BBC Masterchef & Saturday Kitchen star closes down Michelin-hailed restaurant after 2 years in ‘difficult decision’
FOODIES are gutted to see this Michelin-hailed restaurant, owned by a beloved Masterchef star, scrapped.
The Scottish chef has been forced to shut down his restaurant two years after it opened, something he said was a "difficult decision."
Tom Kitchin opened Kora, which offers inventive Scottish seasonal cooking, with his wife Michaela in 2022.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the chef said: “We have made the very tough decision to wrap Kora up at the end of this month.
“Our regular diners and our suppliers have been instrumental in Kora’s success.
"Our incredible team has really shown visitors to Edinburgh how incredible Scottish fare is and how proud we are to promote Scottish hospitality.
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The chef made an appearance on Masterchef as a guest star and remains Scotland's youngest winner of a Michelin star, receiving one at age 29 in his restaurant named The Kitchin.
Kora's closure was announced on January 7 alongside a photograph of the restaurant's exterior.
Kitchin said the restaurant has faced a challenging "current economic climate" which led him to close - something he described as a "difficult decision."
The post continued: "We have every intention to bring the Kora concept back to Edinburgh one day, but there is no hiding that the current economic climate contributes to this difficult decision.
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"We have no option but to exercise our lease break clause which is now due.
“Thank you to everyone who made Kora by Tom Kitchin such a special, happy place for so many of us.
"Thank you, Bruntsfield. The memories will always live on.”
The much-loved restaurant was set up in the former site of their Southside Scran venue.
It served a range of Scottish cooking including Loch Etive trout, lemon and tarragon tortellini, Scrabster cod and shellfish consomme.
This was offered as light bar snacks, an A La Carte option, and brunch.
Described as a "nature to plate restaurant" the venue was praised for being "very good"; by The Good Food Guide.
Customers were gutted to hear the closure announcement and expressed their sympathies on the Instagram post.
One wrote: "Such a shame! Kora was a lovely restaurant and brings back fond memories."
Another responded: "Amazing restaurant and the best food.
"It will definitely be missed in Edinburgh, many a lovely occasion spent here."
A third user said: "Sorry to hear this chef.
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"The Hospitality industry is going through a very challenging time, I'm sure the good times will return soon."
Kitchin promised that all unused gift vouchers could be used in his sister venues and said he really values the support.
