Nuno Mendes steps away from Mãos

Chef Nuno Mendes has stepped away from Mãos, the 16-cover Michelin-starred restaurant in London’s Shoreditch he founded with James Brown two years ago.

A statement said: “Mãos co-founder James Brown would like to announce the departure of Nuno Mendes from Mãos, the restaurant they co-founded within Blue Mountain School in 2018. Mãos looks forward to continuing their success since being awarded their first Michelin star last year with executive head chef Edoardo Pellicano."

Brown added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nuno and wish him the best of luck with his ventures. We’re thrilled that Edoardo Pellicano, who has been with us since we opened and has led the kitchen creatively since early 2019, will continue to push the project alongside his talented kitchen team, our original front of house team and general manager Alex Casey.”

Mendes set up Mãos in 2018, bringing in Pellicano and Casey who had worked with him at Viajante in Bethnal Green's Town Hall hotel until its closure in 2014.

At the time he said that Maos was set up with a mission to “redefine the traditional restaurant experience” within the six-story townhouse in Shoreditch.

The restaurant, which won a Michelin star in the 2020 guide, serves up to 16 guests a £170 menu with one service in the week and two on Saturday's, creating an experience more akin to a supper club than restaurant.

Mendes said that he would continue to split his time between Chiltern Firehouse, where he serves as executive chef, and the Bairro Alto hotel in Lisbon, where he is food and beverage creative director.