KITCHEN CLOSED
Top chef suddenly shuts TWO Michelin-hailed restaurants with no explanation as fans sob ‘I thought they’d go on forever’
The restaurants had been hailed by harsh food critics
A TOP chef has suddenly shut down two Michelin-hailed restaurants without warning as fans cry "I thought they'd go on forever".
Diners were devastated to hear The Gardener’s Cottage, and The Lookout announce their closures out of the blue.
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The sad news was posted on their websites, but no explanation was given as to why.
A statement on The Lookout's website read: "The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage is now permanently closed.
"Thank you for your support over the years."
Located at Calton Hill, famous for its breath taking views of Edinburgh, the aptly named Lookout had been hailed by the Conde Nast Traveller as one of the most beautiful restaurants in Scotland.
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Meanwhile The Gardeners Cottage, which was found in London Road Gardens, had been serving happy customers for 12 years.
It was described as "exceptional" by the the notoriously harsh food critic AA Gill.
And, fellow fine cuisine connoisseur Jay Rayner praised: “lunch there is one of those experiences that stops the world for a while”.
Fans have expressed their disappointment on social media.
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One wrote: “Gardener's Cottage and Lookout restaurants have permanently closed. Website thanks patrons for 'all your support over the years'.
“Tough times: customers with less disposable income; increased ingredient prices; fuel-intensive kitchens with increased energy costs. Where's next?”
Heartbroken MasterChef star tells of 'lost dream' after shutting award-winning restaurant and warns 'it's bleak'
The menu at The Lookout was similar to The Gardener's Cottage.
They both boasted traditional rustic and seasonal Scottish-inspired food, with dished made sourcing local ingredients.
Meanwhile, one couple told of their disappointment they'll no longer be able to use their voucher at the restaurants
Nicola Molloy was gifted an £100 voucher to spend at the venue for her birthday.
The 44-year-old told: "My brother and my sister actually bought a voucher for me and my husband as our birthdays are close together. There is £100 on it to spend.
"We got it back in February and tried to book over the festival period but it was too busy. I noticed the voucher was valid for two years and wasn't set to expire until February 2026.
"I figured I would make a booking to use the voucher and I saw the banner online saying it was permanently closed and now I just want to know how it will be honoured."
She added she was "gutted" that she can't seem to get in touch with anyone about the issue.
What are your gift voucher rights?
IF you have a gift card for a retailer or other business that goes bust, you could find it hard to get your money back.
Senior Consumer Reporter Olivia Marshall explains your rights.
When a firm collapses, administrators are often brought in and they view customers with gift cards as creditors.
First of all, you should go to the business and see if you can still use your voucher as some administrators will honour the purchase.
But otherwise you'll have to make a claim in writing to them with proof of your vouchers.
If the gift card was purchased through a third party, you could also approach that business for a refund.
You won't be entitled to a refund but they could still repay you.
Sadly there's no obligation for your gift voucher to be honoured and if a business goes bust they can become worthless.
If you bought a gift voucher that's worth £100 or more you could try claiming the money back under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
This law means shoppers can get their money back from their card provider if they didn't get what they paid for.
For spends under £100, or if the voucher was purchased with a debit card, you might be able to make a claim through the "chargeback" scheme.
But unlike Section 75, this isn't a legal requirement so there's no guarantee you'll get your money back.
Experts suggest avoiding buying gift vouchers due to the risk of losing money if things go wrong.
This comes as another top chef has been forced to close down his Michelin-starred restaurant just months after it lost its star.
Leroy, in Leonard Street, Shoreditch, sadly announced its closure after seven years of serving devoted fans.
Meanwhile, another TV star opened up about his "lost dream" after shutting an award-winning restaurant.
Top chef Simon Wood said his fine dining establishment WOOD, in Manchester, was forced to close and that "it's bleak".
Elsewhere, another restaurant owner was forced to shut his Michelin-starred establishment overnight, claiming the decision was completely out of his hands.
The eatery was boarded up after the landlord "made the decision to close" the doors.
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Plus, a chef who worked at one of Jamie Oliver's restaurants has announced he will shutter his food spot, leaving diners devastated.
Experts say the cost of living crisis has left customers favouring a cheap dinner over splashing out on fancy evenings in expensive restaurants, and this has made celeb chefs think twice about whether it's worth continuing to run their business.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
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