Two prominent independent restaurants have announced their permanent closure – Le Cochon Aveugle in York and House of Feasts in Peterborough – highlighting the struggles faced by the industry since lockdown was lifted.
Le Cochon Aveugle (pictured above) was opened in 2014 and serves only a ‘blind’ tasting menu to just five tables. The current Harden’s 2022 Guide awards it the top score of 5 for food, praising its “stunning dishes with incredible flavours, beautifully presented”.
Chef-patron Josh Overington, whose wife Victoria looks after the front of house and wine, has announced it will serve its last meals on Saturday 26 November. Its offshoot wine bar and pizzeria, Cave du Cochon, will remain open and switch to a seven-day operation, meaning no staff will lose their jobs.
Josh said: “This hasn’t been an easy decision to make but the time has come for us to look at some new opportunities which have come our way. We have had an amazing time running Le Cochon Aveugle over the past eight years and achieved more than we could have hoped for.
“We are so grateful for all our team, both past and present, dedicated suppliers and especially our incredible guests, all of whom have supported us since day one and have helped make Le Cochon Aveugle such a success. We hope that they will continue to do that in our future ventures.”
Meanwhile, Polish chef Damian Wawryzniak has announced the closure of House of Feasts, his gastropub in the village of Eye outside Peterborough, unless it is saved by a “miracle”. He has set up a GoFundMe page to raise £50,000 to ensure staff and suppliers are all paid.
He said: “2022 was supposed to be a new start and the beginning of going back to normal service. Unfortunately rising costs of ingredients, costs of energy, gas and staffing issues have made it hard to continue our culinary journey. The last three months were worst in sales since opening…
“Closing my restaurant is the toughest decision I have ever made. Unfortunately there is no other way to continue this journey with rising living costs, price of goods and the holiday season. We just cannot continue and will serve our last customers on Sunday 21st August.”
