Marcus Wareing is to close his flagship restaurant Marcus at the Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge after 20 years. In a joint announcement, the high-profile chef and the luxury hotel described the decision as mutual. The last service will be on Boxing Day, 26 December. 

Marcus, who is 53, said: “It’s now time for me to move on. I am not retiring quite yet, though – not at all. I’m ready for a new and exciting chapter to begin. I will update on our plans for 2024 in due course.” 

The restaurant opened in 2003 as Petrus, part of the Gordon Ramsay empire with Marcus as head chef. The two chefs fell out in 2007, with Gordon taking the Petrus name to a new site in Mayfair and Marcus retaining the restaurant under his own name.  

The venue was a hit with diners, topping the Harden’s survey of London restaurants in both 2008 and 2009. In the current Harden’s guide, it still wins praise for its “beautifully well-judged and thought out” cooking and “wonderfully attentive and warm” service. 

Lancashire-born Wareing has published nine books and established a successful career in television with two series to his name. The closure of his venue at the Berkeley follows the closure of his other restaurants, Gilbert Scott and Tredwells – meaning he may have no restaurant to his name in the new year.  

Meanwhile, the management of the Berkeley say they will announce the new direction of their prime restaurant site in due course.