Monday Bulletin: The Knave of Clubs and Great British Menu’s new judge

Catch up on the latest industry news stories of the week from the CODE Bulletin

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The Knave of Clubs

A newly formed hospitality group has taken over the Knave of Clubs pub in Shoreditch, a 150-year-old premises that last served East London market traders more than 30 years ago. James Dye, who co-owns the Camberwell Arms and Bambi has teamed up with Benjy Leibowitz, formerly of JKS, to revive the four-storey Victorian pub. As High Note Hospitality, the pair open ‘several plans to open more ‘multi-concept venues in remarkable buildings across London in the next few years’. Both said the Knave of Clubs will reopen as a traditional pub, with Allsopp’s beers, Double Diamond, and Guinness alongside classic pub snacks from culinary director Patrick Powell. Prawn scotch eggs, fishcakes, rotisserie chicken and pastrami sandwiches are on the way. Upstairs, Powell will oversee a restaurant called One Club Row. Good wines and pre-batch negronis too. ‘We are extremely excited to be restoring a beautiful building, with such a remarkable history, back to being a pub for the first time in over 30 years,’ said Dye. ‘With so many pubs closing in London we felt it was incredibly important to step in and try to save this remarkable building.’

Lorna McNee

The Scottish chef Lorna McNee has joined the BBC’s Great British Menu as a new judge. McNee, chef director at the much-loved Cail Bruich in Glasgow, replaces Nisha Katona, founder of Mowgli Street Food restaurants, who is moving on from the show after three years. ‘Winning Great British Menu back in 2018 made a huge difference to my career as a chef and was partly behind me becoming chef director at Cail Bruich, so I know just how much the competition means to Britain’s chefs,’ said McNee. ‘Being invited to join the judges this year was a total surprise but a delight, and I’m loving the chance to help choose this year’s banquet finalists.’ Chef Tom Kerridge and comedian and Off Menu podcaster Ed Gamble will remain on the panel. This season’s theme is ‘Great Britons’.

Small Plates

• At The Devonshire, Jamie Guy has stepped down from his position as head chef after an incredibly successful first year. ‘Jamie leaves with our blessings and with huge thanks for the key role he has played in getting us to where we are,’ Oisín Rogers told CODE. ‘We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.’ Co-founder and chef Ashley Palmer-Watts retains his role in overseeing all the food. Thank you to Mike Taylor for the photo (top).
   
• Swedish chef Björn Frantzén has departed his restaurant at Harrods after just over two years. The announcement was announced on Studio Frantzen’s Instagram feed on Boxing Day and was first picked up by Harden’s.
   
• Cafe Britaly in Peckham has also closed. The Britalian concept opened in May, but co-owners Richard Crampton-Platt and Alex Purdie have called time ‘due to challenging trading conditions, which were compounded by the autumn budget, and before Café Britaly had time to build up enough momentum to generate sustainable revenue.’
   
• Duck & Rice, the Chinese gastropub created by Alan Yau (he is no longer involved) is to launch a second location in Battersea Power Station this year, a decade after the first opened in Soho.