Chef George Ryle is leaving the Garden Museum Cafe to start his own Yorkshire restaurant
After five years, head chef George Ryle is set to leave his position at Garden Cafe at Lambeth’s Garden Museum
Departing next month, George has plans to move back to Yorkshire - his home county - to complete his dream of opening his own restaurant.
He has been head chef at the Garden Cafe since 2017 and was responsible for the launch of the new look cafe/restaurant with his friend and fellow chef Harry Kaufman following the refurbishment of the museum.
George took the lead on the menu when Harry left in January 2020. The Garden Cafe is now firmly on London's food map and is renowned for George's laidback ingredient-led cooking style. He champions British produce, seasonality and sustainability in his dishes.
Along with that he also wrote and self-published his own cookbook ‘The Garden Cafe: A Year in the Kitchen’ early this year.
Regarding his time at the Garden Cafe, George said: "I feel incredibly proud of what has been achieved at the Garden Museum since I opened the cafe with Harry back in 2017. Back then, we saw an opportunity to do something super exciting in a really unique space and in the five years that followed, through a combination of hard work, great food and talented people, I believe we have created something very special.
"Myself and my family are excited to be making a move back up to Yorkshire. It’s been a tough decision, and there will certainly be a hint of sadness at leaving the cafe. But after five years as Head Chef, it feels like the right time to make a move and pursue my ambition to open my own restaurant in my hometown."
He also said: "I want to thank Christopher and the whole team at the Garden Museum for giving me the opportunity to do my own thing in the kitchen, and hope that anybody who’s eaten with us over the last five years has enjoyed the experience. I feel confident I am leaving the cafe in the best shape possible for someone else to continue its evolution as one of London's best restaurants.”
Director of The Garden Museum, Christopher Woodward, said: “We’d like to offer a huge thank you to George for all he’s achieved at the Garden Cafe. From humble beginnings back in 2017, he’s firmly put the cafe on the London restaurant map, with his simple, delicious dishes, and for that we will always be grateful. We wish him all the best for his new venture in Yorkshire, where I am sure he will make a very positive mark.”
Applications for new head chef are open now.
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