GG Hospitality confirms chef Michael O'Hare's departure from the business

Michelin-starred chef Michael O'Hare has stepped down from his role as culinary creative director of GG Hospitality - the hotel and restaurant firm backed by former Manchester United footballers Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

After two years with the company O'Hare, who took over the role from Michael Wignall in January 2016, has "made the decision to focus on his Michelin-starred restaurant" the Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds.

The restaurant relaunched in March this year with O’Hare at the helm following the departure of his protégée and head chef Luke Cockerill. O’Hare hoped the new menu would be “stronger, bolder and refined”, compared to its previous format.

Future partnership plans included the launch of two venues, The Man Who Fell To Earth and Are Friends Electric, at the Grade II-listed, Edwardian Baroque-style former stock exchange building on Norfolk Street in the city, where Giggs and Neville will open their second Manchester hotel next year.

Details of the revised restaurant within the luxury, 40-bedroom boutique Stock Exchange hotel will be revealed over the next few months.

GG Hospitality operates three UK Café Football sites, the 133-bedroom Hotel Football Old Trafford, and GG Events and Catering, which has venues at National Football Museum, Manchester Cathedral, and Salford City FC. Singaporean company Rowsley acquired a 75% share-holding in GG Hospitality in 2015, with Neville and Giggs retaining a minority stake.

In April GG Hospitality appointed Winston J Zahra as its new chief executive as it aimed to roll out the Hotel Football brand in the UK and internationally.

EXCLUSIVE: GG Hospitality appoints new chief executive to lead Hotel Football roll-out >>

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Chef Luke Cockerill leaves the Rabbit in the Moon as Michael O’Hare takes over >>

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