Chef Dan Ashmore leaves Dean Banks Group

Chef Dan Ashmore has announced he is leaving the Dean Banks Group after three years to embark on his “next adventure”.

The former executive head chef for Scotland at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and head chef at Gleneagles in Auchterarder revealed the news on Instagram. He said: “I’m taking a few weeks off before starting my next chapter that I’m very excited to begin, stay tuned and I’ll keep you posted.”

He said he was thankful for the “incredible 3ish years with Dean Banks”, during which he opened six restaurants, four of which were listed in the Michelin Guide. The group also achieved nine rosettes in that time.

“I look forward to seeing the group continue to grow and will be a keen supporter of them from afar,” he said.

Ashmore joined the Dean Banks Group in 2022 as group executive chef before being made culinary director earlier this year.

In March, he opened fine dining restaurant Askr in Leith. However, it is now believed to have closed, as the website has been taken down and its Instagram deleted. It is also listed as ‘permanently closed’ on Google.

Ashmore, who starred on MasterChef: The Professionals, also worked as executive chef at Dean Banks at the Pompadour at the Caledonian Edinburgh and as sous chef at Number One at the Balmoral in Edinburgh.

Askr has been contacted for comment.

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