John Burton-Race announces his resignation from eponymous restaurant with rooms

John Burton-Race has announced his resignation as chef-patron of the eponymous John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms, adding that he is seeking "a new venture".

The former Grosvenor hotel in Torquay, which gained notoriety in Channel 4's The Hotel reality show, was rebranded as John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms earlier this year.

The refurbishment of the property, owned by Keith Richardson of the Richardson Hotel Group, was widely reported to have contributed to the group calling in administrators in January.

Former two-Michelin-starred chef Burton-Race said: "I have decided to leave the Richardson Hotel Group and have done so on good terms. I have departed amicably and remain great friends with my colleagues there.

"I have decided to leave as I feel I have taken the group as far as possible, as I personally could. I am ready for a new beginning, and excited about what prospects will come my way."

Burton Race yesterday tweeted: "I'm seeking a new adventure! Do you know of any top #restaurants looking for a new #headchef? One that has held multiple #MichelinStar? Please get in touch if you have any leads!"

John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms confirmed he had left the business and said a further statement would be made in due course.

Prior to joining the Torquay hotel Burton-Race had worked as head chef at Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire; run his own restaurant, L'Ortolan in Shinfield, Berkshire, where he achieved two Michelin stars; opened an eponymous restaurant at the Landmark hotel in London; and run a private catering company in Devon called Two Grumpy Chefs with fellow cook Chris Sherville.

Last week The Caterer revealed that the sale of two Cornish hotels within the Richardson Hotels portfolio was expected to save the group, allowing it to continue with four properties.

The 37-bedroom Fowey Hotel and 58-bedroom Metropole hotel in Padstow were sold to Harbour Hotels, for a figure in excess of the joint asking price of £15.5m.

Four Richardson Hotels resorts placed on the market after administrators called in>>

Richardson Hotels goes into administration over unpaid tax bills >>

John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms in administration >>

Torquay hotel to re-brand as John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms>>

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