BBC chef abruptly shuts Michelin-rated bistro despite it being crowned ‘restaurant of the year' in prestigious awards
Despite claiming 'Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year' at the Prestige Wales Awards in 2023, the Michelin -rated eatery is shutting its doors.
3
3
Sheeps and Leeks on Stryd Y Porth Mawr/Eastgate Street in Caernarfon is shutting shop.
The acclaimed restaurant was opened by chef Paul Hearn back in 2019 and made the Michelin Guide.
The ground floor kitchen and basement restaurant - which boasted just six tables - has announced plans to close next month.
In a heartfelt statement, Head chef Paul, who appeared on Chris Cooks Cymru on BBC iPlayer, announced on Instagram: "It's with heavy hearts that we share the news that Sheeps And Leeks will be closing its doors at 12 Eastgate Street after our final service on Thursday 31st July.
"This has been an incredibly difficult decision, driven by ever-rising costs that are set to continue.
"But please know — this is not necessarily the end of Sheeps And Leeks.
"The brand will live on, with plans for pop-ups, a food range, and the possibility of finding a new home at another site in the future.
"We're so proud of everything we've achieved at this site over the last six years — from multiple awards to the wonderful memories created with all of you, our amazing guests, supporters, and friends.
"A huge thank you to all of our staff, past and present — you've been part of this epic journey and helped shape Sheeps And Leeks into what it became."
The emotional post concluded: "I'm deeply grateful to my friends and family who gave up their time and energy to help get the restaurant off the ground — I couldn't have done it without you.
Michelin-starred chef is ELECTROCUTED & has arm amputated
"We encourage our fellow foodies to use any outstanding gift cards between now and our final service."
He confirmed: "Any gift cards that are still valid as of today's date will be fully reimbursed if not redeemed."
Foodie fans commented on the post: "Oh I'm absolutely gutted for you all. Even though I've only had the pleasure of dining with you a couple of times, it's definitely one of the best places to eat in North Wales. No doubt you'll smash the pop-ups. Best of luck to the team!"
A second fan wrote: "Oh that is such sad news. We have had some of our best dining experiences in north Wales with you and loved meeting others doing the same."
A third penned: "Absolutely devastated for you guys. What an amazing experience you all had created. But talent never goes away, I look forward to what you come up with next."
"So sad to read this - we had the pleasure of dining with you last month and were just blown away by not only the fabulous food but also your staff and the whole concept of what you have created at Sheep's & Leeks," agreed another.
"That is the saddest thing. We've been a few times and it has been an extraordinary experience every visit," commended a fifth fan.
The news comes after another Michelin-starred chef has closed his beloved restaurant dubbed one of the best in Britain after just four years.
Adam Handling has also revealed that his restaurant Ugly Butterfly at Carbis Bay Hotel in Cornwall will close later this month.
3
Why celeb restaurants go bust
By Paul Lochhead, Managing Director of Drinkstuff
THE recent wave of celebrity chef restaurant closures can indeed be attributed to several factors, with the pandemic being a significant one.
The hospitality industry, particularly high-end restaurants, faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Restrictions on dining, a shift to takeaways, and the need for social distancing significantly reduced footfall and revenue for these establishments.
However, the impact goes beyond the pandemic. High-end restaurants operate on a model that requires substantial overheads—premium locations, top-quality ingredients, and skilled staff.
With the economic uncertainty and a change in consumer behaviour post-pandemic, there's been a shift in dining preferences. Many diners are now seeking more casual, value-driven experiences, which puts pressure on the viability of luxury dining.
Moreover, for celebrity chefs, these ventures are often passion projects rather than primary revenue sources.
If a restaurant isn't performing well, it may not be worth the continued investment, especially when compared to the other income streams they have, such as media appearances, books, and endorsements.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Great British Bake Off future of hosts and judges confirmed as Prue Leith is missing from the new trailer
Great British Bake Off is gearing up for its return - but one familiar face is noticeably absent from its brand-new trailer. The much-loved baking competition has become an autumn TV tradition, drawing in millions each year for a mix of spectacular showstoppers and kitchen disasters. With the next series just weeks from hitting screens, Channel 4 has dropped a first look at the action inside the famous white tent, unveiling the official host and judge line-up. However, Prue Leith, a long-standing member of the judging panel, is nowhere to be seen in the teaser. In the latest Great British Bake Off's trailer, Joe Wilkinson takes on the role of the narrator, which features a space-themed twist. The clip shows baking ingredients floating through space before hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond appear as animated characters. joe can be heard joking: 'From it grew life, intelligent life, adorned in knitwear and leopard print.' Inspired by the Big Bang, the trailer replaces dust and gas with an explosion of flour, sugar and cakes, ending with the image of judge Paul Hollywood's blue eye. While Prue does not feature in the trailer, though Channel 4 has confirmed she will be part of the new series. They said: 'As the ovens fire up and a new batch of bakers steps into the iconic tent to face Paul and Prue, audiences can expect all the classic ingredients - warmth, humour, creativity, and just the right amount of competition. 'This autumn, let the universe of Bake Off pull you in once again. Because, as the trail says, once there was nothing, and then there was Bake Off.' This year's series doesn't yet have a confirmed release date, but it has been teased as 'soon'. Prue's absence from the trailer comes weeks after speculation from fans about her future on the show. She's been at the helm of Great British Bake Off since 2017, but earlier this year, she said this year's series could be her last. The 85-year-old told The Mail on Sunday she was 'very keen' to step away from the popular Channel 4 show before she was pushed, and 'might stop next year'. The filming schedule, which involves long hours under the summer sun at Welford Park in Berkshire, is taking its toll on the television chef. She said: 'I'm doing this year's Bake Off, and I don't know if this will be my last. I've got to stop some time, so I might stop next year. 'I thought I'd just see how I go this year, because I definitely feel a bit older this year than I did last year. 'Things like getting out of a chair takes me longer than it used to. I don't like big steps without a handrail. None of these things worried me two years ago – I could run upstairs – and so I'm very keen to leave Bake Off before I'm asked to leave. 'But on the other hand, I really enjoy it.' Prue is also a co-host of US spin-off The Great American Baking Show, and is weighing up leaving that programme too. She took over the role of judge on the competition in 2017, when Dame Mary Berry, 89, stood down. The star has also outlasted the programme's hosts Sandi Toksvig, 66, who co-presented the show from 2017 to 2019, and Matt Lucas, 50, who served from 2020 to 2022.
Telegraph
2 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Word ‘Jewish' ripped from comedian's posters at the Edinburgh Fringe
A comedian has claimed the word 'Jewish' was burned from posters advertising her Edinburgh Fringe show. Earlier in the festival Rachel Creeger had one show cancelled over alleged staff concerns about potential security risks. Ms Creeger was offered the chance to perform at another venue, Hoots, and posters were put out advertising her show, Ultimate Jewish Mother. The word 'Jewish' appears to have been deliberately burned on outdoor posters, rendering the 'Jew' illegible. She posted on Instagram: 'Overnight, vandals burned out the word Jew out of the signage outside my lovely venue. I am not going to let this break me, but I am not going to lie, it's a tough day.' The vandalism marks the latest in a string of controversies at the Fringe, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In July, Ms Creeger and Philip Simon were set to perform at the Whistlebinkies venue in Edinburgh. However, they claimed they were informed that their gigs would be cancelled after bar staff at the venue expressed fears of feeling 'unsafe'. It was claimed that the concerns were raised after an announcement that the venue would receive extra police supervision amid continued worries over the safety of Jewish acts. Days later, having found an alternative venue, Mr Simon was cancelled again, barred from the Banshee Labyrinth pub because of alleged 'rhetoric and symbology' linked to Israel. One reason cited by the venue for cancelling his show, Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way?, was his attendance at a vigil for people killed in the 2023 Hamas terror attacks. He said of the incident: 'I am still processing the concept that in 2025 I can be cancelled just for being Jewish. In the meantime, I will still be at the Fringe for my one remaining children's show and continue to investigate possible alternative venues for both of my cancelled shows.' It is understood that the alleged vandalism has been reported to Police Scotland.
Telegraph
2 minutes ago
- Telegraph
France ‘wanted its citizens to see Bayeux Tapestry for free at British Museum'
France reportedly demanded that its citizens be allowed to see the Bayeux Tapestry for free or at a discount when it goes on display at the British Museum next year. Last month, The Telegraph revealed that a deal had been reached for the 900-year-old textile artwork depicting the Norman Conquest of 1066 to be loaned to the British Museum French officials lobbied for their compatriots to be allowed to visit the London display for free, according to the Financial Times, but officials close to negotiations thought the idea was a 'try-on' and 'never going to happen'. French museums do not typically provide free entry in France itself. In return for the tapestry, George Osborne, the British Museum chairman, agreed to loan the Anglo-Saxon treasures of the Sutton Hoo burial, and the medieval Lewis Chessmen. French officials are said to have initially wanted to borrow the Rosetta Stone, arguably the most popular item in the British Museum's collection. The museum did not wish to part with the 2,100-year-old Ancient Egyptian artefact, and this idea fell by the wayside. The Rosetta Stone was discovered by French forces in 1799 during Napoleon's campaign in Egypt. It was being used by the local population to bolster a wall. The stone was seized by the British, at war with France at the time. Its inscription, deciphered by Jean-François Champollion, a French orientalist, showed scholars how to read Ancient Egyptian texts. The stone may have fitted with Emmanuel Macron's plans for the Bayeux Tapestry exchange, which is intended to demonstrate the bonds between Britain and France and a new spirit of co-operation. The tapestry is likely to bring in crowds comparable to the most popular shows in the British Museum 's history, which drew hundreds of thousands of visitors. A British Museum spokesman said: 'As our chairman George Osborne has said, this will be the blockbuster show of our generation. This is an object of such historical significance for the UK that we want as many people as possible to have the chance to see it.' The deal on the tapestry, which is to be moved next year, came after plans first announced in 2018 by Theresa May, the prime minister at the time. She hoped to secure a loan for the tapestry, but this was repeatedly put off because of concerns over the delicate condition of the embroidery and the risk of moving it.
