James Durrant, executive chef at the Michelin-starred Maze restaurant in London, is leaving Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH) after nine years with the company, Caterersearch has learnt.
The chef's departure comes just weeks after Jason Atherton, former chef-patron of the international Maze group of restaurants, announced his resignation from GRH.
A former Acorn winner, Durrant first joined GRH as a junior chef at the group's flagship three-Michelin-starred restaurant on Royal Hospital Road, before heading north to become junior sous chef at Paul Kitching's Michelin-starred Juniper in Altricham, Cheshire.
He then returned to London and GRH to work at the then Michelin-starred restaurant at Claridge's, before becoming executive chef at Maze in 2005. In this role, he helped launch the first international branch of Maze in New York, as well as Maze Grill in London.
Durrant said he was now looking forward to the next step of his career. "After an amazing five years at Maze and nine years at GRH I have decided to take some time out and I am really looking forward to the next step in my career," he said.
A spokeswoman for GRH added: "We're very sad to be saying goodbye to James, he is a fantastic young talent and we wish him all the best for the future."
Durrant's leaving marks the fourth senior chef departure from GRH in two years, with Marcus Wareing and Mark Sargeant also having left the group.
Meanwhile, Atherton has launched a new restaurant in Shanghai called Table No 1 by Jason Atheron and will be opening a restaurant, rumoured to be called Pollen Street Social Jason Atherton, in London's Mayfair in the autumn.
Jason Atherton to leave Gordon Ramsay Holdings >>
Jason Atherton opens restaurant in Shanghai >>
Acorn winner 2006: James Durrant >>
Mark Sargeant leaves Gordon Ramsay Holdings >>
By Kerstin Kühn E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn here.
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