Mark Sargeant to step away from Rocksalt due to ‘unresolvable differences of opinion'

Chef Mark Sargeant has announced he is stepping away from the Rocksalt Group due to "unresolvable differences of opinion" between him and business partner Josh De Haan.

Posting on Instagram, he said: "I would like to let you all know and with a heavy heart, that due to unresolvable differences of opinion between my business partner and I we both feel that it's time to go our separate ways.

"I shall be moving on to pastures new but the businesses will all continue as normal. It's been the most incredible 12 years building this mini empire and I am very sad to move on but the time has come for me to find a new challenge."

Sargeant once held a stake in the Kent-based group and until recently continued to work with it on a consultancy basis. Josh De Haan is the son of Roger De Haan, who ran the Folkestone-based Saga group alongside his brother Peter until he sold it in 2004 to a management buyout for £1.35b.

The Rocksalt Group's portfolio includes Rocksalt, the Pilot, Little Rock and the Smokehouse in Folkestone; the Duke William at Ickham; the Wife of Bath in Wye; the Five Bells at Brabourne; the Radnor Arms in Folkestone; and the Woolpack Inn at Warehorne.

Rocksalt, which opened in 2011, was Sargeant's first solo venture, having worked for Gordon Ramsay in London in a number of roles, including as head chef of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's. Sargeant was in charge of the restaurant when it won Michelin star in 2002.

Earlier this year, accusations emerged of Sargeant sexually assaulting an American Airlines employee. The chef denied sexual assault but apologised for behaviour he said showed a "lack of respect".