Top chef is forced to close the doors

MICHELIN-STARRED chef James Sommerin said he is “devastated” that he has had to close his flagship restaurant in Penarth.

The chef, pictured, confirmed the news on Twitter, saying: “As a family we’re completely devastated about the closure of the restaurant.”

There has been some concern from customers who have bought vouchers for the restaurant.

Mr Sommerin continued: “We completely understand the frustration of people with vouchers wanting an answer, please bear with us.

“We never intended for this to happen and, with six years of us building something we were so proud of, to have it taken away through no fault of our own, it’s really hard to put into words.

“To be told we used loans and grants to fund a venture which has taken two years to come to an opening stage is really upsetting.

“To be threatened with reporting to Michelin because we can’t give instant answers, I just don’t know what to say.”

A statement on the restaurant’s website says customers with vouchers for the restaurant will be contacted. It says: “We appreciate guests with vouchers want to know they can still use them. With the current climate very unknown to us all at the moment we are advising anyone with valid vouchers from 21st March that they will be contacted in due course.

“Anyone with Travelzoo vouchers we advise to contact Travelzoo for a refund as these vouchers were due to expire the week of lockdown.”

Restaurant James Sommerin in Penarth, which opened in 2014, was listed the Good Food Guide 2020 at 35, with a cooking score of seven. It is one of six Welsh restaurants given a star in the 2020 Michelin Guide.

James ran the restaurant with his wife, Louise. He has been working in restaurants since he was 12, and after building up his experience – and meeting Louise – Mr Sommerin moved back to Wales in 2000, working at the Whitebrook before obtaining his first Michelin Star in 2007.

The restaurant on Penarth esplanade shut to the public on March 21 because of lockdown restrictions.