Sven Hanson-Britt: 'I’ve tried everything in my power to save the restaurant'

Chef Founder, Sven Hanson-Britt, has announced the closure of  his debut London restaurant Oxeye.

The restaurant opened it's doors in 2021 but the former Masterchef: The Professionals winner has posted on social media that 'it's the end' for Oxeye.

He said: "I’ve tried everything in my power to save the restaurant, to keep fighting, to regain control, to fundraise, to remodel, to regroup, to reimagine, to restructure, but nothing could be done for my first restaurant and my third baby.

"I poured my whole heart into that space and I’m so, so grateful to all those that came through the doors - both sides of the pass. I’m absolutely confident, especially in the latter days, that the guests we welcomed received the best hospitality imaginable and undeniably, some of the best food in London, all from a hungry, dynamic and beautiful team."

He added: "I will forever be grateful for the hard work, the blood, sweat & tears, and the joy that was had in that space. The closure weighs heavy on my shoulders and in my heart. And it will for sometime. If you feel like you’re owed something from Oxeye, then someone should be in contact soon. I’ve been awol for a while coming to terms with everything, but as anyone who’s been through something similar knows, and is similarly inclined, the only way to move forward is to keep ramblin’ on.

"I always want to do everything with an honest heart, a kind perspective and a vision to change the world. I’m still working on that. This challenge will only make me a better husband, a better dad, a better employer, a better chef and a better hospitalitarian. I’m not sure what the next step is for me. I would love to carry on the Oxeye journey but perhaps now is a time for stability?

"Anyone that really knows me will know that it’s the risks, the relentless push, the new project, the glint in my eye when someone has a new “idea” that really gets me going. There will be something new coming, hopefully soon, for now I just need to say goodbye to Oxeye 1.0. Soon I will be ready to add something a bit more interesting to the staid & vapid restaurant scene that London is currently plagued with. I’m sorry to all those I’ve let down. I’m so so grateful to all those I’ve met along the way 🤍 thank you for your continued support."

Sven trained as a chef at Bournemouth and Poole College as one of their Specialised Chef Apprentices, run by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts. He completed his apprenticeship at The Ritz.