'Considering the challenges along the way, I would do it all again in a heartbeat': Peter Sanchez-Iglesias pays tribute to Casamia's legacy, his parents and his late brother Jonray after announcing that the restaurant will close in August

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor

Chef patron of Michelin-starred Casamia Peter Sanchez-Iglesias has published a loving tribute to the restaurant, having announced that it will be closing in August, more than two decades after his parents opened it

Faced with rapidly rising costs, the restaurant, which was relaunched under the creative direction of executive chef Zak Hitchman last year, has become "financially unviable." The plan is to reopen a "more accessible" site on the same premises later this year.

In his message, Peter thanked his mother and father, who opened Casamia in 1999, having waited for him and his brother Jonray to be old enough, "knowing how much time you have to sacrifice in order to create a successful restaurant," he said, "in order to spend quality family time on Saturdays and Sundays."

"I admire my parents so much for doing this."

'I would do it all again in a heart beat!'

The restaurant's transformation, from a trattoria serving fish, pizza and pasta, to a modern British restaurant when Peter and his brother Jonray took over in 2006 - going on to win a multitude of awards including a Michelin star and 5 AA Rosettes - to its latest iteration, he said, led him to the conclusion that "after years of forever questioning the purpose and reason for Casamia, I know now Casamia is more current than ever, a place I wanted to have pure creative freedom."

Having survived and even thrived through many ups and downs, he said, "looking back at it considering the challenges along the way, I would do it all again in a heart beat!"

The chef thanked his industry peers, guests, family and friends for their outpouring of support following yesterday's announcement, adding: "I want to thank my Mum and Dad for always believing in us and I know Jonray would be proud of what we have created to date and will continue to create in future with all the right morales in place."

"I would like to thank all team members past and present too many to list but forever grateful to have worked with each and everyone of you."

"So please do join us in the last days of celebrating the history and life of Casamia with the incredible team we have!"

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