.

The Ready Steady Cook star, who was forced to sell most of his restaurants last year, was served with bankruptcy papers last month over debts owed to supplier Arnotts Fruit.

However, the petition against the chef and his wife and business partner Jeanne Rankin has now dropped after an agreement was reached with creditors.

The couple have entered into an Individual Voluntary Agreement with Arnotts Fruit, with repayments being funded through Rankin's personal earnings.

The chef, who won Northern Ireland's first Michelin star in 1991, was forced to sell his Roscoff Brasserie and his Rankin cafe chain last year and now only operates the Cayenne restaurant in Belfast.

Rankin told the BBC: "I am grateful, to my suppliers and customers in supporting my business and I am committed to the arrangements I have entered into to maximise returns to creditors."

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By Kerstin Kühn

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