Larkin Cen parts ways with Celtic Manor

Chef Larkin Cen's contract to operate his restaurant at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport has "not been renewed by mutual consent".

As a result, Cen at the five-AA-star, 334-bedroom resort has been replaced with a new but similar Asian food concept, Pad.

Cen will instead focus on expanding his Woky Ko concept, his casual restaurant and takeaway concept which launched at Bristol's Cargo in Wapping Wharf in 2016 and is set to open a third site in Bristol this month.

A joint statement from Cen and the Celtic Manor Resort said: "The contract between Larkin Cen and the Celtic Manor resort to operate Cen restaurant at the Manor House has expired after a two-year term and has not been renewed by mutual consent…

"The Celtic Manor resort team of chefs, which has developed dishes alongside Larkin at Cen restaurant, has refined a similar menu featuring fresh, contemporary Asian cuisine at its new Pad restaurant in the same space at the Manor House.

"The Celtic Manor Resort would like to thank Larkin for his culinary innovation and the successful partnership that has been enjoyed for two years at Cen restaurant. The resort wishes Larkin every success with his exciting restaurant ventures in the future.

"Larkin Cen would like to thank the Celtic Manor Resort for providing the perfect location for his first restaurant project and the support of the resort's experienced and talented team."

Former lawyer Cen opened the 100-cover Cen restaurant in 2016. Following a refurbishment of the space, it took over the site of Le Patio bistro and joined the resort's portfolio of seven restaurants.

which went into administration in 2016.

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