MasterChef: The Professionals winner Laurence Henry leaves Nottingham restaurant

MasterChef: the Professionals winner Laurence Henry has left his role at Nottingham’s Island Quarter development to focus on new projects.

Henry, who won the 2018 edition of the BBC cooking show, oversaw the kitchen at the Cleaver & Wake restaurant.

He had played a key role in the development of the hospitality offering at the canal-side project over the past three years.

Writing on Instagram, Henry said: “It’s been one hell of a chapter...but now it’s time for a new one!

“I’ve loved working on this immense project for the last three years, helping create 1 the Island Quarter from the ground up (literally!). I’ve learnt so much, met some amazing people & had fun along the way. It certainly hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of what the teams have achieved.

“Whilst this project has been amazing, it has run its course for me! I’ve decided to leave the Island Quarter to tackle my next challenge & open somewhere that’s truly mine.

“For now, I’m focusing on my proudest achievement to date, being a dad, and my next big project in 2024.”

Henry trained at Ashburton Chefs Academy and won the BBC cooking competition aged just 25 when he was sous chef at Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham.