Claridge's fine dining restaurant, Davies and Brook, is set to close this December following a disagreement with Michelin starred head chef Daniel Humm who was set to introduce a fully vegan menu at the restaurant. The news made headlines last week and since then both parties have stressed that the parting was amicable.
Humm's change in menu was down to his new direction towards plant-based eating, one he's looking to share through his cooking as mentioned in a recent instagram post following the news.
"Over the last 18 months I've taken time to consider what our next chapter looks like. It has never been more clear that the world is changing, and we have to change with it.
"Davies and Brook was a dream come true. My career started at Claridge's and to go back was an incredible gift. It is a beautiful restaurant, with a dedicated and passionate team led by @dmitri_magi and @annekabrooks who have won a Michelin star and numerous other accolades—and who continue to push forward even under challenging circumstances.
"The future for me is plant-based. This is our mission and what we stand by as a company, and at this time this is not the direction that @claridgeshotel feels is right for them. It is with sadness now that we've mutually announced that we will go our separate ways at the end of this year.
"Standing behind this mission, and what we believe in, is most important and is unfortunately not something we can compromise on.
"I've never been more excited about cooking in my entire career and I'm excited for all that the future holds for us."
Having started his career at Claridge's, Humm has come full circle since also running New York's entirely vegan three Michelin starred restaurant 11 Madison Park, to launch Davies and Brook in 2019. From here, Humm will continue to head up the iconic London restaurant until the end of December, after which the hotel is due to announce who will take over the space.
Claridge's said on their own website: We wish to thank Daniel Humm and his extraordinary team at Davies and Brook for what they have created here at Claridge's since they opened in 2019, gaining accolades along the way under challenging circumstances.
We completely respect and understand the culinary direction of a fully plant-based menu that Daniel has decided to embrace and champion and now wants to introduce in London. However, this is not the path we wish to follow here at Claridge's at the moment, and therefore, regretfully, we have mutually agreed to go our separate ways.
Image credit: www.claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/davies-and-brook