BBC Saturday Kitchen star abruptly SHUTS Michelin-starred restaurant after 8 ‘unforgettable' years of trading

Scottish Sun

09-05-2025

The heartbroken chef said the popular spot was 'more than a restaurant', adding: 'It was a piece of me.'
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A BBC Saturday Kitchen star has abruptly shut his Michelin-starred restaurant after eight "unforgettable" years of trading.
The chef said the posh modern British joint was his "dream" and thanked customers for "living it with me".
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Paul Foster is a regular fixture on Saturday Kitchen with James Martin
Credit: X/@PaulFosterchef
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Salt, in Stratford-upon-Avon, served up modern British dishes featuring seasonal ingredients
Credit: Instagram/@salt_dining
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Salt was the first restaurant in Stratford to win a Michelin star
Credit: Instagram/@paulfosterchef
Salt, by Paul Foster, was the first restaurant in Stratford-upon-Avon, West Midlands, to win a coveted star - and also held three AA Rosettes.
Coventry-born Paul honed his craft at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Oxfordshire, the French Laundry in California, the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham.
In 2017, he opened Salt, after raising £100,00 via a Kickstarter campaign.
Meanwhile, Paul has been a regular fixture on British TV screens - from the Great British Menu to Saturday Kitchen and James Martin's Saturday morning show.
In a statement shared on Instagram on Thursday, Paul shared that Salt had shut its doors for good.
He wrote: "After eight years that's it folks. Salt was more than a restaurant. It was a piece of me.
"Thank you to everyone who made it unforgettable. Salt was my dream. Thank you for living it with me!"
The chef added that he would be providing further details on the closure on the next episode of his podcast, The Nightcap.
Salt was known for its seasonal British dishes - featuring stuffed chickens, Cornish cod, and Yorkshire strawberries.
The beloved restaurant also inspired a cookbook of the same name in 2018, which sold out.
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He later released a second edition of the book, with a foreword by two Michelin-starred Sat Bains.
In 2023, Paul expanded his restaurant portfolio with GrassFed, a steak-focused restaurant in London - which closed after less than a year.
After the news of Salt's abrupt closure, loyal customers rushed to share their disappointment.
One wrote: "I'll be sad not to come in and visit."
Another echoed: "Big loss for Stratford."
Others, however, were quick to reassure the chef, with messages of encouragement.
One said: "We just cannot wait to see what you get up to next!"
And a second wrote: "That chef was one hell of an achievement. Be very proud."
It comes just days after Masterchef finalist Andy Oliver announced that his popular Thai restaurant, Som Saa in east London, was temporarily closing after a shock fire.
In a joint statement with co-owner Mark Dobbie, Andy said: "Sad news: Yesterday we had a fire our kitchen extraction system.
"It got bad quickly, and we had to evacuate.
"All the team are safe and well, but we have significant damage to repair and a large clean-up to do."
The duo thanked fire services for "saving the day" but admitted they didn't "yet know when we can reopen".
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
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Paul honed his craft at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Oxfordshire
Credit: Instagram/@paulfosterchef