Joshua Hunter to close Hawthorn

Chef Joshua Hunter has revealed he will be closing his restaurant Hawthorn in Kew after a year and a half of trading due to “current market conditions”.

The restaurant opened in February 2023, taking over the site of Nigel Platts-Martin and Bruce Poole’s Glasshouse, which closed in September 2022 after 23 years.  

Hunter had previously worked at London’s Murano and La Trompette, which is owned by Platts-Martin and Poole, prior to launching Hawthorn.

Soon after its opening, Grace Dent hailed Hawthorn as “probably one of the restaurants for the year” in The Guardian, while The Caterer paid a visit for a Menuwatch last July.

It was also listed in the Michelin Guide for its “generous cooking, fed by ingredients that change with the seasons”.

Posting the news on Instagram, Hunter said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I am announcing that we will be closing Hawthorn at the end of the month. Unfortunately, after much consideration, we don’t feel it’s possible to continue trading given the current market conditions. I sincerely hope that with time, our local high streets will return to their former glory but as it currently stands, continuing to trade just isn’t sustainable.

“None of this would be possible without my phenomenal team, to whom I am exceptionally grateful for their tireless hard work and support. We’re a small team with no financial backing that took on a huge challenge in opening a fully independent, local neighbourhood restaurant and I will look back with immense pride at what we achieved together.”

Hunter added he will continue to work with the team at Restaurant Joshua Hunter at Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds in Northwood, stressing: “This isn’t the end of the road – I look forward to a bright future and hopefully, seeing you all again soon.”

Hawthorn will hold its final service on 30 June.

Image: Tim Green