Elystan Street head chef leaves over 'professional difference of opinion'

Elystan Street head chef Toby Burrowes has left the London restaurant due to what he described as "a professional difference of opinion".

Writing on Instagram, the chef, who moved with Phil Howard from the Square to open Elystan Street in 2016, said: "Well the time has come, I have stepped down as head chef at Elystan Street, due to a professional difference of opinion."

He went on to thank Elystan Street chef-patron Phil Howard and his colleagues.

Burrowes added: "I’d like to thank @philchef for taking me in straight off the boat and under his wing at The Square all those years ago, and for choosing me as the only one he took with him to @elystanstreet to open it.

"I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without him and we have some brilliant memories, best of my life...SO FAR!! And the team, they were the back bone, the operators! so a huge thank you past and present.

"As it stands I’m taking a short break from the stoves and I’ll be looking to step into something where I can spread my wings under my own name."

Elystan Street opened was opened by Phil Howard and Rebecca Mascarenhas in 2016, winning a Michelin star in 2017 which it has retained since.