Jason Atherton is to quit his position as chef-partner at L'Anis in London's Kensington. He plans to leave the restaurant in August and is talking to another restaurateur about a new venture.

The 29-year-old chef joined forces with restaurateurs Claudio Pulze and Raj Sharma of Cuisine Collection at the former Frith Street restaurant  in London before opening L'Anis with them last year.

Atherton said he was proud of the recognition that he had achieved at L'Anis over the past 10 months, but did not feel that he was able to move the cooking forward as quickly as he wanted to.

Pulze said: "I believe that in the current market it is far more commercially viable to start with a simple restaurant offer and to develop that offer over time and this can take several years.

"Jason is a very talented chef who is eager to fulfill his aspirations - perhaps more quickly than L'Anis could accommodate."

Atherton has also resigned as chef consultant of Cantina Vinopolis on London's South Bank in which Pulze and restaurateur Trevor Gulliver have a controlling stake.

by Amanda Afiya