One of Gordon Ramsay’s star chefs is to open his own restaurant at the site of the old Le Gavroche in Mayfair, the Standard has been told.
Matt Abé, chef patron at the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and former head chef at Ramsay’s crown jewel, is leaving his role to take on the 43 Upper Brook Street site.
Ramsay has secured a 15-year lease on the property, where Abé will open his first solo venture later this year.
It marks something of a homecoming for Ramsay, who cooked at Gavroche under the late Albert Roux before going on to work for Marco Pierre White at Harvey’s in Wandsworth.
Ramsay said: “Le Gavroche holds some incredible memories from my early career. When I heard the property was going to be available, it felt like the right moment to support Matt and come full circle with a restaurant that I loved so much.
“It has been incredible watching Matt grow throughout the 18 years we have worked together. He is such a talent and now is absolutely the right time for him to take this next step in his career.”
Speaking exclusively to the Standard, Ramsay added: “I’m delighted for Matt. You spend around 10 years mentoring these incredible chefs and then it’s all about timing, it was the same when I helped Clare Smyth open her first restaurant, Core. The timing has to be right, and Matt is absolutely ready to make his mark with his own restaurant.”
Gavroche closed after 56 years in January 2024. Michel Roux, who called time after 30 years in charge of the kitchen, still owns the name — though is still missing a silver frog ornament, which was stolen weeks before the closure — and so Abé will be starting afresh at the restaurant in a new guise.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Abé said. “After 16 years at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, I’m ready to grow my ambition and open my own restaurant.
“I am grateful to Gordon for his support, the faith he has shown in me, and I am incredibly excited about this huge opportunity.”
Abé will continue to consult for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and more information about the concept, name, menu and opening date will be announced soon. “This is now Matt’s story to tell,” Ramsay told the Standard. “And I’m sure [there will be] more news soon.”
