Shock as Terre chef steps down from two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Castlemarter Resort
During his time there, Frenchman Vincent Crepel guided the restaurant to first one, then two Michelin stars in just 18 months.
In a statement, Crepel said: 'Building Terre has been one of the most beautiful and meaningful journeys of my career. We created more than a restaurant, we shaped a space with soul, purpose, and intention. I'm profoundly grateful to those who stood beside me, to every guest who crossed our threshold, and to the remarkable suppliers whose craft helped bring our vision to life. I carry it all forward with me.'
With so much investment pumped into the hotel in recent years under a new ownership regime, including a substantial financial commitment to creating the Terre restaurant in a 17th century manor house on the estate, it will be viewed as a matter of extreme urgency to ensure a seamless succession in the kitchen with Crepel slated to step down at the end of September although the hotel management is currently remaining tight-lipped on future plans.
General Manager of Castlemartyr Resort, Brendan Comerford said: 'Vincent has played a pivotal role in shaping the identity and success of Terre. His creativity, precision, and leadership helped the restaurant reach an exceptional milestone. We thank him for his contribution and wish him the very best for what lies ahead.'
The hotel had been purchased in 2021 for €20m by Singapore-based Stanley Quek and Peng Loh whose international hospitality portfolio also includes Sheen Falls Lodge, in Co Kerry, and Trinity Townhouse, in Dublin. The new owners' plan for a radical upgrade also involved a new in-house restaurant targeting a highly ambitious two Michelin Stars at first time of asking which saw Crepel installed as chef-patron when Terre opened in September 2022.
Under Crepel, Terre received its second Michelin star just 18 months after first opening
It is not uncommon for high-end hotels to target a Michelin star for an in-house restaurant as part of the overall business model, the better to attract custom to the hotel. Cashel Palace Hotel in Co Tipperary is the most recent luxury Irish hotel to receive a Michelin star, joining Adare Manor, Cliff House Hotel, Ballyfin Demesne, Mount Juliet Estate and Restaurant Patrick Guildbaud (two stars) at Dublin's Merrion Hotel.
But eyebrows were most certainly raised at the extent of the ambition for Castlemartyr Resort in 2022 when Crepel was first unveiled and revealed the plan was to aim for two stars in the esteemed guide at the first time of asking, a rare feat indeed anywhere in the world of fine dining, though the late Aimsir restaurant, in Co Kildare, debuted at two stars in 2019, just two months after opening.
While there are currently 18 one Michelin star restaurants in Ireland, there are just five Michelin two starred restaurants, including Terre, and, as yet, no Michelin three starred restaurants, and Crepel was to be disappointed when his first shot at the stated target fell short with just one Michelin star awarded to Terre at the awards ceremony in March 2023.
However, Crepel's fusion of French and Asian influences brought to bear on a judicious combination of Irish and imported produce hit the magic formula at the second time of asking when Terre received its second Michelin star just 18 months after first opening.
As it was a stated ambition from the off, it is to be presumed the Castlemartyr Resort owners will be very keen to ensure both Michelin Stars are retained and while chef Josef Zammit successfully ensured the Cliff House Hotel retained its star at the last time of asking when he took over from departing head chef Tony Parkin, there are no immediately obvious Irish-based candidates to ensure a transition that sees Terre retaining both stars so they may well now be looking abroad for Crepel's successor.
However, the identity of Crepel's successor will remain unknown for the moment as, when asked about a succession plan for Terre, the response from hotel management was 'no further comment at this time.'
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