A former MasterChef winner is closing down his restaurant (Picture: BBC)
A MasterChef winner has announced he’s shutting down his Michelin-star restaurant three years after it opened.
In 2019 Stu Deeley won MasterChef: The Professionals, becoming the 12th chef to be awarded the prestigious title.
Following his win, Stu said there was ‘no one more shocked than me’.
‘This is unreal. I’ve never won anything in my life, so this is such an unreal feeling and I’m so happy,’ he said.
Two years later, following delays due to the pandemic, Stu opened his restaurant Smoke at Hampton Manor in Solihull.
However, three years on, he is now shutting it down, which also comes as he prepares to welcome his third child.
Stu Deeley won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2019 (Picture: BBC)
Announcing the news on social media, Stu said that ‘all good things must come to an end!’
‘After nearly 4 years at @hamptonmanor and over 3 years of @smoke_hamptonmanor it’s time for me to move on,’ he began.
‘It wasn’t an easy decision to make. After winning MasterChef in 2019. Then, immediately going into a pandemic. When Smoke opened in August 2021, it really did become a home away from home.
‘Seeing the amazing people that have passed through the team and the encouragement we have received from guests and guides alike, and I’m over the moon to say we are still as busy as ever.’
He went on to thank the owners of Hampon Manor and ‘the team past and present’ at Smoke.
Stu explained the restaurant would be open until February 23 and teased he would be making an announcement on his new project soon.
He opened Smoke in Birmingham three years ago (Picture: Stuart Deeley/ Instagram)
‘I will let you all in on what’s next when the times are right, but for now… we have baby Deeley on the way. So, my focus will be on Nursery’s and baby proofing the house (3rd and final baby, hope you’re listening Tash 😝) Merry Christmas, you filthy Animals!’ he concluded the post.
Reacting to the news, many customers said they were sad to see Smoke shut.
‘Smoke is one of my favourites so gutted to hear this! But excited for whatever comes next,’ Camilla commented.
‘Looking forward to seeing what’s in store next Stu, Smoke will leave a big hole in the local food scene that’s for sure, one of my favourites in recent times. Best of luck!’ Cofton posted.
‘You created an absolute unique dining experience at smoke. You’re a super talented chef and just a dame nice bloke, wishing you all the best Stu for the next chapter,’ Luke added.
The day after Smoke closes a new ‘produce-led restaurant’ called Kynd will open.
Several MasterChef stars have shut down restaurants across the country this year, including the show’s judge Monica Galetti.
The show’s judge Monica Galetti also closed her London restaurant Mere earlier this year (Picture: BBC/ Shine TV)
After opening Mere in London in 2017, in April the chef from New Zealand announced the venue was closing.
She later told Metro the decision to shut it down was ‘perfect timing’.
‘I think we had taken it to a point where we wanted to do different things. My business partners wanted to do different things. So, you know, it was a great time for us to be able to do it,’ she said,
However past MasterChef contestants have been forced to close their businesses due to financial difficulties.
MasterChef is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
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MasterChef fans ‘gutted’ as chef closes Michelin-star restaurant after just 3 years