Tom Aikens closes Tom's Kitchen

Chef Tom Aikens has closed Tom’s Kitchen restaurant in Chelsea, blaming challenging market conditions, and staff and skills shortages.

Aikens said in a statement: “It is with regret that I confirm the closure of Tom’s Kitchen Chelsea, as of 2 January 2020. Extremely challenging market conditions, coupled with staff and skills shortages, unfortunately meant that it was no longer viable to continue trading.

“Whilst this is obviously very sad news for myself and all involved in the business, I am hugely proud of everything that we have achieved over the 14 years since opening Tom's Kitchen on Cale Street in 2006.”

Aikens opened Muse, his 25-cover fine dining restaurant in London’s Belgravia, earlier this month.

He said: “I believe this [Muse] is a restaurant that responds to both the opportunities and challenges of today's restaurant industry and also makes sense for me professionally, after having decided to pause the fine dining offering five years ago.”

Aikens continues to run Pots, Pans and Boards in Dubai and three outlets at the Abu Dhabi Edition, and is opening a restaurant and deli in Doha opening later this year.