Chantelle Nicholson to leave Tredwells – something new is in the works

Chantelle Nicholson has revealed she will be departing Tredwells, in Covent Garden, after seven years. The chef took full ownership in 2018, having previously run the restaurant for a bigger group, but had little over a year operating as an independent business before the pandemic hit.

Nicholson told CODE she first put the restaurant up for assignment in 2019. After a year of running Tredwells her way, she realised her ethos “had changed” and, as a chef, she had “morphed into something else”.

“Having that independence showed me what I really wanted to do, and my plans changed,” Nicholson explained. “It’s a great site and I had a good run at Tredwells. I’m leaving in a positive way but leaving has been on the cards for a long time.

“Tredwells is very big. I wanted something smaller – I don’t want to do 350 covers a day. There’s a new operator going in and I’m sure what happens next will be great.”

Nicholson said she has fresh plans to do “something more aligned with my values”, though couldn’t say more. Details are sparse because nothing has yet been agreed or announced. What we do know is after her first holiday in a very long time, she’ll be back, with a concept that better represents her as a chef and businesswoman.

Nicholson told CODE: “Something will happen early next year, potentially. It will be something more aligned with what I want to do. There’ll be an announcement but I can’t say anything now.

“My team will be coming with me – at least all who want to. There’s a bit of a gap in between so some might go off and do other things. I’m going to have a holiday for the first time in a long time, and see some suppliers.

“I’m excited about what’s happening next for me and for Tredwells. It’s nice to be able to hand it on to someone. It’s a great site.”

Nicholson’s last service at Tredwells will be on September 24. If her new place is anything like her pop-up plant-focused fixture All’s Well, which she ran in East London for a time late last year, the UK stands to gain an excellent new restaurant.

To read more industry news click here