Helen-Lela Avis, managing director of the Box Tree, in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, has confirmed that Alan Hill is leaving his job as head chef of the former Michelin-starred restaurant less than six months after he joined.
Hill took over from Shane Goodway at the 35-seat restaurant at the end of April. He leaves on 6 September.
Avis dismissed rumours that she was selling the restaurant. She said she felt the rumours had arisen because she had been spending less time at the restaurant than formerly, because she was caring for her husband, who is terminally ill.
She said: "For the time being, I am not selling the restaurant. There are a lot of rumours that are not very nice." Avis bought the restaurant in 1992.