Masterchef star suddenly closes down top-rated restaurant after five years – but teases ‘new opportunities’ to come
A MASTERCHEF star has suddenly closed down her highly-rated restaurant but reassured food fans of an "exciting new opportunity" to come.
Elizabeth Cottam gained fame after becoming a semi-finalist on MasterChef in 2016.
She founded top food spot The Owl in Leeds, along with Michelin-starred head chef and business partner Mark Owens in 2019.
But a notice on its website announced it is shutting down.
It read: "We've loved every minute of the past five years, and now it's time to make space for something new.
"At the end of this month, The Owl will be closing its doors. Mark Owens, who’s been leading our kitchen serving some of the best food in the city is off to an exciting new opportunity—and with that change, chef Liz Cottam has decided it’s time for a fresh new chapter for our beautiful dockside space.
"We’ll be revealing more about what’s next very soon!
"From our early days in Kirkgate Market, to delivering dine-at-home boxes during lockdown, to sunny lunches by the water—thank you for being part of the journey. We've loved every minute of the past five years, and now it's time to make space for something new."
Located on Mustard Wharf in Leeds, Yorkshire, The Owl served dishes "celebrating British produce".
The menu included smoked venison tartare, cauliflower risotto, and BBQ pork.
It changed on a monthly basis, and customers could choose from a range of options.
They could choose a three-course lunch menu priced at £30 per person, or either a five or 10-course tasting menu for £50 and £70.
The move comes after the owners of vegan food spot No. Twelve also decided to change direction earlier this year.
Co-owner of the Nottingham-based spot Ritchie Stainsby starred in MasterChef: The Professionals but said "everything is up in the air" regarding the shock move.
Last year, MasterChef winner Stu Deeley also announced the closure of his award-winning eatery Smoke, in Hampton Manor, Birmingham.
After three years, he told fans "it's time to move on".
Yet another Michelin-hailed restaurant owned by a beloved MasterChef star closed its doors in January.
Tom Kitchin was a guest star on the show and was forced to shut down his restaurant two years after it opened in what was a "difficult decision".
