Chef April Lily Partridge departs the Ledbury

April Lily Partridge, winner of the 2023 Roux Scholarship, has left the Ledbury in London to embark on her “next chapter”.

The former sous chef at the three Michelin-starred restaurant announced the news on Instagram but has yet to confirm her next move.

She said: “The Ledbury – a huge chapter in my life and my career. I’ve grown a lot from the chef and person that first walked through the doors all those years ago and I’m proud to have been a small part of the Ledbury story.

“I’ve worked with incredible chefs who have become friends for life, learnt life lessons and leave a stronger cook than when I first began. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way, most importantly Bretto [Brett Graham], who taught me not just about how to cook with heart, but how important it is to be a good person, to care about suppliers, to go the extra mile with hospitality, and to be kind even when things are tough.”

She added: “No one has impacted me more in my career than him and I hope to take the Ledbury spirit with me along the rest of my life. Here’s to the next chapter. It’s been one hell of a journey.”

Partridge is a former winner of the Springboard FutureChef competition and a recipient of a 2022 Acorn Award.

Over the years she has worked at the Ivy in London’s West End, the Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow, as well as the Clove Club and Alyn Williams at the Westbury. She joined the Ledbury just before the start of the pandemic in 2020.

In April last year, she won the 2023 Roux Scholarship on her first attempt and became the competition’s second female winner. 

Partridge was also part of the team that led the Ledbury to three Michelin stars earlier this year.