Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens has lost control of his restaurant business after his two London eateries were acquired by a management buy-out (MBO) team, Caterersearch has learnt.

Tom’s Kitchen and the Michelin-starred Tom Aikens in London’s Chelsea were acquired by TA Holdco Ltd, after being put into administration last week.

The MBO was funded by a private investor.

Aikens’s spokeswoman confirmed to Caterersearch that Aikens was no longer in control of the business.

“Tom remains in control in terms of the culinary side of the business, though the new company will put in stronger business and financial controls,” she said.

She added that Aikens has shelved plans to open a second Tom’s Kitchen in Canary Wharf: “Tom is going to concentrate on his two restaurants - Tom's Kitchen and Tom Aikens Restaurant. There are no immediate plans to add any additions sites to the company.”

Aikens’s array of small suppliers are now fearful that they will be out of pocket following the company’s collapse into administration, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

However, his spokeswoman assured Caterersearch that Aikens will be in touch with each of his 160 or so suppliers to discuss the business and how they can work together in the future.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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