Adam Byatt to open neighbourhood restaurant

Adam Byatt, head chef and proprietor of Origin Bar & Dining Room in the Hospital retail and arts centre in London, is to start up a new neighbourhood venture in south London, Caterer has learned.

Byatt, whose new restaurant is due to open at the end of the year, will remain a shareholder and director of Origin. He will also continue to work with Origin on a consultancy basis after opening his new business.

The 30-year-old chef was chef-proprietor at the successful Thyme restaurant in Clapham before moving it to central London, but has suffered a series of setbacks since relocating.

The restaurant went into receivership in July 2005, less than a year after its relocation to the Hospital in Covent Garden. Then his original partner, Adam Oates, left the business to strike out on his own, and Byatt partnered Hospital owner Paul Allen to form Origin.

Byatt has joined forces with a new financial business partner for the project. He declined to comment further.

By Emily Manson

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