Michelin-starred chef Jean Christophe Ansanay-Alex has confirmed he was sacked from his position as head chef at L’Ambassade de l’Ile after a dispute with his business partner Jean Michel Aulas.
The South Kensington eaterie closed on 2 August this year when Ansanay-Alex’s business partner Aulas - founder and chairman of computer software company CEGID and president of French football club Olympique Lyonnais- decided to close the fine-dining restaurant with a view to reopening it as a simpler brasserie.
The £2.2m restaurant, which opened last August, was awarded a Michelin star but was met with mixed reviews by critics, who enjoyed the food but not the interiors.
Speaking exclusively to Caterer, Ansanay-Alex said: “My partner decided in July he wanted to close L’Ambassade and reopen it as a brasserie. And when I didn’t agree with this, he fired me.
“So now I’m back in Lyon at L'Auberge de l'Ile and it’s great, I have lots of projects going on here. And I’m in the running to be Frenchman of the year in France. JC is back!”
The pair are now in the process of a legal dispute.
The restaurant follows in the steps of Gordon Ramsay’s La Noisette, which closed shortly after being awarded a Michelin star.
Ambassade de L'Ile, London – Menuwatch >>
Ambassade de l'Ile, London >>
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By Gemma Sharkey
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