Owen Kenworthy to reopen celebrity haunt Julie's as chef patron

Owen Kenworthy has been appointed chef patron at celebrity haunt Julie’s in London ahead of the restaurant’s reopening next spring.

The former Brawn and the Pelican chef will take the reins at Holland Park restaurant, which launched in 1967 and was frequented by guests including Paul McCartney, Kate Moss, and Tina Turner.

Julie’s closed in December 2022 after 53 years of trading when owners Timothy and Cathy Herring retired. The couple have sold the restaurant to Tara MacBain, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef.

Kenworthy was part of the opening team at the Wolseley in 2004 and later followed Chris Galvin to Bistrot De Luxe in London's Marylebone.

He opened Brawn in Bethnal Green with Ed Wilson in 2010 and was head chef for the first five years. Kenworthy has also headed up North Street Kitchen in Cornwall and opened the acclaimed Pelican pub in Notting Hill as executive chef in 2021.

His menu at Julie’s will showcase classic French regional dishes made with top-quality produce.

“I was instantly attracted to Tara’s drive and our shared passion for the reimagining of such an iconic institution,” said Kenworthy.

MacBain said she had followed Kenworthy’s career since first dining at Brawn in November 2010.

“From the moment I tasted his food I knew that he was exceptionally talented and ‘one to watch’,” she added.

“As soon as I started thinking about the culinary direction for Julie’s, I knew that Owen was the one that I wanted by my side to bring this beloved institution back to its former glory.”